Westlife is one of the most popular and successful bands to come out of Ireland. Since its formation in 1998, the pop vocal group has put out more than 10 studio albums and toured around the world. Along with the band itself, the members have also found immense fame throughout the years, and one of them is Markus Feehily.
Markus is known for his amazing vocal skills and has earned success both through Westlife and as a solo artist. But Feehily’s career is not the only thing in which fans are interested. So, here is everything one needs to know about the vocalist.
Where Is Markus Feehily From?
The Westlife vocalist was born in Sligo, Ireland, on May 28, 1980, as Markus Michael Patrick Feehily. He is the eldest of the three Feehily siblings, and the trio grew up in the picturesque and artistic environment of Sligo. Markus Feehily’s parents, Marie Verdon and Oliver Feehily raised him and his younger brothers in a loving household.
As a child growing up in Ireland, singing and playing the tin whistle were important parts of Markus’ life. It is evident that he was inclined toward music, and he might have had dreams of pursuing a career in it. However, as a teenager, Feehily also showed interest in sports and played soccer and tennis.
Markus might have completed his schooling in Ireland before changing his focus to music. And since he has not found fame as a vocalist, it is evident that his choice was the right one.
When Was Westlife Formed?
Westlife is how people around the world recognize Markus Feehily, and many are interested in knowing how the group came to be. Well, a few of the members of the group, including Markus aka Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Shane Filan, had previously performed with the Sligo-based IOYOU aka Six As One. Shane’s mother then contacted the manager, Louis Walsh, which changed the guys’ lives forever.
After coming under Louis’ radar, Byran McFadden and Nicky Byrne joined Kian, Markus, and Shane. The group then became Westlife and has since enjoyed immense success. They released their self-titled debut album, Westlife, in 1999 and followed it with Coast to Coast in 2000 and World of Our Own in 2001.
Following this, the group put out seven other studio albums and toured around the world to support their music. They were supporting acts during the concerts of other boy bands like Backstreet Boys, and Boyzone before they headlined their own shows. After over a decade of success, Westlife temporarily disbanded in 2012.
Did Markus Feehily Pursue A Solo Career?
After finding immense success for around 14 years since its formation, the Irish group Westlife disbanded. And after this, Markus chose to put out music as a solo artist and chose the stage name Markus Feehily. His debut single was “Love Is a Drug,” which premiered on the Irish radio station RTE 2FM in 2015. He then put out several other singles before finally releasing his debut studio album, Fire, in October 2015.
Markus Feehily’s second studio album, “Christmas,” was released in December 2017. He also performed as a supporting act for his idol, Mariah Carey, at her concert.
The Irish group Westlife announced their reunion in late 2018 and has continued to perform as a four-piece band. Markus and his band members have since put out two more albums and been on tour. Well, Westlife is one of the most successful boy bands in the UK and worldwide and Markus has benefitted from the success immensely.
How Much Is Markus Feehily’s Net Fortune?
Seeing as he is the founding member of one of the most successful music groups around the world, it is no surprise that Markus Feehily’s net worth is estimated to be around $16 million. Also, in addition to his earnings from the group, the Irish star has also made a considerable sum from his solo career.
Well, with the reunion of Westlife in 2018, it is evident that Markus and the boys are still keen on making music. And with the group’s continued success, it won’t be a surprise if Feehily’s net worth continues to grow in the coming days.
Who Is Markus Feehily Married To?
Throughout his earlier years as a vocalist for Westlife, Markus Feehily did not discuss his private life in interviews, unlike his bandmates. He preferred to stay quiet regarding his love life and rarely talked about his romantic endeavors.
Then in 2005, while talking to the tabloid, The Sun, Markus revealed that he was gay. He also revealed that he was dating Kevin McDaid, a fashion photographer. The pair had been together since January 2005 and even lived together. The couple got engaged in February 2010 after Feehily stated that he did not intend on tying the knot. Sadly, in 2011, the duo split.
Markus might have come out publicly in 2005, but his family, friends, and bandmates already knew about his sexual orientation. Feehily also stated that while he recognized his sexual orientation when he was 14 or 15, he did date women before coming out.
Currently, the Westlife member is in a relationship with Cailean O’Neill. The couple is engaged, and Markus shared the happy news in February 2019. Moreover, Markus and Cailean welcomed their daughter, Layla, in October 2019.
Markus Feehily’s fiance and daughter are constant faces on his Instagram and other social media pages. Looking at the pictures, it is evident that the family is enjoying their lives together. We wish Markus and his family a lovely time ahead.