These images were taken of a pale and gaunt Michael Jackson on June 23, 2009 at the Staples Center during rehearsals for his upcoming 50-date concert engagement at the 02 Arena in London.
The concerts were set to begin on July 13 and last through the beginning of March 2010.
But Jackson’s friends doubt he would have lasted that long. They say Jackson hired a personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray of Las Vegas, just two weeks before he was to leave for London to provide him with prescription drugs — and eventually, an excuse to bail out on the concerts series early.
Jackson was in no physical shape for such a grueling contractual commitment. The 50-year-old 5′-10″ superstar weighed approximately 125 pounds when he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away last week.
The ideal weight for a 5′-10″ man with a small frame is 144-154 lbs.
Photos: Wireimage/Getty
