Sade Adu is a British-Nigerian singer, songwriter, and composer who gained fame as the lead vocalist of the band named after her, Sade. She was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, 1959 and moved to England with her mother at four.
Sade is a highly acclaimed British-Nigerian singer and songwriter with a net worth of $40 million. She is best known for founding the band Sade, which produced the iconic album “Diamond Life.” The band is also popular for its songs like “Flower of the Universe,” which was featured in Disney’s movie “A Wrinkle in Time,” and “The Big Unknown,” which was included in Steve McQueen’s film “Widows.”
In addition to her music career, Sade is known for her shrewd investment skills. She owns several properties, including a $4.2 million townhouse in Islington, North London, a penthouse in the West, and houses in New York and Switzerland.
In this article, we will explore how she achieved her fortune.
Net Worth
Sade Adu’s net worth is estimated to be around $70 million. She has earned most of her wealth from her successful music career as the lead singer of Sade, which has sold over 110 million albums worldwide.
She also owns private properties in England and Nigeria. Sade Adu is one of the most successful British female artists in history and has received many awards and honors for her contributions to music.
Profile Summary
| Net Worth | $70 Million |
| Full Name | Helen Folasase Adu |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Date of Birth | January 16, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Singer & Songwriter |
| Father | Adebisi Adu |
| Mother | Anne Hayes |
| Education | Graduate |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Ian Watts |
| Ex-Boyfriend | Robert Elms |
| Ex-Partner | Bob Morgan |
| Ex-Husband | Carlos Pliego |
| Child | Izaak Theo Adu |
| Height | 5’7″ 170 cm 1.70 m |
| Weight | 60 kg 132 lbs |
| Socials | Instagram |
Early Life
Sade, whose real name is Helen Folasase Adu, was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, on January 16, 1959. Her father “Adebisi Adu” was a Nigerian economics lecturer, while her mother “Anne Hayes” was an English Nurse.
When she was four years old, her parents separated, and her mother took her and her older brother “Banji” back to England. They lived with their grandparents near Colchester, Essex.
Regarding education, the 64-year-old British star “Sade” attended the Clacton County High School and Colchester Institute when she was 18 and then moved to London to study fashion design at Saint Martin’s School of Art.
Music Career
Sade grew up listening to American soul music, like Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, and Bill Withers. When she was a teenager, she saw the Jackson 5 in London. She worked behind the bar at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park and was more interested in the diverse audience than the stage show.
At first, she didn’t plan to make music her career. She studied fashion in London, but her friends in a small band asked her to sing for them. Surprisingly, she discovered she liked writing songs. She overcame stage fright by singing with a North London Latin funk band called Pride.
Her performance got her noticed, and she later formed a band, Sade. In 1983, they signed a record deal with Epic Records. A year later, the band released the album “Diamond Life,” which became one of the best-selling albums of its time, especially for a British female singer’s debut.
Her first single, “Your Love Is King,” became a hit in 1984, and she became a style icon of the 1980s. Magazines wanted her on their covers, even though she wasn’t trying to create an image.
In 1985, Sade performed at the Live Aid charity concert, and the next year, she was in the film “Absolute Beginners.” They released two more albums, “Stronger Than Pride” in 1988 and “Love Deluxe” in 1992. After Sade’s child was born, they took a break from making music.
After eight years without a new album, the band returned together in 1999 and released “Lovers Rock” in 2000. This album differed from their previous work with softer sounds and pop songs.
The band didn’t make more music until “Soldier of Love” came out ten years later. Since then, they’ve released two songs: “Flower of the Universe” for Disney’s movie “A Wrinkle in Time” and “The Big Unknown” for Steve McQueen’s film “Widows.”
Despite her success, Sade’s life wasn’t luxurious. She lived in a cold fire station in London with her then-boyfriend, Robert Elms. She had to dress in bed because there was no heating, and the bathroom was on the fire escape. She continued to tour through the 1980s.
Sade values performing live because it connects her with fans who love her music. She has kept her private life private and doesn’t do many interviews. She believes that simple things don’t always hide secrets.
In the last 20 years, Sade focused more on her personal life, getting married, having a child, and moving to Gloucestershire. She released only three new studio albums during that time. She believes that personal growth is important for artistic growth.
