Everything you need to know about 80s pop-star sensation Kim Wilde
Get to know the 'Kids In America' singer a little better!
With her debut single 'Kids In America', pop sensation Kim Wilde rose to stardom in 1981. The iconic song paved the way for a recording career spanning 15 studio albums to date and over 60 singles - with the legendary singer even heading on tour throughout 2024-25.
As well as being an 80s pop icon she's also an avid gardener and author. Get to know more about the artist behind some of our favourite 80s tracks...
Who is Kim Wilde?
Kim is an English singer known best for her smash hit single 'Kids In America'. She is an 80s icon who continues to perform.
As well as being a singer, Kim is also a TV presenter with a keen interest in gardening, and she's even published books on the subject.
How old is she?
Kim was born on 18th November 1960 in Chiswick, West London, making her currently 63-years-old.
Kim Wilde's Dad
Music is in Kim's genes; her dad is Marty Wilde MBE, the 1950s Blackheath born singer and songwriter. Her mum too was in the music industry as part of singing group, The Vernon Girls.
Kim featured on her father's 2020 'Running Together' album alongside her siblings Roxanne Wilde and Ricky. She also joined him for a London performance as part of his 'Dreamboats & Petticoats' 2022 tour.
Marty Wilde continues to tour in 2024 with his band The Wild Cats.
Who wrote 'Kids in America'?
Written by her dad and brother Ricky, Kim was just 17 when 'Kids in America' reached the Number 2 spot in the UK charts and became a worldwide hit.
The track was recorded in a studio in Hertfordshire owned by rock band, Enid. Kim recalls how "the finished song sounded really exciting, but took a year to get released". In that time, you could find Kim pulling pints in her local pub!
Kim Wilde albums
Now considered by many fans of Kim's music as her signature song, 'Kids in America' was featured on her debut album of the same name.
To date Kim has released 14 studio albums — with a 15th due in January 2025. She's sold over 10 million copies of her studio albums to date, with a further five compilation albums.
198\8 marked her biggest selling work; 'Close' spent eight months on the UK album chart. The album produced three top ten hits: 'You Came', 'Never Trust a Stranger' and 'Four Letter Word'.
Which other artists has Kim with?
In 1988 Kim performed to over 2 million people on the Michael Jackson 'Bad' world stadium tour.
Two years later she supported 80s musical legend David Bowie across Europe on his 1990 'Greatest Hits' stadium tour.
Is Kim Wilde married?
Kim met Hal Fowler whilst performing in the Olivier Award-winning West End musical Tommy. She said that at the time she liked the fact that he "seemed totally unimpressed and uninterested" in her pop star status (as well as being "very cool" and wearing a "classy leather satchel").
The pair got married in 1996, however in December 2021, Kim released a statement announcing that she and Hal had split up and divorced amicably and that 'they remain on good terms'.
Does she have children?
Kim has two children with ex-husband Hal; Harry who was born in 1998 and Rose, born in 2000.
Kim Wilde's gardening career
The day that Kim married Hal they planted a plum tree in the half–acre of unused land next to the singer's farm.
This sparked an appreciation for gardening, so when motherhood led Kim to take a sabbatical from the music industry she decided to enrol at Capel Manor College to study horticulture.
The hobby led to yet more success for Kim: she wrote well received books on the subject, designed gardens for TV programmes, Better Gardens and Garden Invaders and won a Gold award at the Chelsea Flower show in 2005.
Where is Kim Wilde now?
Musically, Kim has recently teased the release of her new album, 'Closer', due out in January 2025. The album’s lead single 'Trail of Destruction' was released ahead of the album and offers a taste of what fans can expect from 'Closer' - with what's been described as a combination of pop, rock and dance.
Is Kim on tour?
'Kids in America' singer, Kim Wilde, has announced a brand new tour for 2025 - shortly after the release of her 15th studio album, 'Closer'. The UK leg of the tour, of the same name, will kick off in Birmingham on 14th March - and will span nine dates, including in London, Liverpool and Glasgow.
You can see the UK dates from her latest tour below.
Kim Wilde's UK tour dates:
Kim Wilde has announced nine UK dates as part of her tour. You can see the list of dates below:
March 2025
Birmingham, Symphony Hall - Fri 14th
Manchester, Manchester Academy - Sat 15th
Bristol, Bristol Beacon - Sun 16th
Cambridge, Cambridge Corn Exchange - Tues 18th
London, indigo at The O2 - Weds 19th
Liverpool, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall - Fri 21st
Sheffield, Sheffield City Hall Oval Hall - Sat 22nd
York, York Barbican - Sun 23rd
Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - Tues 25th
Kim Wilde at Rewind Festival
Still passionate about music, Kim regularly performs across Europe and in 80s revival concerts. She recently performed at Rewind Festival 2024.
Kim performed performed at Rewind Scotland on 20th July, Rewind North on 3rd August and Rewind South on Saturday 17th August.
And, of course, you can hear Kim's music on Magic.
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