2000–2002:  "Invincible" and third child

In 2000, Jackson was listed in the book of Guinness World Records for his support of 39 charities, more than any other entertainer.

Jackson released "Invincible" in October 2001 with much anticipation. To help promote the album, a special 30th Anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden occurred in September 2001 to mark the singer's 30th year as a solo artist. However, the sales for "Invincible" were notably low compared to his previous releases, due in part to a diminishing pop music industry, the lack of promotion, no supporting world tour and the label dispute.

Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (also known as Blanket) was born in 2002. Jackson said the child was the result of artificial insemination.

2003–2007: Documentary, trial and business ventures

In 2003, Sony put out a compilation of Jackson's hits on CD and DVD. In the US, the album peaked at number 13 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. In the UK it was certified for shipments of at least 1.2 million units.

Michael Jackson has been spotted in the Dorchester Hotel, meeting fans and posing for photographs. [CFP]

In a Granada Television documentary titled "Living with Michael Jackson," the singer was seen holding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with Gavin Arvizo, who would later accuse him of child sexual abuse Jackson denied the sexual abuse allegations, saying that the sleepovers were in no way sexual in nature.

The People v. Jackson trial began in Santa Maria, California, two years after Jackson was originally charged. During this period the singer became dependent on morphine and Demerol, a dependency which he subsequently overcame. He also suffered from stress-related illnesses and severe weight loss, which would alter his appearance. The trial lasted five months to the end of May 2005, he was acquitted on all counts.

Reports of financial problems for Jackson became frequent in 2006 after the closure of the main house on the Neverland Ranch as a cost-cutting measure.

One of Jackson's first documented public appearances since his trial was in November 2006, when he visited the London office of the Guinness World Records.

2008–2009: Milestones, real estate, planned return to live performance

Neverland Ranch was Jackson's permanent residency from 1988 to 2005.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Thriller," Jackson issued "Thriller 25," comprised of original material from the album, re-mixes, the previously unreleased song "For All Time" and a DVD. Two singles were released to moderate success: "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008". "Thriller 25" was a commercial success.[138]

To celebrate Jackson's 50th birthday, Sony BMG released a compilation album called "King of Pop in various countries."

Fortress considered a foreclosure sale of Neverland Ranch to service a loan Jackson owed on the property, but ultimately sold the loan to Colony Capital LLC. I

Prior to his death, Jackson had been scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people, at London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010.

(Source: Wikipedia, China.org.cn June 26, 2009)