Chris de Burgh is a British-Irish singer, songwriter, and musician with an estimated net worth of $50 million. Best known for his timeless ballad The Lady in Red, de Burgh built a successful international music career spanning several decades.
His songs have sold millions of records worldwide, and he gained global recognition during the 1980s with a series of chart-topping albums and hit singles. Alongside “The Lady in Red,” some of his other well-known songs include Don’t Pay the Ferryman, High on Emotion, and Missing You.
| Chris de Burgh Net Worth | $50 Million |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Venado Tuerto, Argentina |
Early Life
Chris de Burgh was born Christopher Davison on October 15, 1948, in Venado Tuerto, Argentina. His father, Charles Davison, was a British diplomat and engineer, while his mother, Maeve, came from a distinguished family.
Because of his father’s diplomatic career, de Burgh spent his childhood in several countries, including Malta, Nigeria, and the Belgian Congo. Eventually, the family settled in County Wexford, Ireland, where his maternal grandfather, Sir Eric de Burgh, owned the historic Bargy Castle, a 12th-century property that later became the family home.
For his education, de Burgh attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire before studying at Trinity College Dublin, where he developed a deeper interest in music and songwriting.
Music Career
Chris de Burgh began his professional music career in 1974 when he signed with A&M Records and released his debut album Far Beyond These Castle Walls. While the album did not chart in the United Kingdom, it became highly popular in Brazil, establishing his early international fan base.
His next albums, including Spanish Train and Other Stories, At the End of a Perfect Day, and Crusader, continued to gain traction in several European countries.
A major breakthrough came with the 1982 album The Getaway, which produced the hit single “Don’t Pay the Ferryman.” The album performed well internationally, charting in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, and the United States.
He followed this success with Man on the Line, which included the popular single “High on Emotion.”
Global Success with “The Lady in Red”
Chris de Burgh reached the peak of his career in 1986 with the worldwide hit “The Lady in Red.” The romantic ballad became a global sensation, topping charts in several countries and reaching the top five in many others, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
The song was featured on his album Into the Light, which sold millions of copies worldwide and remains his most commercially successful release.
His follow-up album Flying Colours became his only album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Its biggest single, “Missing You,” was another major hit, reaching the top three in the UK and number one in Ireland.
Later Career
During the 1990s, de Burgh continued releasing successful albums such as Power of Ten and This Way Up, as well as compilation releases like The Love Songs.
Although his commercial dominance slowed in later years, he remained an active recording artist. His 2008 album Footsteps, which featured cover versions of songs that inspired him, reached number four on the UK Albums Chart.
He later released Footsteps 2, followed by albums including The Hands of Man, A Better World, and 50, marking more than four decades in the music industry.
Personal Life
Chris de Burgh married his wife Diane Davison in 1977. The couple has three children: two sons, Hubie and Michael, and a daughter, Rosanna Davison, who won Miss World 2003.
In 1994, de Burgh faced public controversy after reports surfaced of an affair with his children’s nanny while his wife was recovering from a serious injury. He later apologized publicly, and the couple eventually reconciled.
Interests
Beyond music, Chris de Burgh has several personal interests. He is a passionate wine collector and once sold bottles from his vintage wine collection for more than $500,000 in 2011.
He is also a keen World War history enthusiast. In 2006, he purchased a rare letter written by an anonymous soldier during World War I, reflecting his interest in historical artifacts.
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