43 Years After “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”: Cyndi Lauper, 73, Is Almost Unrecognizable

Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper grew up in Queens with her mother, stepfather, and siblings Fred and Ellen. She discovered her love of music at an early age and taught herself to play the guitar, while her school years were marked by frequent school changes and mediocre grades. It wasn’t until her fourth attempt that she graduated from high school, but the course had long been set for an unusual career.

She released her first single, a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song “You Make Lovin’ Fun,” which was released in a limited edition. Through her partner and later manager, David Wolff, she met John Turi, with whom she founded the band Blue Angel, along with Johnny Murelli, Arthur Neilson, and Lee Brovitz.

Epic Records signed Cyndi in 1983, and Rick Chertoff produced the album "She's So Unusual" with members of the band The Hooters. The video for “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” played nonstop on MTV, the single became a global hit, and the album sold 15 million copies worldwide—at the time, the most successful debut album by a solo artist. Her flashy stage outfits, which had often been ridiculed before, went on to have a major influence on 1980s fashion.

Between 1984 and 1985, Cyndi Lauper appeared in shows for the then-World Wrestling Federation as Wendi Richter’s manager, thanks to her manager David Wolff and WWF boss Vince McMahon. She enjoyed her foray into wrestling—including an appearance at the first WrestleMania—but, by her own account, it slowed down her musical career. As a result, she limited herself to just a few appearances in this unusual side role.

In 1985, she sang as part of the “USA for Africa” charity project and, shortly thereafter, contributed the song “Good Enough” to the Richard Donner film 'The Goonies'. She was displeased with the film’s marketing campaign, which led her to distance herself from the music industry. While filming the music video, she also caught a severe cold, forcing her to cancel her performance at Live Aid.

The 1986 album “True Colors” showcases a more musically mature Cyndi Lauper, even though sales fell short of expectations. The single “True Colors” reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts, and she herself considers the accompanying tour the highlight of her career. Strict security measures increasingly distanced her from her fans and coincided with her personal and professional separation from David Wolff.

In 1988, she appeared on camera for the first time in Hollywood for the film “Vibes,” but the film drew harsh criticism. The single “Hole in My Heart” from the soundtrack once again showcases the flashy, flamboyant Cyndi Lauper of her early years. However, the song fails to match her earlier commercial successes.

Her 1989 album “A Night to Remember” was intended to redefine her as both elegant and self-assured, with her writing most of the songs herself. However, heavy interference from the record label restricted her, which did not align with her personality, and fans also struggled to accept the new image. The album fell far short of expectations, and she initially withdrew more into her private life.

Until 1993, she kept a low profile but continued to perform, including in 1990 at Roger Waters’ production of “The Wall” at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. That same year, she filmed her second feature film, “Off and Running,” which was panned by both critics and herself. On set, however, she met David Thornton, who would later become an important part of her personal life.

Decades after “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper still comes across as a true rebel. In 2026, she’ll be 73 and is still considered one of the most influential voices of her musical generation. Her transformation from a flamboyant pop star to a more mature artist still amazes her fans. In 2025, the singer also wrapped up her farewell tour.