Shirley Bassey Net Worth

Publish date: 2024-05-22

Shirley Veronica Bassey net worth is
$10 Million

Shirley Veronica Bassey Wiki Biography

Shirley Veronica Bassey was born on the 8th January 1937, in Tiger Bay, Cardiff Wales, and is one of the most successful female vocalists of the second half of the 20th century. Her career spans more than 60 years, during which she has released more than 30 studio albums, won numerous prestigious awards and honors, including being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, plus rewarded as Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25 years by BRIT Award. Some of her most famous songs remain “Goldfinger” b/w “Strange How Love Can Be”, recorded for the soundtrack for the James Bond film “Goldfinger”, “Diamonds are Forever”, also for the James Bond film, and “If You Go Away”, among many others. Her career started in 1953.

Have you ever wondered how rich Shirley Bassey is, as of mid- 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Bassey’s net worth is as high as $10 million, an amount earned through her successful career in the entertainment industry.

Shirley Bassey Net Worth $10 Million

Shirley is the youngest child of six, born to Eliza Jane Start, and Henry Bassey, of part-Nigerian ancestry. She grew up in Splott, an adjacent community of Tiger Bay, Cardiff, and went to Moorland Road School, where teachers first came to notice her voice, but from the very start, Shirley wasn’t much encouraged, on the contrary, she was told not to sing and was excluded from the school choir. She attended Splott Secondary Modern School until she was 14 years old, when she left schooling and found a job at the Curran Steels factory, but also pursued a singing career, as she performed in public houses and clubs during the evenings.

As early as 1953 Shirley’s professional career started, when she became a part of the touring variety show “Memories of Jolson”, which is a musical based on the life of singer, actor and comedian Al Jolson. The following year she joined “Hot from Harlem”, but she had to return to Cardiff to work as a waitress due to an unwanted pregnancy. She apparently never discovered who the father is.

She returned to performing in 1955, and appeared in numerous theaters, until she was noticed by the impresario Jack Hylton, on whose invitation Shirley featured in Al Read’s “Such Is Life” at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End, where she was spotted by Philips Records producer Johnny Franz who immediately offered her a recording deal. Soon she had her first single released, “Burn My Candle”, which sold quite well, despite being banned by BBC due to suggestive lyrics. She continued to record for Philips until 1959, releasing “Born to Sing the Blues” in 1957, which is her debut studio album, and “The Bewitching Miss Bassey”. However, in 1958 she also signed with EMI Columbia, which marked the start of her rise to fame. She released the single “As I Love You” and in 1959 the song topped the UK Chart, and remained there for the next four weeks – her net worth was well established.

Throughout the ‘60s, Shirley had numerous successful recordings, including “As Long As He Needs Me”, then “Goldfinger” and “Big Spender”, among many others. She continued successfully until the late ‘70s, switching from EMI to United Artists record label, and releasing such hits as “Something”, “Diamonds are Forever”, “For All We Know”, “Never, Never, Never”, and many others, which only increased her wealth.

Little changed for Shirley in the ‘80s, as she focused more on touring, including charity concerts, but also released a number of albums – “I Am What I Am” (1984), and “La Mujer” (1989), for different labels, as her contract with the United Artists expired. She returned to the studio in the ‘90s, releasing five albums, including “Sings the Movies” (1995), which achieved gold status, and “The Show Must Go On” (1996), which achieved silver status.

Despite her age, Shirley remains active even today, and from the start of the new century has emerged again on the music scene, with her albums achieving gold status, which has only increased her wealth. In 2007 she released the album “Get the Party Started”, and most recently, she released her 37th studio album “Hello Like Before” (2014), through the RCA Records, and it reached No. 24 on the UK Album chart.

