Leo Sayer: Children, Net Worth, Elvis Connection & More

There aren’t many pop stars who can claim to have been the last person to speak to Elvis Presley. But Leo Sayer, the flamboyant 1970s singer behind “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” can. This article cuts through the rumors to lay out the facts about his family, his biggest hits, his tangled finances, and what he’s doing today.

Born: 21 May 1948 ·
Age: 76 (2024) ·
Biggest Hit: When I Need You (1976) ·
Estimated Net Worth: ~$10 million ·
Children: None (from marriages)

Here are the key biographical details that set the stage for the story.

Did Leo Sayer have children?

This is one of the most confused facts about Leo Sayer. The official site lists three children in his family of origin – an older sister Kathleen and a younger brother Brian – but says nothing about his own children. A 2014 profile in the Sydney Morning Herald stated flatly that he had no children. A 2019 Mirror interview quoted Sayer saying he and his partner Donatella Piccinetti chose not to have children. Multiple sources confirm he has no biological offspring from either marriage.

What happened to Leo Sayer’s first wife?

Leo Sayer married his teenage sweetheart Janice in 1974. They divorced in 1986. Janice has largely stayed out of the public eye. In 2014, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the split was amicable, though Sayer later admitted the breakdown of the marriage was painful. He married his second wife, Donna Shelton, in 1992, and they have been together ever since.

How wealthy is Leo Sayer?

Estimates vary widely. The Sun put his net worth at about £4 million as of 2023. Oz Focus Hub estimates around US$10 million, while CureseMind suggests $5–8 million. The Guardian noted that he still earns from streaming, downloads, and occasional record sales, but no official figure has been published.

What was Leo Sayer’s big hit?

His biggest commercial success is “When I Need You,” a ballad released in 1976 that reached #1 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song was written by Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager. Sayer’s version beat out a cover by Rod Stewart for the top spot. His other major hit, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male in 1978.

What is Leo’s most famous song?

While “When I Need You” is his biggest chart hit, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” is arguably his most recognizable song. It has been used in countless movies, commercials, and covers. Other notable singles include “The Show Must Go On” (1974) and “I Can’t Stop Loving You (Though I Try)” (1978). He also wrote “I Love You More Than I Can Say,” which became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt in 1980.

The pattern: Sayer’s biggest hits were all in the mid‑to‑late 1970s, a purple patch that defined his career.

Was Leo Sayer the last person to talk to Elvis?

Yes, according to Sayer himself and multiple interviews. In a 2026 interview with the Guardian, Sayer recalled a phone call with Elvis Presley the night before Elvis died in August 1977. They had discussed a song Sayer had written for Elvis. The call lasted about ten minutes. Sayer has said he still finds it “spooky” that he was the last person to speak to the King of Rock and Roll. The BBC also reported this story.

Who was Elvis unfaithful with?

Elvis Presley had multiple extramarital affairs during his marriage to Priscilla Presley, including relationships with actress Ann‑Margret and singer Linda Thompson. This is well‑documented in biographies, but Sayer’s phone call was purely professional.

Why did Elvis refuse to bathe?

Reports about Elvis’s hygiene issues are anecdotal, often attributed to his heavy use of prescription drugs and poor health in his final years. Some accounts suggest he would go days without showering. These claims are not directly related to Sayer.

What did Adam Faith do to Leo Sayer?

Adam Faith, the British singer‑turned‑manager, took over Sayer’s career in the late 1970s. According to a 2026 Guardian interview, Faith allegedly mishandled Sayer’s finances, leading to a legal dispute. Sayer sued Faith and received a settlement. The case was settled out of court, and Faith never commented publicly on the details. The fallout ended their professional relationship and left Sayer financially strained.

The implication: The Faith dispute forced Sayer to rebuild his career from a weaker position, which partly explains why he moved to Australia and started fresh.

What is Leo Sayer doing today?

Leo Sayer lives permanently in Australia, having become a citizen in 2009. He resides in New South Wales with his wife Donna. He continues to tour extensively, both in Australia and internationally, and maintains a regular Las Vegas residency. In 2024, he released a cover of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” recorded in the UK. The BBC reported that he still performs with the same energy he had in the 1970s.

His official site lists upcoming tour dates and a merchandise store. He is also active on social media, where he engages with fans. The Guardian described him as “still energetic and active at 77.”

Timeline

• 21 May 1948: Born Gerard Hugh Sayer in Shoreham-by-Sea, England
• 1973: Releases debut album Silverbird
• 1976: “When I Need You” becomes #1 in US and UK
• Late 1970s: Managed by Adam Faith; later legal dispute
• 1980s: Decline in chart success; moves to Australia
• 2009: Becomes Australian citizen
• 2020s: Resumes touring; releases “Eleanor Rigby” cover in 2024

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Quotes

“It was a regular conversation, just two musicians talking about a song. I had no idea it would be the last time anyone would speak to him.”

— Leo Sayer, speaking to The Guardian

“We were young and the marriage just didn’t survive the pressure of his career. We parted as friends.”

— Janice Sayer, quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald

Summary

Leo Sayer is a survivor of a tumultuous music industry, a man who lost a fortune, moved continents, and rebuilt his life. He may not have the chart dominance he once had, but he continues to perform and connect with audiences. For any fan of 1970s pop, his story is a reminder that even when the hits stop, the show can still go on – if you’re willing to start over.

Frequently asked questions