George Michael, who passed away at 53 years old.
UK newspapers report that George had struggled with heroin addiction. Over the past year, he was hospitalized multiple times due to heroin overdose complications.
For years, George faced relentless media scrutiny concerning his health, as well as his HIV and AIDS status. In 2011, he experienced the loss of his ex-partner, Anselmo Feleppa, to AIDS. That same year, his mother succumbed to skin cancer, and he received a five-year driving ban after being convicted of driving under the influence of drugs. The challenges continued in 2011 as he publicly ended his lengthy relationship with Kenny Goss and was hospitalized for pneumonia. He was administered so many medications that his body became rigid, necessitating a relearning of how to walk.
Additionally, George struggled with mental health issues over the years. Weight was another concern. In his last photograph, George was captured dining at a restaurant, appearing quite bloated—this raises questions about his heroin addiction, as many addicts tend to have difficulty maintaining their appetite and generally do not appear overweight.
George Michael possessed an extraordinary voice and penned numerous remarkable songs. We should remember that Wham was the first pop band to perform in China.
The estimated value of George Michael’s estate is around $180 million. Known for his generosity, George contributed significantly to various charities, many of which have publicly acknowledged that they could not have survived without his support.
It is essential to recognize that George Michael faced numerous issues, much like many others do. Some might label him as a bit of a drama queen, while others see him as just an ordinary ‘queen’. It is indeed tragic that the last five years of George’s life were marked by such profound sorrow. It seems he never fully recovered from the loss of his mother to skin cancer or the death of his partner to AIDS. Speculatively, he may have been HIV positive as well.
George Michael was an exceptional talent that the world will sadly not witness again—I sincerely hope he has found peace now.
by Wallace McTavish
