La Toya Jackson: The Story Behind The Icon

La Toya Jackson's Net Worth: Where It All Stands

Let's talk about La Toya Jackson. She’s more than just a member of the legendary Jackson family—she's a force to be reckoned with. La Toya, who's worth an estimated $1 million, has carved out her own path in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she's worn many hats: singer, songwriter, author, actress, and TV personality. Her career has been nothing short of dynamic, and her journey has taken some unexpected turns. From releasing nine studio albums to starring in reality TV, La Toya has shown resilience and creativity. Her debut album in 1980 set the tone for her career, and she’s continued to push boundaries ever since.

But La Toya's life hasn’t been all glitz and glamour. She faced personal struggles that tested her strength, like the controversial fallout with her father and her tumultuous marriage. In her 1991 autobiography, "La Toya: Growing Up in the Jackson Family," she bravely spoke out about the physical and sexual abuse she endured. Despite these challenges, La Toya found her way back to her family with the help of her brother, Randy. This reconnection gave her the support she needed to rebuild her life and career. Along the way, she's been a contestant on shows like "Celebrity Big Brother," "Celebrity Apprentice," and even had her own reality series, "Life With La Toya," on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Early Life: The Making of a Star

Growing up in Gary, Indiana, La Toya Jackson was born on May 29, 1956, as the fifth child to Joe and Katherine Jackson. From a young age, she was surrounded by music, thanks to her famous siblings, including Michael and Janet. When her mom became a Jehovah's Witness in 1965, La Toya and her nine brothers and sisters followed suit. Her early years weren’t just about religion; they were also about performing. At just 16, she was already showcasing her talent by performing tap-dance routines in Las Vegas and other cities.

Read also:

Ving Rhames Net Worth 2024 Journey From Harlem To Hollywoods Elite

After graduating from Cal-Prep in 1974, La Toya initially enrolled in college, but her father's demand for her to pursue a career in show business changed her path. She appeared in every episode of CBS's "The Jacksons" from 1976 to 1977. La Toya even formed a band with her sisters Janet and Rebbie in the late '70s, but creative differences led her to go solo. This decision marked the beginning of her independent journey in the music industry.

Career Highlights: Music, Modeling, and More

La Toya's career kicked off in 1980 with her self-titled debut album. The album didn’t just make waves—it climbed to #26 on the "Billboard" Top R&B Albums chart. It featured standout tracks like "If You Feel the Funk" and "Night Time Lover," which featured her brother Michael's backing vocals, production, and songwriting. The '80s were a busy decade for her, with the release of several albums: "My Special Love" (1981), "Heart Don't Lie" (1984), "Imagination" (1986), and "La Toya" (1988). In 1985, she participated in the iconic charity single "We Are the World," which won four Grammys and remains one of the most memorable collaborations in music history.

By 1990, La Toya was back with her sixth album, "Bad Girl," and her performance at the Sanremo Music Festival helped the single "You and Me" reach #28 on the Italian charts. She continued to experiment with different genres, releasing a country album, "From Nashville to You," in 1994, and a Motown album, "Stop in the Name of Love," the following year. However, her career took a downturn under the management of her then-husband, Jack Gordon. During this period, La Toya filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying a $550,000 debt to the Moulin Rouge for not fulfilling her contract.

Despite setbacks, La Toya kept innovating. She released an aerobics video in 1993 and starred in a "Playboy" video in 1994. In 2004, she returned to the dance charts with the singles "Just Wanna Dance" and "Free the World." Reality TV became her next adventure, starting with "Armed & Famous" in 2007 and "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2009. Following her brother Michael's passing, she released the heartfelt single "Home" to honor him, donating proceeds to AIDS Project Los Angeles. Her versatility didn’t stop there—La Toya served as a guest judge on shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "America's Next Top Model," proving that her talent extends beyond music.

Personal Life: Trials, Triumphs, and Resilience

La Toya's personal life has been as dramatic as her career. In 1987, her father hired Jack Gordon to co-manage her, a decision that would change her life forever. Gordon eventually became her full manager and encouraged her to adopt a sexier public image, leading to her disfellowshipping from the Jehovah's Witnesses. She moved to New York City, leaving behind her family's compound in Encino, California. Things took a dark turn when La Toya married Gordon in 1989. She later claimed the marriage was forced, and their union quickly turned abusive.

Gordon's control over La Toya was suffocating. He took her passport, put her bank accounts in his name, and monitored her phone calls. In 1993, he brutally beat her with a chair, leaving her unconscious. Despite being arrested, Gordon was released after claiming self-defense. Things escalated when he forced La Toya to read a statement at a press conference accusing her brother Michael of sexual abuse. Jackson later revealed that Gordon threatened to kill Michael and Janet if she didn’t comply.

Read also:

Nicole Brown Simpson Net Worth 2024 Her Wealth And Financial Legacy

When La Toya discovered Gordon’s plan to force her into a pornographic film, she reached out to her brother Randy for help. He flew to New York and helped her escape while Gordon was away. La Toya filed for divorce and took legal action against Gordon for years of abuse. In 1998, a judge granted her a restraining order and ordered Gordon to pay her $350,000 and $15,000 in attorney fees. Though Gordon never paid the settlement, La Toya's life began to improve. She reconnected with her family and started living on her own, although it took her six months to leave her house due to fear. She later became engaged to her business partner, Jeffré Phillips, but they called off the engagement in 2015.

Awards and Achievements: Celebrating Success

La Toya's contributions to music and activism have earned her numerous accolades. In 1986, she won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for her work on Jimmy Cliff's "Cliff Hanger." She also received a nomination for Best Reggae Recording for co-writing Cliff's song "Reggae Nights." Her song "Baby Sister" won an Outstanding Song Award at the World Popular Song Festival in 1985. Beyond music, La Toya was honored with a US Congressional Tribute for her involvement in the "Beat It" rally and the Stay in School Campaign. In 1991, she was celebrated with a footprint ceremony on Rotterdam's Star Boulevard Walk of Fame, and West Hollywood's Millions of Milkshakes named a signature milkshake after her.

Real Estate: The Ups and Downs

In 1996, La Toya purchased a condo at Regency Towers in Las Vegas for $260,000. Unfortunately, financial troubles led to several liens being placed on the property. By 1999, she owed $745,670.27 on the condo and ultimately lost it to foreclosure. Despite this setback, La Toya's story is one of perseverance, proving that she can overcome adversity and continue to shine in her own unique way.