Who Is Ringo Starr?
Sir Richard Starkey MBE, better known as Ringo Starr, is a famous English actor, songwriter, singer, and musician. He is well-known for being the drummer of the iconic band, The Beatles. He sang some of the band’s songs, such as With a Little Help from My Friends and Yellow Submarine. He is also one of the singers and writers of their hit songs, Octopus’ Garden and Don’t Pass Me By.
Personal Details
- Celebrity Name: Ringo Starr
- Full Name: Sir Richard Starkey MBE
- Gender: Male
- Birth Date: July 7, 1940
- Birth Place: Dingle, Liverpool, UK
- Age: 79
- Height: 1.68m
- Weight: 68 kilos
- Nationality: British
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Status: Married
- Wife: Maureen Starkey Tigrett, married 1965-1975; Barbara Bach, married since 1981
- Children: Jason Starkey, Lee Starkey, Zak Starkey
- Profession: Actor, singer, drummer, and songwriter
- Net Worth: $400 million
Early Life
Ringo Starr was born on July 7, 1940, in Dingle, Liverpool, to parents Richard Starkey and Elsie Gleave. Both of his parents are confectioners and he is an only child. Before he was born, his parents share the love for dancing and singing and spent their free time in local ballroom circuits. However, when he was born, they no longer have time for their hobbies. Elsie was overprotective of Ringo and his father lost interest in his family. Instead, he spent long hours dancing and drinking in pubs.
Not long after, his parents separated and got divorced officially one year after. According to Ringo, he has no real memories of his father since the latter seldom visits him and doesn’t exert effort in bonding with him.
When he was 6, he suffered from appendicitis, and during his surgery, he contracted peritonitis. This caused him to be comatose, which lasted for several days. His recovery lasted for a year and caused him to miss school. By the time he was eight, he was still illiterate and was doing poorly in math. In 1953, he was infected with tuberculosis and again spent a lot of time in the hospital.
Finally, Ringo went to St. Silas, a primary school near his house in England. Then, he attended Dingle Vale Secondary Modern School, where he showed interest in drama and art.
Personal Life
In 1965, Ringo married Maureen Cox and had three children together named Zak, Jason, and Lee. However, they got divorced in 1975 due to his infidelities. According to him, he was a drunkard, absent father, and a wife-beater. Sadly, Maureen passed away in 1994 due to leukemia.
In 1980, he met Barbara Bach, and the two got married after a year at Marylebone Town Hall. In 1985, he became a grandfather after his son, Zak, had a daughter.
Career
Before starting his music career, Starr worked in various jobs. He was a railway worker, apprentice machinist, boat waiter, etc. While he was working for a manufacturer in Liverpool, he met Roy Trafford, who taught him the skiffle genre. His first band was with Eddie Miles and Roy Trafford. Later on, he joined the band, The Hurricanes, and performed at various clubs.
In 1962, he became a member of The Beatles. The band’s fans were not feeling him at the beginning but eventually started to love him. Their first album titled “Please Please Me” was launched in 1963 and it topped UK’s album charts. They release another album in the United States with the title, Introducing… The Beatles. Their last album, Let It Be, was launched in 1970 and peaked in the charts of many countries.
Ringo Starr also had a solo career and released his first album titled Sentimental Journey in 1970. He released two other albums, Beaucoups of Blues and Give More Love.
Awards and Achievements
Along with the other members of The Beatles, Ringo was appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire in the 1965 Birthday Honours. They also received their insignia from Queen Elizabeth II. Their other achievements include a nomination in the BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
Ringo Starr was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1989. A minor planet, 4150 Starr, was also named after him.
Furthermore, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received a Diamond Award on behalf of The Beatles. He was also appointed as a Knight Bachelor in the 2018 New Year Honours by Prince William.
Total Net Worth 2020
To date, Ringo Starr is known to have a net worth of $400 million. He made a great fortune through the fame of The Beatles. All of their albums had millions of sales. Not only that, but he is also an actor and has a solo music career. Ringo Starr is indeed one of the richest drummers in the world!