Kiki Dee, born Pauline Matthews on 6 March 1947, is an English singer who made history as the first British female artist signed to Motown’s Tamla Records. Known for her blue-eyed soul sound and the enduring 1976 duet with Elton John, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” she has maintained a career spanning more than six decades. This article covers her biography, age, famous songs, personal life, current activities, and the facts that are confirmed—and those that remain uncertain.
Who is Kiki Dee? Biography and Early Life
Kiki Dee
Pauline Matthews
6 March 1947, Bradford, England
Blue-eyed soul, Motown signing, Elton John duet
- Kiki Dee was the first British female artist to sign with Motown’s Tamla Records, a milestone for UK soul singers.
- Her duet with Elton John, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” reached number one in both the UK and the US.
- She continues to perform and record with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri, a collaboration that has lasted for years.
- Despite being best known for her 1970s hits, she maintains a significant modern audience, with over 7.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify as of 2025.
- She began her professional career at age 16 after signing with Fontana Records.
- Her debut album, I’m Kiki Dee, was released in 1968.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pauline Matthews |
| Stage Name | Kiki Dee |
| Date of Birth | 6 March 1947 |
| Age (2025) | 78 |
| Place of Birth | Bradford, West Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Pop, soul, blue-eyed soul |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter |
| Years Active | 1960s–present |
| Labels | Fontana, Tamla Motown, Rocket |
| Famous Duet | “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Elton John |
How Old is Kiki Dee? Age and Birthdate
Kiki Dee was born on in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. As of 2025, she is 78 years old. Her birthdate is well documented across official biography sources, including Wikipedia and IMDb.
The singer grew up in Bradford and began singing with local dance bands in the early 1960s, a period that laid the foundation for her later success. By the time she was 16, she had signed her first recording contract with Fontana Records.
Kiki Dee’s full name, date of birth, and birthplace are verified through multiple reliable public records. Her age is calculated from her known birth year of 1947.
What Are Kiki Dee’s Most Famous Songs and Collaborations?
Kiki Dee is best known for a handful of songs that have defined her career. Her most recognised tracks include “Amoureuse,” “I’ve Got the Music in Me,” and the iconic duet with Elton John, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” The latter was a chart-topping hit in both the UK and the US, cementing her place in pop history.
Duet with Elton John
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” released in 1976, was a number-one single on both sides of the Atlantic. It remains one of the most well-known duets of the era and is frequently played on classic radio stations. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, with Dee providing the vocal counterpoint that made the track a success.
Motown Connection
Before her mainstream breakthrough, Kiki Dee became the first British artist signed to Tamla Motown, a subsidiary of the legendary Detroit label. This signing was a significant milestone, as Motown had rarely looked beyond the US for its roster. While her time with the label did not produce major hits, it established her as a serious soul vocalist.
According to available discographic data, Kiki Dee has released approximately 40 singles (some sources list 39), 3 EPs, and 12 albums. The slight discrepancy between figures likely reflects differences in how compilations and regional releases are counted.
Does Kiki Dee Have a Husband and Children?
Public records indicate that Kiki Dee has never married and has no children. This information comes from her Wikipedia biography, which notes that she has kept her personal life largely private.
Because she has maintained a low profile regarding relationships, no confirmed information exists about a spouse or partner in recent years. The absence of public records on marriage and children suggests that she has chosen to keep this aspect of her life outside the public eye.
What is Kiki Dee’s Net Worth?
Reliable public records do not include a confirmed net worth figure for Kiki Dee. Various online sources speculate that her net worth may fall within a range of $3 million to $5 million, but these figures are not substantiated by official disclosures or verified financial data.
Her income has been generated through decades of record sales, touring, publishing royalties, and performances. However, without transparent financial reporting from the artist or her representatives, any net worth number remains an estimate.
This uncertainty is common for artists of her era who have not publicly disclosed their financial affairs.
Net worth estimates for Kiki Dee are speculative and not supported by audited or official sources. Readers should treat any dollar figure as an unconfirmed approximation.
What is Kiki Dee Doing Now? Current Activities and Tour
Kiki Dee remains active in the music industry. She has a long-running musical partnership with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri, and the two continue to perform and record together. One interview source describes her as continuing to produce albums and tour with Luggeri, suggesting that she has no plans to retire.
