Sting isn’t letting his children live off his money: “Go to work”
Sting might just have sold over 100 million records worldwide, but he’s not sharing any of the benefits with his six children any time soon.
The English singer-songwriter recently shared with CBS Sunday Morning that he wants his children to make their own way and not rely on his career for their livelihoods.
His children, including musician Eliot Sumner and actor Mickey Sumner, were given a stern message from their workaholic father.
Sting began, “Or whether I’ve said to them, ‘Guys, you got to work. I’m spending our money. I’m paying for your education. You’ve got shoes on your feet. Go to work’.”
Defending the position, he continued, “That’s not cruel. I think there’s a kindness there and a trust that they will make their own way. They’re tough, my kids.”
He continued praising his children, all of whom have an “extraordinary work ethic”. None of them has opted for the “you don’t have to work” route, which Sting deemed “a form of abuse that I hope I’m never guilty of”.
He added, “The working class works and wants to work. I’m one of those people, I love to work.”
Before his illustrious music career, which has landed him an eye-watering 17 Grammy Awards, the musician reminisced that he “worked in an office for a while. I worked on building sites. I went to sea as a musician on a cruise ship, or I taught in a mining village all the time while I was playing in bands.”
Therefore, the 74-year-old explained that he never set out to become a full-time rockstar: “I wanted to make a living as a musician. And that still is my how I define myself. I’m not a rock star.”
Recently, Sting adapted his musical, The Last Ship, at the Metropolitan Opera House. The play shares the story of a shipbuilding community in Wallsend, Northeast England, facing the imminent closure of the shipyard.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.