Pop icon George Michael passed away Dec. 25 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, England, according to his publicist.
Originally part of the duo Wham! with school friend Andrew Ridgeley, Michael later broke out as a solo artist with 1987’s Faith, which went on to sell over 25 million copies and earned a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1989. Songs like “Faith” and “Freedom! ’90” established him as one of the most stylish, soulful and best loved artists of the 1980s and 1990s.
TIME looks back at Michael’s life in photos.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! perform on Solid Gold during their first American television appearance, on Nov. 12, 1982.Ron Wolfson—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael performs with Wham!, on Oct. 1, 1983.Ian Dickson—Getty ImagesAndrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham! perform in London in 1984.Phil Dent—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 1985.Michael Putland—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! with two fans during their 1985 world tour in Japan.Michael Putland—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael attends the BRIT Awards in London, on Feb. 11, 1985. Georges De Keerle—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael performs with Bob Geldof and Bono as part of Live Aid in London, on July 13, 1985.Peter Still—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael at the American Music Awards, on Jan. 27, 1986.ABC Photo Archives/Getty ImagesGeorge Michael in London, 1987. Michael Putland—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael performs with Boy George and The Police's Andy Summers at an AIDS awareness concert in London, April 1987. Michael Putland—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael in 1988.Dave Hogan—Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesGeorge Michael at a press conference in Japan, March 1988. Michael Putland—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael during the Japanese/Australian leg of his Faith World Tour in 1988.Michael Putland—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael during the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, on Sept. 9, 1989.Jeff Kravitz—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael performs at Wembley Arena in London, on March 22, 1991.Peter Still—Getty ImagesPrincess Diana speaks with George Michael at The World Aids Day Annual "Concert of Hope" at Wembley Arena in London, on Dec. 1 1993.Tim Graham—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael and Stevie Wonder perform during the 1997 VH1 Honors in Los Angeles, on Sept. 6, 1997.Jeff Kravitz—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael and Geri Halliwell during the Equality Rocks Concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2000.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael and partner Kenny Goss at the Versace Couture launch party in Paris, on July 9, 2002.Dave Benett—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael in Berlin, on Feb. 16, 2005.Sean Gallup—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael and Paul McCartney perform at Live 8 in London, on July 2, 2005.Mick Hutson—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael and Elton John attend a charity performance benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation in London, on Nov. 6, 2011.Caroline True—Getty ImagesAdele accepts the Best Album award from George Michael during the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena in London, on Feb. 21, 2012.Dave M. Benett—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael performs during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London, on Aug. 12, 2012.Jamie Squire—Getty ImagesGeorge Michael performs at the Royal Albert Hall in London, on Sept. 29, 2012.Samir Hussein—Getty Images
