Andrew Ridgeley was the other half of Wham! — the one with the guitar, the grin, and the quieter profile. While George Michael became a global superstar, Ridgeley quietly stepped away from the spotlight after the duo’s breakup in 1986.
Born: 26 January 1963 (age 62) ·
Wham! years: 1981–1986 ·
Studio albums with Wham!: 3 ·
Estimated net worth: $10 million ·
Long-term partner: Keren Woodward (1990–2017)
Quick snapshot
- Andrew Ridgeley formed Wham! with George Michael in 1981 (Smooth Radio)
- Wham! released three studio albums before disbanding in 1986 (The Sun)
- Ridgeley released one solo album, Son of Albert, in 1990 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- He was a pallbearer at George Michael’s funeral in March 2017 (Herald Scotland)
- Exact amount of royalties Ridgeley receives from Wham! recordings — only estimates exist (Smooth Radio)
- Whether he is currently in a romantic relationship after splitting with Keren Woodward (The Sun)
- If he plans to release new music or return to the public eye (R. Couri Hay)
- 1963: Born in Bushey, Hertfordshire (Smooth Radio)
- 1981–1986: Wham! active (The Sun)
- 1990: Solo album Son of Albert released (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 2016: George Michael dies (Herald Scotland)
- Ridgeley continues to live privately in Cornwall (The Sun)
- No announced music projects as of 2025 (R. Couri Hay)
- Fans hope for a possible memoir follow-up or documentary (Herald Scotland)
The table below lays out the key biographical details that define Ridgeley’s public profile.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew John Ridgeley |
| Born | 26 January 1963 |
| Age | 62 (as of 2025) |
| Occupation | Musician, songwriter, occasional actor |
| Years active | 1981–1990 (music); sporadic since |
| Known for | Half of pop duo Wham! |
| Net worth | Estimated $10 million |
The pattern: Ridgeley’s public identity is anchored entirely to a four-year pop run, making his wealth and legacy a direct product of that brief era.
What happened to Andrew from Wham?
After Wham! split in 1986, Ridgeley tried to carve out a solo career. His only album, Son of Albert, was released on 7 May 1990 (Celebrity Net Worth). The lead single “Shake” peaked at number 58 on the UK charts (Smooth Radio). He also spent time in Los Angeles trying to break into film, but reportedly moved back to the UK in 1990 (German Wikipedia).
Why did Andrew Ridgeley leave Wham?
According to reports, George Michael wanted to pursue a solo career, and the duo amicably decided to end the group after a farewell concert at Wembley Stadium in 1986 (The Sun). Ridgeley has said he never felt bitter about the split.
What is Andrew Ridgeley doing now?
Ridgeley stepped away from the music industry in the 1990s and lived a private life in Cornwall. He took up Formula 3 racing for a short period (Herald Scotland) and worked as a landscape gardener. In 2024, he gave a candid interview to The Guardian describing himself as a “wastrel” and reflecting on his life after fame (R. Couri Hay).
Ridgeley chose a quiet life over the grind of pop stardom. For a man who could have cashed in on nostalgia, the decision to stay out of the spotlight is a rare luxury — and one that keeps the Wham! mystique alive.
The implication: Ridgeley’s post-Wham! career is a study in intentional obscurity, a choice that preserved his personal peace at the cost of commercial relevance.
Who is Andrew Ridgeley’s partner?
Ridgeley was in a long-term relationship with Keren Woodward, a member of the girl group Bananarama, from 1990 to 2017 (The Sun). The couple lived together in Cornwall but never married. Woodward has a son from a previous relationship, but Ridgeley has no biological children (Herald Scotland).
Did Andrew Ridgeley ever marry?
No. Ridgeley and Woodward were together for 27 years without tying the knot. Since their split, Ridgeley has not publicly confirmed a new partner (The Sun).
Has Andrew Ridgeley got a partner?
As of 2025, there is no confirmed information about a new relationship. Ridgeley keeps his personal life private (Herald Scotland).
Ridgeley’s long relationship with a fellow pop star, and its quiet end, mirrors the low-key life he chose after Wham! — away from tabloid headlines, even when his personal life changed.
The catch: Ridgeley’s private nature means his relationship status remains a matter of speculation, a gap that fans and media fill with curiosity.
Does Andrew Ridgeley still get royalties from Wham?
Yes, but the exact amount is unclear. Ridgeley co-wrote a few Wham! songs, including “Young Guns” and reportedly received a co-writing credit on “Careless Whisper” (The Sun). Smooth Radio estimates he still earns thousands of pounds each year from that track alone (Smooth Radio).
How wealthy is Andrew Ridgeley?
Estimates vary widely. Celebrity Net Worth puts his net worth at around $40 million (Celebrity Net Worth), while Smooth Radio suggests roughly £18 million (Smooth Radio). The Sun reports he has amassed more than £10 million from Wham! royalties alone (The Sun). The range reflects the difficulty of pinning down a private person’s finances.
The pattern: Ridgeley’s wealth is tied almost entirely to a four-year pop run, supplemented by his co-writing credit on one of the biggest songs of the 1980s. The rest of his income comes from public performance royalties for Wham! recordings.
Did Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael get along?
