Legendary singer Neil Sedaka died on Friday, February 27, at the age of 86, his family confirmed in a statement. The musician, best known for the songs “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” “Oh! Carol,” and “Calendar Girl,” was reportedly rushed to the hospital that morning after he woke up feeling unwell.
The L.A. County West Hollywood sheriff’s station confirmed to TMZ that deputies assisted the fire department on a “medical request.” A cause of death has not yet been released. Find out more about Neil’s family and the staggering net worth he left behind below.
Death announcement
“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” Neil’s family said in a statement to HELLO!
“A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”
Career
Neil was a founding member of the Tokens in the late 1950s but enjoyed huge success as a solo artist in the early ’60s.
He scored three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and nine in the Top 10 during the height of his career.
In the ’70s, he made a comeback with “Bad Blood” and “Laughter In The Rain,” the latter of which he said, “revived my career for a bunch of people who had never heard of me.”
Neil also wrote hits for several other artists, including Connie Francis’ “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are,” and Captain and Tennille’s 1975 song “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
He was nominated for five Grammys during his six-decade-plus career, and in 1978, he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Five years later, in 1983, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“This is a gift I was born with,” he wrote on his website. “My main objective is to always top the last collection, raise the bar and reinvent Neil Sedaka.”
Wife
Neil was married to his wife, Leba Strassberg, for over six decades before his death. They tied the knot in 1962 after meeting at her mother’s resort, Esther Manor, in the late ’50s, where he was performing with a band.
Kids
Neil and Leba welcomed two children, Marc and Dara Sedaka, who both followed their father into the entertainment industry.
According to his official website, Dara is a recording artist and vocalist for television and radio commercials, and Marc is a successful screenwriter in Los Angeles.
Neil has three grandchildren, twin granddaughters Amanda and Charlotte, and a grandson, Michael.
Net worth
Neil left behind a huge inheritance for his family, with his net worth at the time of his death estimated to be $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.