Best known as part of the English duo Wham, Andrew Ridgeley is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has a net worth of 40 million dollars. Andrew made most of his fortune through his successful music career in the 1980s. After forming their band in the early 1980s, Andrew went on to enjoy a lot of success, selling over 30 million records.
Early Life
Andrew Ridgeley was born in 1963 in Windlesham, Surrey, England. His father worked for Canon while his mother was a teacher in a local school. While in school, George Michael transferred to his school, and when the teacher asked who would show him around, Andrew offered to do so. From that day onwards, the two became close friends; they used to play together, and at some point, they showed interest in music.
In 1981, the duo chose to start a music band which they called Wham. The band went on to become the best music group; the duo was able to release several catchy and captivating hits. They were able to grow their fanbase, and they continued to gain national and international fame.
Wham
Wham was founded in 1981. In the duo, Andrew played the guitar, wrote songs, and provided backup vocals, while George was the lead vocalist and keyboard player. After signing a contract with Epic Records, Wham released their debut album, Fantastic, which topped the UK and New Zealand charts. A year later, the band released another album, which topped the charts in various countries, including the UK and the United States.
Besides the two albums, the duo released several singles, including Freedom, Careless Whisper, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, and Everything She Wants. Most of these songs did well. For instance, Careless Whisper topped the charts in over 20 countries and sold over six million copies.
Following their early success, the duo went on to perform in several countries, including China, becoming the first Western pop group to achieve that feat. The performance in Beijing, China, had a significant impact on the country’s reception of Western music. In 1986, Wham released their final album before separating. Besides, they also performed their last show at the famous Wembley Stadium, where they attracted over 70,000 fans.
Career After Wham
After Wham, Andrew went on to pursue other ventures. For one, he moved to Monaco, where he took part in motor racing. Besides, he moved to the United States to pursue an acting career. He also started a business. Moreover, he went on to perform in various events.
Royalties, Awards and Nominations
Over the years, Andrew has earned a lot of royalties from his various songs and albums. He has earned over 10 million dollars, which significantly contributes to his financial portfolio. Additionally, through the band Wham, Andrew and George received two Grammy Nominations and six Brit Awards. All these nominations had a significant impact on their career, and they contributed to Andrew’s financial success.
Generally, Andrew’s net worth of 40 million dollars is a statement of his commitment to his craft and a show of the financial decisions that he has made over the years to grow his fortune.