What age did Michael Jackson break away from Jackson 5?

Michael Jackson began to break away from the Jackson 5 in his late teens, around the age of 18, when he started pursuing a solo career. His first solo album, "Got to Be There," was released in 1972, marking a significant step in his transition to solo stardom. By the late 1970s, he had fully established himself as a solo artist, further distancing himself from the group.