As one half of pop duo Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley has always maintained a solid presence in the music world, even as his career took a quieter turn since the band split in the mid-1980s. Andrew Ridgeley is currently estimated to be worth around $40 million, a figure which stems largely from his time with Wham!, royalties from their biggest hits, and various business ventures.
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The Early Rise of Wham!
Born on January 26, 1963, in Surrey, England, Andrew Ridgeley first became known in the 1980s when he formed Wham! in 1981 with school friend George Michael. The band became one of the decade’s most popular pop groups with their catchy tunes, upbeat style, and energetic performances. Wham! achieved global recognition with hits such as Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Last Christmas, and Club Tropicana.
Though most people considered George Michael as the driving force behind Wham!, Ridgeley was equally an important member of the duo. His charm, guitar playing style, and songwriting contributed to Wham!’s light-hearted image. Their sound was very pop and infectious, and they soon reached the top of the charts with multiple platinum albums and sold-out tours worldwide.
Wham!’s Success and Earnings
Wham! sold over 30 million records worldwide during their short, successful career. Their music remains a generation favorite, especially the holiday classic Last Christmas, which is revived each year at the holidays. Royalties Ridgeley has received have been earned through radio stations, online streaming, commercials, and films.
The music of Wham! brought Ridgeley considerable financial success and the band had an impact that was far-reaching. Wham! disbanded in 1986, but at the height of their popularity, Ridgeley secured a comfortable financial future, owing in part to savvy financial planning and the band’s catalog appeal.
Life after Wham!
After Wham! split, George Michael went on to a solo career and Andrew Ridgeley stepped away from the spotlight. With his 1990 album, Son of Albert, he briefly tried to make music alone, but it was not commercially successful. After that, Ridgeley slowly left the music scene but his wealth allowed him the freedom to explore other outlets.
Ridgeley turned to motorsports and environmental activism. As a lover of Formula 1 racing, he raced professionally for a time and has continued to be active in the sport as a fan and hobbyist. His environmental work includes campaigning for beaches and marine life preservation.
Royalties and Continued Earnings
Although Ridgeley never had a huge solo music career to rival Wham!’s, royalties from the band’s music have kept him financially secure. A continued success of their catalog, particularly during the holiday season, continues to bring in income for Ridgeley. He has also done public speaking, interviewed and worked on music documentaries like the 2019 Netflix film Last Christmas.
Personal Life and Legacy
Andrew Ridgeley has mostly kept his personal life private, although his longtime relationship with Keren Woodward of Bananarama attracted some media attention. The couple dated on-and-off for almost three decades before splitting in 2017. Ridgeley remains an enduring figure in British pop culture, remembered fondly as part of one of the 1980s’ biggest pop acts.
