Rebbie Jackson: Biography, Age, Marriage, Music, and Life Now

You know the Jackson family as a dynasty of superstars, but the eldest sibling took a very different path. Rebbie Jackson, born Maureen Reillette in Gary, Indiana, in 1950, never chased the spotlight the way her younger brothers did. Instead, she built a music career on her own terms, anchored by a 1984 hit written by Michael Jackson and a faith that has shaped her life for decades. This article looks at where she is today, what happened at Michael’s funeral, and how her quiet choices made her a steady presence in a famous family.

Full name: Maureen Reillette Jackson-Brown ·
Born: May 29, 1950, Gary, Indiana ·
Profession: Singer ·
Family role: Eldest child of the Jackson family ·
Notable single: Centipede (1984)

Five key facts about Rebbie Jackson paint a clear picture of her life:

Was Rebbie Jackson at Michael Jackson’s funeral?

Rebbie Jackson’s attendance confirmed

Michael Jackson’s public memorial service was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (Wikipedia (memorial service page)). Rebbie was present, seated with the family. Getty Images photographs show her in the audience alongside siblings Janet, La Toya, and others (Getty Images (event documentation)). Her attendance at the public event is well documented by multiple photo agencies and news reports.

Family reports and sources

Regarding the private burial on September 3, 2009, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (ABC News (burial coverage)), mainstream outlets do not list every sibling by name. ABC News noted that Michael’s children and parents sat in the front row, but did not enumerate all siblings. Given Rebbie’s close family ties and her presence at the Staples Center event, it is widely assumed she also attended the burial, though no major editorial source independently confirms it.

“Rebbie was seated with the family at the Staples Center memorial, placing her visually at the event.”

Getty Images caption (Tier 2, photo evidence)

The implication: the public record confirms Rebbie was there for the service that millions watched live, while the private ceremony remains less documented.

What does Rebbie Jackson do now?

Current activities

Rebbie Jackson has been retired from the music industry since her last album Yours Faithfully in 1998 (WBSS Media (discography)). She lives a relatively private life, devoting time to her children and grandchildren. Her daughter Stacee gave birth to London Blue in 2005, making Rebbie a grandmother (Biography.com (family details)). Her son Austin Brown, also known as Auggie, continues the family tradition as a solo artist (Biography.com (Austin Brown)).

Recent public appearances

Rebbie occasionally appears at family events. In 2018, after the death of Joseph Jackson, she attended a private family service at Forest Lawn in Glendale (IMDb News (via TMZ report)). She also undertook the “Pick Up the Phone Tour” in 2011, raising awareness for teen suicide prevention (WBSS Media (tour information)). Since around 2017, she has reportedly taken on a caregiving role for her mother Katherine Jackson (Jackson Source (fan site)).

The pattern: Rebbie is not retired because she vanished, but because she consciously redirected her energy to faith and family—a path consistent with her personality since childhood.

Is Rebbie Jackson still a Jehovah’s Witness?

Religious affiliation timeline

Rebbie became a Jehovah’s Witness in 1965, after her mother Katherine converted that year (Biography.com (religious background)). She has remained a practicing member ever since. Her faith influenced many career decisions, such as not pursuing certain opportunities that would conflict with her beliefs.

Public statements on faith

Jackson-focused sources describe her as “devout” and “a staunch supporter of the Jackson family” while maintaining her religious commitments (Jackson Source (family profile)). Her faith is a defining aspect of her identity, helping her navigate the pressures of being part of a highly publicized family.

“Rebbie has remained described as a devout Jehovah’s Witness and a staunch supporter of the Jackson family as an adult.”

Jackson Source (fan site, Tier 3)

The implication: unlike some siblings who drifted from their religious upbringing, Rebbie stayed consistent—and that consistency partly explains why she never sought the rock-star lifestyle.

For anyone curious about the Jackson family beyond the headlines, Rebbie Jackson represents the counterpoint: a woman who chose faith, marriage, and privacy over fame. Her music career gave her a modest hit and a dedicated fan base, but her legacy is that of the eldest sibling who kept the family grounded. For readers in the United States, the lesson is clear: success doesn’t always mean a spotlight—sometimes it means showing up, staying faithful, and raising the next generation.