Joe Jackson, the father of the late Michael Jackson and patriarch of the musical family, suffered a stroke while visiting Brazil and was admitted to the intensive care unit of a Sao Paulo hospital.
A spokesperson for the Albert Einstein hospital said in an emailed statement that Jackson was admitted on Sunday afternoon and was suffering from an irregular heartbeat. It did not provide any further details about Jackson’s condition.
A publicist told TMZ that the 87-year-old, who was in Brazil celebrating his birthday, was admitted as a result of an artery bursting behind his eye, triggering the stroke.
Once in the hospital, Jackson reportedly suffered three heart attacks, a family source told the website.
The publicist told TMZ that Jackson’s heart stopped beating for 10 seconds but was revived and a pacemaker was inserted.
But one of the organizers of the birthday party said he was doing well.
"He is perfectly conscious, he is talking perfectly well without any problems, he is completely dynamic," said Nogueira Fresco, one of the organizers of the party. The fete marking Jackson's birthday went ahead Saturday without its guest of honor. Local media reported he was not feeling well enough to attend.
Nexxing, the company that invited Jackson to Brazil, said he arrived in the South American nation on Wednesday and attended several events, including a visit to a Sao Paulo soccer stadium, before falling ill. Photos from his official website also show him dining in Sao Paulo restaurants.
Jackson was due to leave Brazil on Tuesday.
Jackson has suffered minor strokes in the past, including one in 2012.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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