Michael Jackson's Chimp Bubbles Today: See What He Looks Like Now
In the new biopic, Michael, pop superstar Michael Jackson surprises his family with a new pet. A truck pulls into the Jackson family estate's driveway, and out walks a small chimp, whom Michael named Bubbles.
The movie shows Michael's close bond with the adorable and rambunctious chimp, whose appearance at the family home didn't thrill Jackson's mom Katherine, at least not at first.
However, what is the real story? Did Michael Jackson really have a chimp named Bubbles? And what happened to Bubbles after Jackson died?
Bubbles, Michael Jackson's Pet Chimp, Is Still Alive
Although Michael Jackson died in 2009, Bubbles is still alive.
According to Vanity Fair, Jackson did really have a chimp named Bubbles, and, of course, anyone who followed the singer's career at the time remembers this. Michael "adopted Bubbles in 1983," Vanity Fair reported, noting that "the chimpanzee became much more than just a pet. Over the years, he became an integral part of the singer’s entourage, accompanying him in his daily life as well as his public appearances."
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
"At 43, he resides at the Center for Great Apes in Florida, a specialized sanctuary for the animals, funded in part by the singer’s legacy," according to Vanity Fair.
The Center for Great Apes Recently Provided an Update About Bubbles, Along With a Recent Photo
(Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
The Center for Great Apes honored the renewed interest in Bubbles with a photo and statement.
"With the renewed interest in Bubbles following the release of the film, Michael, we want to share a little about where he is today," the center wrote. "At 43 years old, Bubbles is considered an elder chimpanzee and has called the Center for Great Apes home for the past 21 years."
Bubbles "is a bright, sensitive, and curious chimpanzee with a gentle nature and a strong personality of his own. Like many elder chimps, he enjoys the comfort of his daily routines and the company of his longtime chimpanzee companions," the post says. "He can often be found relaxing with his social group, exploring his habitat, foraging for treats, or simply watching the world around him with curiosity."
For much of his early life, Bubbles "lived in the public eye. But for the last two decades, his life has been about something very important: companionship, stability, the chance to live and interact with his chimpanzee social group, and making choices about how he spends his days," the post adds.
"Our mission at the Center for Great Apes is to provide dignified retirement for chimpanzees and orangutans who spent their early years in the spotlight," added the post.
"For a high-profile resident like Bubbles, the transition from the world of entertainment to a life of autonomy and social connection with his own species is a powerful testament to the sanctuary's impact. It’s a reminder that peace, security, and quality of life for a chimpanzee is also the presence of a troop, the freedom to climb, and the right to simply be."
Added the center: "That’s what sanctuary is all about—giving chimpanzees like Bubbles the opportunity to just be chimpanzees. We’re honored to provide him with the lifelong care, companionship, and home he deserves."