Who Is Rufus Wainwright? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Rufus Wainwright is 51 years old. He was born in Rhinebeck, New York, to acclaimed folk musicians Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, which fostered his passion for music from a young age. Wainwright is recognized not only for his solo albums but also for his work in opera and musical theater. Over the decades, he has achieved critical and commercial acclaim, establishing himself as a unique voice in the music industry.
| Occupation | Pop Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1973 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Rhinebeck, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Rufus Wainwright's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Rufus Wainwright stands tall at approximately 6 feet (183 cm). While his weight fluctuates with his lifestyle, he typically maintains a healthy physique. His body measurements are not often disclosed, but Wainwright is known for his charismatic stage presence and stylish appearance, often favoring sophisticated wardrobe choices that complement his artistic persona.
Wainwright has publicly opposed 45th US President Donald Trump, addressing him in the music video for his song "Sword of Damocles" in 2018 and stating "It's impossible to minimise the ineptitude and pure evil of the Trump administration" in a 2020 interview with NME.
In October 2024, he issued a statement in response to the use of his cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on October 14. He described its use at the rally as "the height of blasphemy" but hoped, without much expectation, that listening to the lyrics of the song might engender a sense of remorse in Trump.
He also endorsed Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Rufus Wainwright is openly gay and has had several high-profile relationships over the years. As of 2025, he is in a committed relationship with his boyfriend, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. Wainwright has previously been engaged to designer Jorn Weisbrodt, and he shares two children, a daughter named Viva, born in 2011, and a son named Montgomery, born in 2016, with his former partner, Lorca Cohen. His family plays a significant role in his life and work, often influencing his artistic themes.
His parents divorced when he was three, and he lived with his mother in Montreal, Canada, for most of his youth. His father is a descendant of Peter Stuyvesant, the 17th-century Dutch governor of New Amsterdam, later New York. Wainwright has dual US and Canadian citizenship.
He attended high school at the Millbrook School in New York (which would later inspire his song "Millbrook"), and later briefly studied piano at McGill University in Montreal.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Rufus Wainwright’s net worth is estimated to be around $30 million. His earnings primarily come from album sales, concert tours, and various musical projects, including his work in film and theater. Wainwright’s diverse portfolio, encompassing both popular music and classical compositions, continues to generate significant income, securing his financial stability.
Want One and Want Two were repackaged as Want for a November 2005 release to coincide with the beginning of a British tour. This version of Want One contains two extra songs: "Es Muß Sein" and "Velvet Curtain Rag". The Want package in the UK has two bonus tracks: "Chelsea Hotel No.
2" (a Leonard Cohen cover) and "In With the Ladies", which replace "Coeur de parisienne – Reprise d'Arletty" and "Quand vous mourez de nos amours" from 2004's augmented edition.
Career, Business, and Investments
Wainwright’s career took off in the late 1990s with the release of his self-titled debut album. Since then, he has produced numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "Want One" and "Release the Stars." Besides music, he has ventured into opera, composing "Prima Donna" and presenting it at various renowned festivals. Wainwright also invests in creative projects and collaborations with other artists, further solidifying his presence in the arts.
His second opera, called Hadrian, premiered at the Canadian Opera Company as their opening production of the 2018 mainstage season at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto, directed by Canadian Director Peter Hinton, with libretto written by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor.
Hadrian attended the workshop Opera Fusion: New Works, a collaboration of Cincinnati Opera and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, before its premiere.
Social Network
Rufus Wainwright actively engages with his fans through social media platforms. He has a strong presence on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where he shares updates on his music, personal life, and creative endeavors. His official website also serves as a hub for fans to access his latest news, tour dates, and music releases.
On March 7, 2023, Wainwright announced his eleventh studio album, Folkocracy, would be released in June 2023. He said, "This album is almost like a recorded birthday party and birthday present to myself.
I just invited all the singers that I greatly admire and always wanted to sing with." On the same day, Wainwright released "Down in the Willow Garden", which features Brandi Carlile. On March 24, 2023, Wainwright released the single "Dear World", a piano ballad about healing the world.
Education
Wainwright displayed a profound talent for music early on and pursued formal education in the arts. He attended the McGill University in Montreal, studying music and theater, which has significantly influenced his career trajectory. Wainwright continues to emphasize the importance of artistic education, reflecting on how his education shaped his unique sound and approach to music.
Almost a year after releasing the stand-alone single "Sword of Damocles" in October 2018, Rufus signed a record deal with music publisher and record label BMG Rights Management for a new album. Soon after, the new song "Trouble in Paradise" was released as the first single from the album.
In February 2020, the album, Unfollow the Rules, was announced alongside the release of the Joni Mitchell-inspired single "Damsel in Distress" and was slated for an April release. A third single, "Peaceful Afternoon", was released on digital platforms in March, with a French version, "Pièce à vivre", as a B-side.
In early April, the album release was delayed until July after escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wainwright stating that "The CD's and vinyl LP's of my new album Unfollow The Rules are stuck in the warehouses they had to shut down to make way for all essential businesses being able to operate at full speed", adding "You know that I am an old sch
ool guy and for me the physical product is extremely important.
I am incredibly proud of this album and the way I want you to experience it ideally is listening to it from front to back in the comfort of your living room, reading the lyrics, and looking at the booklet that I carefully designed." This announcement was accompanied by the announcement of a fourth single, "Alone Time", which was released on April 2
4, 2020, the date the LP was originally due to be released.
One more single, a tongue-in-cheek commentary on fame and status relative to geographic location entitled "You Ain't Big", was released in early June. On July 10, Rufus Wainwright's 10th studio album, Unfollow the Rules, was released.
The album was met with a warm reception upon release and has amassed mostly positive critic reviews, with an aggregate score of 82 on Metacritic, which is his highest score on the site equal only to his 2001 LP Poses.
