20 April 2024 , 13:27
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Susan Boyle is one of Britain's Got Talent's most famous contestants.
When she stepped onto the ITV show's stage in 2009, nobody tipped the singer as a winner. With her quirky dress sense and feisty sense of humour, she had the judges rolling their eyes rather than seeing stars. But when she opened her mouth to sing, her stunning voice shocked the nation.
Her iconic first performance of I Dreamed A Dream is still one of the most spine-tingling moments in BGT history. It may not have led to victory on the show - as she narrowly missed out to winners Diversity - but it ultimately catapulted her to global fame at the age of 47. Now a multi platinum-selling artist, despite being worth a rumoured £22 million, SuBo continues to live a modest life and shies away from the spotlight. Here’s a look inside her world 15 years after her rise to glory....
Susan Boyle stunned BGT judges with her debut performance in 2009 (ITV)Public appearances
Susan, who was born and raised in Blackburn, West Lothian, only makes very rare singing appearances these days so when she made a surprise return to the stage at the Britain's Got Talent finale last year, she shocked and delighted viewers.
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The talented Scot, now 63, appeared on the show alongside the cast of Les Misérables - just as she did in 2009 - and received a standing ovation. Before that she made a rare appearance in 2021 at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics but she hasn’t toured since 2020 and has scaled back her public appearances.
Eye-watering networth
Susan's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, 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 been very open about steering clear of a celebrity lifestyle.
The singer previously told Piers Morgan she lives off a humble £300-500 weekly allowance. In an interview back in 2010, she told him: "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."
A surprise appearance by Susan Boyle at the BGT finale last year (Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)Health battles
Susan shocked BGT fans when she revealed she'd suffered a minor stroke, which left her doubting whether she could perform at last year’s final. Speaking about making a return to the ITV talent show, she said: "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."
Show boss Simon Cowell went on to praise the star, revealing he had known how unwell she had been during her secret health struggles. But it wasn’t the first time SuBo spoke about her health publicly. She previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. and had to follow a strict diet and exercise regime to manage her condition
SuBo also has a neurodiversity called Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s a type of high-functioning autism which often occurs in people with high IQ. She was wrongly diagnosed as being brain-damaged when she was a child and was bullied for being different, once recalling being nicknamed “Susie Simple” in the playground.
Love life
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SuBo has always kept her private life out of the spotlight, but the shy star has made references in the past to enjoying spending time with men. She has never gone public with a serious partner but once admitted it wasn't "serious at the moment" with an American doctor.
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."
The West Lothian ex-council house where millionaire Susan Boyle still livesHer beloved council house
While most people with a fortune like hers would have splashed out on a mega mansion, Susan still lives in her childhood home in West Lothian, Scotland.
She did completely renovate her ex-council property after she found fame and later spent £111,000 on the semi-detached house next door to give herself more space. Although she could afford something much more palatial, 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."
Humble holidays
Sunshine hangouts of the rich and famous like Dubai and the Maldives do nothing for Susan, who prefers to spend her downtime much closer to home.
The star was last year snapped enjoying a peaceful getaway on the Emerald Isle. She 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.”