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The '80s produced quite a few pop stars. With their catchy songs, they thrilled fans and topped the charts. One of the decade's absolute cult stars was Kim Wilde. But what ever happened to her?
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Kim Wilde is one of the most famous British pop singers of the 1980s. We take a look back at her dramatic transformation and her career.
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As the oldest child of rock-and-roll singer Marty Wilde, she began her musical career in 1980. Her debut song, “Kids in America,” written by her father Marty and her brother Ricky, became an international hit and catapulted her into the charts worldwide. Her wild, blonde ’80s mane and black leather look quickly became Kim’s trademarks.
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Her self-titled debut album, released in June 1981, included other hits such as "Chequered Love" and "Water on Glass." In 1983, Kim Wilde was honored with the British Phonographic Industry’s Best Female Vocalist Award. She regularly rocked the stage in eye-catching outfits.
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Here, the singer dared to try a slightly more colorful look—it doesn’t get any more ’80s than this! Although her second album, "Select", couldn’t replicate the success of her debut in the UK, it was very successful in Germany, among other places. The single “Cambodia” sold a million copies in France alone. Despite a stylistic shift with the 1983 album “Catch as Catch Can,” she failed to achieve major success in her home country.
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In 1984, she signed with MCA Records, where she once again reached the Top 10 in Germany with "The Second Time." In the years that followed, her popularity in Europe—especially in Germany and France—remained undiminished. In the early ’90s, Kim showed a new side of herself during a performance: with her hair straightened and wearing a blazer, she looked unusually demure.
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In the 1990s, Kim Wilde’s international success began to wane. Her 1990 album "Love Moves" was well-received only in France, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. After the failure of “Now & Forever,” Wilde turned her attention to new challenges. She starred in the musical “Tommy” and married Hal Fowler, with whom she had two children.
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Her passion for gardening also led to a new career as a landscape gardener and host of gardening shows on British television. In 2005, she published her first book, "Gardening with Children."
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In late 2001, Kim Wilde made a comeback with a "best of" album, followed by a surprise hit duet, "Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime," with Nena in 2003. In 2006, she signed a new record deal and released the album “Never Say Never,” which was a success in Germany. Over the years, Kim has remained true to her black leather look and blonde hair.
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More albums and tours followed, including "Come Out and Play," released in 2010, which reached the German Top 10 for the first time in 22 years. In 2018, they released their 14th studio album, "Here Come the Aliens," produced by her brother Ricky Wilde.
Kim Wilde is one of the most recognizable stars of the 1980s. With unforgettable hits such as “Kids in America,” she became a defining pop icon and the heroine of an entire generation.
Decades later, Wilde remains a beloved figure in music and entertainment. Take a look back at her remarkable career and see how the ’80s icon has transformed over the years.