Michael Jackson’s fascination with the Elephant Man’s bones was one of the most bizarre and controversial aspects of his public life. In 1987, reports emerged that Jackson had attempted to purchase the remains of John Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, from the London Hospital Medical College for $500,000. Jackson’s manager, Frank Dileo, claimed that Jackson had a deep respect for Merrick’s memory and had studied his life extensively. Jackson even visited the hospital twice to view Merrick’s remains. However, when the initial offer was rejected, Jackson reportedly increased his bid to $1 million, yet the remains were not for sale.

Despite this, Jackson consistently denied the claim, describing it as a fabricated tabloid story. In a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jackson dismissed the rumor, asking, “Where am I going to put some bones?” Nevertheless, Jackson admitted his admiration for Merrick’s life, describing it as tragic and deeply moving. He also mentioned feeling a personal connection to Merrick’s suffering, stating that the story of the Elephant Man usually made him cry.

John Merrick, the Elephant Man, was born in 1862 with a rare condition called neurofibromatosis, which caused severe deformities. His life was filled with isolation and cruelty, as society shunned him. After being abandoned by his family, Merrick worked as a freak show attraction before being discovered by a compassionate surgeon, Dr. Frederick Treves, in 1884. Merrick found refuge at the London Hospital, where he was treated with respect and care for the first time in his life. He died at the age of 27 from asphyxia caused by a dislocated neck.

Merrick’s life became widely known through books, plays, and films, notably the 1980 film The Elephant Man directed by David Lynch. Jackson was deeply moved by the film and reportedly watched it 35 times, always crying during the same scene where Merrick, portrayed by actor John Hurt, cries out, “I am not an elephant. I am a human being. I am a man.” Jackson saw parallels between his own life and Merrick’s, particularly their shared experience of being outcasts.

Over the years, Jackson’s interest in Merrick’s life grew. He purchased antique medical books on facial deformities and even visited Merrick’s skeleton at the Royal London Hospital. Jackson’s obsession with Merrick seemed to stem from his empathy for the suffering Merrick endured, as well as their shared experience of being misunderstood and marginalized by society. Jackson once stated that he felt a closeness to Merrick, admitting that he loved his story, despite its sadness.

While Jackson’s attempts to buy the Elephant Man’s bones remain unclear, some suggest that it may have been part of a publicity stunt. Jackson had been absent from the public eye for some time before the release of his Bad album, and some speculate that the tabloid rumors, including the one about the bones, were orchestrated to drum up attention before his comeback. In her memoir, Jackson’s mother, Katherine, expressed her uncertainty about the story, noting that while she didn’t know if Michael was directly involved, his manager, Frank Dileo, might have played a role in promoting the myth.

Interestingly, in 1988, Michael Jackson seemingly acknowledged the absurdity of the bones story by featuring an animated version of Merrick’s skeleton in the Leave Me Alone music video. In this video, Jackson is shown dancing with the skeleton, mocking the tabloids that had created the outlandish rumors. The video was a metaphor for the way both Merrick and Jackson were treated as sideshow attractions by the public.

The similarities between Merrick’s and Jackson’s lives were striking. Both men were subjected to public scrutiny and exploitation. Merrick’s physical deformities led to his being viewed as an object of curiosity, while Jackson’s appearance was relentlessly criticized due to his changing skin color caused by vitiligo. Jackson’s use of masks and makeup to hide his condition mirrored Merrick’s need to wear a hood to cover his deformities.

For both men, fame and physical abnormalities made them the subject of mass fascination. In his later years, Jackson distanced himself from the public eye, often retreating into the company of children and animals, seeking solace in their innocence. His deep fear of being exploited and dehumanized, much like Merrick, likely influenced his desire to associate himself with the Elephant Man’s story.

In a letter written during his 1988 tour in Japan, Jackson expressed his frustration with the media’s portrayal of him. He acknowledged the public’s tendency to judge him based on rumors and misconceptions, emphasizing that people didn’t truly know him. This statement echoed his belief that both he and Merrick were victims of a society that saw them as curiosities rather than individuals deserving of compassion and respect.

The tragic story of the Elephant Man and Jackson’s own struggles with fame and public perception created a unique connection between the two. Whether or not Jackson actually tried to purchase Merrick’s remains, his actions and words suggest a deep emotional bond with the man whose life had been a painful testament to the cruelty of society. For Jackson, the Elephant Man was not just a historical figure but a symbol of the vulnerability and isolation that fame can bring.