Born in 1960, the daughter of Sixties singer-songwriter Marty Wilde, Kim Wilde found instant global superstardom in 1981 with her debut single “Kids in America”. Twenty-five top 50 UK singles, including “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Cambodia”, followed and she became the most charted female singer of the 80s. After a hiatus to have children Harry, now 26, and Rose, 24, with her ex-husband actor Hal Fowler, she successfully turned her hand to horticulture, presenting several gardening TV shows and winning a Gold Award at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2005. She now tours her back catalogue.
Here she looks back on the moments that changed her perspective on work, love, family, money and health.
Music came more naturally to me than being a mother – and I’m not proud to admit that. It was the same for my father, he’s still touring and releasing albums at 87 – music was always the top priority. If I could have my time again, I’d do it completely differently. I don’t think I really appreciated how amazing it is to be a parent.
Shorts
I don’t remember tangibly thinking: “I’m going to be a pop star when I grow up.” But I just had this knowing. I sensed that my destiny was going to start with music in a really fabulous way. I do feel very perceptive about things. It’s a little bit witchy. Obviously, fame was just part of my culture and family, too.
