She Had A Rough Start At Life
Susan Boyle hasn't lived an ordinary life since she was born. Growing up, she was subject to bullying and had been told she would always be disadvantaged. But as she got older she figured out that it wasn't the case. She is very intelligent and has a great singing voice, one she was keen to improve. She chased her dreams and became a household name that everyone instantly recognizes.
So exactly how old was she when she was diagnosed? Susan Boyle was told that she didn't get enough oxygen when she was born. She was misdiagnosed and growing up she thought she was disadvantaged. She later found out that she has Asperger Syndrome.
Boyle Was 52 Years Old When She Found Out
Normally, Asperger's symptoms will appear relatively early on in someone's life. But for Susan Boyle, she was bullied for having "brain damage" which only strengthened her insecurities.
"It was the wrong diagnosis when I was a kid. I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself," Boyle said to reporters at The Guardian.
Her IQ Is High, But She Still Struggles
Even though Boyle has an above-average IQ she often finds it hard to empathize with people's emotions while at the same time finding it hard to communicate emotionally as well. Asperger's makes relationships that much harder.
Allegedly Boyle struggles with depression, mood swings, and outbursts which can happen often with people who suffer from Asperger's. One of her breakdowns actually helped her bury the hatchet with her brother.
Susan and Her Brother End Their Feud
Having five siblings, Boyle is the youngest and has had arguments with her brother Gerry. This has escalated to the two not speaking. After Susan became a household name the two stopped seeing each other altogether.
From 2014 to 2016 the siblings didn't see each other or speak. But one day while Susan was having an outburst, she called Gerry. He told Mirror, "I'd never heard her sound so down on the phone. I was really concerned. She didn’t sound like she was in a good place. We hadn't spoken for two and a half years but when all is said and done I am her brother. I realized how sad it was that we didn’t speak– and that it shouldn’t be that way."
She Lost Her Parents Before BGT
Boyle never actually told her parents of her dreams to become a professional singer. Her singing was supported by her father until 1999 when he tragically passed away. Boyle stayed at home and took care of her mother until 2007 when she also passed away.
Boyle figured that she had nothing to lose and channeled her grief into something positive, singing. She went to audition on Britain's Got Talent in 2009. She told the Guardian, "I felt a part of me had died with [my mother]…. I so wanted to make her proud, so I found the strength to apply for Britain's Got Talent and I truly believe that she was the angel on my shoulder that day."
Boyle's First Boyfriend (She Was 53!)
Boyle felt that she wasn't ready for a relationship with her syndrome and her mother's passing. But that all changed when she met someone while on tour in Florida. She said, "He was the perfect gentleman and even paid the bill, afterwards, we exchanged details. When we said goodbye he gave me a peck on the cheek."
"People with Asperger's do put a barrier up because they don't know how to trust people. I try not to. I want to let people in." Boyle told Mirror when questioned about her romantic life.
Fame Hasn't Fazed Her
Even with Boyle's fame, she has stayed humble and stayed living the same as before. She still lives in her childhood home and doesn't want it any other way.
She even keeps a very humble wardrobe and is happy the way she lives in the country with her cat Pebbles. She also prefers to keep her life private.
Boyle Opens Up About Bullying
Boyle was subjected to a lot of bullying growing up because of being different to the other children. She thought back to the bullying when she took the audition but had the courage to face her fears and astonish the judges.
She said to the Daily Mail, "Who wouldn't cry?" I did, of course, I did. It brought back memories for me, memories from school. If it continues I will have to speak to the police... but I'm all about giving people a chance and the opportunity to see right from wrong. That doesn't mean I'm a pushover."
She Lost 30 Pounds To Improve Her Health
Boyle's health declined when she got famous due to her strict schedule of tours, appearances and performances. She was then diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Boyle told The Sun, "I needed to stop eating sweeties and cakes. It's the bane of my life." She turned her life around after being diagnosed and lost over 30 pounds.
Susan's Brother Demanded Money
Boyle's net worth in 2013 is estimated to be 27 million dollars and when her siblings found out they started asking her to give them money. This started the aforementioned feud.
Gerry even went as far as to tell Susan that he would commit suicide if she didn't give him the money he wanted. He felt that because of unwanted media attention due to her fame, he deserved some a cut.
Susan Gave Her Brother The Money
Susan felt that she was being bullied by her brother Gerry, but she worried that he would go through with his threats of suicide if she didn't give it to him. So while on a trip to the U.S., she transferred the money to his account. In later interviews, Gerry admitted that he did get the money he asked from her, that he wanted it for a business he was starting.
