Singer George Michael Has Died at 53
The ex-Wham singer turned soloist died "peacefully at home."
— -- Singer and former Wham! member George Michael has been found dead in his home at age 53, according to his publicist.
"It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period," his representative said in a statement. "The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."
Rescue personnel arrived at Michael’s property at 1:42 p.m. local time, 8:42 a.m. ET, although it is not known who contacted them. In a statement, Thames Valley Police described Michael’s death as “unexplained but not suspicious,” adding, “A post mortem will be undertaken in due course.”
One of the first celebrities to react to the news of Michael’s death was fellow Brit Elton John. He posted a photo on his Instagram of he and Michael together, writing, “I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans. @GeorgeMichael #RIP.”
Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, George Michael shot to fame in the early 1980s as a member of the group Wham!, with fellow singer and guitarist Andrew Ridgeley. The duo scored a U.S. and U.K. #1 hit with “Wake Me Up before You Go-Go” in 1984.
“Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog," Ridgeley tweeted Sunday night about Michael’s passing, "Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx.”
Michael had a solo hit with “Careless Whisper” while with Wham!, then went solo a few years later, earning more hits including his Aretha Franklin duet “I Knew You Were Waiting,” which earned the duo a Grammy in 1988. Michael’s debut solo album, Faith, was a huge success, and included the U.S. #1 singles “Father Figure,” “Faith,” “Monkey” and “One More Try.” It also spawned the controversial #2 single “I Want Your Sex.”
Michael’s second album, 1990’s "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1," is perhaps best-remembered for the video of the hit single “Freedom 90,” which featured the biggest supermodels of the day, including Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz lip-syncing the lyrics.
Michael released five more solo albums and a greatest hits collection over the ensuing years -- his last was the 2014 live album "Symphonica," his first album in ten years.
Initially describing himself as bisexual, Michael revealed he was gay following his 1998 arrest in Beverly Hills, California for what was described as “engaging in a lewd act” in a public restroom with another man, revealed to be an undercover police officer. Michael later described his actions as the result of a subconscious desire to be honest about his sexuality. He was arrested for a similar act in 2006.
Michael also was arrested several times in the 2000s for drug possession. More recently, the singer's health had become more of an issue. In late 2011, Michael was hospitalized off-and-on for a month for severe pneumonia. However, he told the Guardian that he felt like "a new man" after beating the illness.
"I still have plenty to live for," he said, when asked what got him through the ordeal. "I have an amazing, amazing life, and if I wasn't spiritual enough before the last four, five weeks then I certainly am now."