The Jacksons: Bellbottoms to Rock Bottom

May 14, 2008— -- They were once the mighty Jackson Five, the undisputed kings of Motown, raking in seven-figure paychecks for single performances and selling more than 100 million albums, second only to the Beatles.

But the band of brothers has fallen on hard times since then. The New York Post recently interviewed three of the nine Jackson children and looked into their finances. The newspaper learned that one of the brothers stocks groceries, another repairs cars and others live at home with parents, Joe and Katherine, who, themselves, are at risk of losing their five-acre mansion.

Superstar sibling Michael Jackson, who has given money to his brothers in the past, seems to have turned his back on them. He never made good on his promise to take them back on tour after his 2004 child molestation trial ended.

The last time they shared a stage, he paid them each just $1,100 dollars, according to the Post, for performing at his 2001 star-studded concert where he celebrated 30 years in the music business. In contrast, he reportedly paid Marlon Brando $1 million just to appear.

Of course, one reason for this may be that Michael has his own financial troubles to worry about. Until recently his Neverland Ranch was headed for the auction block. And he hasn't produced a blockbuster hit in years.

The Jackson sisters, on the other hand, seem to be financially stable. Janet Jackson is even rumored to be the family breadwinner.

Here's a look at that famous family and their finances now.

Father Joe Jackson, 79

The hard-driving patriarch who drove his boys to success now peddles schemes to replenish his bank account. According to the New York Post, he hustles several girl singing groups in Las Vegas and a book about his family, in Germany. When Michael was on trial, he demanded payment for interviews. He has berated his superstar son for not helping out the family in recent years. "Charity begins at home," he said in a 2005 interview, according to the Post. "Michael should think about that."

Katherine Jackson, 77

Katherine is a stay-at-home housewife and the only family member in contact with Michael, according to the Post. She presides over the family's Encino, Calif., mansion, called Hayvenhurst, where, in recent years, workers have gone for months without paychecks. Should the parents lose their home to debts, daughter Janet has already purchased them a new home in Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, Michael released a 25-year anniversary edition of his best-selling album "Thriller." But his last album of new music, "Invincible," sold millions less than previous releases and showed that the "King of Pop" is actually quite vulnerable.

Since his 2004 trial on child molestation charges, for which he was acquitted, creditors have been after Michael and nearly foreclosed on his famous Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif. Earlier this week, real estate investment firm Colony Capital took over the reported $23.5 million loan on the 2,700-acre property, and Michael said he is in the process of negotiating payment terms.

Janet Jackson, 41

The current family breadwinner, Janet is said to be worth upward of $150 million. Billboard named her one of the top-ten best-selling artists in the history of contemporary music. On the acting front, she continues to land roles, including star turn in Tyler Perry's hit "Why Did I Get Married?"

Janet was spared from the many lawsuits connected to Jackson Communications, started by her brother Jermaine, when it collapsed in 1997. According to the Post, she sends money home to the family and has purchased a Las Vegas home for her parents.

Jermaine Jackson, 54

When Jermaine's Jackson Communications buckled, the family was forced to file for Chapter 11 protection in 1997, listing debts of more than $45 million. Now, with more than $5 million in federal, state and other liens against him, along with a 1995 bankruptcy filing, according to the Post, Jermaine does not work or have a regular income. He shuttles between his parents' mansion and his girlfriend's home in Ventura County, Calif.

Jackie Jackson, 56

The oldest son, and most stylish of the brothers, struggles to manage his son Siggy's aspiring rap career after failing at a startup Internet clothing business and earlier attempts to produce music. According to the Post, he lives at home with his parents.

Randy Jackson, 46

According to the Post, the baby brother performs odd jobs, such as fixing cars in a Los Angeles garage owned by a family friend. During Michael's molestation trial, Randy served as his business manager. He persuaded three people to secure loans against their homes to help Michael pay for his attorney fees and, according to the Post, Michael never paid them back. He too lives at home.

An original member of the Jackson Five, Marlon now stocks shelves at a Vons supermarket in San Diego, the Post reported. When he fell on hard times three years ago, he was forced to leave his foreclosed home and move temporarily into an extended-stay hotel with his wife, Carol.

Tito Jackson, 55

The only one of Michael's brothers still making music, Tito is a guitarist who fronts a blues and jazz band. According to the Post, his band plays at small venues and earns between $500 and $1,500 per gig. That's a far cry from his stadium days, when the Jacksons could draw a crowd of 50,000 at $30 a ticket.

La Toya Jackson, 52

Considered the family traitor for declaring Michael guilty during his 1993 child molestation case, La Toya has little contact with her siblings today. Said to be a millionaire by the New York Post, the former Playboy cover girl earns a living mostly in Europe and the United Arab Emirates, where she judges beauty and singing contests. She lives with a wealthy boyfriend in Beverly Hills.

Rebbie Jackson, 57

The oldest Jackson child, Rebbie scored a moderate hit with "Centipede" in 1984 and followed up her debut gold album with three less successful albums, before quietly retiring from the music business. Seemingly the most stable of the Jackson kids, Rebbie has been married to her childhood sweetheart, Nathaniel Brown, for more than 35 years. They have three children and live in an exclusive enclave of Las Vegas.