Andrew Lloyd Webber, an accomplished English composer and influential figure in the world of musical theatre, has gained recognition for his notable works such as "Cats," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and "Jesus Christ Superstar." His contributions to the industry have been widely acknowledged, earning him a star on the esteemed Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, and fellowship in the esteemed British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors. Webber's theatre company, the renowned 'Really Useful Group,' holds a prominent position in the United Kingdom's theatrical landscape. Webber's passion for composing music emerged at a tender age, composing a suite of six pieces when he was merely nine years old. Even in his early years, he displayed his creative talent by organizing theatrical "productions" in collaboration with his cousin Julian and aunt Viola, utilizing a toy theatre that he himself had built at Viola's suggestion.

Furthermore, Webber actively supports and nurtures emerging artistic talent, exemplified by his role as the president of 'Arts Education Schools London.' Aside from his artistic pursuits, Webber wholeheartedly engages in philanthropic endeavors, affiliating himself with various charitable organizations, including the 'Elton John AIDS Foundation' and 'Nordof Robbins,' among others. Notably, he was selected as one of twelve composers to compose a new piece for the coronation of Charles III and Camilla in 2023. His anthem, titled "Make A Joyful Noise," was performed during Queen Camilla's enthronement, exemplifying Webber's ongoing relevance and influence in the realm of music. Moreover, Webber maintains an active presence on social media platforms, boasting an impressive following. He has amassed 200K subscribers on YouTube, 239K followers on Instagram, and over 218.2K followers on Twitter, utilizing these platforms to connect with his admirers and share his creative endeavors with a wider audience.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Background

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born on 22nd March 1948 in Kensington, London, England. He is also also known with the name, Baron Lloyd-Webber. He identifies as British nationality and belongs to the British-white ethnicity, with agnostic religious affiliation. Currently, at the age of 75, he continues to celebrate his birthday every year on the 22nd of March, coinciding with his horoscope sign, Aries. Andrew's father, William Lloyd Webber (1914-1982), made significant contributions as a composer and organist, while his mother, Jean Hermione Johnstone (1921-1993), showcased her exceptional talent as a violinist and pianist. Additionally, Andrew has a renowned younger brother named Julian Lloyd Webber, who has garnered international acclaim for his remarkable skills as a solo cellist.
Having earned the prestigious title of Queen's Scholar at Westminster School, Andrew Lloyd Webber embarked on his academic journey by briefly studying history at Magdalen College, Oxford. However, in the winter of 1965, he decided to redirect his focus toward his passion for musical theatre and made the pivotal choice to leave his history course behind, subsequently enrolling at the Royal College of Music in London.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Musical Career

