‘New’ Michael Jackson Returns
- Share via
Michael Jackson says that he is returning to the KABC-AM (790) airwaves today a changed man.
After several weeks of recuperating from open-heart surgery, he has changed both in the expected ways--having shed 12 pounds, lowered his cholesterol and increased his exercise regimen--and in some less tangible ways.
“It’s been the start of a whole new appreciation of life,” said Jackson, 57.
His ordeal began in January, after returning from a family ski trip to St. Moritz. He experienced burning in his chest, which he attributed to indigestion, despite having had a heart attack eight years before.
He finally went to a doctor, who found that all four of his coronary arteries were blocked and called for quadruple bypass surgery. The operation lasted 5 1/2 hours.
“I’ve gone from being rather blocked up to completely 100%, all my arteries open,” Jackson said. “I have a nice new heart now.”
He has been off the air for seven weeks, although for the last few he would call in periodically to chat with substitute host Susan Estrich.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
