Who Is Sade (singer)? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on January 16, 1959, Sade Adu is now 66 years old. She first gained fame in the 1980s with her band Sade, achieving international success with hits like "Smooth Operator" and "The Sweetest Taboo." Her unique blend of soul, jazz, and R&B has solidified her place in music history. Sade's early life in Ibadan, Nigeria, and later move to London greatly influenced her music style. Her legacy continues to grow as she remains an iconic figure in the industry.
| Occupation | Jazz Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 16, 1959 |
| Age | 66 Years |
| Birth Place | Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Nigeria |
Popularity
Sade (singer)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Sade stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm). Her weight has varied throughout her career, but she is often noted for her graceful presence and fit physique. Specific measurements are not publicly disclosed, but she is known to embody a chic and elegant style, consistent with her brand as a globally recognized artist.
In late 1985, the band released their second album, Promise, which peaked at number one in both the UK and the US and became the band's first album to reach number one on the US Billboard 200. The album topped the chart in 1986 and spent two weeks at the peak position.
Eventually, the album went on to sell four million copies in the region and was certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The album spawned two singles "Never as Good as the First Time" and "The Sweetest Taboo," the latter of which was released as the album's lead single and stayed on the US Hot 100 for six months.
"The Sweetest Taboo" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the US adult Contemporary chart, and number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Sade was so popular that some radio stations reinstated the '70s practice of playing album tracks, adding "Is It a Crime" and "Tar Baby" to their playlists.
The following year, 1986, the band won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Sade has historically kept her personal life private, though she has been linked to various relationships over the years. As of 2025, she is reportedly in a relationship with a long-time partner, but she has not publicly confirmed the status of her boyfriend. Sade was previously married to Spanish film director Carlos Pliego and has a daughter, Ila Adu, who has followed in her mother's footsteps into the creative arts.
Her middle name, Folasade, means "crowned with wealth" in Yoruba. Her parents are Adebisi Adu, a Nigerian lecturer in economics of Yoruba background, from Ikere-Ekiti and Anne Hayes, an English district nurse; they met in London, married in 1955, and moved to Nigeria. Sade was four years old when her parents separated.
Hayes returned to England with Sade and her elder brother, Banji, to live with their maternal grandparents near Colchester, Essex. At age 11, Sade moved to Holland-on-Sea, Essex with her mother and brother.
After completing her education at Clacton County High School and Colchester Institute at the age of 18, she moved to London and studied fashion design at Saint Martin's School of Art.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Sade's net worth is estimated to be around $70 million. Her wealth comes not only from her music sales, concert tours, and album royalties but also from savvy business ventures. Throughout her career, she has remained one of the highest-grossing female artists in the music industry, often seen as a lucrative figure in entertainment.
Career, Business, and Investments
Sade has had a prolific career that spans several decades, with multiple award-winning albums to her name. Aside from her musical endeavors, Sade is known for her investments in fashion and design, showcasing her diverse talents beyond music. Her timeless style and aesthetic choices have influenced fashion trends, and she has collaborated with various brands over the years. In recent years, she has been involved in philanthropy, supporting causes related to women's rights and education.
Helen Folasade Adu (born 16 January 1959), known professionally as Sade Adu or simply Sade ( or ), is a Nigerian-British singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist of her band Sade. One of the most successful British female artists in history, she is often recognised as an influence on contemporary music.
Her success in the music industry was recognised with the honour Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, and she was made Commander in the 2017 Birthday Honours.
Social Network
Sade is relatively private when it comes to her social media presence, choosing to limit her exposure on platforms. However, she does maintain an official presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where fans occasionally catch glimpses of her thoughts and interactions. Despite a minimal digital footprint, her fan base remains devoted, often celebrating her work and legacy online.
Following an eight-year hiatus, the band released their fifth studio album, Lovers Rock, on 13 November 2000 and received positive reviews from music critics.
The album reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, number three on the US Billboard 200, and has since been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having sold 3.9 million copies in the United States by February 2010.
On 27 February 2002, the album earned Sade the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album, and the lead single "By Your Side" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Although the single lost out to Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like a Bird", it has been listed as the 48th greatest love song of all time by VH1.
Education
Sade attended the Saint Martin’s School of Art in London, where she honed her skills in fashion design before pursuing a music career. Her background in the arts has been instrumental in shaping her visual and musical style, and her education has contributed to her artistic development over the years.
She studied at Saint Martin's School of Art in London and gained modest recognition as a fashion designer and part-time model before joining the band Pride in the early 1980s. After gaining attention as a performer, she formed the band Sade, and secured a recording contract with Epic Records in 1983.
A year later, the band released the album Diamond Life, which became one of the era's best-selling albums and the best-selling debut by a British female vocalist.