• Andrew Lloyd Webber, an aspiring musical-theatre composer, met Tim Rice, a 20-year-old aspiring pop-song writer in 1965 when he was 17 years old. They joined forces for their debut collaboration, "The Likes of Us," a musical inspired by the real-life account of Thomas John Barnardo.
• Despite producing a demo tape for the work in 1966, the project encountered difficulties in securing financial support, resulting in the lack of a backer. Initially, "Joseph" started as a brief cantata, but it garnered attention and recognition during its second staging, receiving a favorable review in The Times newspaper.
• The continuous growth and development led to the culmination of their efforts in 1972 with a stage musical. Building upon the triumph of "Jesus Christ Superstar," a two-hour-long production was subsequently staged in the West End in 1973, capitalizing on its success.
• Back in 1969, Rice and Lloyd Webber composed a song titled "Try It and See" for the Eurovision Song Contest, but it wasn't chosen. However, they repurposed the song with rewritten lyrics, transforming it into "King Herod's Song" for their third musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar", which debuted in 1970. The production made its way to Broadway in 1971 and went on to achieve remarkable success, amassing over $237 million in global box office earnings by 1980.
• Once again, Webber joined forces with Rice to create "Evita" (1978), a musical that delved into the captivating life of Eva Peron. Following a similar pattern to "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita" initially took form as a concept album, released in 1976.
• In 1978, Andrew embarked on a personal endeavor called "Variations", collaborating with his cellist brother Julian. This project was inspired by Paganini's 24th Caprice and achieved remarkable success, reaching the second position on the pop album chart in the United Kingdom. The main theme of Variations became the iconic theme tune for ITV's enduring television series, the "South Bank Show", which continued its run for 32 years. 
• Additionally, in the same year, Lloyd Webber composed a new theme tune specifically for the long-standing documentary series, Whicker's World, which remained in use from 1978 to 1980.
• In November 1980, he became the honored guest of the popular television program, "This Is Your Life." The surprise moment was orchestrated by Eamonn Andrews, who caught him off guard in the foyer of Thames Television's Euston Road Studios in London.
• Undertaking his next endeavor, Andrew ventured into a project where he took on the role of both composer and lyricist, drawing inspiration from the poetry of T. S. Eliot. This creative fusion resulted in the birth of "Cats" (1981), which went on to achieve extraordinary success as the longest-running musical in London, captivating audiences for an impressive 21-year run before its closure. 
• Similarly, on Broadway, Cats enthralled theatergoers for 18 years, setting a record that would eventually be surpassed by another Lloyd Webber masterpiece, "The Phantom of the Opera".
• In memory of his late father, William, who passed away in 1982, Webber composed a Requiem Mass. This poignant and solemn work had its premiere at St. Thomas Church in New York on 24th February 1985, paying tribute to his father's memory through the power of music.
• Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, approached Lloyd Webber and Rice to compose a brief musical for his mother's 60th birthday celebration in 1986. This musical, known as "Cricket" (1986) or "Cricket (Hearts and Wickets)", served as a reunion for Lloyd Webber and Rice as they collaborated once again. 
• The musical was initially performed at Windsor Castle to honor the Queen's birthday. Interestingly, some of the melodies from Cricket were later incorporated into the musicals "Aspects of Love" and "Sunset Boulevard", showcasing their enduring creative influence.
• Andrew Lloyd Webber introduced his masterpiece in 1986, "The Phantom of the Opera", to the stage at Her Majesty's Theatre in London's West End. Inspired by Gaston Leroux's 1911 novel, the musical captivated audiences and became an instant sensation. On 11th February 2012, the Broadway production of "The Phantom of the Opera" achieved a remarkable milestone, celebrating its 10,000th show. 
• In London, the musical has surpassed 13,400 productions, solidifying its position as the second longest-running West End musical. The Broadway production concluded on 16th April 2023 after an astounding 13,981 performance, setting a new record for the most performances in Broadway history.
• In 1992, Lloyd Webber received a special request to create a song for the Barcelona Olympics. Collaborating with lyricist Don Black, he composed the touching piece titled "Amigos Para Siempre - Friends for Life." This heartfelt song was beautifully performed by Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
• Recognized for his immense triumphs in the realm of musical theatre, he earned the notable distinction of being referred to as "the most commercially successful composer in history" by The New York Times in 2001. Building upon his accomplishments, he expanded his role to include that of a producer in 2002, introducing the captivating musical Bombay Dreams to the London stage. 
• On 16th September 2004, Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of "The Woman in White" premiered at the Palace Theatre in London, captivating audiences for an impressive 19 months and 500 performances. Continuing his successful ventures, he produced a remarkable staging of "The Sound of Music" in November 2006. 
• Making a controversial yet intriguing decision, Lloyd Webber chose an unknown talent for the leading role of Maria through the BBC reality television show "How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?", in which he served as a judge. The deserving winner of the show turned out to be Connie Fisher. Displaying his passion for nurturing new talent, he also appeared on BBC One's "Any Dream Will Do!" between April and June 2007, following a similar format as "How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?". 
• In April 2008, he resumed his judging role in the BBC musical talent show "I'd Do Anything". Furthermore, he made a notable appearance on the U.S. talent show "American Idol" in April 2008, offering mentorship to the six finalists as they performed his songs for the judges. 
• In a continued display of his creative prowess, "The Wizard of Oz" graced the stage of The Palladium Theatre on 1st March 2011, with stars like Hope taking on the role of Dorothy Gale and Michael Crawford portraying the Wizard of Oz. 
• His involvement in the entertainment industry persisted as he fronted the ITV primetime show "Superstar" in 2012, where the British public had the opportunity to determine the actor who would portray Jesus in an arena tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar". 
• In 2021, his fresh adaptation of Cinderella debuted at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London's West End. Although the original opening was scheduled for August 2020, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Looking ahead to 2023, Lloyd Webber was among the twelve esteemed composers personally invited to create a new composition for the coronation of Charles III and Camilla. During the enthronement of Queen Camilla, his stirring anthem titled "Make A Joyful Noise" resonated throughout the ceremony, showcasing his enduring musical legacy.
• Moreover, Lloyd Webber's "Cinderella" made its debut on Broadway in 2023 under the title "Bad Cinderella".
• Several film adaptations have been made of Lloyd Webber's musicals, including "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1973), directed by Norman Jewison; "Evita" (1996), directed by Alan Parker; "The Phantom of the Opera" (2004), directed by Joel Schumacher and co-produced by Lloyd Webber; and "Cats" (2019), directed by Tom Hooper and executive produced by Lloyd Webber. Additionally, "Cats" (1998), "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (1999), "Jesus Christ Superstar" (2000), and "By Jeeves" (2001) have been transformed into made-for-television films, available on DVD and VHS, and often broadcast on BBC.
• Apart from music, in 1997, Webber was granted a life peerage and became a member of the House of Lords, representing the Conservative Party. Despite his long tenure in the House of Lords, Lloyd Webber had a relatively low voting record, having voted only 33 times by the end of 2015.
• He has been a supporter of the Conservative Party and allowed his song "Take That Look Off Your Face" to be used in a party promotional film before the 2005 general election.
• In August 2014, he joined a group of 200 public figures in signing a letter to The Guardian, opposing Scottish independence in the lead-up to the referendum.
• In a controversial House of Lords vote in October 2015, Lloyd Webber sided with the Government in supporting proposed tax credit cuts. Critics denounced him for flying in from abroad on his personal plane to vote, given his limited voting record.
• Webber retired from the House of Lords in October 2017, stating that his busy schedule was incompatible with the demands of Parliament, particularly considering the crucial Brexit legislation.
• During an interview with "Good Morning Britain" in July 2021, Andrew expressed his decision to no longer vote for the Conservatives, citing their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and their treatment of the arts sector during that period.

