Who Is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on October 13, 1948, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a prolific Pakistani vocalist, composer, and music director whose influence extended beyond borders until his passing on August 16, 1997. Known as the "Shahenshah-e-Qawwali" (King of Kings of Qawwali), he captivated audiences around the world with his powerful voice and spiritual depth. Even decades after his death, his music continues to resonate globally.
| Occupation | Folk Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 13, 1948 |
| Age | 48 Years |
| Birth Place | Lyallpur, West Punjab, Dominion of Pakistan (present-day Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Date of death | 16 August, 1997 |
| Died Place | London, England |
Popularity
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though physical stats can be fluid over time, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was known for his commanding presence on stage. Standing at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighing around 200 pounds (90 kg), he had a distinct physique that complemented his larger-than-life persona as a performer.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan hailed from a musical family. He was married to Fatima Khan, with whom he shared a deep bond until his untimely demise. The couple had three children who continue to carry on his legacy in various artistic—or in some cases, musical—capacities. As of 2025, there are no widely reported relationships after his marriage.
Born in Lyallpur, West Punjab, Khan had his first public performance at the age of 15 at his father's chelum. He became the head of the family qawwali party in 1971 and brought his unique style of sargam, khayal, and rhythm to his family's legacy. He was signed by Oriental Star Agencies, based in Birmingham, England, in the early 1980s.
Khan went on to release movie scores and albums in Europe, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the United States. He engaged in collaborations and experiments with Western artists, becoming a well-known world music artist. He toured extensively, performing in over 40 countries.
In addition to popularising qawwali music, he also had a profound impact on contemporary South Asian popular music, including Pakistani pop, Indian pop, and Bollywood music. He was also a master of Hindustani classical music.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's estimated net worth was around $5 million. His wealth was accumulated through a vibrant music career that saw him perform internationally, record numerous albums, and even venture into film soundtracks. Given the ongoing popularity of his music, his estate and legacy continue to generate revenue.
Career, Business, and Investments
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan started his professional career in the 1970s and quickly rose to fame. He became known for his unique fusion of traditional Qawwali with contemporary music elements. His discography includes over 125 albums, and he collaborated with notable artists worldwide, effectively bridging cultural divides through music. Additionally, Khan's musical influences extended to cinematic projects, where his tracks gained significant recognition in films across various genres.
In terms of business, Khan was involved in various musical endeavors throughout his career and after his death, his family has managed to sustain and expand his legacy through music festivals, foundation work, and estate management.
In 1997, he was nominated for two Grammy Awards, for Best Traditional Folk Album and Best World Music Album. In 1998, he was awarded PTV Life Time Achievement Award. As of 2001, he held the Guinness World Record for the "Most Qawwali Recordings", having recorded over 125 qawwali albums before his death.
In 2005, Khan posthumously received the "Legends" award at the UK Asian Music Awards. Time magazine's issue of 6 November 2006, "60 Years of Asian Heroes", lists him as one of the top 12 artists and thinkers in the last 60 years. He also appeared on NPR's 50 great voices list in 2010.
In August 2010 he was included in CNN's list of the twenty most iconic musicians from the past fifty years. In 2008, Khan was listed in 14th position in UGO's list of the best singers of all time.
Social Network
As a legendary figure, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has retained a significant online presence in 2025. His influential status continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans through platforms like:
- YouTube: Streams of his performances and music videos have garnered millions of views.
- Facebook and Instagram: Pages and groups dedicated to his music attract a loyal following, sharing insights, tributes, and musical content.
- Spotify and Apple Music: His recordings remain popular on streaming services, introducing him to new listeners.
In February 2016, a rough mix of a song recorded by Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1998 called "Circle of the Noose" was leaked to the internet. Guitarist Dave Navarro described the song saying, "It's pop in the sense of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, hook. I really love it and we use a loop of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It's really nice.
The best way I can describe it is it's like pepped- up '60s folk with '90s ideals, but I would hate to label it as folk because it's not, it moves."
Education
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's musical education began in his family's tradition, learning Qawwali from a young age. He belonged to a lineage of musicians; his father was also a noted Qawwali singer. Khan's early musical training laid the foundation for his extraordinary career, as he practiced extensively to hone his technical skills and improvisational abilities.
In the 1992 -1993 academic year, Khan was a visiting artist in the Ethnomusicology department at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States.
