Jermaine Jackson gave fans a rare glimpse into his family this week as his mother, Katherine Jackson, celebrated her 96th birthday.
The singer shared side-by-side photos on Instagram featuring himself with the Jackson family matriarch, his wife Maday Velazques, and their son, Abu Bakr Khalifa Jackson. One photo showed Katherine holding Abu Bakr as a baby, while another captured the two together years later.
“Spending time with my mother during her golden years — from her holding my son Abu Bakr as a baby to watching their bond grow, connecting generations as he does,” Jermaine wrote.
He later opened up about their lifelong bond and how meaningful it has been to remain close to his mother over the years.
“My family and I are truly blessed to spend these days together with our mother at this age; reaching 96 is a true blessing,” he shared. “When I was younger I used to hold on to her skirt, crying because I didn’t want to leave her side — and today, after so many years, I am still by her side.”
Jermaine’s youngest son, Abu Bakr, was born in 2022 and recently attended the Berlin premiere of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, with several members of the famous family.
Katherine’s birthday tributes continued online with a message from her great-grandson Soltan, the son of Jermaine Jackson Jr. and Asa Soltan Rahmati.
“The beautiful Matriarch of the Family, Grandma. 96 years old today and still the sharpest, kindest, funniest, sassiest, and strongest person,” the caption read. “She is the heart of the family. We love you Grandma.”
Alongside the post were photos of Katherine surrounded by multiple generations of the Jackson family during her birthday gathering.
Born on May 4, 1930, in Clayton, Alabama, Katherine and her late husband, Joe Jackson, raised the legendary musical family of ten children that included Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, and several other siblings who helped shape pop culture history.