Regarding her personal life, Shirley has married two times; her first husband was Kenneth Hume from 1961 until 1965 – the reason for divorce was Shirley’s affair with actor Peter Finch, however, the two broke up soon after. Then in 1968 she married Sergio Novak, but they divorced in 1977 – Novak served as her manager throughout their time together. Also, the two adopted Shirley’s grand-nephew, Mark. Her relationship with Mark stranded over the years, but according to the later reports, the two have managed to sort things out.

Shirley also had two daughters, Samantha and Sharon, but their father or fathers are unknown. Samantha was found dead in 1985 – the police ruled it as suicide. Shirley put all efforts to re-open the case, but after another investigation, the results remained the same.


Full NameShirley Bassey
Net Worth$10 Million
Date Of BirthJanuary 8, 1937
Place Of BirthTiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Height5' 3" (1.6 m)
ProfessionSinger
EducationMoorland Road School, Splott Secondary Modern School
NationalityAmerican
SpouseSergio Novak (m. 1968–1979), Kenneth Hume (m. 1961–1965)
ChildrenMark Novak, Samantha Bassey, Sharon Novak
ParentsHenry Bassey, Eliza Jane Start
SiblingsElla Brutus, Eileen Hopkins, Iris Denning, Marina Hogan, Henry Bassey Jr., Edith Grace Biami
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/officialDSB
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/dsbtigerbay
MySpacehttps://myspace.com/shirleybassey
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0060259/
Allmusichttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/shirley-bassey-mn0000029867
AwardsGrammy Hall of Fame, Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist, NME Award for British Female Singer, World Music Award - Lifetime Achievement Award, Goldfinger, Big Spender, Never Never Never
NominationsGrammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, NME Award for British Vocal Personality, NME Award for World Female Singer, Goldfinger, Big Spender, Never Never Never
MoviesShirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever, Shirley Bassey: Standing Room Only
#Quote
1[on being awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the the British Empire] I was asleep and my manager came to wake me up because we were going out that night. I didn't feel like getting up and I said. "Go away, let me sleep". Just as I was going back to sleep he said, "You wouldn't get up even for Damehood?" I had to keep quiet for seven weeks. I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I was afraid to go out in case I told someone - my social life was nil.
#Fact
1Her surprise performance of "Goldfinger" at the 85th Annual Academy Awards, commemorating 50 years of James Bond films brought the house down. Bassey received a two minute standing ovation following her performance, more than any other performer that evening.
2Auctioned off the contents of her London flat, with proceeds going to charity. She now lives in Monaco. [June 2005]
3Had a charity auction at Christies in 2003. "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Years of Glittering Gowns" raised £250,000 (US$500,000) for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Noah's Ark Appeal. Swarovski purchased a number of significant lots to display them at Crystal Worlds Museum in Austria.
4Her favorite songs are "Fever" by Peggy Lee, "The Wonder of You" by Elvis Presley, "Back To Black" by Amy Winehouse, "Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart, "Saturday Night Fever" by The Bee Gees, "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra, "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner, "The Man That Got Away" by Judy Garland and "All By Myself" by Céline Dion.
5She and Tom Jones are the only two Welsh artists (as of 2007) to have sung title songs from the James Bond series of movies.
6Winner, in 1977, of BRIT award for Best British Female Solo Artist of the previous 25 years (1977 awards commemorated the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth).
7Sang the theme songs for three of the James Bond movies -- more than any other performer. Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Moonraker (1979). "Goldfinger" reached the #8 position on the Billboard Top 40 chart in February of 1965.
8Her son, Mark, is her niece's biological son. She and her second husband adopted him in 1971. She also has two daughters with fathers she refuses to name.
9Daughter Sharon has 4 sons.
10Her first husband, Kenneth Hume, was openly homosexual and denied fathering any of her children born during their marriage.
11Daughter Samantha was born in 1963. She drowned in 1985, after falling into the River Avon from The Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol. Bassey has always maintained that her daughter did not commit suicide.
12Her father was Nigerian. She never knew him.
13Her daughter Sharon was born in September, 1954. Shirley's sister raised her until she was nine. This caused a scandal when the public found out.
14She was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1994 Queen's New Year Honours List for her services to entertainment.
15Sang Perry Como's song "And I Love You So" at the wedding of Joan Collins and Percy Gibson.
16She recorded the single "There's No Place Like London" written by Lynsey de Paul and Gerard Kenny.
17She returned to the UK top 40 with the The Propellerheads on the hit single "History Repeating" in 1997 after an absence from the UK singles chart for 24 years.
18She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honors List for her services to entertainment.

