One of music's most enigmatic voices, Sade Adu, has traded the relentless glare of global fame for the serene pastures of the West Country, crafting a life far removed from her 'Smooth Operator' heyday.
From Nigerian Birth to British Stardom
Born Helen Folasade Adu in Nigeria, the future icon moved to Colchester, Essex, at just four years old to live with her grandparents. Her path to superstardom began in earnest with her band's debut single, 'Your Love is King,' which hit number six in the UK charts in 1984.
The subsequent album, 'Diamond Life,' was a phenomenal success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and cementing its status as a timeless classic. This early triumph was followed by critical acclaim, with Sade securing four Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Best New Artist award in 1986.
During this peak, she also explored acting, making her screen debut in the film Absolute Beginners.
A Deliberate Retreat from the Spotlight
Despite producing era-defining hits like 'Smooth Operator,' 'The Sweetest Taboo,' and 'No Ordinary Love'—tracks that still amass billions of streams on platforms like Spotify—Sade became known for her long absences from public life.
Her sporadic album releases only added to her mystique. This deliberate withdrawal culminated in a move to a farm in Somerset, where she embraced a profoundly private existence.
She spent much of the pandemic there with her partner, Ian Watts, and her mother, 'Granny Annie', finding solace in rural routines. In a rare 2020 interview with British Vogue, she reflected philosophically, "Like everyone, we're on a ship of unknown destination but that's life ... no mutiny yet."
Quiet Life, Lasting Legacy
While she has retreated, Sade has not retired. She continues to write and record music, with her most recent single, 'Young Lion,' released in 2024. This followed 'Flower of the Universe,' which featured on the soundtrack for Disney's A Wrinkle in Time.
Her extraordinary contribution to music has been formally recognised by the British state. She was awarded an OBE in 2002 and later elevated to a CBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for her services to music.
Today, Sade's story is one of intentional reinvention: a global superstar who found her ultimate peace not on stage, but on a Somerset farm, proving that for some, the sweetest taboo is leaving fame behind.
