Early Life and Background
Emeli Sandé was born Adele Emily Sandé on 10 March 1987 in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. Her father is Zambian and her mother is English. Though she was born in England, she grew up in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where she spent her childhood and formative years.
Her love for music emerged early. She wrote her first song at age 11 for a primary-school talent show. Even though music was always part of her life, she also prioritized education: she enrolled to study medicine at the University of Glasgow, specializing in neuroscience. She reportedly paused those studies in her fourth year to focus on a career in music.
Sandé has described herself as a shy and introverted child, but notes that feeling “different” shaped her early identity and fueled a desire to write music that resonated with others. That authenticity would later become a defining feature of her artistry.
Profile Data
- Full Name: Adele Emily Sandé
- Stage Name: Emeli Sandé
- Born: 10 March 1987
- Age: 38 (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
- Nationality: British / Scottish
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter
- Height: 5 ft 3 in (≈ 1.61 m)
- Parents: Joel Sandé (father), Diane Sandé (mother)
- Siblings: At least one sister named Lucy Sandé
- Spouse: Adam Gouraguine (m. 2012–2014 — divorced)
- Net Worth: ~ US$ 8 million (estimate from older public sources)
Entrance into Music: Songwriting & Early Collaborations
Before launching a solo career, Emeli Sandé first made her mark as a songwriter and featured artist. She worked with established pop and grime acts — contributing songs and vocals for artists such as Chipmunk, Wiley and others.
Her first taste of mainstream success came in 2009 when she was featured on Chipmunk’s single “Diamond Rings”, which reached the Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2010, she followed up with a feature on Wiley’s “Never Be Your Woman”, another track that broke into the UK’s top ten.
These early successes helped her build momentum and laid the foundation for what would become a breakout solo career.
Breakthrough & Debut Album Success
In August 2011, Emeli Sandé released her debut solo single “Heaven”, marking the official beginning of her solo journey.
But it was in 2012 that her career truly exploded. Her debut album Our Version of Events was released that year. The album spent ten non-consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone — making it the best-selling UK album of 2012.
The album and her rising fame earned her the prestigious Critics’ Choice Award at the Brit Awards in 2012.
In addition to chart success, 2012 was a milestone year for Sandé: she was invited to perform at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. That opportunity exposed her voice to a global audience and cemented her status as a rising star.
Artistic Style and Thematic Depth
Emeli Sandé’s music blends elements of R&B, soul, gospel, pop, and in some songs, orchestral and ambient influences — a reflection of her classical sensibilities and personal journey.
Her lyrics often explore identity, vulnerability, resilience, and self-acceptance. As she once summarized, her early introversion and sense of being “different” drove her to create music that spoke to others feeling out of place — music that comforts and connects.
That authenticity helped Sandé build a reputation not just for powerful vocals, but for honest, emotionally rich songwriting.
Subsequent Albums & Later Career
After her spectacular debut, Sandé continued to release music and evolve as an artist:
- Her second studio album, Long Live the Angels, was released in 2016. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.
- In 2019, she released Real Life, embracing themes of personal growth, self-empowerment and emotional honesty.
- Her fourth album, Let’s Say For Instance, came out in May 2022.
- Most recently, she released How Were We to Know in 2023.
Throughout these years, Sandé has remained deeply committed to honesty and authenticity in her art — sometimes at the expense of mainstream commercial expectations, but always true to her creative voice.
Personal Life & Identity
While maintaining a global music career, Emeli Sandé keeps aspects of her personal life relatively private. It is known that she was previously married to marine biologist Adam Gouraguine — they wed in September 2012 and divorced in 2014.
In recent years, Sandé has openly shared facets of her personal growth. She has discussed challenges including self-doubt and pressure, but also a renewed commitment to creating music that resonates — not just for popularity, but for truth and connection.
Her multicultural background (Zambian father, English mother, raised in Scotland) and early dedication to education also add depth to her identity as an artist who values roots, resilience, and authenticity.
FAQs about Emeli Sandé
Q: What is Emeli Sandé’s real name?
A: Her birth name is Adele Emily Sandé.
Q: When and where was she born?
A: She was born on 10 March 1987 in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England.
Q: Where did she grow up?
A: She grew up in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Q: What is her musical style?
A: Her music blends R&B, soul, gospel, pop and classical influences, often delivering emotionally rich lyrics and powerful vocals.
Q: What was her breakthrough moment?
A: Her breakthrough came with her features on hit tracks — “Diamond Rings” (2009) and “Never Be Your Woman” (2010), and later with her debut solo album Our Version of Events (2012).
Q: Has she won any major awards?
A: Yes — she received the Critics’ Choice Award at the Brit Awards in 2012, among other accolades.
Q: What are some of her notable albums?
A: Notable albums include Our Version of Events (2012), Long Live the Angels (2016), Real Life (2019), Let’s Say For Instance (2022), and How Were We to Know (2023).
Conclusion
Emeli Sandé’s journey from a shy, introspective schoolgirl writing songs in Scotland to one of the UK’s most respected soul and R&B artists is a story of passion, perseverance, and authenticity. Born Adele Emily Sandé, she navigated a multicultural upbringing, academic ambitions in neuroscience, and the pull of musical destiny — eventually choosing to follow her heart into music.
Her debut album’s meteoric success in 2012 was just the beginning. Over the years, through collaborations, albums, and personal growth, Sandé has reinvented herself while remaining true to her roots. She blends soulful vocals with heartfelt storytelling, offering a voice for those who feel different, vulnerable, or in search of hope.
Ultimately, Emeli Sandé is more than a singer-songwriter — she’s a testament to staying genuine, embracing complexity, and using music as a means of personal truth and connection.