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, including her most recent 'Closer', which has now been released as a deluxe version.
As well as being an 80s pop icon she's also an avid gardener and author. Ahead of her closing 'The Kim Wilde Closer Tour' in Australia this November, get to know more about the artist behind some of our favourite 80s tracks as she prepares for her next UK tour in 2027...
Who is Kim Wilde?
Kim is an British singer known for her smash hit single 'Kids In America'. She is an 80s icon who continues to perform and release music.
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 65-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.
In 2025, Marty Wilde continued to tour 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 recalled 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 15 studio albums - her most recent being 'Closer', released in January 2025. She's sold over 10 million copies of her studio albums to date, with a further five compilation albums.
1988 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 performed 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 she 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 now?
Musically, Kim released her latest album, 'Closer', in January 2025. followed by a deluxe version of the album in December 2025. The album’s lead single 'Trail of Destruction' was released ahead of the album and offered a taste of what fans could expect from 'Closer' - with what's been described as a combination of pop, rock and dance.
Is she on tour?
2026 shows
Yes! Kim is set to perform 'The Kim Wilde Closer Tour' in several cities across Australia this November.
In February 2026 Kim began promoting '80s Classical' - a one‑night Hampton Court Palace Festival show on 20th June where 80s icons will perform their hits with a full symphony orchestra in the palace courtyard.
The singer will perform orchestral versions of classics like 'Kids in America' and 'You Keep Me Hangin’ On' with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, appearing alongside Nik Kershaw, Go West and Roland Gift, plus expanded 80s anthems from acts such as Queen, ABBA, Eurythmics and Whitney Houston.
On 23rd March, Kim announced her 2027 tour titled 'The Singles Tour' where she will be performing across the UK from March next year.
2025 tour
She completed UK dates for her 'Closer Tour' in 2025 - shortly after the release of her 15th studio album 'Closer'. The UK leg of the tour kicked off in Birmingham on 14th March - and spanned nine dates, including in London, Liverpool and Glasgow.
Later in 2025 she played a Germany leg of the 'Closer Tour' in November, with dates in cities including Munich, Berlin and Hamburg.
You can hear Kim's music on Rayo.
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