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English singer, songwriter, record producer, and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, famed for his soulful voice and pop anthems.Born in London to a Greek Cypriot father and English mother, Michael rose to global fame as half of the pop duo Wham! before embarking on a phenomenally successful solo career. He sold over 125 million records worldwide, won numerous awards including Grammys and Brits, and became an iconic figure in pop culture. His career spanned four decades, marked by massive hits, personal struggles, and significant philanthropic efforts, particularly related to HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ causes.

• Michael came out as gay in 1998 after being arrested for 'lewd conduct' in a public restroom in Beverly Hills, an event he later described as transformative but also deeply humiliating.
• He engaged in a high-profile, years-long legal battle with his record label Sony Music in the early 1990s, seeking to void his contract on grounds of artistic restraint; the case established important precedents in artist-label relations.
• Michael was a significant, often anonymous, philanthropist. He donated millions to charities, particularly those fighting HIV/AIDS and supporting children, and performed at numerous benefit concerts.
• His death on Christmas Day 2016, at the age of 53, was attributed to dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver. While officially natural causes, it followed years of reported struggles with substance abuse and depression, fueling public speculation. The coroner's report found no illegal substances involved in his death.