Taj Jackson Shares Emotional Post After Death of Dad Tito Jackson: 'The Truth Is I Am Not Okay'

Mar. 15, 2025

Tito Jackson and his son Taj Jackson attend a charity softball game in Encino, Calif. in July 2018.Photo:Vivien Killilea/GettyTaj Jacksonis speaking out on his “incredibly difficult” road ahead following the death of his father,Tito Jackson.Taj, Tito’s eldest son with ex-wife Dee Dee, paid tribute to his late dad in an emotional Instagram post shared on Monday, Sept. 16, one day after the Jackson 5 musician diedfollowing a medical emergencyin New Mexico at age 70.“The truth is I am not okay, and I don’t know if I ever will be. My dad and I shared the same name, Tariano Adaryll Jackson, and people often called me his twin,” Taj wrote. “He was the man I’ve looked up to my entire life—my father, my hero.”Taj, who with his younger brothers TJ and Taryll formed the band 3T, wrote that above Tito’s musical talents, he most admired his “genuine humbleness and humility,” and that he had regular hobbies outside of his superstardom, like coaching baseball, fishing and working on vintage cars.Taj, 51, also addressed the drowning death of hismother, Dee Dee, in 1994, and having to stay strong for his younger brothers TJ, 46, and Taryll, 49, as well as the death of hisuncle Michael Jacksonin 2009, and the way he had to step up forMichael’s childrenParis, 26,Prince, 27, andBigi, 22.“When my mom passed, I had to stay strong for my 2 younger brothers,” he wrote. “When my uncle Michael died, I remained strong for my 3 cousins. I don’t know how much emotional strength I have left,” he wrote. “All of your love lets me know I will survive this nightmare, but I will definitely need to lean on you from time to time and welcome your continued support.”Alongside his message, he shared a throwback photo of Tito, Dee Dee and Michael, and said it was a reminder that he was “three angels watching over” him.Taj, TJ and Taryll announced their father’s death in ajoint Instagram poston the 3T band page, saying they were “shocked, saddened and heartbroken” to announce that Tito “is no longer with us.”Tito Jackson at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London in September 2017.Gareth Cattermole/Getty“Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T,’” they wrote. “Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”The Gallup Police Department said in a press release that someone called police for an “individual requiring medical attention” near the American Heritage Plaza shopping mall, and that person was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Toriano “Tito” Jackson, of Tulsa, Okla.A cause of death was not listed in the police report. The preliminary investigation into Tito’s death is ongoing.

Tito Jackson and his son Taj Jackson attend a charity softball game in Encino, Calif. in July 2018.Photo:Vivien Killilea/Getty

Vivien Killilea/Getty

Taj Jacksonis speaking out on his “incredibly difficult” road ahead following the death of his father,Tito Jackson.Taj, Tito’s eldest son with ex-wife Dee Dee, paid tribute to his late dad in an emotional Instagram post shared on Monday, Sept. 16, one day after the Jackson 5 musician diedfollowing a medical emergencyin New Mexico at age 70.“The truth is I am not okay, and I don’t know if I ever will be. My dad and I shared the same name, Tariano Adaryll Jackson, and people often called me his twin,” Taj wrote. “He was the man I’ve looked up to my entire life—my father, my hero.”Taj, who with his younger brothers TJ and Taryll formed the band 3T, wrote that above Tito’s musical talents, he most admired his “genuine humbleness and humility,” and that he had regular hobbies outside of his superstardom, like coaching baseball, fishing and working on vintage cars.Taj, 51, also addressed the drowning death of hismother, Dee Dee, in 1994, and having to stay strong for his younger brothers TJ, 46, and Taryll, 49, as well as the death of hisuncle Michael Jacksonin 2009, and the way he had to step up forMichael’s childrenParis, 26,Prince, 27, andBigi, 22.“When my mom passed, I had to stay strong for my 2 younger brothers,” he wrote. “When my uncle Michael died, I remained strong for my 3 cousins. I don’t know how much emotional strength I have left,” he wrote. “All of your love lets me know I will survive this nightmare, but I will definitely need to lean on you from time to time and welcome your continued support.”Alongside his message, he shared a throwback photo of Tito, Dee Dee and Michael, and said it was a reminder that he was “three angels watching over” him.Taj, TJ and Taryll announced their father’s death in ajoint Instagram poston the 3T band page, saying they were “shocked, saddened and heartbroken” to announce that Tito “is no longer with us.”Tito Jackson at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London in September 2017.Gareth Cattermole/Getty“Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T,’” they wrote. “Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”The Gallup Police Department said in a press release that someone called police for an “individual requiring medical attention” near the American Heritage Plaza shopping mall, and that person was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Toriano “Tito” Jackson, of Tulsa, Okla.A cause of death was not listed in the police report. The preliminary investigation into Tito’s death is ongoing.

Taj Jacksonis speaking out on his “incredibly difficult” road ahead following the death of his father,Tito Jackson.

Taj, Tito’s eldest son with ex-wife Dee Dee, paid tribute to his late dad in an emotional Instagram post shared on Monday, Sept. 16, one day after the Jackson 5 musician diedfollowing a medical emergencyin New Mexico at age 70.

“The truth is I am not okay, and I don’t know if I ever will be. My dad and I shared the same name, Tariano Adaryll Jackson, and people often called me his twin,” Taj wrote. “He was the man I’ve looked up to my entire life—my father, my hero.”

Taj, who with his younger brothers TJ and Taryll formed the band 3T, wrote that above Tito’s musical talents, he most admired his “genuine humbleness and humility,” and that he had regular hobbies outside of his superstardom, like coaching baseball, fishing and working on vintage cars.

Taj, 51, also addressed the drowning death of hismother, Dee Dee, in 1994, and having to stay strong for his younger brothers TJ, 46, and Taryll, 49, as well as the death of hisuncle Michael Jacksonin 2009, and the way he had to step up forMichael’s childrenParis, 26,Prince, 27, andBigi, 22.

“When my mom passed, I had to stay strong for my 2 younger brothers,” he wrote. “When my uncle Michael died, I remained strong for my 3 cousins. I don’t know how much emotional strength I have left,” he wrote. “All of your love lets me know I will survive this nightmare, but I will definitely need to lean on you from time to time and welcome your continued support.”

Alongside his message, he shared a throwback photo of Tito, Dee Dee and Michael, and said it was a reminder that he was “three angels watching over” him.

Taj, TJ and Taryll announced their father’s death in ajoint Instagram poston the 3T band page, saying they were “shocked, saddened and heartbroken” to announce that Tito “is no longer with us.”

Tito Jackson at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London in September 2017.Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

“Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T,’” they wrote. “Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”

The Gallup Police Department said in a press release that someone called police for an “individual requiring medical attention” near the American Heritage Plaza shopping mall, and that person was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Toriano “Tito” Jackson, of Tulsa, Okla.

A cause of death was not listed in the police report. The preliminary investigation into Tito’s death is ongoing.

source: people.com