George Michael

George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in East Finchley, London, in 1963, the son of a Greek Cypriot restaurateur and an English dancer. As a teenager he formed a close musical partnership with schoolfriend Andrew Ridgeley, and in 1981 the pair launched Wham!, whose exuberant pop singles made them one of the most successful British acts of the early 1980s and brought Michael international stardom while still in his early twenties.

His 1984 solo single Careless Whisper revealed a mature songwriter behind the pop image, and after Wham! amicably disbanded in 1986 he released Faith, a global success that won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Later records such as Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 and Older showed a more reflective artist, and his soulful voice, meticulous production, and honest writing earned him deep respect across the industry.

Michael was also a quietly prodigious philanthropist, supporting charities for children, people with HIV, and cancer patients, often anonymously; the full extent of his giving emerged only after his death. He died peacefully at his home in Goring-on-Thames on Christmas Day 2016 from heart disease, aged 53. His songs remain staples of popular music, and his generosity and artistry continue to define his legacy as one of pop's great voices.