Tito Jackson, the renowned American musician and founding member of the Jackson 5, has died at the age of 70.
The older brother of Michael Jackson passed away on Sunday, September 15, after a suspected heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma, according to family friend and former Jackson family manager Steve Manning, speaking to ET.
The official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Tito was last seen in Munich, Germany, on September 9, just six days before his death, where he was preparing for a performance by The Jacksons, featuring his brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson.
He is survived by his three sons—Taj, 41, Taryll, 39, and TJ, 46—and nine grandchildren.
Tito’s ex-wife, Delores ‘Dee Dee’ Martes, whom he married in 1972 and divorced in 1988, passed away in 1994 at age 39.
Initially ruled an accidental drowning, her death later led to her boyfriend, Donald Bohana, being convicted of second-degree murder in 1998. Bohana was granted parole in December 2022 after serving 24 years.
The Jackson 5, which Tito co-founded in 1964 with his brothers Jackie and Jermaine, later expanded to include younger brothers Marlon and Michael.
