{"id":174,"date":"2016-12-26T17:55:23","date_gmt":"2016-12-26T17:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/?p=174"},"modified":"2016-12-26T18:00:44","modified_gmt":"2016-12-26T18:00:44","slug":"pop-superstar-george-michael","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2016\/12\/pop-superstar-george-michael.html","title":{"rendered":"Pop Superstar George Michael Dies at 53"},"content":{"rendered":"

British singer, songwriter, and pop superstar, George Michael, passed away in his home in Oxfordshire, England on December 25th <\/sup>at 53 years old. His manager, Michael Lippman, has stated that the star died of heart failure.<\/p>\n

George Michael\u2014whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou\u2014was born in London to Greek Cypriot parents, and found fame in the 1980s as a member of the music duo, Wham!, which sold over 25 million records from 1982 to 1986.<\/p>\n

In 1987, Michael made his solo debut, beginning a career that would go on to sell more than 100 million records worldwide, achieving 7 number one singles in the UK and 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.\u2014including the ubiquitous \u201cCareless Whisper<\/a>\u201d. Over the course of his career, Michael collaborated with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Queen.<\/p>\n

Michael won many awards in his 30-year career, including three Brit Awards, winning Best British Male twice, four MTV Video Music Awards, four Ivor Novello Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards.<\/p>\n

Michael was an advocate for the LGBQ community, revealing that he was gay in 1998 after being arrested for engaging in a \u201clewd act\u201d in a public restroom in Beverly Hills. After the incident, Michael said, \u201cI never had a moral problem with being gay. I thought I had fallen in love with a woman a couple of times. Then I fell in love with a man, and realised that none of those things had been love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of his subsequent works reinforced this sentiment, and his visibility and unapologetic sexuality became an inspiration for many still-closeted members of the LGBQ community.<\/p>\n

A wreath and rose have appeared at the front door of George Michael\u2019s home since his death, and various celebrities, musicians, and public figures have expressed their grief over social media.<\/p>\n

Elton John has, perhaps, expressed his grief most eloquently, saying \u201cGeorge Michael\u2019s sweet soul music will live on even after his sudden death. Having worked with him on a number of occasions, his great talent always shone through, and his self-deprecating sense of humour made the experience even more pleasurable. Star Trek actor and LGBQ activist, George Takei, paid his own tribute to the musician on Twitter, writing, \u201cRest with the glittering stars, George Michael. You’ve found your Freedom, your Faith. It was your Last Christmas, and we shall miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n

George Michael\u2019s family announced his death through his publicist, saying: \u201cIt is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite some very public difficulties with drugs, alcohol, and arrests Michael led a life that was unequivocally his own, and his provocative, raw appeal will ensure a long-lasting legacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

British singer, songwriter, and pop superstar, George Michael, passed away in his home in Oxfordshire, England on December 25th at 53 years old. His manager, Michael Lippman, has stated that the star died of heart failure. 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