Michael Bolton's Life in Photos

Michael Bolton is a music industry icon who got his start with iconically '80s power ballads (with the unbuttoned shirts and flowing curls to go with) and has stayed a superstar, though now with a sense of humor about his chart.

As a songwriter, cover artist and pop-rock singer, the "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" singer claims an impressive discography with 26 studio albums. He's won two Grammys, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and performed around the world. And he's proud of his role as a dad to three girls and a doting grandpa to six.

Look back at Michael Bolton's life and career in photos, from his early songwriting days to his heyday on stage and celebrated later years.

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Michael Bolton's Childhood

Born in New Haven, Connecticut on Feb. 26, 1953 to Helen and George Bolotin, Michael Bolton (as he became known professionally) started on the saxophone before joining a rock band, the Nomads, that got signed to a record deal when he was 16. (And he continued his love of baseball, even when he became a superstar — his softball league, The Bolton Bombers, raised thousands for charity.)

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Michael Bolton's Musical Beginnings

The singer got his start in more heavy metal and rock bands (and did some odd jobs in L.A., like babysitting for Paula Abdul !) before finding his niche in power ballads.

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Michael Bolton Finds Success

Bolton broke into the music business first as a hit songwriter in the early '80s. He wrote the chart-topping song "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan , whose original recording in 1983 ranked high on the North American circuit.

Later, however, when Bolton recorded the song himself in 1989, the song became a global hit, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 and launching the rocker into new heights of fame.

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Michael Bolton's Rise to Fame

His rendition of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" earned Bolton his first Grammy win for best male pop vocal performance in 1990.

He was a massive success and a genuine heartthrob, but critics weren't always kind to him. At the 1992 Grammys, he told a reporter who asked how it felt to be "hated" by critics , "If I was as insensitive a person as they seem to be, it wouldn't bother me, but since I'm not, it does. You can take a bunch of chimpanzees and give them a bucket of paint and they'll destroy a Van Gogh. . . . Critics can kiss my ass."

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Michael Bolton's Golden Years

With a Grammy and worldwide recognition under his belt, Bolton entered the '90s full steam ahead. He co-wrote music with some of the biggest names in the business, like Diane Warren and Bob Dylan , and saw success remaking classic soul singles.

Bolton put his own spin on Otis Redding 's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and Percy Sledge 's "When a Man Loves a Woman," and he won another Grammy for the latter in 1992.

A prolific writer and performer, Bolton released 26 albums over the course of his career. His 1991 record Time, Love & Tenderness remains his best seller to date.

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Michael Bolton Becomes a Dad

Bolton was married to his first wife, Maureen McGuire, from 1975 to 1990, and they share three daughters together: Isa (pictured), Holly and Taryn. Through his girls, Bolton has become a grandfather — or " G-Pa," as he's said they call him — of six kids.

In July 2023, the singer spoke to PEOPLE about the joys of parenthood as his children get older .

"I'm filled with more love and pride in my girls as they raise their own families," he said. "The people I love bring me a lot of happiness… The important things never really change. Love is the most important thing, the center of the universe. There's nothing greater."

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Michael Bolton's Growing Family

Even though his grandkids weren't around during Bolton's heyday, he told PEOPLE they still appreciate the iconic long locks and classic '80s style .

"There's a birthday card where you have to pull my head out of this cake, and then I sing 'Happy Birthday,'" Bolton said in a 2023. "One of my grandchildren saw it in the store and said, 'How is G-pa getting so famous?'"

He continued, "It's amusing and funny, but they're not impressed by celebrity."

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Michael Bolton's Former Flames

After he split from McGuire in 1990, Bolton entered into a relationship with Nicollette Sheridan . The pop-rock icon dated the actress for a few years during the '90s before ending things — though they later reunited in 2005. They announced their engagement in 2006, but called off their wedding plans in 2008.

At the time of their 2008 break up, Bolton told PEOPLE the two had remained friends .

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Michael Bolton's Friends & Collaborators

Beyond romance, Bolton has formed many tight friendships with fellow musicians, like saxophonist Kenny G . Both known for their smooth sounds and long locks in the '80s and '90s, the pair collaborated on the 1992 song "Missing You Now" and performed together on the Grammys stage. The jazz instrumentalist also introduced Bolton to his ex-partner Sheridan.

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Michael Bolton's Expanding Career

In more recent years, Bolton has made cameo appearances playing himself on a number of TV shows. In 2011, he dressed up as pirate Captain Jack Sparrow and sang with Saturday Night Live 's The Lonely Island .

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Michael Bolton's Small Screen Stardom

He also guest starred as himself on shows like Two and a Half Men , Glee and Fresh Off the Boat (pictured) throughout the 2010s. In 2023, Bolton appeared as Kevin for a two-episode stint of Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens .

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Michael Bolton Makes Fun of His Image

The ballad singer reunited with The Lonely Island to host Netflix's Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special in 2017. The one-time, star-studded variety special featured several big names like Brooke Shields , Kenny G , Maya Rudolph , Sarah Silverman and the late Bob Saget .

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Michael Bolton Goes Behind the Mask

In his career's later years, Bolton dipped his toes into reality TV on more than one occasion. He competed on season 11 of Dancing with the Stars , though he was eliminated during the second round. In 2023, Bolton belted beneath a wolf costume on The Masked Singer .

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Michael Bolton Is Still Making Melodies

Bolton has steadily continued making music over the years. In July 2023, he released his 26th studio album, Spark of Light . The singer told PEOPLE that he was inspired to shed an optimistic light on darker times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We were basically observing our friends and family and seeing that they all really needed some light, that it was so dark and oppressive and basically we were all just carrying layers of fear to our every day," he said ahead of the album's summer release. "And so we started to feel a sense of responsibility to deliver hope and promise and all these feelings that seem to be so elusive, and it started to become a feel-good record."

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Michael Bolton as 'G-Pa'

In a 2023 interview with QRO Magazine , Bolton was asked what his "spark of light" was lately, to which he answered, "I definitely get lit up whenever I see or get to spend time with my grandkids. They call me 'G-pa' and to them it doesn't really matter how many streams I have on Spotify or whatever. To them, I'm just me. I can really relax and be myself. Reconnecting like that I think is really important when you're otherwise out there being scrutinized by the public eye."

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Michael Bolton Faces New Challenges

In January 2024, Bolton revealed that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor before the holidays and underwent emergency surgery. In a heartfelt letter to his fans, he shared that the operation "was a success."

"I am now recuperating at home and surrounded by the tremendous love and support of my family," he wrote in a Facebook post .

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Michael Bolton's Life Lately

In April 2025, Bolton spoke to PEOPLE about his glioblastoma diagnosis, and how he had been dealing with it. He said he was spending a lot of time with his children and grandchildren, enjoying golf and music, and committing to the fight against the disease, which has a high recurrence rate.

"I want to keep going. I feel there's still a lot to do on the fight side," he said at the time. "I got a title for a song: 'Ain't Going Down Without a Fight.' "

He continues to draw awareness and raise money for cancer research, partnering with SU2C .

Read the original article on People