All pictures

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Call the Midwife2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 22016performer: "Jezahel"
Strictly Come Dancing2014-2015TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Scream Queens2015TV Series performer - 1 episode
Seriesly2015TV Series performer - 1 episode
Britain's Got Talent2012-2015TV Series performer - 3 episodes
Somewhere Over the Rainbow2014TV Movie documentary performer: "Goldfinger" - uncredited
Guapas2014TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dancing on Ice2014TV Series performer - 1 episode
The 85th Annual Academy Awards2013TV Special performer: "Goldfinger"
The Hour2012TV Series performer - 1 episode
Everything or Nothing2012Documentary performer: "Goldfinger"
Celebrity Big Brother2012TV Series performer - 1 episode
Sushi Girl2012performer: "Diamonds Are Forever"
Hansi und Hubsi2012TV Movie performer: "Diamonds Are Forever Mantronik 007 Mix"
Sir Billi2012performer: "Guardian of the Highlands"
The Voice UK2012TV Series performer - 1 episode
So You Think You Can Dance2011TV Series performer - 1 episode
So You Think You Can Dance Canada2010TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dokonalý svet2010TV Series performer - 1 episode
Memòries de la tele2010TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dancing with the Stars2005-2010TV Series 2 episodes
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore2010performer: "Get The Party Started"
The Sons of Tennessee Williams2010Documentary performer: "New York, New York"
Secret Diary of a Call Girl2010TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Paul O'Grady Show2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Graham Norton Show2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
BBC Electric Proms2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
...Sings The Beatles2009TV Movie documentary performer: "Something"
The Real Hustle2009TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
De l'autre côté du lit2008performer: "Kiss me honey, honey kiss me"
The X Factor2008TV Series performer - 1 episode
20 to 12008TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Two and a Half Men2008TV Series performer - 1 episode
So You Think You Can Dance Australia2008TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle2007TV Series performer - 1 episode
Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off.... to Glastonbury2007TV Movie performer: "No Regrets Non Je Ne Regrette Rien" - uncredited
A Taste of My Life2007TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Torvill & Dean's Dancing on Ice2006TV Series performer - 1 episode
Nynne2005performer: "Big Spender"
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers2004performer: "Big Spender"
Huips2004TV Movie performer: "Big Spender"
Nip/Tuck2003TV Series performer - 1 episode
Die Lugners2003TV Series performer - 1 episode
Happy Anniversary Mr. Bond2002TV Movie documentary performer: "Goldfinger"
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen2002Video performer: "Diamonds Are Forever"
Merci Docteur Rey2002performer: "If You Go Away"
Undertaking Betty2002performer: "Lets Fall In Love"
Bond Girls Are Forever2002TV Movie documentary performer: "Diamonds are Forever", "Goldfinger", "The Living Daylights"
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace2002TV Movie documentary performer: "Goldfinger"
Daria2000TV Series performer - 1 episode
Little Voice1998performer: "Goldfinger"
There's Something About Mary1998"History Repeating"
Ik ben je moeder niet1996TV Series performer - 1 episode
Heartbeat1993TV Series performer - 1 episode
Tohuwabohu1992TV Series performer - 1 episode
Muuttolinnun aika1991"Kiss Me Honey, Honey" / performer: "Kiss Me Honey, Honey"
Nick Knight1989TV Movie performer: "The Rhythm Devine" - uncredited
Alfred Hitchcock Presents1989TV Series performer - 1 episode
Moonraker1979performer: "Moonraker"
Saint Jack1979performer: "Goldfinger"
Het is weer zo laat!1978TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The Mike Douglas Show1972TV Series performer - 1 episode
Diamonds Are Forever1971performer: "Diamonds are Forever"
The Ed Sullivan Show1971TV Series performer - 1 episode
Deadfall1968performer: "My Love Has Two Faces"
Shindig!1966TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Liquidator1965performer: "THE LIQUIDATOR"
The Danny Kaye Show1965TV Series performer - 1 episode
Goldfinger1964performer: "Goldfinger"

