Editorial Staff
Who is La Toya Jackson?
Born on May 29, 1956, La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer and television personality. The Jackson family has five children, with her being the middle daughter. Initially, Jackson was recognized on The Jacksons, a CBS variety series that was broadcast between 1976 and 1977. Following that, she considered her solo career as a recording artist during the 1980s and 1990s under various record labels, including Polydor, Sony Music, and RCA, during which time she produced nine studio albums over a span of fifteen years. Her notable achievements in the U.S. include her self-named debut album released in 1980 and the 1984 single “Heart Don’t Lie”. Jackson’s repertoire also includes “Night Time Lover”, “If You Feel the Funk”, “Bet’cha Gonna Need My Lovin'”, “Hot Potato”, “You’re Gonna Get Rocked!”, and “Sexbox”. Jackson wrote a song called “Just Say No” for Nancy Reagan, the US first lady, and the anti-drug campaign of the Reagan administration.
In the last decade, Jackson began making regular appearances in reality television, which include the British version of Celebrity Big Brother (2009), two seasons of The Celebrity Apprentice (2011, 2013), her own reality television series on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Life with La Toya, which aired for two seasons (2013–2014); and three international versions of The Masked Singer (2019, 2021, 2023).
| Real Name/Full Name | La Toya Yvonne Jackson |
| Date Of Birth | 29 May 1956 |
| Age | 70 years old |
| Birthplace | Gary, Indiana, United States. |
| Nationality | American. |
| Religion | Christianity. |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Father Name | Joe Jackson. |
| Mother Name | Katherine Jackson. |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inch |
| Weight | 57 kg |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse Name | Jack Gordon (M. 1989 TO Div. 1997) |
| Children Name | N/A |
| Siblings Name | N/A |
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Songwriter, TV Personality, and Entrepreneur. |
| Net Worth | $1 Million to $5 Million. |
Early Life & Education
Born on May 29, 1956, at St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana, was La Toya Jackson. She is one of ten children born to Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson, with Rebbie Jackson and Janet Jackson being the other two female siblings. La Toya Jackson was shy when she was young. She joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses with the rest of her siblings: Janet Jackson, Randy Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Joh Vonnie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and Brandon David Jackson when her mother did so in 1965.
For one of her time slots, she would venture door-to-door preaching with her mother. “Each morning, Michael Jackson and I would traverse Los Angeles, pounding on doors to spread the word of Jehovah.” In 1972, when her father arranged for her brothers to give concerts in Las Vegas, and elsewhere, La Toya Jackson Jackson made her entrance alongside them with a tap dance move. La Toya Jackson received her graduation from the Cal-Prep School in Encino, Los Angeles, in 1974. She envisioned herself as a commercial lawyer before she became an attorney. After briefly attending college, she was compelled by her father to follow the family path and pursue a career in show business.
Career
La Toya began her solo career in the later years of the 1970s, releasing her self-named debut album in 1980. The album contained “Night Time Lover,” a single co-produced by Michael Jackson, the artist’s brother, and this track achieved moderate success. Building her musical repertoire, she released subsequent albums, titled “My Special Love” in 1981 and “Heart Don’t Lie” in 1984. Her most successful album to date was the latter, which featured a song that entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
In the 1980s and 1990s, La Toya engaged with different elements of the entertainment industry. Her profiles in Playboy magazine in 1989 and 1991 drew considerable attention, portraying a daring and autonomous persona. The album “Bad Girl,” released in 1990, contained hits like “Sexual Feeling” and “Playboy.” Even though she faced difficulties, such as a turbulent marriage to her manager Jack Gordon, La Toya remained strong, persevering in music creation and public events.
In 2004, she returned to the music industry with chart-topping hits including Just Wanna Dance, Home, and Free The World. In 2011, she was one of the contestants on Celebrity Apprentice’s fourth edition. In the same year, she published an EP under the title Starting Over. From 2013 to 2014, she was the main star in her own reality TV show, which was broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey Network. There were two seasons in the series.
Recent years have seen La Toya staying active in the entertainment industry. In 2018, she competed in a celebrity edition of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” where she ultimately won, securing $25,000 for the MS Society charity drive. She also made appearances on reality singing competitions, such as “The Masked Singer,” during which she was unveiled as “Alien” in the show’s inaugural year in 2019. In 2023, she participated in the Australian edition of the show as “Burger Gal,” highlighting her consistent popularity and adaptability as an entertainer.
Personal Life
La Toya’s personal journey has been a mix of successes and trials. In 1989, she married Jack Gordon, her manager, but their relationship was marked by turbulence and controversy. Later, La Toya disclosed that the marriage was abusive, and she was forced into several actions during that time. In 1997, the couple divorced, and ever since, La Toya has voiced her stories publicly, striving to raise awareness about domestic abuse.
Despite the public attention, La Toya has kept close ties with her family, especially her siblings and their offspring. While she herself has no children, she is well-known for her supportive role as an aunt to her nieces and nephews. Remarkably close was her bond with her brother Michael, and through various endeavors and public declarations, she maintains his legacy.
Net Worth
Estimated net worth figures for La Toya Jackson vary, ranging from $1 million to $5 million, based on different sources. Her wealth stems from her music career, television appearances, published works, and entrepreneurial activities. Her primary revenue sources consist of her top-charting albums, earned royalties, and her involvement in reality TV shows. La Toya has acquired multiple residences throughout the years, among which is a upscale dwelling in Beverly Hills. She is famous for her appreciation of exquisite attire, lavish vehicles, and globe-hopping, often drawing attention at prominent gatherings in regal ensembles. Even though her current lifestyle is less public than in her past years, it shows a mix of simplicity alongside occasional splurges on luxury.
