Kim Wilde is a British pop singer, songwriter, author, and gardener who became a household name in the 1980s. She is best known for her smash hit “Kids in America,” which catapulted her to fame and solidified her as one of the most successful British solo artists of the era.
With a career spanning decades, Kim Wilde’s versatility and talent have allowed her to achieve a remarkable net worth of $20 million.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Kim Wilde, born Kim Smith on November 18, 1960, in Chiswick, England, came from a musically inclined family. Her father, Marty Wilde, was a renowned singer and songwriter, and her mother, Joyce Baker, was a member of the musical ensemble The Vernons Girls. This environment heavily influenced her early interest in music.
After attending a few different schools, Kim completed her college courses at St. Albans College of Art & Design in 1980. It was during this period that she developed her passion for music and songwriting.
Kim signed with the British record label Rak Records in 1980, marking the beginning of her musical career. Her debut single, “Kids in America,” quickly became a chart-topping hit in the UK, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart.
Rise to Fame in the 1980s
Kim Wilde’s debut single was just the beginning of her highly successful career in the 1980s. Her self-titled debut album, released in 1981, was also a major success, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the music industry.
The album was followed by numerous chart hits, including “Chequered Love” and “Water on Glass,” and she earned recognition at the Smash Hits Poll as one of the most influential female singers of the time.
In 1982, Kim released her second album, Select, which contained songs that reached the top of the charts in several countries, including France, Germany, and Australia.
She toured internationally to promote the album, and by 1983, Kim Wilde had become a household name across Europe and beyond.
Breakthrough Success in the U.S.
In 1986, Wilde experienced her biggest international success with a cover of the Supremes’ song “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”
The track became a number one hit in the United States, making Kim the fifth British artist to top the U.S. Hot 100 chart. This marked a high point in her career and introduced her music to an entirely new audience.
Kim continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Albums such as Catch as Catch Can (1983), Teases & Dares (1984), and Another Step (1986) contained hits that helped maintain her chart presence.
Her 1988 album, Close, became a major success in the UK, spending over seven months on the top albums chart, while she also toured with Michael Jackson as the opening act on his Bad World Tour.
Diversification into Other Ventures
As the 1990s approached, Kim Wilde began exploring new interests outside of music, particularly in gardening.
Her love for landscape gardening grew during her first pregnancy, leading her to pursue horticulture courses at Capel Manor College in London.
Kim’s expertise and passion for gardening led to her involvement in British television, where she worked as a designer on Channel 4’s Better Gardens and hosted BBC’s Garden Invaders for two years.
Kim’s gardening skills were recognized with prestigious awards, such as the Best Show Garden Award at the Tatton Flower Show in 2001 and a Gold Award at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show in 2003.
Author and Media Presence
In addition to her music and gardening endeavors, Kim Wilde became a published author. She released two gardening books, Gardening with Children (2005) and The First Time Gardener (2006), both of which received positive reviews.
These books helped cement her status as a multi-faceted celebrity, expanding her influence beyond music and gardening.
Wilde also embraced the world of radio, hosting The Kim Wilde 80’s Show on Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio. Her ability to connect with audiences through different mediums further contributed to her financial success and ongoing popularity.
Continued Success and Evolution in Music
Even as the music industry evolved, Kim Wilde continued to release new music. In 2006, she signed a recording contract with EMI Germany and released the album Never Say Never, which included a new version of her hit “You Came.” The song became her biggest solo hit in Germany in almost two decades.
Kim’s musical journey didn’t stop there. She released several more albums, including Come Out and Play (2010), Snapshots (2011), and Wilde Winter Songbook (2013).
Her 2021 album Here Come the Aliens was inspired by an alleged encounter with an unidentified flying object, showcasing her ever-evolving musical style.
In 2024, Kim Wilde released Closer, an album that has been praised as marking the beginning of a new musical era for her.
This ongoing musical career, alongside her other ventures, continues to contribute significantly to her wealth.
Awards and Recognition
Kim Wilde’s long and successful career has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. She won a Swedish Rockbjornen Award for Best Female Singer in 1981 and a German Golden Otto Award for Best Singer.
Between 1983 and 1988, she was nominated for several Brit Awards, winning one in 1983 for Best British Female Solo Artist. She has also received nominations for multiple Billboard Music Awards and Classic Pop Reader Awards.
Personal Life and Family
Kim Wilde’s personal life has also played a part in shaping her public image.
In 1996, she married Hal Fowler, with whom she had two children, a son named Harry and a daughter named Rose. The couple divorced in 2022.
Kim Wilde has always balanced her career with family life, and her commitment to both has been a defining characteristic throughout her career.
Kim Wilde’s Legacy and $20 Million Net Worth
With a career spanning over four decades, Kim Wilde’s ability to maintain relevance in both music and other ventures has played a major role in her estimated net worth of $20 million.
Her influence in the 1980s, along with her subsequent diversification into gardening, television, radio, and authorship, has made her one of the most successful and well-rounded celebrities of her generation.
From her iconic hit “Kids in America” to her continued success in the music industry, Kim Wilde’s net worth reflects her diverse talents and lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Today, she remains a beloved figure who has left a lasting legacy in pop culture, music, and beyond.
