Leo Sayer 2025: Illness, Tour, Net Worth & Family Facts

You remember the clown suit, the high-pitched voice, and the string of 1970s hits that made Leo Sayer a household name, but what has the singer been up to lately? Between a serious health scare in 2025, an ongoing tour schedule, and a new memoir in the works, Sayer is proving that the show must go on — even at 77.

Birth date: 21 May 1948 ·
Stage name: Leo Sayer ·
Nationality: English ·
Active years: 1970s–present ·
Notable hits: When I Need You, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing ·
Current residence: Australia

Nine key facts at a glance, from birth name to current tour plans:

The pattern: a career spanning five decades, a move down under, and a recent health scare that hasn’t slowed him down.

Is Leo Sayer ill?

Yes — in 2023, Leo Sayer was hospitalised in Australia after becoming seriously ill. He later told the Mirror (UK tabloid) that he spent three weeks in hospital with kidney, bladder, and prostate complications. The illness forced him to cancel several UK shows and delay his return to the stage until the following year.

What illness did Leo Sayer have?

Sayer did not disclose the exact diagnosis, but described the complications as affecting his kidneys, bladder, and prostate. He said he was “on the mend” after the hospital stay.

Did Leo Sayer have surgery?

Yes. According to the Mirror, Sayer underwent surgery during his three-week hospitalisation. He did not specify the type of procedure.

How is Leo Sayer recovering?

By 2025, Sayer was back on the road. He announced his first Australian tour in six years, with Australian Musician (music industry outlet) reporting eight added shows across Geelong, Melbourne, Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Wollongong, and Penrith. The Guardian’s March 2026 profile described him as “still energetic” at 77, living comfortably with his wife Donna.

The implication: Sayer’s health setback was serious but temporary, and he has returned to performing with the same stamina that defined his early career.

Where is Leo Sayer today?

Leo Sayer lives in Australia with his wife Donna (referred to as Donatella Piccinetti in some reports). The couple have been together for about 40 years, according to The Guardian.

Does Leo Sayer live in Australia?

Yes. He moved to Australia in the 2000s and has resided there ever since. The Guardian’s 2026 interview was conducted at his Australian home.

What is Leo Sayer doing now?

Sayer is actively touring. His Still Feel Like Dancing! tour wrapped the Australian leg in late 2025, with encore shows added for early 2026 in Melbourne and Sydney (Noise11 (Australian music news)). He also announced a final full UK tour opening 9 October 2026 in Bexhill-on-Sea and closing 15 November 2026 in Edinburgh (Hot Press (Irish music magazine)). A memoir and new album are reportedly in development (The Guardian).

The pattern: Sayer has built a second life in Australia, far from the 1970s pop machine, and is now using his touring to close the chapter on his own terms.

How rich is Leo Sayer?

Leo Sayer’s net worth is estimated at around $10 million, according to The Sun Ireland (entertainment news). This wealth comes from decades of music sales, touring, and songwriting royalties — including his Grammy-winning co-write of “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.”

What is Leo Sayer’s net worth in 2024?

Multiple sources peg the figure at $10 million. However, exact net worth is difficult to verify because Sayer’s income streams are private. The Guardian’s 2026 profile noted he enjoys a “comfortable life” in Australia.

How did Leo Sayer make his money?

His primary income sources are: record sales (1970s hits like “When I Need You” and “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”), touring (including recent Australian and UK tours), and songwriting royalties. He also released a new EP, Northern Songs, in 2024.

The trade-off: Sayer’s wealth is modest compared to some 1970s peers, but his sustained touring activity shows he doesn’t need to rely on nostalgia alone.

Did Leo Sayer have children?

No. Leo Sayer does not have biological children. He has a stepdaughter from his wife Donna’s previous marriage, according to The Sun Ireland.

How many children does Leo Sayer have?

Zero biological children. One stepdaughter.

What are Leo Sayer’s children’s names?

The stepdaughter’s name has not been publicly disclosed. Sayer has generally kept his family life private.

The implication: Sayer’s family circle is small — his wife Donna and her daughter — a contrast to the large entourages often associated with 1970s rock stars.

What happened to Leo Sayer’s first wife?

Leo Sayer was first married to a woman named Jan (sometimes referred to as Janice Lisseter). They divorced in the 1980s. She later remarried and died in 2019, according to The Sun Ireland.

Who was Leo Sayer’s first wife?

Her name was Jan. She was Sayer’s first wife and they were married during the height of his 1970s fame.

Why did Leo Sayer divorce his first wife?

The exact reasons for the divorce have not been publicly detailed. The split occurred in the 1980s, a period when Sayer’s career was transitioning and his personal life was under strain.

The pattern: Sayer’s first marriage ended in the 1980s, but he found lasting partnership with his second wife Donna, whom he married in 1990 and has been with for over 35 years.

Timeline of Leo Sayer’s life and career

• 1948 – Born in Shoreham-by-Sea, England
• 1970s – Rise to fame with hits “When I Need You” and “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”
• 1980s – Divorce from first wife Jan
• 1990 – Marries second wife Jan (Donatella Piccinetti)
• 2000s – Moves to Australia
• 2023 – Hospitalised with kidney, bladder, and prostate complications; cancels UK shows (Mirror)
• 2024 – Releases EP Northern Songs
• 2025 – First Australian tour in six years; adds 8 shows (Australian Musician)
• 2026 – Announces final UK tour for autumn; memoir and new album in development (Hot Press, The Guardian)

The arc: from a 1970s pop sensation to a serious health scare and a determined comeback — Sayer’s timeline shows a career that refuses to fade quietly.

Clarity check: Confirmed vs. Unclear

The dichotomy: confirmed facts are solid, but key details remain unknown.

Quotes from Leo Sayer and press

I was in hospital for three weeks. It was kidney, bladder, and prostate complications. I’m on the mend now.

— Leo Sayer, quoted in the Mirror (2023)

He’s still energetic, still performing, and still living a comfortable life with his wife Donna in Australia.

— The Guardian (2026 profile)

Leo Sayer announces final full UK tour for autumn 2026.

— Hot Press (June 2026)

I’m still feel like dancing! The tour has been incredible.

— Leo Sayer, via Facebook (as reported by Noise11, 2025)

These voices confirm Sayer’s resilience and ongoing relevance.

What it all means

Leo Sayer’s story is one of resilience: a 1970s hitmaker who faced a serious health scare in his 70s, recovered, and returned to the road with a final tour that closes a chapter. For fans in the UK and Australia, the choice is clear: see him in 2026, or miss the chance to hear “When I Need You” live one last time.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common questions about Leo Sayer’s life and career.

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