Lesley Angold Panayiotou is popular as a celebrity mother. She was a former dancer, and might not be a household name like her famous son, George Michael, but her impact on his life is huge. She’s the mom behind the music legend.

Lesley’s love for dancing likely inspired George Michael’s passion for music. Even though she stays out of the spotlight, Lesley’s influence can be heard in her son’s timeless songs.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Lesley Panayiotou’s life and how she quietly shaped the career of one of music’s biggest stars.

Lesley Angold Panayiotou Wiki/Bio: Age, Early Life

Lesley Angold Panayiotou was born on December 24, 1937, in the Islington District of England. Growing up in a family with two older brothers and an older sister, she later welcomed another sibling, making them a family of five.

Lesley was born to father, George James Harrison, and mother, Daisy Angold Harrison. She was unaware of her Jewish heritage due to her mother’s marriage to a non-Jewish man.

Tragedy struck early in Lesley’s life when, at 22, she faced the loss of her father on January 4, 1960. The pain deepened with the passing of her brother, Colin John Harrison, on January 5, 1964.

The heartache continued as Lesley mourned the loss of her mother in 1972. Through these hardships, Lesley’s strength and resilience shine as she navigates life’s challenges with grace.

Death Cause: What Happened to George Michael’s Mother?

Tragedy continued to shadow the Panayiotou family when Lesley Angold Panayiotou was diagnosed with melanoma in 1996. Throughout her battle, her family stood by her side.

However, despite their love and support, Lesley succumbed to the illness on February 26, 1997, at the age of 59, in England. Her final resting place is at Highgate Cemetery West in London, England.

Married Life: Who was Her Husband?

At the tender age of 20, Lesley Angold Panayiotou exchanged vows with Kyriacos Panayiotou in 1958 in Pancras, Middlesex. Their union blossomed from a chance encounter at a dance. There Lesley first met her beloved husband, affectionately known as ‘Jack’.

Their marriage is officially recorded in the England and Wales Civil Registration Marriage Index.

Lesley Angold Panayiotou with her husband Kyriacos Panayiotou.
Lesley Angold Panayiotou with her husband Kyriacos Panayiotou. Source: Pinterest

Their journey as a couple was marked by the joyous arrival of their first daughter, Yioda, who later gained fame as a talented hairdresser.

Adding to their happiness, Lesley welcomed their second daughter, Melanie, in October of an unspecified year.

Completing their family was the birth of their son, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, on June 25, 1963. Georgios, known to the world as George Michael, became a household name as a celebrated singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist.

She was a Dancer

Lesley Angold Panayiotou had an interesting past as a dancer before becoming known as the mom of pop sensation George Michael. Though details about her early life are scarce, George shared some insights in a 1998 interview.

He mentioned that Lesley went to a convent school, which turned her away from religion. He also talked about her being very English and cautious about money, which rubbed off on him.

George remembered her love for music and how she used to sing when she was younger. Her passion for music likely influenced George’s musical journey.

What Is His Net Worth?

The specific details about Lesley Angold Panayiotou’s earnings and net worth remain undisclosed. However, it’s reasonable to assume that the mother of the highly successful pop icon George Michael, likely enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle.

On the other hand, George Michael, with a staggering net worth of $200 million at the time of his passing. Rising to fame as part of the iconic duo Wham! in the 1980s, George later embarked on a solo career.

With over 100 million records sold worldwide, George Michael remains one of the best-selling music artists in history.

How Did George Michael Die?

On Christmas Day 2016, the world was shocked to hear that George Michael had passed away at 53 in his home in Oxfordshire, England. He was found by his boyfriend, Fadi Fawaz, who had been in a relationship with him since 2012.

George Michael with his parents Lesley Angold Panayiotou and Kyriacos Panayiotou.
George Michael with his parents Lesley Angold Panayiotou and Kyriacos Panayiotou. Source: Pinterest

Fadi had noticed that George hadn’t come out of his room, so he went to check on him and found him in bed, not moving. Despite trying to wake him up, George was cold and didn’t respond. It was later revealed that he had died from heart disease and a fatty liver.

George was buried at Highgate Cemetery, next to his mom, Lesley, leaving behind his dad and sisters Melanie and Yioda. His passing left fans all over the world heartbroken. Also, know the death cause of Gaetano Lisi.

What Happened to Michael’s Sister?

Exactly three years after George Michael’s tragic passing, his sister Melanie was found dead in her home in Highgate, north London. She was 55 years old. A postmortem revealed that she died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition caused by a lack of insulin and high blood sugar.

Melanie, who had diabetes, was also suffering from hypertensive heart disease, obesity, and bronchopneumonia.

Melanie, who was very close to her brother George and even toured with Wham!, was initially rumored to have died from a broken heart. She lived a reclusive life, rarely leaving her home except for essential errands.

Her cousin Andros Georgiou, who was also a close friend of George’s, expressed disbelief at the tragic turn of events, calling it a curse on the family.

Melanie’s passing added another layer of tragedy to the family’s history, as she was buried alongside her mother and brother in an unmarked tomb.

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