All you need to know about music legend Neil Diamond

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The rocker has four children - but who are they
The rocker has four children - but who are they

NEIL Diamond has an impressive career to look back to with 38 songs in the Top 10 Billboard charts.

Here is everything you need to know about the rockstar.

 Neil Diamond thanked his fans, but said he had to quit love concert tours on 'doctors orders' qhiqqkiqzxikhprw
Neil Diamond thanked his fans, but said he had to quit love concert tours on 'doctors orders'

How old is Neil Diamond and who's his wife?

Neil Leslie Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 24, 1941 - that makes him 76.

The American singer and guitarist is one of the best selling artists of all time and has been inducted into both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Diamond is currently married to his third wife - his manager, Katie McNeil. The pair tied the knot back in 2012.

Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to ThomasAre there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas

Diamond said that his 2014 album Melody Road was inspired by his relationship with McNeil.

He said: "There's no better inspiration or motivation for work than being in love. It's what you dream of as a creative person. I was able to complete this album – start it, write it and complete it – under the spell of love, and I think it shows somehow."

How many marriages has Neil Diamond had?

Neil Diamond has had three marriages.

In 1963, he married his high-school sweetheart Jaye Posner.

Posner had become a school teacher.

In 1967 they separated and divorced in 1969.

Neil married his second wife, media production assistant Marcia Murphey, in the same year on December 5, 1969.

The marriage ended in 1995.

In 2012 he married his third and current wife Katie McNeil.

There's no better inspiration or motivation for work than being in love.

All about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex HanscombeAll about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex Hanscombe Neil Diamond

How much older is Neil Diamond than his current wife?

 Neil Diamond and his third wife Katie McNeil
Neil Diamond and his third wife Katie McNeil

Neil Diamond is 29 years older than his wife Katie McNeil.

In 2012 he told Parade Magazine about the age difference:“I definitely don’t feel like I’m 71.

"I feel like I did when I was ­between 30 and 40.

"The body ages. The mind doesn’t.”

However, Katie told the magazine:“I’d be on the phone with [my mom] saying, ‘He’s really wonderful — if only he were 30 years younger!

“When we’re together, I feel like we’re the same age."

How many children does Neil Diamond have?

 Neil Diamond and his entire family
Neil Diamond and his entire family

Neil Diamond has four children.

Neil and his first wife Posner had two daughters together, Marjorie and Elyn.

Marjorie Diamond was born in 1965 and is currently living in New York City.

She has a son named Alexander, who was born in 1995.

His second daughter Elyn Diamond was born in 1968.

She founded the Children Who Never Forget foundation, an organization that aids children who have experienced abuse.

In 2004 Elyn and her husband Mitchel Resnick had their daughter Avery Max.

 Neil Diamond and daughter Elyn for the benefit of the Children Who Never Forget Foundation
Neil Diamond and daughter Elyn for the benefit of the Children Who Never Forget Foundation

Together with his second wife Murphey, he had two sons, Jesse and Michah.

Jesse Diamond was born on May 1, 1970.

He became a musician and even toured with his father.

In 2002, he opened his own photography studio called The Street Studio.

Jesse also was the chief creative officer of Eyeist from 2011 to 2020.

His work has been shown in exhibitions in LA, New York City and Germany.

 Jesse Diamond and father Neil Diamond
Jesse Diamond and father Neil Diamond

Micah Diamond was born in 1978 and is a photographer.

He also was co-founder and chief operations officer at Eyeist together with his older brother, Jesse.

 Jesse Diamond and Micah Diamond with their partners.
Jesse Diamond and Micah Diamond with their partners.

In 2020 Neil Diamond told 60 Minutes Australia about his children:“There were always tears.

"The kids cried, my wives cried, I cried.

“Somehow, they don’t remember that so much.

"But I walk around with a sense of guilt still because I left them more than I should have, but the work required it.

"It was that simple.”

What are Neil Diamond's hit songs?

Neil has released dozens of hit songs throughout his lengthy career, including:

In 2020 he told Forbes about playing songs such as "Sweet Caroline" since 1969: "I do it pretty much every show.

"But I haven't done it like this and it changes also a little bit also with each show.

"I add things, I take things away, I change the arrangement, I sing it a little different, the audience response is pretty much the same.

"They know it's a party and they join in."

What's Neil Diamond's net worth?

Having sold millions of records across the world, Neil has amassed a huge, multi-million pound fortune - estimated to be around £125 million.

However, if it wasn't for Neil's divorce from his second wife Marcia Murphey, he'd be £107 million richer. Their divorce was among one of the most expensive divorces in legal history

According to Forbes, Diamond later said Murphey was "worth every penny".

 Neil Diamond has enjoyed a 50-year career and is one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time
Neil Diamond has enjoyed a 50-year career and is one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all timeCredit: Getty - Contributor

My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world.

You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement.

This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.

Neil Diamond

When did Neil Diamond announce he has Parkinson's Disease?

On January 22, 2018, Diamond announced that he would be retiring after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

In a statement on his website, he said: “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring.

"I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years.

"My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows."

But the I Am, I Said hit-maker has vowed to carry on in the music biz, despite being struck by the devastating brain disorder.

He added: "I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come.

"My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world.

"You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement.

"This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you."

Neil had been set to perform in Australia and New Zealand in March as part of his 50th Anniversary tour.

Fans with tickets to the shows have been promised refunds.


Adam Nutburn

Explainers

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