Joe Jackson, the father of Micheal Jackson, has died at the age of 89.

Jackson had been in hospital fighting cancer but his family had seen his health detiriate quickly in a short period of time and passed away Wednesday.

Micheal Jackson’s father holds the legacy of launching the career of his son along with Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito. The family story began in the 1960s when he launched the Jackson 5 and subsequently became the manager of the band.

He died at 3.30am, in Los Angeles.

Recent years have been difficult for Jackson who, in 2015 suffered a stroke and three heart attacks. The months that followed were long and gruelling while spent in the hospital.

Speculation had began to grow about Jackson’s health and, earlier in the week, son Jermaine Jackson tweeted: “My father’s health is not good, but ‘dying’ is a harsh word chosen by headline writers, not me,” he wrote at the time. “For however long he has left, my mother, siblings, and relatives want to be with him, without hindrance.”

Days later, fellow sibling Joe provided another update: “I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes.”

As the family began to come to terms with the impending news, Paris Jackson – Michael’s daughter – said: “this is a beautiful tweet. though it upsets me to see whoever is in charge of this account taking advantage of it. my grandfather did not tweet this. i’m not sure if he’s ever used this account.”