Susan Boyle first won our hearts in 2009 with her unforgettable performance on Britain's Got Talent. The West Lothian woman left both the judges and viewers at home utterly captivated with her mesmerising rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables.
After her viral performance, which catapulted her to global stardom, Susan was widely expected to win the show and secure a coveted spot on the Royal Variety Performance. However, she ultimately finished second to dance troupe Diversity, which featured the now famous dancing brothers Ashley and Jordan Banjo.
Despite her rapid rise to fame since her debut on the talent show, the now-64 year old has remained grounded and deeply appreciative of her success. Here's a glimpse into her life today and what she has been up to since appearing on BGT.
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According to Celebrity Net Worth, the Scottish singer has amassed a net worth of $40 million, which is roughly just under £31 million. This is in part due to her numerous album releases, and nobody can forget #Susanalbumparty and the controversy the promotional hashtag caused, reports Wales Online.
Other business endeavours include Duil Limited, Speur Business, Speur Ltd, and Speur Films, which have accumulated an impressive £2 million.
Despite her impressive fortune, Susan Boyle is famous for her frugal lifestyle, once revealing to Piers Morgan she's careful with money. The vocal powerhouse, who could splash out from a vast wealth, keeps to a conservative budget of £300-£500 per week, claiming it's "plenty."
Susan's down-to-earth nature is also evident in her choice to stay in her family home in Blackburn, West Lothian, where she and her eight siblings grew up. Expressing emotional ties to the property, she stated, "There's a bit of history attached to this house" leading her to buy the once council-owned house for £111,000, which is just a drop in the ocean compared to her overall net worth.
She has since upgraded the beloved house where she has spent more than six decades.
Susan explained her attachment to her roots, saying: "It's to do with the memories of your house and your upbringing, you need to take stock of things and maybe see where you come from and where your roots lie."
She went on to add: "It's best to be grounded and with your roots. It keeps you grounded and prevents you from saying things maybe you shouldn't say."
However, despite cherishing her past, Susan's life is not without its difficulties. She has experienced family disputes, notably with her brother Gerry.
Following claims that he threatened suicide unless Susan handed over £50,000 to him, the siblings were estrily estranged for more than two years. Reports have indicated that Susan has generously given Gerry around £400,000 over the years.
Susan Boyle has rejoiced over the reconciliation with her siblings, telling the Sunday Mirror, "I'm very happy, it's a great relief and I'm looking to the future with a happy smile. Everything is hunky dory and fantastic."
Despite the family peace, Susan had her own health struggles to contend with. Back in 2016, following a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, the singer was candid about slimming down two stone and revamping her diet, sharing, "I needed to stop eating sweeties and cakes. It's the bane of my life."
Continuing her journey to wellness, Susan spoke openly on STV's What's on Scotland: "It's taken me three years and it's been hard - I'm not going to pretend otherwise but it's made me determined to keep going."
Making a comeback after a hiatus due to a stroke last year, Susan excitedly took to social media for the first time in two years, hinting at forthcoming ventures: "Today's a special day - it's my birthday! But I've got something exciting to share... I'm back and working on some wonderful new projects that I can't wait for you to hear about!
"More news will be coming very soon, but I just wanted to say how much I've missed you all. Your support means the world to me and I'm more determined and excited than ever. Love, Susan x".
Fans are buzzing with excitement following an announcement by Susan Boyle, showering her with messages of encouragement. A delighted fan expressed: "Can't wait you see you performing again!!".
Susan graced her followers with a video revealing her revamped, chic appearance, complete with highlights and a striking hot pink ensemble. Supporters are loving her transformation, as one fan enthusiastically commented: "SUSAN YOU ATE THESE LOOKS happy birthday to my queen of england."
The anticipated 18th series of Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday, February 22. The beloved show welcomed back hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly and saw the judging table filled once again by Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, with the addition of guest judge KSI - the famed YouTuber and rapper.
Catch the new episodes of Britain's Got Talent every Saturday on ITV1 and ITVX from 7pm. For those who have missed out, previous episodes can be watched on catch up via ITV X.
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