Introduction
Engelbert Humperdinck is one of the most celebrated international artists in music history. With more than 140 million records sold worldwide, including 64 gold and 35 platinum albums, he has secured his place as a true legend in romantic music. Yet, such success did not come easily. From a shy boy who couldn’t sing in front of his family without hiding behind a curtain, Humperdinck had to overcome stage fright, an unfinished education, and years of struggling in nightclubs before he finally rose to fame.
Born in 1936 into a large family in Leicester, England, he first sang publicly at the age of 17 in a small club, where his dream of becoming a singer began to take shape. After serving in the British Army, he performed under the stage name Gerry Dorsey. However, it wasn’t until he met Gordon Mills—the same manager who guided Tom Jones—that his career truly took off. Mills convinced him to adopt the name Engelbert Humperdinck, and in 1967, his breakthrough arrived with two smash hits, Release Me and The Last Waltz, each selling over a million copies and catapulting him to international stardom.
In the decades that followed, Humperdinck continued to capture hearts with timeless ballads such as After the Lovin’ and This Moment in Time. He toured the world, hosted his own television show, and even experimented with diverse genres ranging from dance and gospel to film soundtracks. His peak years earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Golden Globe Award, and numerous honors in his native England.
Behind the glamour, however, came personal loss. His beloved wife, Patricia Healey, passed away in 2021 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The tragedy nearly silenced his long career, as grief made it hard for him to perform. Yet, music became his healing force. Returning to the stage, he dedicated every song to Patricia, keeping their love alive through melody.
With more than six decades of artistry, Engelbert Humperdinck remains not only the “King of Hearts” to millions of fans but also a living testament to resilience, love, and the timeless power of music.