As of the available data, a confirmed 2025 tour schedule has not been published. What is clear is that she has remained active in performance and collaboration in recent years, often appearing at smaller venues and festivals alongside Luggeri.
For the most up-to-date event listings, fans are encouraged to check her official website at kikiandcarmelo.com.
Timeline of Kiki Dee’s Life and Career
- 1947 – Born Pauline Matthews in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
- Early 1960s – Begins singing with local dance bands in Bradford.
- 1963 (approx.) – Signs first recording contract with Fontana Records at age 16.
- 1968 – Releases debut album, I’m Kiki Dee.
- 1970 – Becomes the first British artist signed to Tamla Motown.
- 1974 – Releases “I’ve Got the Music in Me.”
- 1976 – Duet with Elton John, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” reaches number one in the UK and US.
- 1994 – Provides vocals on the Lion King soundtrack.
- 2000s – Begins extensive collaboration with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri.
- 2013 – Releases A Place Where I Can Go, an album with Luggeri.
- 2025 – Continues to perform and record with Luggeri.
Clarifying What is Known and What Remains Uncertain
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name is Pauline Matthews. | Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. |
| Born 6 March 1947 in Bradford. | Net worth estimates from public sources are speculative. |
| She has never married and has no children. | Specific details of her private relationships are not public. |
| She was the first British artist signed to Tamla Motown. | Confirmed 2025 tour dates are not yet available. |
| Her duet with Elton John reached number one in the UK and US. | The exact number of singles released varies slightly across discographies (39 vs. 40). |
Context: Kiki Dee’s Place in Music History
Kiki Dee’s significance extends beyond her hit singles. As the first British female artist signed to Motown’s Tamla label, she helped pave the way for other UK soul singers. Her vocal style, often categorised as blue-eyed soul, placed her in a lineage that includes contemporaries like Dusty Springfield.
The enduring popularity of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” keeps her music in regular rotation on classic hits radio, introducing new generations to her voice. Her later work with Carmelo Luggeri demonstrates a commitment to artistic growth, moving away from the pop mainstream into more intimate, guitar-driven arrangements.
Sources and Quotes
Information for this article was drawn from publicly available sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, Classic Pop Magazine, and the artist’s official website. Where possible, direct quotes from interviews have been referenced to support key biographical facts.
“Kiki Dee was the first British female singer signed to Motown’s Tamla Records.”
— Classic Pop Magazine interview
“She has never married and has no children.”
— Wikipedia biography
For additional discography and streaming information, readers can visit Kiki Dee on Spotify or AllMusic.
Summary: What to Remember About Kiki Dee
Kiki Dee is an English singer born in 1947 who made history at Motown, scored a global number-one hit with Elton John, and continues to perform today. Her real name is Pauline Matthews, and she has kept her personal life largely private. While her net worth is not publicly confirmed, her musical legacy is well documented. For a look at another soul-influenced UK vocalist, see our article on Heather Small – Biography, Career, and Latest News.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kiki Dee’s real name?
Her real name is Pauline Matthews.
How old is Kiki Dee?
Kiki Dee was born on 6 March 1947, making her 78 years old in 2025.
Is Kiki Dee married?
Kiki Dee has kept her personal life private. There is no confirmed public information about a current spouse.
Does Kiki Dee have children?
Public records do not confirm whether Kiki Dee has children.
What is Kiki Dee’s most famous song?
Her most famous songs include “I’ve Got the Music in Me” and the duet with Elton John “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.”
Did Kiki Dee sing with Elton John?
Yes, they duetted on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976) and performed together at various events.
What is Kiki Dee’s net worth?
Estimates range from $3 million to $5 million, but exact net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Where is Kiki Dee from?
She was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.
What is Kiki Dee doing now?
She continues to tour and record with guitarist Carmelo Luggeri under the name “Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri.”
Did Kiki Dee have a hit with Bon Jovi?
No. There is no connection between Kiki Dee and Bon Jovi. For more on that band, see our article on Bon Jovi – Band History, Biggest Hits and Jon Bon Jovi Facts.
Jack Sutton is Senior Reporter at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering breaking regional news, councils, transport, business and community stories across the UK.