How is Michael Jackson's chimpanzee doing now (6 photos)

Michael Jackson's pet chimp Bubbles is spending his final years at the Great Apes Center, where he paints and listens to the flute. The chimp turned 42 last month and by all accounts, he had a colorful life with the King of Pop.





The singer bought the chimp from a trainer in the 1980s. Bubbles loved the social life and once wore a dapper tuxedo to the 1994 MTV Awards. He was often seen with Michael, and slept in his master's room. The primate even participated in the Bad World tour and had tea with the mayor of Osaka, Japan.



In an interview with Jerry Seinfeld in 2019, comedian Eddie Murphy recalled seeing Bubbles.

"Bubbles was not to be messed with. He was in a cage, and Michael said, 'Don't go near him.' Otherwise, he would go berserk."





When Bubbles became increasingly aggressive and weighed 165 pounds, he was moved to a trainer's ranch in California. Jackson feared for the life of his newborn son, Prince Michael II.

At the time, ranch owner Bob Dunn told CNN, "Bubbles is an adult chimp and a wild animal... We don't let him out to play."



The move seemed to bring the animal peace and rest, but at the end of the year the chimpanzee tried to commit suicide. Fortunately, he was saved by veterinarians who quickly arrived, but the details of the incident remain unknown.

The upset primate was rumored to have mutilated himself after learning of Michael Jackson's death from a drug overdose in 2009.



After the singer's death, Bubbles was transferred to the Florida Center for Great Apes. Now 42, he enjoys drawing and listening to jazz flute.

Center staff say Bubbles is "huge and ugly," but has a "sweet personality."