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Die Gang1997TV Series performer - 6 episodes
La lotta dell'uomo per la sua sopravvivenza1970TV Series theme - 12 episodes

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Shirley Bassey at the BBC2016TV Movie
Sings the Great American Songbook2010TV Movie
After Hours1958TV Series

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Strictly Come Dancing2009-2015TV SeriesHerself - Musical Guest
The Graham Norton Show2009-2015TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Musical Guest
The Royal Variety Performance 20142014TV MovieHerself
The 85th Annual Academy Awards2013TV SpecialHerself - Performer: Goldfinger (as Dame Shirley Bassey)
The Diamond Jubilee Concert2012TV SpecialHerself - Performer
National Movie Awards2011TV SpecialHerself - Performer
Brit Awards 20102010TV SpecialHerself - Presenter (as Dame Shirley Bassey)
The Paul O'Grady Show2009TV SeriesHerself
Imagine2009TV Series documentaryHerself
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall2009TV Movie documentaryHerself - Performer
BBC Electric Proms2009TV SeriesHerself
Glastonbury 20072007TV Series documentaryHerself - Performer
The British Soap Awards 20072007TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
The Dame Edna Treatment2007TV SeriesHerself - Special Guest
All Time Greatest Movie Songs2006TV SpecialHerself (as Dame Shirley Bassey)
Another Audience with Shirley Bassey2006TV SpecialHerself - Performer (as Dame Shirley Bassey)
The Royal Variety Performance 20052005TV Movie documentaryHerself (as Dame Shirley Bassey)
Avenue of the Stars: 50 Years of ITV2005TV SpecialHerself
Standing Room Only2004VideoHerself
The National Music Awards 20032003TV Movie documentaryHerself
V Graham Norton2003TV SeriesHerself
Parkinson2003TV SeriesHerself
The Jubilee Girl2002TV MovieHerself - Interviewee
James Bond: A BAFTA Tribute2002TV Movie documentaryHerself
Premiere Bond: Die Another Day2002TV Movie documentaryHerself
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace2002TV Movie documentaryHerself
An Audience with Des O'Connor2001TV SpecialHerself (as Dame Shirley Bassey)
80 Years: A Royal Celebration2001TV MovieHerself - Performer
Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever2000Video documentaryHerself
The Bond Sound: The Music of 0072000Video documentary shortHerself
The Royal Variety Performance 20002000TV Movie documentaryHerself
Des O'Connor Tonight1996-1999TV SeriesHerself
This Is My Life1998TV Movie documentaryHerself
La passione1996Herself
A Royal Gala1996TV MovieHerself
Happy Birthday Shirley1996TV MovieHerself
The World of James Bond1995TV Movie documentaryHerself
An Audience with Shirley Bassey1995TV SpecialHerself
The Royal Variety Performance1994TV MovieHerself
Michael Ball1994TV SeriesHerself
The World Choir1993VideoHerself
La ronda1991TV SeriesHerself
Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar1989TV SeriesHerself - Performer
Live from Her Majesty's1986-1988TV SeriesHerself
After Ten with Tarbuck1988TV SeriesHerself
Le grand échiquier1988TV SeriesHerself - Main Guest
Sábado noche1988TV SeriesHerself
Royal Variety Performance 19871987TV MovieHerself
Bassey: You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet1985VideoHerself
Bei Bio1985TV SeriesHerself - Gast
An Audience with Dudley Moore1981TV MovieHerself - Audience Member (uncredited)
