Rebbie Jackson is an American singer and the eldest child of the legendary Jackson family of musicians, the Gary, Indiana dynasty that gave the world Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and the Jackson 5.
Born Maureen Reillette Jackson, Rebbie deliberately placed marriage and motherhood before musical ambition, waiting until the age of 34 to release her debut album. That debut produced her most successful single, “Centipede”, written and produced by her younger brother Michael Jackson, which reached number 4 on the Billboard R&B chart and went Gold.
Her story is one of patience, faith, and a profound commitment to family values that made her the moral and emotional anchor of the world’s most famous musical dynasty.
| Maureen Reillette Jackson-Brown | |
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Maureen Reillette Jackson-Brown: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Maureen Reillette Jackson-Brown |
| Stage Name: | Rebbie Jackson |
| Born: | May 29, 1950 |
| Age: | 76 years old |
| Birthplace: | Gary, Indiana, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Singer, Actress, Mental Health Advocate |
| Height: | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Religion: | Jehovah's Witness |
| Parents: | Joseph "Joe" Jackson (father); Katherine Esther Scruse Jackson (mother) |
| Siblings: | Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, Randy, La Toya, Janet Jackson (and others) |
| Spouse: | Nathaniel Brown (m. 1968 – d. 2013) |
| Children: | Stacee Brown (b. May 5, 1971); Yashi Brown (b. January 18, 1977); Austin Brown (b. November 22, 1985) |
Early Life
Maureen Reillette Jackson was born on May 29, 1950, in Gary, Indiana, a steel-town city southeast of Chicago that would become one of the most famous birthplaces in American music history. She was the eldest of the ten Jackson children born to Joseph “Joe” Jackson, a steelworker who moonlighted as a guitarist with a local band, and Katherine Esther Scruse Jackson, a devoted homemaker and deeply religious woman.
Growing up in Gary, Rebbie took piano, clarinet, and dance lessons, developing musical skills that would lie dormant for decades before finding their professional expression. As the eldest child, she served as a second mother to her younger siblings, including Michael and Janet, babysitting, nurturing, and providing stability in a household where their father’s discipline was strict and their brothers’ burgeoning musical careers consumed increasing family energy. Her mother Katherine became a Jehovah’s Witness in 1965, and Rebbie followed suit, embracing the faith that would guide every major decision of her life.
At just 18, Rebbie made a decision that divided the family: she announced her desire to marry her childhood sweetheart, Nathaniel Brown, and move with him to Kentucky. Her father Joseph strongly opposed the marriage, believing it would derail her music career. Her mother Katherine supported her daughter’s choice. Rebbie proceeded, marrying Nathaniel in November 1968, prioritizing love and family over the entertainment world that had consumed her brothers.
Education
Rebbie Jackson graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, in 1968. She did not pursue formal higher education, instead dedicating her early adult years to marriage, motherhood, and developing her musical skills privately before entering the entertainment industry later in life.
Career
Early Performances and Background Work
Rebbie’s first public performances came in 1974 when she joined her siblings at a residency at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. While her brothers were the headline act, Rebbie, Janet, La Toya, and Randy served as supporting performers. Her performance debut was delayed by a sprained ankle, pushing her first appearance from April to June of that year. Crucially, the Las Vegas experience, and the subsequent CBS television series The Jacksons (1976–1977), in which she participated, transformed her perspective on singing. The show’s producer encouraged her to sing professionally, igniting a new ambition she had previously dismissed. The Jacksons made history as the first American television series in which an African-American family starred as the main leads.
Following the TV show, Rebbie began working as a background vocalist, singing for artists including Lou Rawls, Chaka Khan, The Emotions, Sonny Bono, and Betty Wright. She performed in cabarets and continued to develop her craft. A second pregnancy temporarily halted her career before she returned with renewed determination to pursue a solo recording deal.
Centipede and Solo Career (1984–1998)
In 1982, Rebbie signed as a solo artist with Columbia Records, but only after ensuring her children were old enough to allow her to travel and promote music without compromising family life. Her debut album, Centipede, was released in October 1984, when she was 34 years old. Its title track, “Centipede,” was written and produced by her brother Michael Jackson, who was at the absolute peak of his global fame following Thriller. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart and number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning a Gold Record certification. The album also featured covers of Prince’s “I Feel for You” and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ “A Fork in the Road.”