Awards and Achievements

• Golden Globes Awards for his work in "You Must Love Me"
• Grammy Awards for his work in "Evita"
• Laurence Olivier Award for his work in "The Phantom of the Opera"
• Primetime Emmy Awards for his work in "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert"
• Tony Awards for his work in "The Phantom of the Opera", "Sunset Boulevard"
• Drama Desk Awards for his work in "The Phantom of the Opera", "Evita", "Cats", "Jesus Christ Superstar"
• Online Film & Television Association Awards for his work in "Don't Cry for Me Argentina"
• Satellite Awards for his work in "You Must Love Me"

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Wife & Children

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been married three times. His current wife is Madeleine Gurdon, an English horsewoman, whom he married on 9 February 1991. They have three children together, all born in London: Alastair Adam Lloyd Webber (born 3 May 1992), William Richard Lloyd Webber (born 24 August 1993), and Isabella Aurora Lloyd Webber (born 30 April 1996). Prior to his marriage to Madeleine, he was married to Sarah Hugill from 1971 to 1983, with whom he had a daughter, Imogen Lloyd Webber (born 31 March 1977), and a son, Nicholas Lloyd Webber (2 July 1979-25 March 2023). He then married English soprano Sarah Brightman on 22 March 1984, but they divorced on 3 January 1990. Despite their divorce, they have remained close friends and continued to collaborate professionally, with Brightman starring in leading roles in Lloyd Webber's musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera. Tragically, in 2023, Andrew's son Nicholas passed away at the age of 43 after bravely fighting gastric cancer for 18 months. In the latter part of 2009, Lloyd Webber also underwent surgery for early-stage prostate cancer, however, he faced complications with a post-operative infection that required readmission to the hospital in November. By January 2010, he announced that he was free from cancer, having opted for the complete removal of his prostate as a precautionary measure. Concerning his sexual orientation, he is straight.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Net Worth

Andrew Lloyd Webber's net worth stands at $1.3 billion as of 2023, and he earns an annual salary exceeding $100 million. In 2006, "The Sunday Times Rich List" ranked him as the 87th wealthiest individual in Britain, estimating his fortune at £700 million. By 2007, his wealth had increased to £750 million, although he dropped to the 101st position in the list in 2008. In the 2019 edition of The Sunday Times Rich List, he was recognized as the richest musician in the UK, surpassing Paul McCartney, with a fortune of £820 million. Lloyd Webber resides at Sydmonton Court in Hampshire and owns a significant portion of the nearby Watership Down area. Alongside his musical career, he is an avid art collector with a particular interest in Victorian painting. In 2003, an exhibition titled "Pre-Raphaelite and Other Masters The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection" showcased artworks from his collection at the Royal Academy. One notable sale from his collection was a painting that fetched £34.7 million at auction on 23 June 2010, sold to an anonymous telephone bidder. His primary source of income stems from his successful musical career.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Measurements

Andrew Lloyd Webber, who stands at a height of 5 feet and 9 inches and maintains a balanced body weight of 70 kg, possesses an unconventional yet captivating charm. With his blonde hair, light brown eyes, and average body build, he exudes a unique appeal. One possible explanation for his remarkable persona could lie in his roots. What makes him even more impressive is his ability to keep his body fit even at his age, which is truly remarkable.