Sting has declared that he will not be establishing trust funds for his six children, asserting that they ought to 'make their own way' in the world. The 74-year-old musician, known for hits like 'Every Breath You Take,' shared his views during an interview with Mark Phillips on CBS Sunday Morning.
'A Form of Abuse'
'I think the worst thing you can do to a kid is to say, “You don’t have to work,”' Sting responded when asked about his children inheriting his fortune. 'I think that’s a form of abuse that I hope I’m never guilty of.'
The singer, whose real name is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, elaborated on his parenting philosophy. 'All of my kids have been blessed with an extraordinary work ethic, whether it’s the DNA of it or whether I’ve said to them, “Guys, you got to work,”' he continued. 'I’m spending our money. I’m paying for your education. You’ve got shoes on your feet. Go to work.'
Not Cruel, But Kind
Sting defended his approach, insisting it was not 'cruel.' 'I think that there’s a kindness there and a trust in them that they will make their own way. They're tough, my kids,' he added.
When asked if his children become frustrated by his stance on money, the 17-time Grammy winner replied, 'No, not to my face, they don’t.'
Family Background
Sting and his wife of 33 years, Trudie Styler, share four adult children: Mickey, 42; Jake, 40; Eliot, 35; and Giacomo, 30. He also has two children from his previous marriage to Frances Tomelty: Joe, 49, and Fuschia, 44.
The singer has previously spoken about his determination to have his children earn their own living. 'I certainly don’t want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses round their necks,' he told the Mail on Sunday in 2014. 'They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate. Obviously, if they were in trouble, I would help them, but I’ve never really had to do that. They have the work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit.'
In a 2020 interview with People, Sting described his children as 'fiercely independent.' 'They’re not sitting there waiting for a handout at all, and I wouldn't want to rob them of that adventure in life: to make your own living. It's a wonderful and difficult thing to do. So I haven't promised them anything,' he explained.
Musical Legacy
Sting rose to fame as the frontman, bassist, and songwriter for The Police, one of the most popular bands of the 1970s and 1980s. The group released five studio albums and won five Grammys before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Since embarking on a solo career in 1985, Sting has released 15 albums and won 11 Grammys. His music career remains active, with his worldwide STING 3.0 tour running until November, featuring shows across North America and Europe. In June, he is set to release the album and concert film The Night Watch: Live at the Rijksmuseum.