She’s proud of her work and her latest album, “Soldier of Love,” even though it took a while for her to release it, which she regrets.
Though releasing albums more sporadically later on to prioritize family, her tours still garner high attendance, like her record-breaking 2011 “Soldier of Love” world tour. Over four decades into her music career, Sade’s integrity and resonance with fans across generations cement her icon status.
| Stage Name | Sade |
| Birthplace | Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Genres | Smooth jazz, soul, R&B |
| Instruments | Vocals, saxophone |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Years Active | 1982 – Present |
| Associated Acts | Sade (band) |
| Awards | 4 Grammy Awards, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee |
| Estimated Net Worth | $40 million |
| Notable Albums | Diamond Life (1984), Promise (1985), Stronger Than Pride (1988), Love Deluxe (1992), Lovers Rock (2000), Soldier of Love (2010), Solitude (2010) |
| Famous Singles | Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, The Sweetest Taboo, Paradise, No Ordinary Love, By Your Side, Soldier of Love |
| Website | https://www.sade.com |
Discography
Sade has released six studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, two extended plays, 23 singles, six video albums, and 20 music videos with the band.
Here is a glimpse into her discography:
Diamond Life (1984)
- Your Love Is King (1984)
- Smooth Operator (1984)
- Hang on to Your Love (1984)
- Frankie’s First Affair (1984)
Promise (1985)
- The Sweetest Taboo (1985)
- Never As Good As the First Time (1985)
- Is It a Crime (1985)
- Jezebel (1986)
Stronger Than Pride (1988)
- Paradise (1988)
- Stronger Than Pride (1988)
- Look No Further (1989)
Love Deluxe (1992)
- No Ordinary Love (1992)
- Feel the Love (1992)
- Cherish the Day (1992)
- Kiss of Life (1993)
Lovers Rock (2000)
- By Your Side (2000)
- King of Sorrow (2000)
- The Moon and the Sky (2001)
- Somebody Already Broke My Heart (2001)
Soldier of Love (2010)
- Soldier of Love (2009)
- Babyfather (2010)
- The Moon and the Sky (featuring Jay-Z) (2010)
Solitude (2010)
- Flow (2011)
Albums
| Albums | Year of Release |
|---|---|
| Diamond Life | 1984 |
| Promise | 1985 |
| Stronger Than Pride | 1988 |
| Love Deluxe | 1992 |
| Lovers Rock | 2000 |
| Soldier of Love | 2010 |
Grammy Awards
- Wins
- 1986: Best New Artist
- 1994: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“No Ordinary Love”)
- 2002: Best Pop Vocal Album (“Lovers Rock”)
- 2011: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (“Soldier of Love”)
- Nominations
- 1985: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Smooth Operator”)
- 1986: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female (“The Sweetest Taboo”)
- 2001: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“By Your Side”)
- 2011: Best R&B Song (“Soldier of Love”)
Other Awards
- 1986: American Music Awards – Favorite Soul/R&B Female Video Artist (nomination)
- 1989: Brit Awards – British Video of the Year (“Paradise”)
- 2002: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- 2017: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- 2023: Songwriters Hall of Fame – Johnny Mercer Award
Significance
- In 1986, Sade was the first Nigerian-born artist to win a Grammy Award.
- Her four Grammy wins showcase her consistent acclaim across different categories.
- Her OBE and CBE recognitions highlight her contribution to music and British culture.
- The Songwriters Hall of Fame induction acknowledges her lasting impact on songwriting.
Personal Life
In the 1980s, Sade lived in Tottenham with her boyfriend, Robert Elms, a British radio presenter. In 1989, she got married to Spanish film director Carlos Pliego, but they divorced
in 1995. Later, in the late 1990s, she briefly lived in the Caribbean with Jamaican music producer Bob Morgan.
In 1996, she had her first child, who sang on her song “Babyfather” in 2010.
Sade moved to the countryside in Gloucestershire in 2005, where she bought a rundown cottage to renovate
After her relationship with Bob Morgan ended, she got together with Ian Watts, a former Royal Marine, in 2007.
In 2016, her child, Izaak Theo Adu, came out as a transgender man.