Shirlie Kemp (formerly Holliman), George Michael’s backing singer and close friend, was named as a beneficiary in his will, with the remainder of his £98 million estate to be distributed among family and friends. While the exact financial amount she inherited is not publicly disclosed, her children (Harley and Roman Kemp) were also included as beneficiaries.
Did Andrew Ridgeley get any money from George Michael?
While Kemp's shares have not been disclosed, Ridgeley has been able to live comfortably thanks to the royalties from Careless Whisper, which he co-wrote. The hit song alone has earned him a reported £10 million ($A20 million) since 1982. But he missed out on any cash from their mega hit Last Christmas. Wham!
His other sister Yioda will be inheriting a substantial legacy, as will each of his many god-children, including Holly Moon and Roman Kemp, the children of his close friends, his backing singer Shirley Holliman and Spandau Ballet musician Martin Kemp, whom he first introduced to each other.
The world was taken aback when it came to light that he had left a significant amount to shirlie. Later that year (2005), shirley tried to repay george's kind gift when he invited her to perform with him again on tour. George michael was as generous with his money and his fame as he was with his prodigious talent.
Why did Kenny Goss get money from George Michael's estate?
The trustees of Michael's estate have agreed a financial settlement with Goss, after the art dealer had demanded payments of £15,000 a month, claiming that Michael had supported him financially when they were together from 1996 to 2009.
Managing George's estate then fell to younger sister Yioda, 62, who now has control over his remaining fortune. George with former partner Kenny Goss (right).
Does Andrew Ridgeley get royalties from Wham songs?
Since 1982, he has reportedly amassed £10 million from sales and royalties of records. Although 'Careless Whisper' was a George Michael solo song, it was credited as being co-written by Andrew. He still receives thousands of pounds each year from his share of 'Careless Whisper' royalties alone.
George had a true and lifelong friendship with Shirlie and Martin Kemp. George played an essential role in persuading Shirlie to call Martin, where they set up their first date. George went along with Shirlie to offer support!
At the time, it was understood she had suffered a short illness before she passed away in hospital on December 25, 2019. However, in 2020 it was revealed the Melanie died from diabetic ketoacidosis, which is caused by a lack of insulin and high blood sugar, with diabetes given as an underlying cause of death,.
Most known for his time as the guitarist and backup vocalist for the iconic 80s pop band, Wham!, which he formed with his childhood friend George Michael; Andrew Ridgeley is worth $40 million as of 2023. The two came together and started the band in 1981, skyrocketing to stardom in the following 5 years.
Andrew Ridgeley's most notable long-term partner was Keren Woodward of Bananarama, with whom he had a relationship from 1990 to 2017, living together in Cornwall; he later dated socialite Amanda Cronin, but they separated in 2023.
How much money does Andrew Ridgeley make from Careless Whisper?
It has been reported that Andrew has earned well over $10 million in royalties from "Careless Whisper" alone in the decades since its release. The value of the rights to this song is likely in the tens of millions.
The Christmas song earning the most royalties is overwhelmingly Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You", generating millions annually from streams, licensing, and sales, with industry estimates suggesting annual earnings for Carey and co-writer Walter Afanasieff in the millions of dollars (or pounds) and total revenue exceeding $60 million by 2017. Other significant earners include Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody," Wham!'s "Last Christmas," and Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," which also bring in substantial yearly income.
Warner Chappell Music (WCM) is the global publisher of George Michael's music, representing both his solo work and his time in Wham!. The partnership between WCM and Michael's estate began in the early 1980s and was renewed in 2021.
Yes, Shirlie Holliman (part of Pepsi & Shirlie) made money from her time with Wham! as a paid backing vocalist, receiving regular performance fees, though she wasn't a band member and later formed her own duo, Pepsi & Shirlie, but she was also known for George Michael's extreme generosity, receiving significant financial help when struggling, showing his kindness extended beyond just band payments.
Ridgeley lives in Cornwall. When were you happiest? When George, Shirlie [the Wham! backing singer, whom Ridgeley dated] and I were knocking about as teenagers.
Which royal refused to go to Princess Diana's funeral?
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (then Sophie Rhys-Jones) was the royal who notably skipped Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, not by outright refusal but by a considerate decision supported by the Royal Family, because her strong resemblance to Diana would have been too upsetting for the grieving crowds, as reported in royal biographies.
Why did Kenny Goss get money from George Michael estate?
Michael's former partner, Kenny Goss, sought to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, seeking reasonable financial provision from the estate. Goss and Michael had a serious relationship together between 1996 and 2009.
