Bubbles, the famous chimpanzee once inseparable from Michael Jackson, is no longer a pampered pet in the spotlight. Now 43 years old, he lives a quiet, almost peaceful life far from red carpets and paparazzi. In the new biopic Michael, the scene of the pop star bringing home a baby chimp rings true, but very few know what happened to Bubbles after the cameras stopped rolling. Today, he roams in a green sanctuary, leading a group of chimpanzees and drawing attention in a completely different way.
Bubbles’ Journey Beyond Fame
Bubbles was born in 1983, the same year Michael Jackson brought him home as a pet. In his early years, he lived a “starry‑starry” life, appearing in interviews, music videos, and even on tour in Japan. He became a constant companion of the singer, splashed across magazines and TV screens worldwide. But as Bubbles grew older and stronger, life with humans became more difficult. In 2005, he was sent to the Centre for Great Apes, where the sanctuary’s official website explains that he arrived once he had become “too big and unfit to be surrounded by humans.”
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At the sanctuary, Bubbles is described as “a calm and artistic presence,” weighing about 185 pounds. He has matured into what the centre calls “a respected leader of his chimpanzee group,” which includes his closest friends Oopsie, Boma, Kodua, and Stryker. While he is shy and private, staff note that he is also playful and has been seen “gently teasing visitors with a splash of water or a sprinkle of sand, just for fun.” Bubbles is creative and loves to paint, yet he strongly dislikes being photographed and often turns away from cameras.
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The care of Bubbles at the Centre for Great Apes is supported by Michael Jackson’s Estate, ensuring that the chimpanzee who once shared the singer’s spotlight continues to live in comfort and safety. As the biopic Michael revives memories of Jackson’s glittering career, Bubbles’ later life serves as a quieter, more grounded epilogue to the story of the King of Pop.