George Michael Biography: Awards, Music, Age, Net Worth, Parents, Children, Sibling, Height, Death

George Michael is an acclaimed English singer-songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist.

He was widely regarded as a pop culture icon and is considered one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

As a performer, Michael rose to fame in the 1980s as one half of the musical duo Wham!, known for their catchy pop hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Last Christmas.”

Over the course of his remarkable career, Michael’s record sales are estimated to be between 100 million to 125 million units worldwide.

Profile

• Full Name: Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
• Stage Name: George Michael
• Born: June 25, 1963
• Death date: December 25, 2016
• Age: 53 years old
• Birthplace: East Finchley, Middlesex, England.
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: English singer-songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist
• Height: 1.83m
• Parent: Kyriacos “Jack” Panayiotou and Lesley Angold (Harrison)
• Siblings: Yioda Panayiotou and Melanie Panayiotou
• Partners: Anselmo Feleppa (1991–1993) · Kenny Goss (1996–2009) · Fadi Fawaz (2012–2016).
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unmarried
• Net Worth: $200 million

Early Life And Education

George Michael, whose birth name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was born on June 25, 1963, in East Finchley, Middlesex, England. His father, Kyriacos “Jack” Panayiotou, was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who had emigrated from Cyprus to England in the 1950s. His mother, Lesley Angold (Harrison), was an English dancer.

Michael had two sisters, Yioda Panayiotou and Melanie Panayiotou. He attended Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury High School in England. Ethnically, George Michael was of Greek Cypriot descent through his father, while his mother was English. He was raised in the Christian faith.

Career

Michael’s musical journey began with his high school friend, Andrew Ridgeley, forming the duo Wham! in the early 1980s. Their infectious pop tunes and youthful energy quickly catapulted them to international stardom.

Hit songs like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Last Christmas” solidified their position as teen idols. Michael rose to fame after forming the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart.

They had commercial success with the singles “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)”, “Young Guns (Go for It)”, “Bad Boys”, “Club Tropicana”, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Last Christmas”, “Everything She Wants”, “Freedom”, and “I’m Your Man”. Their 1985 tour in China was the first by a Western popular music act, and generated worldwide media coverage.

Michael was one of the most successful and influential musicians of his era. He first rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of the pop duo Wham!, known for hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.”

In 1984, Michael participated in the recording of Band Aid’s UK number-one single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and performed at the following year’s Live Aid concert. In 1986, Michael embarked on a highly successful solo career, releasing his debut album “Faith.”

This album, which blended soul, R&B, and pop, was a massive commercial success, spawning hits like the title track “Faith,” “Father Figure,” and “I Want Your Sex.” Michael’s distinctive voice and charismatic stage presence made him a global superstar.

Throughout his career, Michael is estimated to have sold between 100 million to 125 million records worldwide, cementing his status as one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

Despite facing personal challenges and public scrutiny, Michael continued to create music that resonated with audiences. Later albums like “Older” and “Listen” showcased his artistic growth and maturity.

Beyond his commercial success, Michael was also a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness, using his platform to promote important social causes. His music and legacy continue to inspire and entertain fans around the world.

Awards and Nominations

George Michael, a renowned singer, songwriter, and producer, received numerous awards throughout his career. Here are some of his most notable accolades:

Grammy Awards

• Album of the Year (1989) for Faith
• Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album** (2001) for *Songs from the Last Century

  American Music Awards

• Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist (1989)
• Favorite Soul/R&B Album (1989) for *Faith*
•   Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist (1989)

Brit Awards

• Best British Male (1988, 1997)
• British Video of the Year (1990) for “Freedom! ’90”

  MTV Video Music Awards

• Best Male Video (1988) for “Father Figure”
• Best Dance Video (1988) for “I Want Your Sex”
• Best Direction in a Video (1988) for “Father Figure”
• Best Cinematography (1988) for “Father Figure”

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @georgemofficial

Personal Life

George Michael had several notable relationships throughout his life. His first major love was Anselmo Feleppa, whom he met in 1990. Tragically, Feleppa passed away from AIDS in 1993, which had a profound impact on Michael.

Michael’s second long-term relationship was with Kenny Goss, which lasted 13 years from 1996 to 2009. Goss was by Michael‘s side during some of his most challenging times.

After separating from Goss, Michael began a relationship with Fadi Fawaz in 2012. They remained together until Michael died in 2016. Fawaz discovered Michael‘s body on Christmas Day and has since been an advocate for mental health awareness.

It is important to note that Michael also had other relationships throughout his life, including a brief relationship with actress Brooke Shields in the 1980s.

However, the relationships with Feleppa, Goss, and Fawaz were the most significant and long-lasting. George Michael tragically passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2016, at the age of 53. His death was due to heart failure and a fatty liver.

Discography

Solo discography

• Faith (1987)
• Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990)
• Older (1996)
• Songs from the Last Century (1999)
• Patience (2004)

Wham! discography

• Fantastic (1983)
• Make It Big (1984)
• Music from the Edge of Heaven (1986)

Net Worth

George Michael the late singer-songwriter had an estimated net worth of around $200 million at the time of his passing in 2016. This substantial wealth was primarily derived from his highly successful music career, which spanned several decades.

Michael‘s net worth encompassed various assets, including his extensive music catalogue, which included numerous hit songs and albums.

As one of the best-selling music artists of all time, the royalties and licensing fees from his extensive discography contributed significantly to his overall net worth.

In addition to his music-related earnings, Michael also had significant real estate holdings. He owned several properties, including a mansion in London, which added to his overall wealth.