Age, Biography and Wiki

Shirley Bassey (Shirley Veronica Bassey) was born on 8 January, 1937 in Cardiff, Wales, is a Welsh singer (born 1937). Discover Shirley Bassey's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 87 years old?

Popular As Shirley Veronica Bassey
Occupation Singer
Age 87 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 8 January, 1937
Birthday 8 January
Birthplace Cardiff, Wales
Nationality United Kingdom

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 January. She is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 87 years old group.

Shirley Bassey Height, Weight & Measurements

At 87 years old, Shirley Bassey height is 5' 3" (1.6 m) .

Physical Status
Height 5' 3" (1.6 m)
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Shirley Bassey's Husband?

Her husband is Sergio Novak (m. 1968–1979), Kenneth Hume (m. 1961–1965)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Sergio Novak (m. 1968–1979), Kenneth Hume (m. 1961–1965)
Sibling Not Available
Children Sharon Novak, Samantha Bassey, Mark Novak

Shirley Bassey Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Shirley Bassey worth at the age of 87 years old? Shirley Bassey’s income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. She is from United Kingdom. We have estimated Shirley Bassey's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Soundtrack

Shirley Bassey Social Network

Instagram Shirley Bassey Instagram
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Twitter Shirley Bassey Twitter
Facebook Shirley Bassey Facebook
Wikipedia Shirley Bassey Wikipedia
Imdb

Timeline

1937

Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (born 8 January 1937) is a Welsh singer.

Best known for her career longevity, powerful voice and recording the theme songs to three James Bond films, Bassey is widely regarded as one of the most popular vocalists in Britain.

1953

Born in Cardiff, Bassey began performing as a teenager in 1953.

In 1953, Bassey signed her first professional contract, touring with the variety show Memories of Jolson, a musical based on the life of Al Jolson.

On 17 December 1953, Bassey signed a contract with Columbia Productions for two performances at the salary of £10.

1954

Her next professional engagement was in the touring show Hot from Harlem, in which she and other mixed-race Cardiff performers were passed off as Black Americans in 1954.

A review of the show in March 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, an attractive young singer, is an asset to the show."

Later that year, Bassey gave birth to her daughter Sharon, while staying with her sister Ella in London.

While performing in Jersey, Bassey met her first manager, Mike Sullivan.

1955

In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the impresario Jack Hylton at the Astor Club in September 1955.

He invited her to feature in Al Read's Such Is Life, which opened on 14 December 1955 at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End.

1956

In the show, which ran until 3 November 1956, she featured the song "Burn My Candle", leading one reviewer to say that she had nearly stopped the show with the song "which brought outraged mutters, then roars of shamefaced applause."

During the show's run, Philips record producer Johnny Franz spotted her on television, was impressed, and offered her a recording deal.

Bassey recorded her first single, "Burn My Candle", the song she had featured in Such is Life, and this was released in February 1956.

The cabaret-style song was banned by the BBC because the lyrics were considered too suggestive.

1957

More singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her first hit with "The Banana Boat Song", which reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart.

Following a successful run at the Café de Paris, London, she made her American stage début in Las Vegas at El Rancho Vegas in February 1957.

1959

In 1959, she became the first Welsh person to gain a number-one single on the UK Singles Chart.

In the following decades, Bassey amassed 27 Top 40 hits in the UK, including two number-ones (As I Love You and AA: Climb Ev'ry Mountain/Reach For The Stars) plus a number-one on the Dance Chart (History Repeating).

1964

She became well-known for recording the soundtrack theme songs of the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979).

1971

Since making her first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971, she has performed at the venue 45 times.

1977

Bassey received the first award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 1st Brit Awards in 1977.

1999

She was appointed a Dame in 1999 for services to the performing arts.

2003

In 2003, she was ranked among the "100 Great Black Britons".

2008

Her song "Goldfinger" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

She has influenced many other singers, including Aretha Franklin.

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey has sold over 140 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.

She is the first woman in history to claim a Top 40 album in seven consecutive decades in the United Kingdom.

Shirley Veronica Bassey was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey and Eliza Jane Start on Bute Street in Tiger Bay, Cardiff.

She grew up in the nearby community of Splott.

Her father was Nigerian, and her mother came from New Marske, North Yorkshire.

Two of her mother's four children from previous relationships lived in the Bassey household.

Bassey's mother listed her first husband, Alfred Metcalfe, as her own father in the registry of her marriage to Henry Bassey, giving rise to speculation that this marriage was bigamous in the absence of a prior divorce.

Eliza and Henry's second child died in infancy, so Shirley was born into a household of three sisters, two half-sisters, and one brother.

Teachers and students alike at Moorland Road School noticed Bassey's strong voice, but gave the pre-teen little encouragement: "everyone told me to shut up. Even in the school choir the teacher kept telling me to back off till I was singing in the corridor!"

A classmate recalled her singing the refrain "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" from Show Boat with such feeling that she made their teacher uncomfortable.

She left Splott secondary modern school at age 14 to work at Curran Steels and, in the evenings and weekends, to sing in local pubs and clubs.

2011

In 2011, BBC aired the television film Shirley, based on Bassey's life and career.

2020

In 2020, Bassey became the first female artist to chart an album in the Top 40 of the UK Albums Chart in seven consecutive decades with her album I Owe It All To You.

Bassey has also had numerous BBC television specials, and she hosted her own variety series, Shirley Bassey.