Michael Jackson has been back in the public eye this week after Netflix released the documentary, Michael Jackson: The Verdict.
While the singer was famous for lavish shopping trips, one of his most talked-about acquisitions wasn’t a jacket or a piece of art — it was his chimpanzee, Bubbles.
Jackson first got Bubbles in the 1980s from a biomedical research facility in Austin, Texas. Over time, the pair became closely bonded, with Bubbles’ current caregiver even saying Jackson ‘considered [Bubbles] as a son’.
Bubbles soon became a recognizable part of Jackson’s world, to the point that he even joined him on tour.
From his adoption in 1983 until 2003, Bubbles lived with Jackson. His earliest years were spent at the Jackson family home in Encino, Los Angeles, before relocating to Neverland Ranch in 1988.
As he grew older, though, keeping him in a household setting became increasingly risky. Adult chimpanzees develop significant strength and size, and Bubbles’ growing power and unpredictability ultimately made it unsafe for him to be around Jackson’s newborn children.
After Jackson died, staff at the Center for Great Apes said many fans have wanted to ‘follow his progress’ in the years since. They also noted that attention online has led to plenty of ‘false stories’ circulating about the chimp.
To get the clearest picture of where Bubbles is now, we contacted the sanctuary directly, and a spokesperson shared an update on his current life.
Bubbles now lives at the Center for Great Apes, a primate sanctuary based in Wauchula, Florida, where he has settled into a quieter routine away from the spotlight.
Now aged 43, Bubbles arrived at the sanctuary in 2005 and has since adjusted from a high-profile life to a more natural environment focused on rest, safety, and enrichment.
Keepers say that, considering his age, he’s doing well.
He spends his days with a small group of other chimpanzees: a 53-year-old female (Oopsie), her 40-year-old daughter (Boma), Oopsie’s granddaughter, 23-year-old Kodua, and Oopsie’s grandson, Stryker (age 21). Staff say he settled in quickly, and he even took on a protective, father-like role with Kodua and Stryker.
He was also introduced earlier this year to three juvenile chimps, and caretakers describe him as being ‘exceptionally patient and caring with them’.
The sanctuary itself includes a large outdoor space as well as air-conditioned nighthouses. Staff have said those indoor areas are often filled with Jackson’s music while they’re being cleaned.
There’s also an elevated trailway system stretching close to two miles, linking all 22 habitats across the site.
At night, Bubbles reportedly prefers sleeping indoors in a hammock. During daytime naps, he tends to choose shaded areas beneath the tunnels.
His day typically starts with a visit from his caregiver, who helps make sure the chimpanzees get a nutritious breakfast packed with vitamins.
After that comes grooming time — a key social behavior for chimps that strengthens bonds within the group and helps keep things calm.
The center provides plenty of enrichment, including puzzles and activities, but staff say Bubbles has one standout favorite: flipping through magazines with photos, particularly National Geographic. He also likes children’s study books.
When he isn’t paging through reading material, he’s been known to enjoy time in a kiddie pool or sit and observe staff from the trailway as they work.
After lunch, he’ll usually settle down for a nap.
Later, he eats an evening meal made up of fruits, vegetables, and biscuits, before heading to bed at around 6pm.
According to the center, support for Bubbles’ care includes help from Jackson’s estate, which ‘continues to help us provide lifetime care for Bubbles with annual contributions’.