The family drama lasted for two years, without the two siblings speaking to each other. Finally, Boyle's emotional breakdown at the airport in 2016 led to a resolution.
Susan Loves Children and Wants to Adopt
Boyle has been open about how much she loves children. When she and her brother Gerry finally reconciled she was able to meet his grandson Alfie. "It was lovely," Gerry said. "She couldn't stop picking him up." She also started talking about raising a child of her own and she's considering adopting.
"I have so much love to give," she told The Daily Mail. "I want to adopt a child who doesn't have much, who I can really give something to. It's a way of giving back for me. I love children, I always have but I couldn't have them." She admits that people don't take her seriously on the subject, to which she optimistically replied, "They have a giggle at me. Let's see."
Rags to Riches
One thing fans love about Susan Boyle is that she's a relatable, average person who was able to achieve extraordinary things. Leading up to her BGT performance, Boyle was struggling with the death of her mother, and being able to pay her bills. Even though she knows she has money in the bank, she doesn't forget the hard times and reminds herself that she'll be okay.
"My goals are simple now," she told The Sunday Post. "To have good friends and family around me and enjoy some money I have earned within reason and ensure I never have to worry about paying my gas and electric again."
She Wants People To Know She Can Handle it
Boyle is self-aware of her outbursts and says she's "King Kong's Mother" when she's having an episode related to Asperger's. She understands that it potentially makes her hard to work with, as a singer, but she hopes that people are willing to understand and communicate with her.
"It's a very difficult subject to talk about," she told The Daily Mail. "You always feel that eyes are on you, and people view you as different. I like to see myself as someone with a problem, but one I can solve."
Susan Is Very Successful
Although it wasn't until she was in her 50s that her career as an artist took off, Boyle has achieved a lot of success. In fewer than ten years, Boyle's estimated net worth rocketed to $33 million. Her first album, I Dreamed A Dream debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 2009. Her hit single was included in a movie, and she even performed for the Pope.
She was awarded three Guinness World records, including Fastest-selling Album by a Female (UK) and the Most Successful First Week UK Debut Album Sales.
She Loves Family and Good Memories
When deciding what music to record, Boyle looks to cover songs that a wide range of people can relate to, and songs that will make them reminisce and be happy. Her 2010 album, The Gift, was the first Christmas album to top the UK chart.
She's also covered songs by one of her favorite artists of all time, Madonna. "I wanted to create an album that families could enjoy, something for everyone, an album that can be played all year and evoke memories," Boyle said.
She's Not Planning On Retiring Anytime Soon
Luckily for fans of Susan Boyle, the UK artist is not planning on dropping the mic anytime soon. She told Daily Mail, "In my book, 'retirement' is a dirty word." This also means that she needs to fight to stay relevant. BGT launched her career, but it's up to her to keep the momentum going.
"Like any artist, I worry about people still liking me," she said. "I worry about going stale. I have a role to play... I don't want to let them [my fans] down."
She Started Her Own Companies
With all she's achieved, it's hard to believe that only 10 years ago Susan Boyle was living a quiet life, nearly unable to pay her bills. And Asperger's aside, Boyle has grabbed the opportunities that have come her way and started her own music firms.
Not only that, she holds the position of director for all three, personally overseeing the branding of her music and merchandising properties. Since she stepped up, her firms have seen tremendous growth, and have helped Boyle establish a sustainable source of income for her future and the future of her family.
Her Biggest Fear, Revealed
In September of 2018, Susan Boyle spoke to Express and opened up about her personal life and greatest fears. While it may have appeared that being poor was her greatest fear, it turned out to be something else.
It turns out that the hit singer is afraid of being lonely, and living the rest of her life alone and unmarried. After admitting her greatest fear, she went on to describe her ideal partner; a combination of Donny Osmond, Simon Cowell, and Piers Morgan. "My ideal man would have Donny's voice, Simon's good looks and Piers' sense of humor." She joked, "I would have married Piers, but someone else got there first." She did get a kiss on the cheek from Piers and sang a duet with Donny Osmond! Amazing.
What's Next For Susan?
Fans are eager to see Boyle perform on stage again, and soon they'll have their chance to watch. In September 2018 it was announced that Boyle would be joining an all-star cast version of America's Got Talent.
It's been nine years since she had her breakthrough performance on Britain's Got Talent, and Boyle is ready to impress music fans once again. An insider told The Sun, "Simon was delighted Susan agreed to come back." Boyle has proven once again that she has staying power in the entertainment industry.