The Muppet Show1980TV SeriesHerself - Special Guest Star
A Special Lady1980TV MovieHerself
The Shirley Bassey Show1976-1979TV SeriesHerself
Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell1975TV SeriesHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1972TV SeriesHerself - Singer
This Is Your Life1972TV Series documentaryHerself
The David Frost Show1969-1972TV SeriesHerself
The Mike Douglas Show1969-1972TV SeriesHerself - Co-Host / Herself -Co-Host / Singer / ...
Sez Les1972TV SeriesHerself
The Morecambe & Wise Show1971TV SeriesHerself
The Royal Variety Performance 19711971TV MovieHerself
Disco1971TV SeriesHerself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1970-1971TV SeriesHerself
The Harry Secombe Show1971TV SeriesHerself
TV-Wunderland1971TV MovieHerself - Musician
Top of the Pops1971TV SeriesBreakfast In Bed
Night-Club1971TV SeriesHerself - Musician
The Ed Sullivan Show1960-1971TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Singer / Sketch Actor
Wünsch dir was1971TV SeriesHerself
This Is Tom Jones1971TV Series documentaryHerself
Pauls Silvesterparty1970TV MovieHerself
The Engelbert Humperdinck Show1970TV SeriesHerself
The Red Skelton Hour1966-1969TV SeriesHerself - Guest Vocalist / Herself
BBC Show of the Week1969TV SeriesHerself
The Spring Thing1969TV MovieHimself
Bassey at Chequers1968TV MovieHerself - Singer
Europarty1968TV SeriesHerself
Showtime1968TV SeriesHerself
The Joey Bishop Show1968TV SeriesHerself
All Systems Freeman1968TV SeriesHerself - Singer
The London Palladium Show1966-1967TV SeriesHerself
The Golden Shot1967TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Dee Time1967TV SeriesHerself
Center Stage1967TV Mini-SeriesHerself - Singer
The Heart of Show Business1967TV MovieHerself - Performer
The Dean Martin Show1967TV SeriesHerself
Shirley Bassey Special1966TV MovieHerself
The Andy Williams Show1966TV SeriesHerself
The Eamonn Andrews Show1965-1966TV SeriesHerself
Shindig!1966TV SeriesHerself - Singer
Thank Your Lucky Stars1961-1965TV SeriesHerself
The Royal Variety Performance 19651965TV SpecialHerself
The New London Palladium Show1965TV SeriesHerself
Blackpool Night Out1965TV SeriesHerself
Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium1957-1965TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Top of the Bill
The Danny Kaye Show1965TV SeriesHerself
Zomercaroussel1964TV MovieHerself
The Celebrity Game1964TV SeriesHerself
Eurovision 10ème anniversaire1964TV MovieHerself
Amigos del martes1963TV SeriesHerself
Wide World of Entertainment1963TV MovieHerself
The Garry Moore Show1962TV SeriesHerself
Juke Box Jury1960-1962TV SeriesHerself - Panellist / Herself - Surprise Guest
The Bing Crosby Show1961TV SpecialHerself
The Royal Variety Performance 19611961TV MovieHerself
The Tin Pan Alley Show1960TV SeriesHerself - Performer
Spectacular1959-1960TV SeriesHerself - Host / Herself - Guest
Oh Boy!1959TV SeriesHerself
Music Shop1959TV SeriesHerself - Performer
Variety Parade1958TV SeriesHerself
Six-Five Special1957-1958TV SeriesHerself
Say It with Music1957TV Mini-SeriesHerself
Off the Record1957TV SeriesHerself - Performer

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2014Dorian AwardGay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA)TV Musical Performance of the YearThe Oscars (2013)

Known for movies


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