Michael Jackson was known for standing out amongst a crowd. Whether it be for his enormous talent, ever-changing style, or even his pet chimp.

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Yes, for millions of people, Bubbles will always be remembered as Michael Jackson’s famous chimpanzee companion — the ape who appeared alongside the King of Pop during one of the strangest and most surreal eras of celebrity culture.

But decades after the cameras stopped flashing, Bubbles is still alive today and now spends his days far away from the spotlight in a peaceful Florida sanctuary built specifically for rescued great apes.

Following renewed public interest sparked by the success of the Michael biopic, many fans have been asking the same question: What happened to Bubbles?

The answer is surprisingly heartwarming.

Now 43 years old, Bubbles has been living at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, since 2005, where staff say he enjoys a calm, stable and happy life surrounded by other chimpanzees.

According to the sanctuary, Bubbles is considered an elder chimp and spends his days relaxing with his social group, exploring his habitat, foraging for treats and quietly observing the world around him.

“Bubbles is a bright, sensitive, and curious chimpanzee with a gentle nature and a strong personality of his own,” the sanctuary recently shared. “Like many elder chimps, he enjoys the comfort of his daily routines and the company of his longtime chimpanzee companions.”

For much of the 1980s and early 1990s, however, Bubbles lived an entirely different existence.

Reportedly born inside a biomedical laboratory in 1983, he was eventually raised by a Hollywood animal trainer before becoming closely associated with Michael Jackson during the singer’s global superstardom.

As a young chimpanzee, Bubbles became a constant part of Jackson’s public image.

He appeared in music videos, films and television appearances, and even travelled with Jackson during promotional tours around the world, including a famous visit to Japan while still only four years old.

But as sanctuary staff now explain, chimpanzees eventually become far too strong and unpredictable to safely live in domestic environments.

Bubbles ultimately left Jackson’s care when he was around six years old and later remained at a trainer’s compound for many years before finally arriving at the Center for Great Apes in 2005 alongside several other retired entertainment chimpanzees.

Today, his life looks completely different.

Instead of cameras and crowds, Bubbles now lives within a social group alongside fellow chimpanzees Oopsie, Boma, Kodua and Stryker.

Staff describe him as both shy and playful, with a mischievous streak that sometimes sees him teasing visitors by splashing water or tossing sand in their direction.

He’s also become known for another hobby — painting.

According to the sanctuary, Bubbles loves creating artwork and takes the activity surprisingly seriously.

“He only hands over the canvas when he’s truly finished,” staff explained, noting that his colourful paintings often spill beyond the edges of the page.

Despite Michael Jackson never visiting Bubbles at the sanctuary before his death in 2009, the connection between them has never fully disappeared.

“I know Michael wanted to visit bubbles here, but he was in Europe at the time, and when he came back, I think I heard from the grapevine he was hoping to come for a visit, but that’s about the time he passed,” sanctuary founder Patti Ragan revealed.

Members of the Jackson family have visited over the years, including LaToya Jackson, who travelled to the sanctuary in 2010 while filming for Animal Planet.

The Michael Jackson Estate also continues to financially support Bubbles’ lifelong care. According to the sanctuary, that ongoing support has helped ensure Bubbles continues to thrive in retirement after spending much of his early life in entertainment.

“Thanks to the continued support from Michael Jackson’s Estate, Bubbles is thriving in his sanctuary home,” they said.

The sanctuary also recently addressed rumours circulating online after AI-generated images falsely claimed Michael star Jaafar Jackson had visited Bubbles in person.

Staff confirmed that had not happened.

For the Center for Great Apes, Bubbles’ story represents something far bigger than celebrity nostalgia.

It serves as an example of why chimpanzees should never be treated as pets or performers long term.

“His journey from entertainment to sanctuary represents the kind of second chance every great ape deserves,” the sanctuary explains.

And after spending the last two decades surrounded by companionship, nature and expert care, Bubbles now finally gets to live the kind of life chimpanzees were always meant to have.

“That’s what sanctuary is all about—giving chimpanzees like Bubbles the opportunity to just be chimpanzees.”

Featured image credit: Instagram/@centerforgreatapes/Universal Pictures/Lionsgate Films