George Michael’s Life in Pictures

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George Michael’s Life in Pictures

With the news of George Michael’s tragic death at age 53 on Sunday, December 25, Us Weekly takes a look back at his iconic career as a member of the '80s pop group Wham!, a solo artist and an outspoken member of the LGBT community. The musician (né Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou), who was born in East Finchley, London, was a global superstar and had several No. 1 hits. He passed away from heart failure at his London home and was found "in his bed, lying peacefully," according to his manager. Relive the highlights of his legendary, groundbreaking career. 

Credit:

George Michael’s Life in Pictures

With the news of George Michael’s tragic death at age 53 on Sunday, December 25, Us Weekly takes a look back at his iconic career as a member of the '80s pop group Wham!, a solo artist and an outspoken member of the LGBT community. The musician (né Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou), who was born in East Finchley, London, was a global superstar and had several No. 1 hits. He passed away from heart failure at his London home and was found "in his bed, lying peacefully," according to his manager. Relive the highlights of his legendary, groundbreaking career. 

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A Fantastic Start

The British pop duo, led by vocalist Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, introduced their music to the world when they released their first album, Fantastic, on July 9, 1983.

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White Hot

Wham! shot to stardom with their 1984 hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” and it had an unforgettable music video, in which the group sang and boogied in all-white outfits, including oversized “Choose Life” shirts.

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Supergroup Status

In 1984, Michael joined other musicians, most from the U.K., including Boy George, Bono and Simon Le Bon, to form the charity group Band Aid, to record and release the legendary, still-beloved song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

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Charity Concert

The “Careless Whisper” singer participated in the 1985 Live Aid concert to benefit the Ethiopian famine.

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Breaking Down Barriers

Michael and Ridgeley visited the Great Wall of China before playing the first-ever gig by a Western pop group in the communist country. As documented in their "Freedom" video, they performed at Beijing’s People’s Gymnasium in April 1985.

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Going Solo

He released his first solo record, Faith, in 1987, and the single by the same name hit No. 1 in the United States. The album, which included hits such as "I Want Your Sex," "Father Figure," and "One More Try," has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and made him a global superstar.

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Freedom

Michael’s 1990 “Freedom” video was one of the most iconic music videos of all time. Although the musician didn’t appear in the video, supermodels Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Tatjana Patitz lip-synced the song in his place in a video that blended music and fashion.

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Winning Big

The pop icon took home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at the MTV VMAs — presented to him by his pop peer and friend Madonna — in 1989 for Faith. The same year, he also scored a Grammy for Album of the Year and several other honors.

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London Calling

Michael met Princess Diana at the 1993 World Aids Day Annual Concert of Hope at London’s Wembley Arena. Years later, in 1997, he attended the British royal’s funeral.

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A Moving Tribute

While his relationship was not public knowledge at the time, Michael wrote the moving, memorable 1996 song “Jesus to a Child” about his partner Anselmo Feleppa, who died from complications related to AIDS. Michael advocated for HIV/AIDS awareness and funding for much of his public life.

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New Love

In 1996, Michael began a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss. The pair attended the Versace Couture launch party at the Ritz Hotel in 2002. 

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Out and Proud

The “Father Figure” singer officially came out as gay in a CNN interview in April 1998. "I spent the first half of my career being accused of being gay when I hadn't had anything like a gay relationship," Michael said in the interview. "So I spent my years growing up being told what my sexuality was really ... which was kind of confusing."

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A Controversial Tune

Michael stirred the pot in 2002 once more when he released the song “Shoot the Dog” off his fifth album, Patience, and its accompanying animated music video. The single was critical of then-president George W. Bush and then–British prime minister Tony Blair.

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Rebooting His Career

He sat down with Oprah Winfrey in 2004 when he opened up about his sexuality and his past arrest in 1998 for engaging in a lewd act in an L.A. bathroom. He was unapologetic about the incident, calling the situation an "entrapment." 

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In It for Good

The “Everything She Wants” crooner once again teamed up with musical greats for the Live 8 benefit concerts in 2005 to combat poverty.

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Health Scare

In late 2011, Michael suffered pneumonia and doctors performed a tracheotomy to open his airways. He later told the Daily Mail, “It almost killed me.”

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Gone But Never Forgotten

After his sudden passing on December 25, hundreds of flowers were left at the entrance to his London home. Michael’s manager confirmed that the cause of death was heart failure and he was found “in his bed, lying peacefully.”

Celebrities and fans also took to social media to pay tribute to the legend, including Michael’s friend Elton John. “I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend — the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist," John wrote on Instagram.