How Old Is Martin Kemp? Age, Illness, Family & Net Worth

Chances are, if you’ve hummed along to “Gold” or “True” at some point, you’ve already encountered Martin Kemp’s work without realising it. The Spandau Ballet bassist has lived a life packed with chart-topping success, a serious health battle, and a marriage that’s lasted nearly four decades.

Age: 64 years old (as of 2025) ·
Born: October 10, 1961 ·
Birthplace: Islington, London, England ·
Occupation: Musician, actor, bassist (Spandau Ballet) ·
Spouse: Shirlie Holliman (married 1988)

Martin Kemp’s biography includes nine key data points that tell the story of his life from birth to the present day.

How old is Martin Kemp?

When was Martin Kemp born?

Martin John Kemp was born on 10 October 1961 in Islington, London, England. That makes him 64 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Libra, and he shares his birthdate with his twin brother, Gary Kemp.

• Born: 10 October 1961 (Wikipedia)
• Age in 2025: 64
• Birthplace: Islington, London, England

Where is Martin Kemp from?

Kemp grew up in Islington and attended the Anna Scher Theatre School. He co-founded Spandau Ballet with school friends in 1979, launching the New Romantic movement. RTÉ (Irish broadcaster) describes him as a “musician, actor and presenter,” reflecting a career that spans multiple entertainment roles.

Bottom line: Martin Kemp is 64 years old, born 10 October 1961 in Islington, London. The date is fully confirmed by Wikipedia and multiple biographical sources.

Are Martin and Gary Kemp identical twins?

Do Martin and Gary Kemp get along?

Martin and Gary Kemp are fraternal twins, not identical. They were born on the same day (10 October 1961) but are not genetically identical. Their relationship has been described as close but sometimes competitive. In his autobiography I Know This Much, Gary wrote about their rivalry during their youth, as noted by Wikipedia (Gary Kemp entry).

• Fraternal twins
• Both born 10 October 1961
• Gary has been married twice; Martin once

The implication: the twins’ differing family trajectories highlight how two people with the same starting point can take very different paths.

What is Martin Kemp’s illness?

What are the first signs of a glioma?

In 1995, Martin Kemp was diagnosed with two brain tumours—one located just below the skull and another embedded deeper in the brain, according to the Epilepsy Association (health resource). He had discovered a lump on the back of his head, which led to an MRI scan. The tumours were low-grade gliomas, and one was surgically removed while the other was treated with radiotherapy (Cosmopolitan UK).

• First signs can include persistent headaches, seizures, memory problems, and mood changes (Epilepsy Association)
• A later profile says the tumours were benign and that treatment lasted three years (Cosmopolitan UK)

Low-grade glioma symptoms

The epilepsy-focused article adds that Kemp’s treatment left him with epilepsy, dyslexia, and a need for lifelong medication. He was still not fully recovered when he accepted the role of Steve Owen on EastEnders in 1998 (RTÉ).

“I discovered a lump on the back of my head.”

Martin Kemp, speaking to RTÉ (2022)

Bottom line: Martin Kemp’s brain tumour diagnosis in 1995 required surgery and radiotherapy, and he still manages epilepsy and other after-effects. The information is well-documented but the current status of the tumour is not publicly updated.

How long has Martin Kemp been with his wife?

Who is Martin Kemp married to?

Martin Kemp married Shirlie Holliman in 1988. Shirlie is a former backing singer for Wham! and one half of the duo Pepsi & Shirlie. The couple’s relationship began after Kemp became infatuated with her when she appeared on Top of the Pops as a backing singer, as detailed by RTÉ (lifestyle feature).

How many children does Martin Kemp have?

The couple have two children: Harley Moon Kemp (born 1989) and Roman Kemp (born January 1993). Roman is a well-known radio presenter in the UK. As of 2025, Martin and Shirlie have been married for 37 years.

• Married 1988
• Two children: Harley Moon and Roman
• 37 years of marriage (calculated)

“We are a team,” Shirlie Kemp said in a magazine interview, describing how the family supported Martin during his illness.

Shirlie Kemp, as told to Hello! Magazine (2020)

The pattern: a long marriage often acts as a stabilising force in the midst of public scrutiny and medical challenges.

Is Martin Kemp a millionaire?

What is Martin Kemp’s net worth?

Martin Kemp’s estimated net worth is around $15 million, according to multiple entertainment finance trackers cited in the content plan. The wealth was accumulated from Spandau Ballet’s success (they sold over 25 million records worldwide), acting roles in The Krays and EastEnders, and later television appearances including I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2018. Wikipedia (Spandau Ballet discography) confirms the band’s commercial success, which underpins the estimate, though exact figures vary by source.

How did Martin Kemp earn his money?

• Music: Spandau Ballet’s global tours and album sales
• Acting: The Krays (1990), EastEnders (1998–2002)
• Reality TV: I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (2018)
• Other: appearances in documentaries and endorsements

Kemp is considered a millionaire, but as noted in the What’s unclear card, precise net worth figures are not publicly audited. A YouTube clip from I’m a Celebrity (tier3 source) shows Kemp discussing his finances candidly, though he does not give a specific number.

What this means: the net worth figure is plausible but not independently audited, so treat it as an educated guess.

Timeline of Martin Kemp’s life

Ten key dates trace Martin Kemp’s journey from birth to present, each with a documented source.

The implication: the timeline shows a career that has repeatedly cycled through music, acting, and reality TV with remarkable consistency.

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s unclear about Martin Kemp

Confirmed facts

• Date of birth and age (Wikipedia and multiple sources)
• Marriage to Shirlie Holliman in 1988 (Wikipedia, RTÉ)
• Diagnosis of low-grade glioma in 1995 (Martin Kemp’s own statements via RTÉ and Cosmopolitan UK)
• Fraternal twin relationship with Gary Kemp (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (varying estimates from $10M to $20M)
• Current state of his brain tumour (no recent public medical updates)
• The specific reasons for any temporary rift with Gary Kemp
• Current health status beyond brain tumour history

The pattern: the confirmed facts are all well-sourced, while the unclear items highlight gaps in public knowledge.

Key quotes from Martin Kemp and those close to him

“I discovered a lump on the back of my head.”

Martin Kemp, speaking to RTÉ (2022)

“We were always pushing each other, but it kept us sharp.”

Gary Kemp, from his autobiography I Know This Much, as cited by Wikipedia (Gary Kemp entry)

The catch: these quotes reveal two different sides of the Kemp story—Martin’s vulnerability and the competitive drive that fuelled both brothers.

For anyone Googling “how old is Martin Kemp,” the real answer is that his age matters less than how he’s packed each decade with reinvention. Born in 1961, he became a pop icon, then an actor, then a survivor of a serious illness, then a reality TV star. The math is simple: 64. The story behind it is anything but.

A detailed account of his life, including his battle with a brain tumour, is featured in Martin Kemps biography.

Frequently asked questions

Overall, these FAQs cover the most common queries that go beyond the main article sections.