When you think of Wham!, the image of two young men in shorts and sunglasses singing “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” probably comes to mind. But what happened to the one who wasn’t George Michael? Andrew Ridgeley, the other half of the duo, has lived a remarkably quiet life since the band’s heyday—and his story is much more than a footnote in pop history.

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Age: 62 (born 26 January 1963) ·
Years active: 1981–present ·
Wham! studio albums: 3 ·
Wham! worldwide record sales: Over 30 million ·
Post-Wham! solo albums: 1 (Son of Albert, 1990)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact amount George Michael left to Ridgeley in his will (Wikipedia biography resource)
  • Ridgeley’s current relationship status and partner identity (Wikipedia biography resource)
  • His precise net worth (Wikipedia biography resource)
3Timeline signal
  • Wham! disbands after farewell concert at Wembley Stadium in 1986 (The Big Issue)
4What’s next
  • Ridgeley continues to live privately in Cornwall, occasionally appearing in Wham! retrospectives (The Big Issue)

Six biographical facts, one pattern: Andrew Ridgeley’s life is defined by a single, decade-long musical partnership that he chose not to extend into a solo career. Here are the key details.

Label Value
Full name Andrew John Ridgeley (Wikipedia biography resource)
Birth date 26 January 1963 (The Big Issue)
Birthplace Windlesham, Surrey, England; grew up in Bushey, Hertfordshire (The Big Issue)
Occupation Musician, songwriter, guitarist (Wikipedia biography resource)
Years active 1981–present (Wikipedia biography resource)
Genres Pop, new wave, soul (Wikipedia biography resource)
Notable solo album Son of Albert (1990) (Penguin Books publisher)
Long-term relationship Keren Woodward (1990–2017) (Wikipedia biography resource)
Net worth (estimate) Approximately £10 million (Wikipedia biography resource)

What happened to Andrew from Wham?

After Wham! disbanded in 1986, Ridgeley released a solo album, Son of Albert, in 1990. It received modest reviews and did not chart highly. He then largely stepped away from the music industry. “I choose famous anonymity,” Ridgeley told The Guardian (UK newspaper) in 2024. He moved to Cornwall, took up surfing, cycling, and motorsport, and now lives a private life.

Ridgeley’s deliberate retreat from the music machine at its peak means he chose contentment over a sustained solo career.

Why did Andrew Ridgeley leave Wham?

  • Wham! disbanded by mutual agreement. George Michael wanted to pursue a solo career, and Ridgeley agreed it was time. (The Big Issue)

What is Andrew Ridgeley doing now?

  • Ridgeley is an environmentalist active in water-quality causes at surfing beaches and riverways. He is also a partner in a company that makes surfing goods. (Andrew Ridgeley official site)
  • He published his memoir Wham! George & Me in 2019. (Penguin Books publisher)
The trade-off

Ridgeley walked away from the music machine at its peak. For a man who co-wrote and co-performed some of the biggest pop songs of the 1980s, the payoff was a quiet life in Cornwall—but also a permanent association with a partner who became a global superstar.

The implication: Ridgeley’s career after Wham! is a case study in choosing contentment over fame. He never tried to compete with George Michael’s success, and he says he never envied it.

Did Andrew Ridgeley remain friends with George Michael?

Yes. Ridgeley and Michael remained close after Wham! broke up. Ridgeley described their friendship as “brotherly” and “unbreakable” in interviews. (Classic Pop music magazine)

Their bond outlasted the band, proving that Wham! was never just a business arrangement—it was a genuine partnership.

Did Andrew Ridgeley attend George Michael’s funeral?

  • Ridgeley attended the funeral in 2016 and spoke publicly about their bond. (Wikipedia biography resource)

Did George Michael leave anything to Andrew Ridgeley?

  • George Michael reportedly left Ridgeley a sum in his will, including a property and ongoing royalties. The exact amount has not been publicly confirmed. (Wikipedia biography resource)

“Wham! was our friendship set to music.”

— Andrew Ridgeley, Classic Pop music magazine

The pattern: Ridgeley and Michael’s relationship was the foundation of Wham! and lasted long after the band ended. Ridgeley has never spoken negatively about Michael, and his memoir is framed as a tribute.

Did Andrew Ridgeley have children?

No. Andrew Ridgeley does not have any children. He has never married and has no offspring. (Wikipedia biography resource)

Unlike many pop stars, Ridgeley’s personal life remains simple: no children, no marriage, and a fiercely guarded privacy.

Does Andrew Ridgeley have a daughter?

  • There is no public record of Ridgeley having a daughter. The claim appears to be a persistent rumor, but it is not supported by any credible source.

What this means: Ridgeley’s personal life has been a subject of speculation, but the confirmed facts are clear—he has no children and has never been married.

Does Andrew Ridgeley have a partner?

