43-Year-Old Animal Retires to Florida Sanctuary

Bubbles, the chimpanzee who became a global symbol of Michael Jackson’s public life, is now 43 years old and living in a specialized sanctuary in Florida. The update on the animal’s well-being coincides with the April 2026 release of a biopic about the singer, directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Bubbles currently resides at the Center for Great Apes, a facility funded in part by the legacy of the singer. Far from the public spotlight he experienced during his years with Jackson, the chimpanzee now lives in an environment focused on stability and serenity.

Life at the Center for Great Apes

The sanctuary provides Bubbles with a peaceful existence that allows him to make choices about his daily activities. According to updates shared by the center on Instagram, Bubbles is described as a bright, sensitive, and curious chimpanzee with a gentle nature and a strong personality of his own.

Like many elder chimps, he enjoys the comfort of his daily routines and the company of his longtime chimpanzee companions.

Center for Great Apes

Bubbles spends his time engaging in activities such as painting. He is described as being both reserved and mischievous, sharing his life with a group of chimpanzee companions including Stryker, Kodua, Boma, and Oopsie.

Connection to the Michael Jackson Biopic

The chimpanzee’s history with the singer is a focal point in the new biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua. The film features Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, in the lead role as his uncle.

While Jaafar Jackson has not yet visited the Center for Great Apes, the sanctuary has indicated that he would be welcome. However, any such visit would be subject to strict sanctuary regulations, which prohibit physical interaction between humans and the great apes.

A History of Fame and Art

Michael Jackson adopted Bubbles in 1983, and the animal subsequently became a fixture of the singer’s inner circle. Bubbles accompanied Jackson in his daily life and made several high-profile public appearances, most notably causing a sensation at the 1994 MTV Movie Awards.

The bond between the singer and the chimpanzee has also been captured in the world of fine art. The pair was immortalized in an iconic porcelain sculpture created by artist Jeff Koons, further cementing their linked place in pop culture history.

Now nearly two decades after the singer’s death, Bubbles continues to live a life of equilibrium in Florida, supported by the very legacy that once placed him in the center of global attention.