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Imelda May: Relationship, Net Worth, and Hits 2025

Freddie James Morgan • 2026-07-10 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

There’s a certain magic when an Irish singer blends rockabilly, blues, and jazz into something unmistakably her own. Imelda May has been doing that for nearly two decades, but her life after a very public divorce has drawn as much curiosity as her music.

Born: 10 July 1974 (age 50) ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, TV presenter ·
Biggest hit: Johnny Got a Boom Boom ·
Studio albums: 6 ·
Marital status: Divorced (Darrel Higham, 2002–2017) ·
Children: 1 daughter

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
Imelda May’s daughter’s name remains private, reflecting her commitment to keeping family life out of the spotlight.

Ten key facts, one pattern: Imelda May’s biography is a mix of well-documented milestones and deliberate privacy.

Label Value
Full Name Imelda Mary Higham (née Clabby)
Born 10 July 1974, Dublin, Ireland
Age 50 (as of 2025)
Occupation Singer, songwriter, TV presenter
Genres Rockabilly, blues, jazz, pop
Years Active 2005–present
Spouse Darrel Higham (m. 2002; div. 2017)
Children 1 daughter
Biggest Hit Johnny Got a Boom Boom
Net Worth Estimated $5 million
Bottom line: The implication: the public record is solid on dates and career, but the personal side remains guarded.

Who is Imelda May’s partner now?

Imelda May was married to guitarist Darrel Higham from 2002 until their divorce in 2017 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). Shortly after the split, she began a relationship with Irish musician Niall McNamee, which lasted until 2020 (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid)). As of 2025, she is reportedly in a new relationship but keeps the details entirely private.

Is Imelda May still with Niall McNamee?

  • No, they split in 2020 after three years together (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid)).
  • McNamee later spoke about the break in an interview with the Irish Independent.

Is Imelda May still married?

  • No. Her divorce from Darrel Higham was finalized in 2017 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
  • She has not remarried.

The pattern: May has chosen to shield her romantic life from the spotlight after two high-profile relationships ended.

How rich is Imelda May?

Imelda May’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth (celebrity finance site). Her primary income streams include album sales, touring, and television appearances.

What is Imelda May’s net worth?

  • Estimates vary, but the most commonly cited figure is $5 million (TheRichest (celebrity wealth site)).
  • No official financial disclosure exists, so the number is speculative.

How does Imelda May earn her money?

  • Album sales and streaming royalties, especially from hits like “Johnny Got a Boom Boom” and album Mayhem (Cadogan Hall (venue biography)).
  • Live touring and festival appearances.
  • TV presenting roles, including work on Irish television.
  • Endorsements and brand partnerships.

The catch: without verified income statements, net worth remains an educated guess.

The estimated net worth of $5 million is not officially confirmed; treat as speculative.

What is Imelda May’s biggest hit?

Her biggest single is “Johnny Got a Boom Boom”, released in 2008. It reached No. 1 in Ireland and No. 2 in the UK (Cadogan Hall (venue biography)). Similar to how Emmylou Harris defined her sound with a mix of genres, May’s signature track remains a defining moment.

What are Imelda May’s most popular songs?

  • “Johnny Got a Boom Boom” (2008) – her signature track.
  • “Mayhem” (2010) – title track of her breakthrough album.
  • “It’s Good to Be Alive” (2017) – from Life Love Flesh Blood.
  • “Should’ve Been You” (2021) – from 11 Past the Hour.

Which Imelda May song charted highest?

  • “Johnny Got a Boom Boom” charted in Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, peaking at No. 2 in the UK (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
  • Album 11 Past the Hour reached No. 1 in Ireland and the UK Top 10 (The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (venue biography)).

What this means: her mainstream peak remains the post-punk-infused rockabilly single that defined her early sound.

Does Imelda May have a child?

Yes, she has one daughter, born in 2005. The child’s name is not publicly disclosed (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Has Imelda May got any children?

  • One daughter, born in 2005.
  • May has spoken about motherhood in interviews but keeps her daughter out of the media.

What is the name of Imelda May’s daughter?

  • Not publicly known. The singer has consistently protected her daughter’s privacy.

The trade-off: fans get the music, but family life stays off the record.

Where is Imelda May living now?

Imelda May resides in Dublin, Ireland. She moved back to Ireland after her divorce, following years in London (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid)).

Does Imelda May live in Dublin?

  • Yes, she currently lives in Dublin, though the exact address is private.

Has Imelda May moved to the UK?

  • She lived in the UK from 1998 until around 2017, when she returned to Ireland.
  • She has not permanently moved back to the UK.

Why this matters: the return to Dublin marked a personal and creative reset after the divorce.

Timeline

  • – Born in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • – Daughter born (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • – Married Darrel Higham (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • – Debut album Love Tattoo released (Cadogan Hall (venue biography))
  • – Album Mayhem released, critical success (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • – Divorced Darrel Higham (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • – Began relationship with Niall McNamee (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid))
  • – Split from Niall McNamee (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid))
  • – Album 11 Past the Hour released (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • – Reportedly in a new relationship (details private) (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid))
  • – Touring and starring in Mother of All the Behans (The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (venue biography))

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date, place, and real name: Imelda Mary Clabby, 10 July 1974, Dublin (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • Marriage and divorce from Darrel Higham (2002–2017) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • One daughter born 2005 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • Biggest hit “Johnny Got a Boom Boom” (Cadogan Hall (venue biography))
  • Six studio albums released (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

  • Current relationship status (partner identity not confirmed) (The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid))
  • Exact net worth (estimates vary from $3 million to $5 million)
  • Current residence details (Dublin, but exact location private)

Quotes

“I’m lucky to be surrounded by laughter”

Imelda May, speaking to The Irish Sun (Irish tabloid) about her home life with her daughter and boyfriend

“Imelda May is a singer, songwriter, actor, producer, poet, illustrator, and storyteller.”

Cadogan Hall (venue biography)

Imelda May has built a career on her own terms, blending genres and reinventing herself after personal upheaval. For fans and curious readers, the key takeaway is that her public persona is well-documented, but her private life remains intentionally off-limits. For journalists covering her, the challenge is respecting that boundary while providing accurate, sourced information. The evolution of her genre-blending style echoes the journey of many rock stars who reinvented themselves over time.

For a deeper look into her career and finances, check out Imelda Mays biography and net worth for a comprehensive overview.

Frequently asked questions

What is Imelda May’s real name?

Her birth name is Imelda Mary Clabby. She performs under the stage name Imelda May (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

When did Imelda May start her music career?

She formed her own band in 2002 and released her debut album No Turning Back shortly after (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

How many albums has Imelda May released?

She has released six studio albums, including Love Tattoo (2008), Mayhem (2010), Tribal (2014), Life Love Flesh Blood (2017), 11 Past the Hour (2021), and others.

Is Imelda May on tour in 2025?

Yes, she is touring and also starring in the stage production Mother of All the Behans in Dublin and Cork (The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (venue biography)).

What is Imelda May’s most recent album?

Her most recent album is 11 Past the Hour, released on 16 April 2021 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Has Imelda May won any awards?

She won Best Female Artist of the Year at the 2009 Meteor Awards (Tanglewood Guitars (guitar manufacturer biography)).

What genre is Imelda May’s music?

Her music is primarily rockabilly revival, often blending blues, jazz, and pop elements (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).



Freddie James Morgan

About the author

Freddie James Morgan

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.