Ridgeley was in a long-term relationship with Keren Woodward of Bananarama from 1990 until their separation in 2017. According to reports, he later dated socialite Amanda Cronin in 2022, but they separated in 2023. (Wikipedia biography resource) As of 2025, his current relationship status is private; he is not known to be married or in a public partnership.

The only confirmed long-term relationship ended after 27 years, and Ridgeley has since kept his romantic life entirely out of the public eye.
Why this matters

Fans often wonder about Ridgeley’s romantic life because he has kept it so quiet. The only confirmed long-term partner is Keren Woodward, and the relationship ended after 27 years. Since then, Ridgeley has not publicly introduced a new partner.

The catch: Ridgeley’s privacy makes it nearly impossible to verify his current relationship status. Any claim about a new partner should be treated as speculative.

Does Andrew Ridgeley still get royalties from Wham?

Yes. Ridgeley continues to receive royalties from Wham! recordings and merchandise. His net worth is estimated at around £10 million, but exact figures are not publicly confirmed. (Wikipedia biography resource)

Ridgeley’s financial stability rests on the enduring popularity of Wham!—a legacy that continues to pay dividends decades after the band’s peak.

What is Andrew Ridgeley’s net worth?

  • Estimates range from £8 million to £12 million, with most sources settling around £10 million. (Wikipedia biography resource)

The implication: Ridgeley’s financial stability is tied to the enduring popularity of Wham! He does not need to work, but he has chosen to stay busy with environmental and surfing-related projects.

Timeline

  • 1981 – Wham! formed by Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael. (The Big Issue)
  • 1983 – Wham! releases debut album Fantastic. (Wikipedia biography resource)
  • 1986 – Wham! disbands after farewell concert at Wembley Stadium. (The Big Issue)
  • 1990 – Ridgeley releases solo album Son of Albert. (Penguin Books publisher)
  • 25 December 2016 – George Michael dies at age 53. (Wikipedia biography resource)
  • 2017 – Ridgeley separates from long-term partner Keren Woodward. (Wikipedia biography resource)
  • 2019 – Ridgeley publishes memoir Wham! George & Me. (Penguin Books publisher)
  • 2024 – The Guardian publishes a lengthy interview with Ridgeley reflecting on his life. (The Guardian)

Clarity: Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Andrew Ridgeley was born 26 January 1963.
  • Wham! formed in 1981 and disbanded in 1986.
  • Ridgeley attended George Michael’s funeral.
  • Ridgeley has no children.

What is unclear

  • The exact amount George Michael left to Ridgeley in his will.
  • Ridgeley’s current relationship status and partner identity.
  • His precise net worth.

“Andrew was always the one who kept me grounded.”

— George Michael, as heard in the 2023 Netflix documentary Wham! (YouTube Netflix trailer)

“I choose famous anonymity.”

— Andrew Ridgeley, The Guardian (2024)

Summary: Andrew Ridgeley’s life after Wham! is a deliberate retreat from fame. He has built a quiet existence in Cornwall, focused on environmental activism and surfing, while maintaining an enduring bond with George Michael’s legacy. For fans who wonder “what if,” the answer is clear: Ridgeley chose the path he wanted, and he has no regrets. The consequence for the music world is that the other half of one of the biggest pop duos remains a footnote by choice, not by accident.

Additional sources

youtube.com, gmforever.com, stevepafford.com, youtube.com, imdb.com, xn--kaupunkinkym-ocbd.fi

His post-Wham! life, including his friendship with George Michael, is covered in Andrew Ridgeleys life after Wham!.

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Frequently asked questions

Was Andrew Ridgeley jealous of George Michael’s success?

No. Ridgeley has repeatedly said he was never envious. In a 2025 interview with The Big Issue, he stated that he felt no jealousy and was proud of Michael’s achievements.

Does Andrew Ridgeley still perform music?

Ridgeley has not performed publicly in decades. He made a cameo in the 2019 film Last Christmas but did not perform. (CultureSonar pop culture site)

What is Andrew Ridgeley’s net worth?

Estimated at around £10 million, derived from royalties and his memoir. (Wikipedia biography resource)

Did Andrew Ridgeley have a health scare?

There are no credible reports of any serious health issues. Ridgeley is reportedly fit and active, surfing and cycling regularly.

Does Andrew Ridgeley have a daughter?

No. He has no children. This is a persistent myth with no evidence. (Wikipedia biography resource)

Is Andrew Ridgeley married?

No. He has never been married. His longest relationship was with Keren Woodward (1990–2017). (Wikipedia biography resource)

Did Andrew Ridgeley write any Wham! songs?

Ridgeley co-wrote some Wham! songs, including “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)” and “Young Guns (Go for It!).” He is credited as a co-writer on several tracks. (Wikipedia biography resource)

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