Jackie Wilson’s life was filled with extreme highs and extreme lows. He was one of the greatest singers/entertainers of his time, but he was also one of the most grief stricken and drama filled entertainers of his day.
The Lows
In 1961, Wilson was once shot by a rumored lover in a jealous rampage and lost a kidney and the bullet remained lodged close to his spine for the rest of his life; he was known to have had multiple side chicks throughout his 14 year marriage to his wife, Freda Hood; Freda divorced him in 1965 because of his womanizing, but later regretted it; and ultimately Jackie died from complications related to a massive heart attack he’d suffered on stage, which resulted in him being in a coma for nine years up until his death.
The Highs
Jackie Wilson was one of the BADDEST singers, stage performers, crowd pleasers, dancers, charismatic soul artists to have ever walked the face of the earth- no ifs, ands, nor buts about it. But…
How Jackie’s Children Sadly Died Very Young…
Then there were Jackie’s children- he’s rumored to have had several, but three of them died suddenly at very young ages, two of which were very tragic deaths. Two of them also preceded Jackie in death and one died after.
His Son’s Tragic Murder In 1970
Jackie’s son, Jackie Jr., was the first of his children to die at just 16 years old in 1970. Jr. was brutally murdered when he was shot down in cold blood right there on Jackie Wilson’s neighbor’s porch. Jr. and the neighbor were allegedly beefing over something and unfortunately their heated argument quickly escalated, leaving Jr. lying dead on the porch.
His Daughter’s Tragic Murder In 1977
Jackie’s 37 year old daughter, Jacqueline Wilson, was shot in her back while standing outside of a store in Highland Park, Michigan in August of 1988. It was reported that her shooting and ultimate death was possibly related to a drug related incident. Police said that the area she was in was a highly drug trafficked section of the neighborhood.
His Other Daughter’s Death In 1988
Jackie also had a third child who died. Her death was not violent, although, just like her two siblings, it was unexpected and she was very young. Sandra Wilson Abrams was the second one of Jackie’s kids to pass away in 1977 at the age of 24. She died from a sudden heart attack.
The Pathology
The pathology in the fates of Jackie’s two murdered children is very eery and it’s a reminder that it never hurts to do a little bit more work on ourselves everyday. That self-work could possibly help us to help others.
Jackie was known to have a hot temper and we’re not sure of what led to his son’s altercation with the neighbor, but it’s possible that either his beloved son had a hot temper also, or he died at the hands of a person with a hot temper. Jackie was also known to be connected with several drug dealers and cats who lived that life. Sadly, his beloved daughter ended up being killed in a territory that was widely known as a drug infested area, where drug dealers roamed.
What Many Speculate Caused Jackie’s Downward Spiral & Ultimate Death
A massive heart attack is also what Jackie Wilson suffered on stage, while performing at Dick Clark’s Oldies Concert in 1975, and that led to him being in a coma for nine years, up until his death in 1984 at the age of 49.
It’s been said that after the murder of his son, Jackie Jr., that is what drove Jackie to severe drug and alcohol addictions. He simply couldn’t cope with his child’s death on his own, so he spent the rest of his life (until his coma) self medicating the pain away, with bouts of soberness in between. Little did he know was that just 2 years after he was already in a coma his second child would be murdered; and 11 years after that, his third child would pass away as well.
It’s sad that oftentimes the greatest entertainers have the greatest deal of pain and/or flaws…the iconic Jackie Wilson was no exception to that rule. May he and his children continue to rest.