"No One Is Laughing Now"
Susan Boyle has come a long way from the day she stepped on stage for Britain's Got Talent to perform. At that moment, no one knew who the Scot was. She told the audience that she wanted to be like Elaine Paige, an English singer who's best known for her performances in musicals.
The audience chuckled when Boyle made this statement. But she went on to completely wow them. After her performance, Judge Piers Morgan told her, "When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said, 'I want to be like Elaine Page,' everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now."
She Still Wants To Win The Crown
What's interesting about Boyle's story is that although she was the biggest success story of Britain's Got Talent, she didn't even win the title back in 2009 when she appeared. It was a dance troupe named Diversity who beat her out for the crown.
Now that the series has announced they will run a competition pulling the top contestants of BGT and America's Got Talent together for a cream-of-the-crop battle, Boyle has another shot at winning the title. She's been out of the eye of the media for quite some time...
The Comeback
Now 57 years old, Boyle has stayed out of the limelight in recent years. In fact, it's been five years since she's touched her Instagram account. Susan's fans were elated when she jumped back on social media to announce that she was making a comeback.
After not having posted since November 10, 2013, Boyle's official Instagram account posted a video montage of her performances over the years with the message: "Susan Boyle is back and ready to remind the world of her voice that inspired millions and her incredible journey over the past nine years."
Her Fans Can't Wait
After five years, fans were amazed to see that Boyle had posted anything on Instagram, announcing that she was planning on making a comeback, no less. People began commenting on her post, "So happy! We've been waiting."
And "Sooo glad to hear that there's more to come in the near future from this amazing lady with the angelic voice." Susan's Instagram followed up with another post thanking her fans for the loving notes and support.
What About Her Crush On Piers Morgan?
Boyle's magnetic and unique personality has entertained viewers from the moment that she took the stage on BGT. Her candid interviews never fail to make fans laugh. She was quick to admit that she had a crush on one of the BGT judges, Piers Morgan.
When asked if she still had hopes of marrying Piers, who helped discover her, Boyle told The Sun, "Oh no, I've moved on from fancying Piers. It's been nine years!" She continued, "He's been a wonderful support over the years and I would like to think he would still continue to support me now."
So Where Has Susan Been?
In an interview with The Sun, Susan Boyle responded to why fans haven't heard from her in a while. "Well, I've been out of the spotlight for a while, but that was my decision." She's been doing performances around Scotland while taking a break from international tours and mainstream media.
She went on to explain that she's been taking a break from media to settle her nerves and get healthy. "I've lost a bit of weight and I'm ready to come back with a bang." See what else she said...
She Took Time To 'Grow Up'
It's unusual to hear a 57-year-old woman say that she took the last couple of years off to 'grow up,' but that's exactly what Boyle said she needed to do. Her life took an extraordinary turn after 2009. At the same time she skyrocketed to international adoration and fame, she received a long-awaited diagnosis of Asperger's. For Boyle, her life was almost just beginning.
She told The Sun, "The old Susan Boyle has grown up, well she needed to, and now I'm back and raring to go."
She's Ready For More
"I'm not ready for retirement," Boyle told The Sun in late September 2018. In fact, she's been honing her skills to take her singing to the next level. "I've worked incredibly hard to grow as an artist, improve my voice and become more comfortable in my own skin."
Sounding confident after years of silence, it seems that Boyle is ready and prepared to take the stage. It's amazing to see her transformation over the years, both personally and professionally. See what she has to say about singing in front of Simon again!
Susan Isn't Afraid of Simon
While all three judges had low expectations based on first appearances, as Susan Boyle took the stage for the first time on Britain's Got Talent, she stood her ground and absolutely floored them with her performance.
Most singers are absolutely terrified of the critical remarks they may receive from the three judges, but Boyle is not worried about negative feedback. When asked how she feels about notoriously harsh judge Simon Cowell, Boyle told The Sun, "He's not Mr. Nasty at all. He's a pussycat and I can't wait to show him the new and improved Susan."
She's Never Won, But Not Defeated
She didn't win the crown of Britain's Got Talent in 2009, but she won over hearts around the world with her voice and personality. Many people might not know, however, that it wasn't the first singing competition that Boyle entered. After her mother passed, she began competing around Scotland, but she never won.
Boyle still has her eyes on the prize and hopes to win the America's Got Talent: The Champions competition. "You know I've entered many competitions before I went on Britain's Got Talent, and never won, I came in second on Britain's Got Talent, so you never know I might actually win this!"