Early life
Shirley Veronica Bassey was born the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey and Eliza Jane Start on Bute Street inCareer
1953–1959: Career beginnings
In 1953, Bassey signed her first professional contract, touring with the variety show ''Memories of Jolson'', a musical based on the life of1960–1979: Success and breakthrough
Between 1960 and 1961, Bassey had four Top 10 hits in the UK. Her 1960 recording of " As Long As He Needs Me" from1980–1999: Semi-retirement and continued success
Throughout most of the 1980s, Bassey focused on charitable work and performing occasional concert tours throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States. She had ended her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, and began what she referred to as "semi-retirement". Bassey recorded an album entitled ''2000–present: High-profile performances and final album
Personal life
Marriages
Bassey's first marriage was to Kenneth Hume in 1961. The couple separated in 1964 and divorced in 1965 in the wake of Bassey's affair with actor Peter Finch. She then announced to the press that she and Finch would not be marrying, telling the press: "It simply wouldn't work out. Just know I am not ready for marriage to anyone. I feel I have to be free." A year later, Hume sued Finch and another man, John McAuliffe, for being "indiscreet" with Bassey. Both Finch and McAuliffe were cited as co-respondents in the Hume–Bassey divorce. For her part, Bassey was named as co-respondent in 1965 when Finch's wife, South African actress Yolande Turner, divorced him. From 1968 until they divorced in 1979, Bassey was married to Sergio Novak, the assistant manager of the Excelsior Hotel in Venice. During this time, Novak was Bassey's manager, and they adopted Mark, her grand-nephew.Children
The fathers of Bassey's two daughters, Sharon Bassey (a.k.a. Sharon Novak, born 1954) and Samantha Bassey (a.k.a. Samantha Novak, born 1963), are unknown. Bassey had Sharon at the age of 17 and her sister Ella raised her as her own daughter until the 1960s. Bassey's first husband suggested that Samantha, born during the couple's marriage, was the result of an affair between Bassey and Peter Finch. In 1985, Samantha, age 21, was found dead in the River Avon in Bristol, England. Bassey has always maintained that the death of her daughter was not a suicide. On 24 March 2010, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were undertaking fresh inquiries into the death and specifically claims that the convicted killer Michael Moffat was involved in her death. However, in October 2010 it was reported that the investigation came to an end and concluded that there "is no evidence of any criminal act involved" in Novak's death. The ordeal of losing her daughter caused Bassey to temporarily lose her voice. In a 2009 interview, Bassey stated that she and her son, Mark, had reconciled. Bassey has four grandsons through her surviving daughter, Sharon Novak. Bassey resides inAccolades
In 1994, Bassey became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) on 31 December 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to entertainment. She was invited to perform in 2002 at theAwards and nominations
Grammy Awards , - , 1999 , ''The Birthday Concert'' ,Discography
Television specials
Bibliography
* "Shirley Bassey: Diamonds Are Forever" – Mary Long (2017) * ''Miss Shirley Bassey'' – John L. Williams (2010) – London: Quercus. * ''Shirley Bassey: Diamond Diva'' – Peter Hogan (2008) * ''Cardiff: Rebirth of a Capital'' (Foreword by Shirley Bassey) – Ungersma, Hurn (2005) * ''Shirley Bassey: Welsh History Stories'' – Evans, Stokes, ap Emlyn, ap Emlyn (2003) * ''Shirley Bassey: An appreciation'' – Muriel Burgess (1998, reprinted 1999) * ''My Life on Record and in Concert'' – Shirley Bassey (Bloomsbury, 1998) * ''The Trial of Shirley Bassey – A Play in One Act'' – Alexander Baron (1998) * ''Shirley Bassey: This Is My Life'' (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book * ''Shirley Bassey: You're the Voice'' (Piano/vocal/guitar) – Sheet music book * ''See also
* List of best-selling music artistsReferences
See also
*External links