Mary Hopkin, the well-known Welsh singer and songwriter gained global recognition following her 1968 single Those Were the Days, and for being the first to be signed to the Beatles Apple label.
Few superstars in the world give up their flourishing jobs to pursue other interests, such as family. For some, the break is only temporary; they return; for others, the break is permanent. There are also those that continue from the background.
At the height of her career, Hopkin took a leave to focus on her marriage and kids. She came back but in the background. There are a lot of questions surrounding her whereabouts or what she is doing at the moment. Here is all that is about the singer.
Brief Biography of Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin was born on 3rd May 1950 in Pontardawe, Wales, the United Kingdom to her Welsh parents. She started honing her musical skills as a tender child by engaging in a weekly singing lesson. After developing her potential to sing, she ignited the journey by joining a local singing group known as the Selby Set and Mary.
She later signed to Apple Records as one of the first artists to do so. The label is owned by the Beatles the famous musical group. But, before that, she released an EP containing Welsh language songs for the Cambrian, a record label based in her hometown.
Her debut single Those Were the Days, though released in the UK, sold massively not just in the US alone but globally.
Her debut album Postcard, produced by McCartney was released on February 21st, 1969, some few months after the release of her debut album. She released other singles such as Goodbye, Temma Harbour, and Let My Name Be Sorrow.
Apple launched Mary’s second album Earth Song, Ocean in October 1971. Tony Visconti produced it. And that was the year she left the scene.
However, she launched 3 more albums between 2007 and 2009. The albums include; Valentine, Recollections and Now And Then.
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What Happened To Her
Mary Hopkin was having the moments of her life in the music industry having achieved some milestones and made herself a name. Most people remember them as the ones whose single Those were the Days reached the first position in the UK and second in the US Hot 100. Her second single titled Goodbye, written by the legendary McCartney but was assigned to Lennon McCartney was another hot.
She represented the UK at various musical contests across Europe such as the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970, where she sang Knock Knock, Who’s there? But she didn’t win. She became the second to All Kinds of Everything made by the famous Irish singer Dana.
She fell in love and married Tony Visconti in 1971. He is the man behind the production of David Bowie’s many albums such as David Bowie aka Space Oddity, The Man Who Sold The World the Berlin Trilogy among others.
At the height of her outstanding career growth, she took a leave from the pop-music scene to focus on her family. Even at that, she continued to contribute her vocals to many albums produced by Tony Visconti.
She remained active in the music scene but stayed under the cover. She still records music and performs live from time to time.
Net worth Of Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin’s net worth is between $1 and $5 million according to various media. She has released several singles and two albums that were successful in the global market. So much money has been made, but there is no information quoting the exact amount she made from her singles and albums.
She may have made more considering the number of copies sold, especially her debut single which sold millions.
Husband and Children
Mary Hopkin married Tony Visconti in 1971. He is a popular American record producer, musician, and singer. Over the years, he has worked with a series of musicians in the music scene. Among them is David Bowie.
The union produced two children; a daughter Jessica Lee Morgan and a son Morgan Visconti. However, the marriage hit the rocks after a decade in 1981. Both children went into developing their musical careers.
At the moment Mary is not married, so she has no husband. She is instead involved in helping her daughter and son build a solid career in music.
Major Works And Albums
Fast Facts About The Singer
- Her debut single Those Were the Days sold 1.5 million copies in the US.
- RIAA awarded her a golden disc for achieving 8 million sales copies globally.
- Her marriage to Tony Visconti lasted for 10 years.
- Her series titled Mary Hopkin in The Land was aired on BBC1 in 1970 and repeated in 1971.
- She collaborated with her son Morgan Visconti to release You Look Familiar in 2010
- In 2014 she recorded a traditional carol single titled Iesu Faban (Baby Jesus) with her daughter and son.
- She took a bow from music to raise her kids.
