Net Worth Ranker
What Is George Michael’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on December 25, 2016, George Michael’s net worth was estimated to be $200 million. This substantial net worth was primarily accumulated through his successful career as a singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist. Michael’s journey to becoming a global superstar began with the pop duo Wham! in the early 1980s and continued with a highly successful solo career.
Early Career and Rise to Fame with Wham!
George Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou on June 25, 1963, in East Finchley, London, embarked on his musical journey by forming Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their debut album, “Fantastic” (1983), spawned several top 10 singles, including “Young Guns,” “Wham Rap!” and “Club Tropicana.” The band’s breakthrough came with their second album, “Make It Big” (1984), which featured global hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Freedom,” “Everything She Wants,” and “Careless Whisper.” “Careless Whisper” reached number one in numerous countries, including the U.S. and U.K., showcasing Michael’s burgeoning songwriting talent and vocal prowess. By 1986, Wham! officially disbanded, paving the way for George Michael’s solo career.
Solo Career Success and Album Sales
George Michael’s solo career kicked off with the release of his debut album, “Faith,” in late 1987. The album became an instant classic, selling over 25 million copies worldwide. “Faith” produced six hit singles, including “I Want Your Sex,” “Father Figure,” and the title track, “Faith.” Notably, “Faith” was the best-selling single in the U.S. in 1988, demonstrating its enormous impact on the music scene. In September 1990, Michael released “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1,” showcasing his artistic evolution. This album featured introspective songwriting and the hit single “Freedom! ’90.” The music video for “Freedom ’90,” directed by David Fincher, featured supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford, lip-syncing the song instead of Michael himself appearing in the video. Other successful albums followed, including “Older” (1996), “Songs from the Last Century” (1999), and “Patience” (2004). By the time of his death, George Michael had sold over 120 million records worldwide, with over 80 million as a solo artist and an additional 30 million with Wham!, solidifying his status as one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The album ‘Faith’ sold over 25 million copies globally, greatly contributing to George Michael’s Net Worth.
Legal Issues and Personal Struggles
Throughout his life, George Michael faced legal challenges and personal struggles, including multiple arrests for drug-related offenses and public indecency. In April 1998, Michael was arrested for engaging in a lewd act in a public restroom in Beverly Hills. He pleaded “no contest” and was fined US$810 and sentenced to 80 hours of community service. In February 2006, he was arrested for drug possession. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving and was banned from driving for two years. In July 2010, Michael crashed his car into a store in North London and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was later sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, and a five-year driving ban. Michael admitted to struggling with substance abuse, including smoking up to 25 joints a day and abusing sleeping pills.
Personal Life and Relationships
George Michael’s personal life included several significant relationships. In the late 1980s, he dated Chinese-American make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who appeared in the “I Want Your Sex” video. Michael described her as his “only bona fide” girlfriend. In 1992, he began a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, whom he met at the Rock in Rio concert in 1991. Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain hemorrhage in 1993. Michael dedicated his song “Jesus to a Child” and the album “Older” to Feleppa. From 1996 to 2009, Michael was in a relationship with sporting goods heir Kenny Goss. They split in 2009. In 2012, Michael started dating Fadi Fawaz, an Australian celebrity hairstylist, who found Michael’s body on Christmas morning in 2016.
Real Estate Holdings
At the time of his death, George Michael owned a $12 million mansion called Highgate House in north London. This property was left to his sister Melanie. Michael also owned a 16th-century cottage in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, which he purchased and renovated in 2007, preserving its historical features like low ceilings and wooden beams.