Her second album, Reaction (1986), produced by members of the group Surface and her brother Tito Jackson, peaked at number 6 on the Billboard R&B chart. The album featured duets with Cheap Trick lead singer Robin Zander and R&B legend Isaac Hayes. Her third album, R U Tuff Enuff (1988), followed, completing a trilogy of moderately successful releases. After a seven-year hiatus focused on family, she returned with a cover of “Forever Young” for the Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995) soundtrack, before releasing her fourth and final album, Yours Faithfully (1998), which featured contributions from her children.
Mental Health Advocacy
One of Rebbie Jackson’s most important contributions beyond music was her advocacy for mental health awareness. When her daughter Yashi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, Rebbie chose to speak publicly about the family’s experience rather than keep it private. She participated in the “Pick Up the Phone Tour”, a mental health awareness campaign encouraging people to seek help. Her honesty and courage in addressing Yashi’s illness helped reduce stigma and provided comfort to countless families navigating similar challenges.
Awards & Nominations
Rebbie Jackson received a Gold Record certification for the single “Centipede” (1984). She is recognized as a pioneering figure in the legacy of the Jackson family and received recognition for her mental health advocacy work. Her participation in The Jacksons TV series contributed to a landmark moment in African-American television history.
Social Media
Rebbie Jackson maintains a minimal public social media presence, consistent with her private, family-focused personal style.
She occasionally appears at Jackson family events that are covered by the entertainment media.
- Twitter: @JacksonRebbie
Personal Life
Rebbie Jackson was married to her childhood sweetheart Nathaniel Brown from November 1968 until his death from cancer in January 2013, a marriage of 45 years that stands as one of the most enduring in entertainment family history. Together they had three children, all of whom followed their parents and family into the entertainment world: daughter Stacee Brown (b. May 5, 1971), who gave Rebbie her first grandchild, London Blue, in 2005; daughter Yashi Brown (b. January 18, 1977), who has battled bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; and son Austin Brown (b. November 22, 1985), a solo artist also known as Auggie. Stacee and Yashi formed a singing group known as Geneva (originally called X-Girls), which also briefly included actress Lark Voorhies. Rebbie is the aunt of Michael Jackson’s children Prince Michael, Paris, and Bigi Jackson.
Net Worth
Rebbie Jackson’s estimated net worth is approximately $3–5 million, accumulated through her recording career, royalties from the “Centipede” single and subsequent albums, television appearances, and various Jackson family ventures. She has lived a comparatively modest lifestyle relative to some of her siblings, reflecting her lifelong prioritization of family and faith over commercial ambition.
Discography
| Centipede | 1984 | Columbia Records, Gold Certified |
| Reaction | 1986 | #6 Billboard R&B |
| R U Tuff Enuff | 1988 | Epic Records |
| “Forever Young” | 1995 | Free Willy 2 Soundtrack |
| Yours Faithfully | 1998 | Final Studio Album |
FAQs
Who is Rebbie Jackson?
Rebbie Jackson (born Maureen Reillette Jackson) is the eldest child of the Jackson family and an R&B singer known for the Michael Jackson-produced hit “Centipede” (1984).
How tall is Rebbie Jackson?
Rebbie Jackson stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall.
How old is Rebbie Jackson?
Born on May 29, 1950, she is 75 years old as of 2025.
Did Michael Jackson produce Rebbie’s hit song?
Yes. “Centipede” was written and produced by Michael Jackson and became Rebbie’s biggest chart success.
Who was Rebbie Jackson married to?
She was married to her childhood sweetheart Nathaniel Brown from 1968 until his death from cancer in January 2013.
Conclusion
Rebbie Jackson’s life story stands as a quiet counterpoint to the dazzling spectacle of her family’s fame. Where others chased spotlights, she chose family. Where others moved quickly, she moved deliberately. Her patience produced a Gold record at 34. Her courage produced a public mental health advocacy that helped millions. And her 45-year marriage to Nathaniel Brown stands as one of the most enduring love stories in entertainment history. In a family defined by extraordinary talent and extraordinary complexity, Rebbie Jackson, the eldest, the anchor, the “First Lady of the Jackson Family”, has always been its quiet, irreplaceable heart.
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