Andrew Ridgeley is a British songwriter, singer and musician who hit the jackpot after he teamed up with legendary pop star George Michael and founded the highly successful musical duo Wham! in 1981.
Andrew Ridgeley net worth is now estimated at 40 million USD. Most of his earnings came from his activities as a partner of Wham! However, he collected a few millions from his other activities following the dismantling of the duo.
Even if you’ve well-developed musical talent, you must take some real pains before you can show 40 million USD as your net worth. Andrew Ridgeley took the pains and then some. Let’s find out what.
But first, let’s do a quick recap of Ridgeley’s personal life.
Bio table
Name | Andrew Ridgeley |
Date of birth | January 26, 1963 |
Place of birth | Surrey, England |
Education | Attended Bushey Meads School |
Occupation | Musician, singer, instrumentalist, song producer |
Genre | Rock/pop |
Group | Boy duo, Wham! |
Spouse | Singer, songwriter Keren Woodward |
Net worth | 40 million |
How Andrew Ridgeley Net Worth Reached 40 million?
No vast wealth can be built in a day. Andrew Ridgeley also built his fortune slowly but steadily. Here I’ll give you a breakdown of the heydays of this talented and hardworking personality of the world of music.
Andrew Ridgeley Starts Building His Net Worth
The journey of Andrew Ridgeley net worth started when he was still in school. During his schooldays, he met George Michael, the legendary British singer, lyricist, music composer and music producer. They struck an immediate friendship based on their common passion for music.
While still students, the duo performed at local clubs, shows and joined several bands to hone their musical skills and earn some money. During this period, they couldn’t earn much money and weren’t getting any noteworthy exposure.
Fed up with this small way of living, the two friends launched In 1981 their duo Wham! The duo registered a runaway success and money started rushing in like flash floods.
Andrew Ridgeley Net Worth Rapidly Increases
The first album of Wham! was Fantastic. It was an instant success and captured the No 1 position in the UK charts. within five years of the debut of Wham! Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael became international celebrities and Andrew Ridgeley net worth charted a quickly ascending course.
Wham! And George Michael
Wham! effect on Andrew Ridgeley net worth
Wham! came up with its second album, Make it Big in 1984. This album contained some of the finest songs the world of pop music has ever produced. Numbers like ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Careless Whisper‘.
Six million copies of ‘Careless Whisper’ have been sold to date. This massive success skyrocketed the earnings of both Michael and Ridgeley.
The duo’s next and final album was released in 1986: ‘Music From the Edge of Heaven’. It contained one of the finest holiday songs, ‘Last Christmas’. Later this year, Wham! broke up. But by this time, Andrew Ridgeley net worth had reached its pinnacle.
George Michael Factor In Andrew Ridgeley Net Worth
Andrew Ridgeley is undoubtedly a talented and enterprising musical personality. But it is doubtful if he could amass such a huge net worth without George Michael.
Michael was the guts of Wham! and much more talented and hard-working. Most of Wham! numbers are written, composed and sung by him. His ‘Careless Whisper’ is considered the best Wham! has ever produced.
When Michael decided to go solo, Wham! broke up. But it is still considered one of the best things that happened to the world of global music ever.
Wham! Factor In Andrew Ridgeley Net Worth
Here’s a list of major songs produced by Wham! that significantly increased Andrew Ridgeley net worth.
- First album, ‘Fantastic’, 1,600,000 copies sold.
- Second album, ‘Make It Big’, 9,500,000 copies sold.
- Third album, ‘Album Compilation’, 1,200,000 copies sold.
- Last album, ‘Music from the Edge of Heaven’, 1,300,000 copies sold.
Post-Wham! Earnings
After Wham! Ridgeley released a solo album, ‘Son of Albert’. But it wasn’t a hit and failed to live up to the reputation of the duo. He then tried his luck in Formula 3 racing and acting in the US. None of these ventures were successful. He now lives in the UK and leads a quiet life.
But even now, he earns steadily in royalties from the work he and George Michael did when their duo Wham! was at its peak.
Conclusion
While building his wealth, Andrew Ridgeley received several strokes of luck. Besides, his decision to team up with his friend George Michael proved to be the main reason for the massive wealth he enjoys now.
But only luck and Michael weren’t responsible. Behind this 40 million USD Andrew Ridgeley net worth was persistence, hard work, courage and talent on part of Andrew Ridgeley.
FAQs:
Q. Who is Andrew Ridgeley?
A. Andrew Ridgeley is a British singer, lyricist and music producerr. He is famous for his duo Wham!
Q. Who founded Wham!
A. Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael founded the duo Wham! in 1981.
Q. How rich is Andrew Ridgeley?
A. Andrew Ridgeley net worth is an estimated 40 million USD.
Q. How rich is George Michael?
A. George Michael’s net worth when he died was 200 million USD.
Q. What is Andrew Ridgeley’s age now?
A. Andrew Ridgeley is 61.