You know what’s funny? Everybody thinks Martin Kemp must be raking it in. I mean, he was in Spandau Ballet, played one of EastEnders’ greatest baddies, and he’s been on our telly for pretty much ever. But when you actually check out how much is Martin Kemp worth, it’s a bit of a surprise.
The man’s sitting on $4 million or so. That’s about £3.1 million in proper money. Now, don’t get me wrong, that’s nothing to sniff at. Most of us would be chuffed to bits with that sort of money. But when it comes to somebody who’s been famous since the 1980s? It’s actually quite modest when you think about it.
The Brother Who Did Better
Here’s where it gets interesting. Martin Kemp net worth is perhaps $4 million, but what about his elder brother Gary? He’s worth $12 million. Three times as much. And there is a very simple answer to why that was the case: Gary wrote the songs. “True” and “Gold”; all those monster hits that continue to be played at wedding receptions up and down the land. Every time one of those gets played on the radio, Gary gets a nice little payment. Martin doesn’t.
I remember reading that the band almost split up over this very issue. The musicians thought they deserved a piece of the songwriting money; Gary and Tony Hadley (he gets lyric credits) said no. Can’t really blame either side, can you? Gary wrote the tunes, but the band made them what they were. Messy business, that.
The Gary Kemp net worth 2025 figure is $12 million and still going strong. He’s been smart about it as well, keeping in music projects and his hand in other pots. Good on him.
The Family Fortune
Martin’s wife, Shirlie, whom you may recognise from Wham! Days has her own money from back then as a backup singer. Shirlie Kemp net worth is around $1.5 million, which she accumulated through her music career with Pepsi & Shirlie. But here’s one where you have to wince – she was actually declared bankrupt back in 1996. Tragic timing, that. Martin was in recovery from brain surgery, and she’d just been through her own health scare. They had no income and the bills were mounting up.
Their son Roman’s done brilliantly, though. Roman Kemp net worth sits at $1.5 million from his radio career at Capital FM. Roman Kemp net worth 2025 hasn’t changed much, but he’s only 32. Give him time. The lad’s got his head screwed on right, and he’s made a name for himself without constantly banging on about his famous parents. That takes bottle.
When you add it all up, Martin and Shirlie Kemp net worth comes to about $5.5 million between them. They live quietly in Hertfordshire now, pottering about in their garden. Martin’s said the gardening helps keep him sane. Can’t say I blame him after everything he’s been through.
That Awful Health Scare
Right, so there’s something people search for that needs clearing up: Martin Kemp wife cancer. Here’s the actual story, and it’s grim. In 1995, Shirlie was diagnosed with breast cancer. That same year, Martin started getting these splitting headaches and losing his sight. Turned out he had two brain tumours. TWO. What are the odds of that happening to a couple at the same time?
The surgery Martin had was touch-and-go. Nine hours on the operating table. He came out unable to walk, partially blind in one eye, and absolutely terrified. Shirlie had just been through cancer treatment herself and then had to become his carer. Awful, awful time for both of them.
Martin’s been really honest about how it nearly broke their marriage. Not because they didn’t love each other, but because it’s just so much for any couple to handle. He couldn’t work. She couldn’t work. They had two young kids. The money ran out. It’s no wonder things got desperate.
But they got through it somehow. Stubborn pair, I reckon.
Why Isn’t He Worth More?
This is what gets me scratching my head. When you ask how much is Martin Kemp worth, the answer should be bigger. The man’s been working non-stop since he was a teenager. Spandau Ballet sold millions of records. He was brilliant as Steve Owen in EastEnders – proper iconic villain. He’s been in films, done reality shows, done DJ gigs, and written books. You name it, he’s had a go at it.
But here’s the thing about being in a band where you don’t write the songs. You get paid once. Session musicians get their fee and that’s it. No ongoing royalties, no passive income. Gary’s songs keep making him money while he sleeps. Martin has to keep working for himself.
And those brain tumours really messed up his career trajectory. Just as he was building momentum as an actor in the 90s, he had to stop everything for surgery and recovery. By the time he was well enough to work again, he’d lost that momentum. Had to start from scratch, basically.
The bankruptcy didn’t help either. When you’re declared bankrupt, you lose everything. They had to rebuild from nothing in their 30s with two young kids. That’s hard going.
Still Going Strong
These days Martin and Shirlie seem properly content. They released an album together in 2019 called “In the Swing of It.” They were on The Masked Singer as Cat and Mouse, which was quite sweet, actually. They’ve written a book about their marriage. They do the odd interview together where they’re clearly still mad about each other after 37 years of marriage.
Martin does DJ sets at 80s nights, pops up on panel shows, and generally keeps himself busy. He’s not trying to be a millionaire anymore. He’s just grateful to still be here, which is fair enough when you’ve had two brain tumours and survived.
Shirlie Kemp net worth has recovered since those bankruptcy days, and together they’re comfortable. Not flashy rich, but comfortable. They’ve got their house in Hertfordshire, their kids have grown up well, and they’re both still healthy. Can’t put a price on that, can you?
The Bottom Line
So back to the question everyone wants answered: how much is Martin Kemp worth? Four million dollars. Three million quid. Less than a footballer earns in a couple of years. Less than some Instagram influencers have made flogging diet teas.
But you know what? The man’s survived things that would’ve finished most people off. He’s been famous, gone skint, nearly died, rebuilt his career, and stayed married to the same woman for nearly four decades. His kids turned out well. His brother’s success hasn’t made him bitter. He seems genuinely happy pottering about in his garden and doing the occasional gig.
Maybe worth isn’t just about what’s in your bank account. Maybe it’s about still being here to enjoy it.
Gary Kemp net worth might be three times bigger, but I bet if you asked Martin whether he’d swap his life for Gary’s, he’d say no. They’ve both done alright in their own ways. Different paths, different results, but both are content enough.
Not the flashiest story, is it? But it’s real. And sometimes real is better than rich.
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