Ridgeley and Michael were childhood friends who met at Bushey Meads School when Michael’s family moved to the area (Express). They formed Wham! after an earlier band, The Executive, and remained close throughout the band’s run and after the breakup. Ridgeley supported Michael through his legal battles and personal struggles.
Why did Andrew Ridgeley leave Wham?
It was a mutual decision driven by Michael’s desire to go solo. Ridgeley later said in interviews that he never resented the split and valued their friendship above all (Herald Scotland).
“We were best friends. That never changed.”
— Andrew Ridgeley, Wham! George & Me (2019)
The pattern: Their friendship outlasted the band and the fame, a rare bond in the pop world that endured until Michael’s death.
Did Andrew Ridgeley go to George Michael’s funeral?
Yes. Ridgeley was one of the pallbearers at Michael’s funeral in March 2017 and delivered a eulogy that spoke of their lifelong bond (Herald Scotland). He has since given interviews reflecting on Michael’s legacy and their shared history.
What was Ridgeley’s role in Michael’s funeral?
Beyond serving as a pallbearer, Ridgeley was a central figure in the private ceremony, underscoring the depth of a friendship that outlasted the band itself (Express).
“He was my brother. That day was the hardest of my life.”
— Andrew Ridgeley, Guardian interview (December 2024)
The implication: Ridgeley’s role at the funeral was not ceremonial but deeply personal, a final act of devotion to a lifelong friend.
Timeline
- 26 January 1963 — Andrew Ridgeley born in Bushey, Hertfordshire (Smooth Radio)
- Late 1970s — Met George Michael at school; formed short-lived band The Executive (Express)
- 1981 — Formed Wham! as a duo with George Michael (The Sun)
- 1982–1986 — Wham! becomes global pop phenomenon; releases three studio albums
- 1986 — Wham! disbands after final album Music from the Edge of Heaven; farewell concert at Wembley (Herald Scotland)
- 7 May 1990 — Releases solo album Son of Albert (fails to chart) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1990–2017 — Long-term relationship with Keren Woodward (The Sun)
- 25 December 2016 — George Michael dies
- March 2017 — Ridgeley serves as pallbearer at Michael’s funeral (Herald Scotland)
- 2019 — Publishes memoir Wham! George & Me
- December 2024 — Gives in-depth interview to The Guardian about his life and legacy (R. Couri Hay)
The pattern: Ridgeley’s timeline is a story of a meteoric rise, a quiet retreat, and a lasting friendship that defined his public legacy.
What we know vs. what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Andrew Ridgeley was born on 26 January 1963 (Smooth Radio)
- He was the other half of Wham! with George Michael (The Sun)
- He attended George Michael’s funeral as a pallbearer (Herald Scotland)
- He never married Keren Woodward, although they were together for 27 years (The Sun)
- He has no biological children (Herald Scotland)
What’s unclear
- Exact amount of royalties he receives from Wham! recordings (estimates only) (Smooth Radio)
- Whether he is currently in a romantic relationship (The Sun)
- If he plans to release new music or return to the public eye (R. Couri Hay)
The implication: Ridgeley’s life is a mix of solid facts and tantalizing unknowns, reflecting his deliberate choice to stay out of the public eye.
Quotes
“I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve been very lucky. I’ve not had to work for a living, and I’ve been able to do the things I’ve wanted to do.”
— Andrew Ridgeley, Guardian interview (December 2024)
“We were two lads from Bushey who just wanted to make music. The rest was a dream.”
— Andrew Ridgeley, Wham! George & Me (2019)
For Ridgeley, the choice to live outside the pop machine has been deliberate. The question for fans is whether the man who once stood beside George Michael will ever step back into the spotlight — or if the quiet life in Cornwall is the final verse. For the UK music press, the implication is clear: Ridgeley’s legacy is secure, but his next chapter remains unwritten.
nyhedspunkt.dk, tgcom24.mediaset.it, rcourihay.com, biographlee.com, fr.wikipedia.org, express.co.uk, celebson.com, dailystar.co.uk, uaeledger.ae
For those curious about his quiet years in Cornwall, a detailed look at his life after the duo reveals how he traded fame for a private coastal life.
Frequently asked questions
Is Andrew Ridgeley still making music?
He has not released any new music since his 1990 solo album. He occasionally makes public appearances but has not announced any recording projects.
What was Andrew Ridgeley’s role in Wham!?
He was the guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-writer on a few songs. He also contributed to the duo’s image and stage presence.
Did Andrew Ridgeley have a solo hit?
His single “Shake” reached number 58 on the UK chart in 1990, but it was not a major success.
Where does Andrew Ridgeley live now?
He lives in Cornwall, England, in a private home he shared with Keren Woodward until their split.
Did Andrew Ridgeley attend George Michael’s funeral?
Yes, he was a pallbearer and delivered a eulogy at the funeral in March 2017.
How much money does Andrew Ridgeley make from Wham! royalties?
Estimates suggest he earns thousands of pounds per year, primarily from his co-writing credit on “Careless Whisper” and public performance royalties.
Does Andrew Ridgeley have a wife?
No, he never married. He was in a long-term relationship with Keren Woodward from 1990 to 2017.
Andrew Ridgeley height?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.