Shirley Bassey
Birth Name:
Shirley Veronica Bassey
Height:
160 cm
Shirley Bassey was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, and raised in the nearby working class neighborhood of Splott. Her mother was originally from Yorkshire, and her father was a Nigerian seaman who left the family when she was less than two. She later helped to support her family by working in an Enamelware factory. She made her professional debu...
Show more »
Shirley Bassey was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, and raised in the nearby working class neighborhood of Splott. Her mother was originally from Yorkshire, and her father was a Nigerian seaman who left the family when she was less than two. She later helped to support her family by working in an Enamelware factory. She made her professional debut at 16 appearing in a touring revue "Memories of Al Jolson". Her first major hit was "The Banana Boat Song," and she later sang "Goldfinger" in the James Bond movie Goldfinger (1964). Her younger daughter died of drowning in 1985. She currently lives in Monte Carlo. Show less «
[on being awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the the British Empire] I was asleep and my manager came to wake me up because we were goin...Show more »
[on being awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the the British Empire] I was asleep and my manager came to wake me up because we were going out that night. I didn't feel like getting up and I said. "Go away, let me sleep". Just as I was going back to sleep he said, "You wouldn't get up even for Damehood?" I had to keep quiet for seven weeks. I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I was afraid to go out in case I told someone - my social life was nil. Show less «
Shirley Bassey's Photos
