Joe Jackson, 87, hospitalized 'with high fever' after falling ill during checkup with doctor

Joe Jackson, father of the late Michael Jackson, has been hospitalized.

The 87-year-old was undergoing a routine checkup with his primary doctor in Los Angeles last week when he fell ill.

TMZ reports that the music manager was having some tests done when he 'became weak' and came down with a high fever.

Falling ill: Joe Jackson, father of the late Michael Jackson, has been hospitalized (File photo: 2014)

Falling ill: Joe Jackson, father of the late Michael Jackson, has been hospitalized (File photo: 2014)

Sources told the website that Jackson saw his doctor on Friday and was immediately hospitalized.

He is currently still at hospital as doctors are still attempting to find a diagnosis.  

Joe, patriarch of the Jackson family of musical performers, suffered a stroke in Brazil last year where he was treated in a Sao Paulo hospital.

Patriarch of the Jackson family of musical performers: Jackson 5 (clockwise from bottom left) Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, and Joe (front) in 1970

Patriarch of the Jackson family of musical performers: Jackson 5 (clockwise from bottom left) Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, and Joe (front) in 1970

The manager, who was in Brazil to celebrate his 87th birthday, was diagnosed with a stroke associated with cardiac arrhythmia, the Albert Einstein hospital said in an e-mailed statement.

Joe was estranged from Michael - who became one of the world's most successful and best-known performers - before his 2009 death. 

He also strayed apart from his wife, Katherine, and many of his other eight children. 

In 2010, Joe confessed during an interview with Oprah Winfry that he beat his children.  

Joe pictured with daughter Janet Jackson in 2000 at LA premiere of Nutty Professor II

Joe pictured with daughter Janet Jackson in 2000 at LA premiere of Nutty Professor II

'I don't [regret the beatings],' he said. 'It kept them out of jail and kept them right.'

Joe was initially defensive about his relationship with Michael, insisting: 'I don't think he was afraid of me. What he was afraid of, he may do something wrong and I'd chastise him but not beat him. I never beat him like the media tried to say.'

But he was forced to admit he used the strap on his nine children when his wife Katherine stepped in.

She said. 'He used a strap. Yes, he did use a strap.'

Joe then chastised his wife for being too soft.

'Katherine is too easy with people... just like Michael,' he said. 

 

 

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