Rolf Harris Biography: Wife, Children, Age, Songs, Net Worth, Cause of Death, Artwork

Biography

Rolf Victor Harris, who passed away on May 10, 2023, at the age of 93, was an Australian entertainer renowned for his diverse career as a musician, painter, television personality, and actor. Born on March 30, 1930, in Perth, Australia, he rose to fame in the UK, becoming a household name through his appearances on both the BBC and ITV. He was notably the only artist to work for both networks when commercial television launched in Britain in 1955.

Harris was celebrated for his distinctive musical style, often incorporating unconventional instruments like the didgeridoo and the stylophone. He also invented the wobble board, which contributed to his unique sound. Some of his most recognizable works include the song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport” and his cover of Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven.” Beyond music and television, Harris was an accomplished painter, famously replicating John Constable‘s “The Hay Wain” with 150 painters live on the BBC.

However, Harris’ legacy became tarnished after his 2014 conviction for indecent assault on four underage girls, crimes committed between the 1960s and 1980s. He was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, a conviction that effectively ended his career and public life.

After his release, Harris lived in seclusion until his death, his fall from grace marked by the revocation of several honours, including his titles from the Order of the British Empire and the Officer of the Order of Australia, starkly contrasting with the public admiration he once enjoyed.

Australian musician and television personality

Rolf Harris
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Rolf Victor Harris
Stage Name:	Rolf Harris
Born:	30 March 1930 (age 93 years old)
Place of Birth:	Bassendean, Australia
Died:	10 May 2023 (age 93 years), Bray, United Kingdom
Nationality:	Australian
Education:	Bassendean State School, Northam High School,
Height:	1.83 m
Parents:	Cromwell Harris, Agnes Harris
Siblings:	Catherine Harris
Spouse:	Alwen Hughes (m. 1958–2023)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Bindi Harris
Occupation:	Musician • TV Personality
Net Worth:	$19 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Rolf Harris was born on March 30, 1930, in Bassendean, a Perth, Western Australia suburb. His parents fostered a nurturing and creative environment. Harris’ family lineage of Australian descent traces back to Cornish and English roots. While details about his religious beliefs are scarce, he was raised in a predominantly Christian Australia, although his personal engagement with organized religion was not a focal point of his public life.

His father, Cromwell Harris, was a piano tuner and amateur musician who played the organ at a local church, while his mother, Agnes Harris (née Robbins), worked as a dressmaker. Both parents encouraged Rolf’s artistic talents, and he had one younger sister, Catherine Harris.

Harris attended Bassendean State School for his primary education and Northam High School for secondary education, where he excelled in drawing and demonstrated notable artistic abilities. His education was somewhat disrupted by World War II, as he was evacuated to the countryside—a common practice in Australia to protect children from potential Japanese air raids.

From a young age, Harris displayed a strong interest in art and music. He taught himself to play the piano at five and later learned the clarinet, violin, and oboe. His talent for painting was evident early on, and he received encouragement from teachers and family to pursue his artistic inclinations.

At 20, Harris moved to the United Kingdom to further his artistic career at the Clare Hollander Academy of Art in London. However, his musical talents soon took precedence, leading him into the entertainment industry, where he would become a prominent figure.

Career

Rolf Harris had a remarkably diverse career that spanned over six decades in the entertainment industry. After relocating to the UK in 1952, he initially aimed to pursue an art career, but his musical talents quickly garnered attention. He began performing on the radio, and by the mid-1950s, he achieved his first hit with the song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport,” which became an international success, marking his transition from an aspiring artist to a well-known musician.

Harris became a fixture on British television, appearing in a variety of shows. He was among the first artists to work on commercial television when ITV launched in 1955. His charm and versatility allowed him to host popular programs such as “Rolf’s Cartoon Club,” “Rolf Harris: Animal Hospital,” and “Rolf on Art,” where he explored various aspects of art and culture.

In addition to “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport,” Harris enjoyed a prolific music career. He showcased his skills on several instruments, including the didgeridoo, which he introduced to many Western audiences, and the stylophone, a small electronic instrument. His stylophone rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” in 1973 became iconic, and he also topped the UK charts with hits like “Two Little Boys” in 1969.

Despite his success in music and television, Harris remained dedicated to his artistic pursuits. He was a respected painter known for replicating famous works in live settings. One of his most notable public performances occurred in 1985 when he recreated John Constable‘s “The Hay Wain” with 150 amateur painters on the BBC for the “Record Breakers” show.

