Andrew Ridgeley is a British singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to fame as one-half of the pop duo Wham! in the 1980s.
Along with his partner George Michael, he sold over 30 million records worldwide and had several hit singles such as “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Careless Whisper”, and “Last Christmas”.
But what is Andrew Ridgeley’s net worth today, and how did he make his money?
Wham! Success and Split
Andrew Ridgeley met George Michael at Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire, England, when they were both 12 years old.
They formed a friendship and a musical bond and started playing in various bands together.
Wham! quickly became one of the most popular pop acts in the world, thanks to their catchy songs, energetic performances, and charismatic image.
They also broke new ground by becoming the first Western pop group to perform in China in 1985.
Their second album, Make It Big, was released in 1984 and was a global success.
It featured their biggest hit, “Careless Whisper”, which was co-written by Ridgeley and Michael and sold over six million copies worldwide.
The album also included “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Freedom”, and “Everything She Wants”.
However, despite their phenomenal success, Wham! decided to split up in 1986, at the height of their fame.
Ridgeley and Michael announced their decision at a press conference and performed their farewell concert at Wembley Stadium on June 28, 1986.
The concert was attended by 72,000 fans and raised money for various charities.
Their final single, “The Edge of Heaven”, was released shortly before the concert and became their fourth UK number one.
Solo Career and Other Ventures
After Wham!, Ridgeley pursued a solo career as a singer and songwriter.
He released his only solo album, Son of Albert, in 1990.
Ridgeley later admitted that he was not happy with the album and that he felt pressured by his record label to release it.
Ridgeley also tried his hand at other ventures, such as acting, racing, and producing.
He appeared in a few TV shows and films, such as The Price of Love (1995), Red Dwarf (1997), and The Kenny Everett Television Show (1988).
Ridgeley also competed in the British Formula Three Championship in 1987 and 1988 but did not achieve any notable results.
He also produced an album for his then-girlfriend Keren Woodward, who was a member of the pop group Bananarama.
Ridgeley largely retreated from the public eye after his solo career failed to take off.
He also supported various environmental causes and charities, such as Surfers Against Sewage and Comic Relief.
Relationship with George Michael
Ridgeley remained close friends with George Michael after Wham! split up.
He supported Michael’s solo career and attended many of his concerts and events.
He also joined Michael on stage for a surprise performance of “I’m Your Man” at Wembley Arena in 2006.
Ridgeley was devastated by Michael’s death on December 25, 2016.
He paid tribute to his friend on social media and in interviews, calling him “the greatest singer-songwriter of his generation” and “a supremely gifted artist”.
He also participated in several events to honor Michael’s legacy, such as the Brit Awards in 2017 and the documentary Freedom in 2018.
Andrew Ridgeley’s Net Worth Today
According to various sources, Andrew Ridgeley’s net worth today is estimated to be around $25 million.
Most of his wealth comes from his royalties from Wham! and his solo work.
He also owns several properties in Cornwall and London, which are worth millions of pounds.
Ridgeley is not very active in the music industry anymore, but he occasionally makes appearances and gives interviews.
In 2019, he released his memoir, Wham! George & Me, which chronicles his friendship and partnership with George Michael.
The book was a bestseller and received positive feedback from fans and critics.
Conclusion
Andrew Ridgeley is a pop legend who was part of one of the most successful and influential duos in music history.
He enjoyed massive fame and fortune with Wham! in the 1980s, but decided to quit the music business after his solo career flopped.
He now lives a quiet and low-key life in Cornwall with his family and friends.
He still cherishes his memories with George Michael and honors his legacy.
Andrew Ridgeley’s net worth today reflects his achievements and contributions to pop culture.
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