George Michael was one of the most iconic pop stars of the 1980s and 1990s. From his time in Wham! to his groundbreaking solo career, he touched millions with his voice, charisma, and emotional songwriting.
But behind his success lay a life full of secrets, scandals, and personal struggles.
Here are 17 shocking facts about George Michael.
1. His real name wasn’t George Michael
George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou on June 25, 1963, in London.
His father was a Greek Cypriot restaurant owner, and his mother was a British dancer. He changed his name to better fit the pop world.
2. He was bullied for his looks as a child
At school, George was a shy and insecure boy with glasses and wild curls.
He was often bullied, which later motivated him to reinvent himself as a confident pop star with impeccable style.
3. Wham! only became successful after being rejected by Top of the Pops
Before Wham! became famous, they were set to perform on Top of the Pops, but their spot was pulled at the last minute.
A few weeks later, they got a second chance, and their performance of Young Guns (Go for It) caused their career to explode.
4. He made millions from the Christmas classic Last Christmas
Last Christmas by Wham! became one of the most successful Christmas songs ever, even though it never reached number one in 1984.
George Michael wrote, produced, and played all the instruments himself, meaning he earned almost all the profits.
5. He donated millions in secret
George Michael was known for his incredible generosity, but he usually kept it quiet.
He donated millions to charity, including children’s hospitals, HIV research, and poverty relief. After his death, stories emerged from people he had helped in silence.
6. His solo debut Faith sold over 25 million copies
After Wham!, George went solo and released Faith in 1987.
The album included hits like Faith, Father Figure, and One More Try, making him the biggest pop star in the world.
It won a Grammy for Album of the Year and sold over 25 million copies.
7. He refused to meet the music industry’s expectations
George had a sexy image during the Faith era but hated that the industry only saw him as a pop idol.
For his second album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, he chose not to appear on the album cover or in music videos. It was a bold move, but the album was still a huge success.
8. He battled his record label for years
George Michael sued Sony Music, claiming they treated him like a “workhorse.”
He lost the case, but his fight inspired other artists to stand up for their rights.
9. His relationship with Anselmo Feleppa changed his life
In the early ’90s, George fell deeply in love with Brazilian designer Anselmo Feleppa.
Soon after their relationship began, Anselmo discovered he was HIV-positive. He died in 1993, sending George into a deep depression and inspiring him to later come out publicly.
10. He came out after a scandal in 1998
Though George Michael struggled with his sexuality for years, he was publicly outed in 1998 after being arrested in a public restroom in Beverly Hills.
Instead of hiding, he joked about it and released the single Outside, mocking the hypocrisy surrounding his arrest.
11. He had a controversial relationship with drugs
George Michael was arrested multiple times for drug use, mainly cannabis and GHB.
He openly admitted to smoking regularly, calling it his way of coping with stress and sadness.
12. He gave one of the biggest free concerts ever in Rio de Janeiro
In 1991, George gave a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, drawing over 160,000 people.
This made it one of the largest free concerts in history.
13. He was rejected for a duet with Frank Sinatra
George Michael was a huge fan of Frank Sinatra and once hoped to record a duet with him.
Sinatra declined, saying George “didn’t work hard enough” to be famous. George found this hilarious, as he was known for his perfectionism.
14. He was friends with Princess Diana
George Michael and Princess Diana shared a close friendship.
They bonded over music and often talked about the pressures of fame. George was one of the few who knew Diana outside the media spotlight.
15. He once joked about marrying Elton John
George and Elton John had a close but occasionally turbulent friendship.
At one point, George joked in an interview that he’d happily marry Elton—though it was said in jest.
Their duet Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me became a massive hit.
16. He died tragically on Christmas Day
On December 25, 2016, at the age of 53, George Michael died unexpectedly in his sleep.
His death from heart failure shocked the world, especially as his hit Last Christmas was playing everywhere that day.
17. He is still celebrated as one of the greatest pop stars of all time
George Michael’s legacy lives on. He sold over 100 million records, influenced countless artists, and remains an icon of freedom, love, and authenticity.
His music continues to be played around the world, and he’s remembered as a peerless performer and songwriter.