Harris also explored acting, appearing in films such as “The Fast Lady” (1962) alongside James Robertson Justice and performing on stage in productions like “The Sound of Music.” His voice work included narrating children’s stories and providing voices for animated series.

Over the years, Harris received numerous awards and honors, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988, becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1968, and later being elevated to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2006. He also received a Gold Badge from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Harris remained active, seamlessly blending his art, music, and television skills. His solo exhibitions, music tours, and TV specials kept him in the public eye. However, his career came to a dramatic halt in 2014 when he was convicted of indecent assault, leading to his imprisonment and the revocation of his honours. This conviction effectively ended his public career, overshadowing his earlier contributions to the entertainment world.

Personal Life

Rolf Harris was married to Alwen Hughes for over six decades, reflecting a long-lasting relationship that endured both public acclaim and personal scandal. The couple married on March 1, 1958, and remained together until Harris died in 2023.

This was Harris‘ only known marriage, marking a lifelong commitment. Alwen Hughes, born on December 26, 1931, was his devoted partner, jeweller, and sculptor. The two met at art school in the early 1950s, and Alwen stood by Harris throughout his career, including the difficult period following his 2014 conviction for indecent assault. She passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 93, following a stroke, just 15 months after her husband’s death.

The couple had one daughter, Bindi Harris, born on March 10, 1964. Bindi has largely led a private life, though she was notably present during her father’s trials and showed family support.

Cause of Death

Rolf Harris passed away on May 10, 2023, at the age of 93. The cause of his death was reported to be neck cancer and “frailty of old age,” according to his death certificate. This information was revealed after his death was registered in the UK, indicating that he died at his home in Bray, Berkshire.

His demise came after a life marred in later years by his 2014 conviction for indecent assaults on girls, leading to a significant fall from public grace following a long entertainment career.

Net Worth

At the height of his career, Rolf Harris had accumulated a substantial net worth, estimated to be around $19 million, before his legal troubles. This wealth came from his varied career as a musician, television personality, and painter.

His artworks alone were once valued at approximately $22 million prior to his convictions. Harris‘ income included royalties from his music, television appearances, and art sales, though the value of his paintings declined sharply after his 2014 conviction for indecent assault.

Despite the financial and reputational impact of his conviction, Harris‘ estate was still valued at approximately $30.8 million (£16 million) at the time of his death in 2023. This included assets such as a $7 million riverside mansion in Berkshire. However, the public’s shift in perception toward Harris significantly affected the market value of his art and his overall financial standing in his later years.

Body of Work

Rolf Harris’s body of work spans various media, including music, television, film, and art. Here is a list highlighting some of his most notable contributions:

Music

• “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport” (1960)
• “Sun Arise” (1962)
• “Two Little Boys” (1969)
• “Jake the Peg” (1965)
• “Stairway to Heaven” (stylophone version, 1973)
• “Streuth I’m a Kangaroo” (1987)
• “Astro Mouse” (1962)

TV Shows

• “The Rolf Harris Show” (1967-1973)
• “Rolf’s Cartoon Club” (1982-1983)
• “Rolf on Art” (1985-1986)
• “Rolf’s Walkabout” (1993)
• “Rolf Harris: Animal Hospital” (1994-2000)
• “Rolf’s Amazing World of Animals” (2001)
• “Rolf’s Greatest Paintings” (2007)

Movies

• “The Fast Lady” (1962)
• “The Ghost of Greville Lodge” (1963)
• “Will Any Gentleman…?” (1957) – Bit part in his early career

Books

• “The Best of Rolf Harris” (music book)
• “Rolf’s Australia” (1986)
• Various children’s books like “Rolf Harris’s King of the Bonkingo” and “Rolf Harris’s Noah’s Ark”

Art

• Numerous solo exhibitions showcasing his paintings and works.
• Public art pieces, including murals and commissions.
• Live painting events, including his famous recreation of John Constable’s “The Hay Wain” on “Record Breakers” in 1985.

Stage

• Roles in musicals like “The Sound of Music” (1971, UK tour)
• Appearances in theater productions, often involving his music and art skills.

Voice Acting

• Narrated children’s stories and provided voices for animated series, although specific titles are less frequently highlighted compared to his other works.

Commercials and Appearances

• Frequently appeared in TV advertisements, utilizing his likability and fame for product endorsements.