Gary Glitter Bio: Net Worth, Songs, Wife, Age, Siblings, Parents, Albums, Band, Documentary

Biography

Gary Glitter, born Paul Francis Gadd in 1944, was a celebrated English singer and songwriter renowned for his energetic live performances and glam rock persona.

He gained fame in the 1970s with hits like “Rock and Roll (Parts 1 and 2)” and “I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am),” selling over 20 million records and achieving 26 hit singles, including three UK number-one hits.

However, Gary Glitter‘s career was overshadowed by his criminal activities, including a conviction for downloading child pornography in 1999 and subsequent convictions for child sexual abuse in 2006 and 2015. Glitter was released from prison in February 2024 after serving half of his 16-year sentence.

Gary Glitter
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Paul Francis Gadd
Stage Name:	Gary Glitter
Born:	8 May 1944 (age 80 years old)
Place of Birth:	Banbury, United Kingdom
Nationality:	English
Education:	N/A
Height:	168 cm
Parents:	Gary Jr, Paul, Sarah
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Ann Murton (m. 1963–1972)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Gary Jr, Paul, Sarah
Occupation:	Singer • Songwriter
Net Worth:	£6.5 million

Early Life & Education

Gary Glitter, born Paul Francis Gadd on May 8, 1944, in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, experienced a tumultuous early life. He was raised primarily by his mother, who worked as a cleaner and had little to no contact with his father. While details about his ethnicity are not well-documented, he is of English descent, and his religious upbringing remains scarce.

Much of Glitter‘s childhood was spent in and out of various institutions and homes, which disrupted his education. He attended multiple schools but needed a stable academic background. His early exposure to music came through participation in church choirs and listening to popular music on the radio, sparking his interest in becoming a performer.

Gary Glitter‘s troubled youth and unstable family environment likely contributed to his later struggles and controversies. Despite these early challenges, Glitter eventually found his way into the music industry, rising to fame in the 1970s before his career was overshadowed by his criminal actions.

Career

Gary Glitter, born Paul Francis Gadd on May 8, 1944, in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, experienced a tumultuous early life. Raised by his mother, a cleaner, and his grandmother, he and his brother were taken into local authority care at the age of 10 due to their antisocial behaviour. His father was absent from his life.

Glitter‘s music career began in the 1960s under the name Paul Raven, but in 1971, when he adopted the name Gary Glitter, he became a prominent figure in the glam rock scene. Known for his flamboyant stage presence and catchy, anthemic songs, Glitter‘s breakthrough came with the 1972 single “Rock and Roll (Parts 1 and 2),” which became a massive hit in both the UK and the US, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and achieving significant success on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 1973, Gary Glitter enjoyed a string of chart hits, including “I Didn’t Know I Loved You (Till I Saw You Rock and Roll),” “I Love You Love Me Love,” and “Do You Wanna Touch Me.” He also scored his first UK number-one single with “I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am).” By 1975, Glitter had sold 18 million records, competing with popular acts like T. Rex and Slade.

However, Glitter‘s career began to decline towards the end of the 1970s, and he was declared bankrupt in 1975. He attempted several comebacks in the ’70s and ’80s with modest success. In 1984, he achieved a seasonal hit with “Another Rock and Roll Christmas,” which reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

Gary Glitter‘s career came to a definitive end in the late 1990s when he was convicted of downloading child pornography in 1999. He was subsequently convicted of child sexual abuse in 2006 and a series of sexual offenses in 2015. Since then, he has been imprisoned, and his music has been largely removed from public airplay and streaming services.

Personal Life

Gary Glitter is a British glam rock singer who rose to fame in the 1970s. He was one of the biggest music stars of the decade, known for his outrageous sequinned clothes, big hair, and platform shoes. Glitter‘s hits included “Rock and Roll,” “I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am),” “Do You Wanna Touch Me,” and “I Love You Love Me Love.” His career peaked in the mid-1970s when he had a string of hits and sold 18 million records.

However, Glitter‘s personal life was far from glamorous. He has been married twice. His first marriage was to Ann Murton in 1963, and they had a son together named Paul. They divorced in 1972. His second marriage was to Myra Gale Brown in 1964, when she was only 13 years old. They had a daughter, Sarah, before divorcing in 1970. He also has a son named Gary Jr.

As for his height, Gary Glitter is 5’6″ (168 cm) tall.

Regarding his dating history, apart from his two marriages, Glitter has had several relationships, some of which have been controversial due to the age difference between him and his partners.

The controversies surrounding Gary Glitter are numerous and serious. In 1999, he was arrested and sentenced to four months in prison for possessing child pornography.

He was also convicted of child sexual abuse in Vietnam in 2006 and sentenced to three years in prison. His fall from grace continued in 2015 when he was convicted of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault, and having sex with a girl under 13. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Net Worth

Gary Glitter, the notorious glam rock singer, once boasted a staggering net worth estimated at around £6.5 million. His wealth primarily stemmed from the sale of approximately 18 million records and royalties from his chart-topping hits like “Rock and Roll” and “I Love You Love Me Love.”

Additionally, Glitter owned a luxurious flat in London, valued at around £2 million, which was controlled by a former associate through a company. However, following his convictions for child sexual abuse, Glitter‘s income sources have dried up, and he no longer receives royalties from his music.