If you were a child of the ’80s, you definitely did your hair with this dramatic male bouffant with that signature one-sided gold hoop earring. That was the age of pop and at the helm of the scene was a young man who fronted the group, Wham! His name was George Michael and he would go on to forge a stellar solo career, selling nearly 100 million albums over a career that spanned four decades. While his professional life was a major success, his personal one was anything but peaceful. Shrouded by personal secrets that included his sexuality, George Michael was in the news many times for controversial reasons, including public lewd conduct and possession and consumption of drugs. HollywoodFAQs takes a look into the private life of George Michael – pop star and controversial figure.
Loses Lover and Mother within Three Years
The past has not been that pleasant for those who’s sexual orientation is unacceptable by society. When in the public eye, it’s even more difficult to be yourself. And the same went for George Michael, who denied his being homosexual, though speculation was rife. Worse still, his lover – Anselmo Feleppa succumbed to an AIDS related sickness and beloved mother died within 3 years of each other. The star said at that time: “I struggled with huge depression after my mother died. Losing your mother and your lover in the space of three years is a tough one. In terms of coming close to saying I don’t want to live, that would have been after my mum died. I had this overwhelming feeling that the best was behind me. I so loved my mum, and respected her. I swear to God, it was like I had a curse on me. I couldn’t believe how much God was piling on at once. There was so much death around me, I can’t tell you.”
Arrested for Lewd Public Behavior in Beverly Hills
George Michael was in a homosexual relationship for over a decade with Kenny Goss, which ended in 2011. He was arrested in Beverly Hills for lewd public behavior. He had said at the time that he felt forced to reveal his sexuality to CNN. He told the BBC: “For some strange reason, my gay life didn’t get any easier when I came out. Quite the opposite happened, really. The press seemed to take some delight that I previously had a ‘straight audience’, and set about trying to destroy that. And I think that some men were frustrated that their girlfriends wouldn’t let go of the idea that George Michael just hadn’t found the ‘right girl’. Which is still what a lot of my extended family still think!”
Arrested for Possession and Consumption of Drugs
In 2006, he was let off with a warning from London police for possession of cannabis. Then, while returning from a Gay Pride parade, he was found slumped over the wheel of his car and had crashed into a store front. He was arrested and sentenced to eight weeks in prison for consumption of alcohol and suspected drug use, including possession of cannabis and crack cocaine. After his release from prison, he said: “I realized it had to be something to do with me. It shook me out of my denial. After that crash happened, I started drug counselling and was two weeks in detox, none of which I made public. It feels so completely behind me now. It really does.”
Dies on Christmas Day due to Heart Failure
In an official statement from his family, released through his publicist, it was confirmed that the British pop legend had passed away due to heart failure in his home. He died peacefully. Read more about the death of George Michael.
