Janet Jackson has broken her silence following the sudden death of her brother, Toriano “Tito” Jackson, aged 70, last month. Tito, the third of the nine Jackson siblings, passed away in September, leaving his sons TJ, Taj, and Taryll “shocked, saddened and heartbroken.” In a joint statement, his sons described him as an incredible man who cared deeply about everyone’s well-being.
On what would have been Tito’s 71st birthday, Janet shared a nostalgic black and white photo of themselves as children on her Instagram Stories, expressing how much she misses him. La Toya Jackson, Janet’s sister, also paid tribute to Tito on her Instagram page with a heartfelt video, sending him love on his heavenly birthday.
Tito Jackson, born in 1953, rose to fame as part of the legendary group Jackson 5 alongside his siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. Despite achieving hits with popular songs like “ABC” and “I Want You Back,” Tito often felt the sting of being the object of jokes. He once mentioned in an interview how a comment from basketball player Charles Barkley about his relevance in the Jackson 5 deeply affected him.
Tito prioritized being a father to his three sons, choosing not to pursue a solo career. His sons later formed their own music group, 3T. In an interview, Tito expressed doubts about the surviving members adjusting to performing without Michael Jackson, who he dearly missed.
Taryll, one of Tito’s sons, also marked his father’s birthday by celebrating his life, legacy, and spirit. Expressing gratitude for the support received during their time of mourning, he highlighted Tito’s impact on the world through music and his role as a father, brother, uncle, and friend. Taryll emphasized that Tito’s legacy will continue to inspire, urging everyone to remember him daily by embodying his message to “Love One Another.”
Tito Jackson’s untimely passing has deeply touched his family and fans, with tributes pouring in to honour his memory and the indelible mark he left on the music industry and beyond.