Pop icon Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles. He was 50.

TMZ.com was the first to confirm the shocking death, followed by the Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical Center this afternoon after collapsing from cardiac arrest at his home. He was reportedly not breathing, and paramedics were unable to revive him at the scene.

The Jackson clan is gathering at the hospital. Media converged there as CNN debated the merits of "Thriller," and the news spread like wildfire on Facebook and Twitter. Social network users changed their profile pictures to honor Jackson and posted about hearing the news of his passing during aerobics class, in the airport security line, and while honeymooning in Hawaii.

See pictures of Michael Jackson

Jackson was the seventh child of the talented Jackson family, big brother to singer Janet Jackson. He won 13 Grammy Awards, had 13 number one singles in his solo career and was widely known as the "King of Pop."

Jackson's distinctive musical style and dance moves resonate in popular culture through artists including Justin Timberlake, Usher and Chris Brown. The singing talent show American Idol has paid tribute to the star with its Michael Jackson night.

Along with his music career, Jackson's tumultuous and highly publicized personal life kept him in the spotlight for almost four decades. In recent years, he had become a recluse while remaining one of the most famous men in the world.

Jackson is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

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