Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress. She is ranked as the ninth most successful artist in the history of rock and roll and the second most successful female recording artist of all time in the U.S. according to Billboard. In 2006, it was announced that Jackson was the "Most Searched in Internet History," and the "Most Searched for News Item," in the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2007, Jackson was ranked the 7th richest woman in the entertainment business by Forbes Magazine, amassing a fortune of over $150 million.

Janet Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana to Joseph and Katherine Jackson, and is the youngest of nine children. The family was lower-middle-class and devout Jehovah's Witnesses. By the time she was a toddler, Janet's older brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael had already begun to perform on stage at nightclubs and theaters as the Jackson 5.

Although Janet never wanted to be a professional singer, she obeyed her father's orders and participated in various family musical projects. Her first recording was a duet with brother Randy on a song titled 'Love Song for Kids' in 1978. When Janet was fifteen, Joe launched her recording career by arranging a contract with A&M Records.

In 1984, at age eighteen, Jackson eloped with James DeBarge. Jackson was granted an annulment in March 1985. In 1991, Jackson and long-time lover/business partner Rene Elizondo Jr., were secretly married in a private ceremony. Since 2001, Janet has been involved with hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri. In the time that they've been together, there have been numerous rumors that the two have married, though they have consistently denied these reports although she admits that the two do live together.

From Wikipedia