Joe Jackson, the patriarch of a musical family that included Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and the Jackson 5, died Wednesday.

Jackson died of terminal cancer, which he had been battling " for some time", according to a previous TMZ report. According to TMZ, Jackson was taken to a hospital in Las Vegas earlier this week. "What matters at the end of the day is to remember what Joe did for the family", the source says.

In 2015, Jackson suffered a stroke, but despite bouts of ill health he continued to make appearances at celebrity events around the world.

His fourth child, Jermaine, told the Daily Mail before Jackson's death that his father had attempted to prevent visits from his family, withholding information about his location and diagnosis. The family needs to be by his bedside - that's our only intention in his final days.

Janet Jackson, Joe's youngest child and the most famous after Michael, has said that her father insisted that she address him as Joseph.

Three days ago, Jackson hinted at his poor health in a tweet reading: "I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see".

Although several of his children, including son, Michael, have said that their father was abusive and strict, Joe Jackson often denied the allegations.

The eldest Jackson is also survived by an 11th child, a daughter named JohVonnie who was born to another woman during his marriage to Katherine. "The first time I saw him, I fell in love with him - he doesn't know this...really, he was so nice".

During an Access Hollywood interview with the remaining Jackson 5 members and siblings, Marlon Jackson also commended their father.

Jackson shepherded his sons through their growing fame, taking them from amateur competitions to professional gigs and eventually to a record deal with Motown Records.

'I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared.

Even amid all that talent, the Jackson 5 stood out.

Jackson's granddaughter, Paris, tweeted about the tweet from her official account.

"No one knew what was going on - we shouldn't have to beg, plead and argue to see our own father, especially at a time like this", Jermaine Jackson said at the time.

The couple split a few times and lived apart for decades, but they reportedly never divorced.

Past year he said he was "truly sorry" for the way he treated them.

Joe Jackson passed away on Wednesday at the age of 89. "I'm glad I was tough, because look what I came out with", he said.