Susan Boyle has led a rollercoaster life since Britain's Got Talent catapulted her to fame.
Although she narrowly missed first place in the 2009 competition, the singer stunned audiences and went on to sell 25 million records around the world. The star, who turns 63 today, has made her mark in the music industry, with her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, becoming one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century.
Since then, the shy Scot, affectionately known as SuBo, has mostly kept under the radar but does make the odd appearance to perform at events. In an exclusive interview with the Mirror in 2016, she revealed she was forced to lose weight amid health concerns, and last year, she told fans that she had suffered a stroke.
While she has amassed a staggering fortune from her beautiful voice, Susan has continued to live modestly and has no interest in lavish holidays or flash cars. As she celebrates her birthday today, The Mirror takes a look at Susan's life now...
Secret stroke
Susan shocked BGT fans when she revealed she'd suffered a minor stroke, which left her doubting whether she could perform. Speaking about making a return to the ITV talent show, she said last year for the Britain's Got Talent final: "It's extra special for me actually, last April there, I suffered a minor stroke and I thought it'd be crazy to be back on stage and I have done it."
Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen has doubled her earnings after split from Clive
Susan Boyle stunned fans when she rocked up on Britain's Got Talent (Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)
She shot to fame on the show in 2009 (Ken McKay)Show boss Simon Cowell went on to praise the star, revealing he had known the singing sensation had been unwell during her secret health struggles. Viewers rushed to compliment Susan on her return to the stage, with one tweeting: "Huge huge respect for Susan Boyle. Post stroke and absolutely smashing it on BGT tonight! Incredible!"
It came several years after Susan shed a whopping two stone after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Speaking to The Mirror in an interview back in 2016, Susan spoke of her body transformation and said: "I needed to stop eating sweeties and cakes. It’s the bane of my life. I had to lose the weight for my health."
Doctor romance
It isn't clear if she is currently dating, but SuBo once admitted she was romantically involved with an American doctor, although she insisted it wasn't "serious at the moment".
Explaining she didn't feel it was fair on him to put his life story in the public eye for all to see, Susan was rumoured to have been enjoying his company. Speaking to The Mirror in 2016 she joked: "I will send him a picture of my weight loss – if he’s a good boy! I do enjoy male companionship."
She added: "I don’t want to reveal the doctor’s name. It’s nothing serious at the moment... I would love to adopt a child too but my cat might get jealous. I don’t want to see a cat and a baby fighting. It’s something I might do later."
Speaking about her love affair afterwards, she said: "I did have a gentleman friend, a doctor. We went for lunch but I didn't tell anyone. But if I had a man friend it would be purely platonic - I've been on my own too long now to get married."
Humble home
Unlike other celebrities who have splashed out on mega-mansions and flashy sports cars, Susan still lives in her childhood home in West Lothian, Scotland. A number of years ago, the talented singer spent £111,000 on the semi-detached ex-council house next door to her childhood home in a bid to turn the properties into her ‘dream home’.
The singer completely renovated her childhood property after she found fame (PA)Although she could afford to bag herself a palatial pad, the star said she it found it too hard to part with the home she grew up in due to its sentimental value. She previously told OK! magazine : "It’s to do with the memories of your house and your upbringing, you need to take stock of things and maybe see where you come from and where your roots lie."
"It’s best to be grounded and with your roots. It keeps you grounded and prevents you from saying things maybe you shouldn't say."
£22m fortune
Susan's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, was a huge success and was one of the biggest releases of the 21st century, selling more than 10 million copies across the world. The star is said to have made over £22million during her career, but she's not one to "flash the cash".
Inside multi-millionaire Susan Boyle's £65k ex-council house she's lived in for 61 years
The singer previously told Piers Morgan she lives off a humble £300-500 weekly allowance to keep her going. In an interview with the TalkTV host back in 2010, she said: "I've only just learnt how to go in a taxi. I don't flash the cash."
Asked by Piers if she would like to buy a Lamborghini car, she asked, innocently: "Is that a drink? No fancy cars, no." Susan continued: "I'm always careful with money. I'm not saying I'm mean, but I'm always careful. I have an allowance, it's about £300-500 a week because that's plenty for me. It's pocket money."
Frugal getaways
While a whole host of celebs hot-foot it to far-flung locations such as the Maldives to spend their millions, Susan prefers to get her R&R closer to home. The star was snapped last summer enjoying a peaceful getaway in Ireland, with the BGT star's fans all delighted to see her on the Emerald Isle.
The singing sensation, who appeared on America's Got Talent in 2019, spent some time at the Knock House Hotel in Mayo in the West of Ireland. Their official Facebook page shared snaps of Susan, who smiled warmly next to the local residents.
The caption read: "It was our pleasure to welcome Susan Boyle back to Knock House again recently. "Susan is a fabulous Lady and we always love to see her return time and time again to Knock House Hotel. Pictured here with the lovely Des Dugan from the team at Senior Times LIVE."
Fans took to the comments section, with one gutted to have missed out on seeing the Scottish singer. "OMG, this is literally down the road from me. RAGING that I missed getting a picture with Subo," they lamented.
Career now
Susan's appearance on BGT last May came after a period of time away from the public eye, however she did perform at the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2021 after her UK Tour in 2020. The singer also took to the stage at the National Prayer Breakfast for Scotland in Edinburgh last summer.
Speaking about the performance, she said: “I am thrilled to be performing at the Scottish Prayer Breakfast. My faith has always been my strength and backbone throughout my career.” Susan performed I Dreamed A Dream and a version of The Prayer, duetting with fellow BGT star, Jai McDowall, who joined the Scot on her UK tour.
A version of this article was previously published on June 5, 2023
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
