Don McLean, also known as ‘The Don’, is best known for his mega hits ‘American Pie’ and ‘I Love You So.’ He is no longer active in this genre and has reportedly retired from it, despite reaching the pinnacle of success with his chart-topping and heart-warming songs. In 2004, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his hit song “American Pie” had more than five million listens.
Fast facts
| Famous name: | Don McLean |
| Real name/Full name: | Donald McLean III |
| Sex: | Male |
| Age: | 78 years old |
| Date of birth: | October 2, 1945 |
| Birth place: | New Rochelle, New York, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.78 m |
| Weight: | 72 kg |
| Sexual orientation: | Straight |
| Marriage status: | Divorced |
| Wife/spouse (name): | Carol Sauvion (m. 1969; div. 1972), Patrisha Shnier (m. 1987; div. 2016) |
| Children/children (son and daughter): | Yes (Jackie McLean, Wyatt McLean) |
| Date/Girlfriend (name): | ON |
| Is Don McLean Gay?: | Not |
| Profession: | Singer, songwriter |
| Salary: | $300,000 a year |
| Net worth in 2023: | 60 million dollars |
Biography of Don McLean
Don McLean was born into a middle-class family on October 2, 1986, in New Rochelle, New York. His family has Scottish ancestry, but his entire family lived in America before he was born. He had asthma in his childhood, which harmed his health and thus his studies. He was interested in music since childhood. His family also supported him in this venture.
Don’s father died when he was only 15 years old, which made him even more determined to fulfill his father’s dream of Dona becoming a musician. He graduated from Lona Preparatory School and was later accepted to Villanova University. Due to his busy schedule, he did not manage to finish college.
Don McLean Age, height, weight
Don McLean was born on October 2, 1945, and is 78 years old as of 2023. He is 1.78 m tall and weighs 72 kg.
Don McLean
Career
Don’s professional career began in 1969 when he released his first single, ‘tapestry’. The song was released during the student riots and quickly gained popularity. He was rejected by 72 labels in a row, but he never lost hope. He worked on it for another two years and improved the sound.
The album received favorable reviews from critics. His big break came when United Artists Records signed him to Mediarts while promoting his second album, ‘American Pie’. The album included the number one song of the year, ‘Vincent’, which broke all records.
‘American Pie’ was the peak of his career, it brought him enormous fame and popularity. This album even won several awards at various ceremonies. He also held numerous live performances around the world, increasing his popularity. He has released over 20 albums in his career.
Don McLean’s Achievements and Awards
Don McLean is one of the most prominent performers in the industry, who has achieved all levels of success. His album ‘American Pie’ was a significant success in the industry, with the title track ‘Vincent’ reaching number one that year. He was inducted into the ‘Grammy Hall of Fame’ in 2002, and two years later into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’. He received the George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award from the UCLA Alumni Association in 2019.
Don McLean Net Worth
Don McLean’s income primarily comes from his famous albums and singles throughout his career. He also received several awards, which adds to his tally. As of August 2023, his total net worth is estimated to be around $60 million. He has also done a number of live shows around the world, which adds to his net worth.
Don ‘The Don’ McLean is considered one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation. Throughout his career, he has achieved more and more success. When his father died when Don was only 16 years old, his father’s dream was for him to be a successful musician, and Don is proud to have fulfilled his father’s words. His album ‘The American Pie’ was a worldwide success. He has also worked with many successful singers including Drake, Madonna, Josh Groban and many others.
Wife of Don McLean, Marriage
Don’s love life was not without complications. His first marriage to Carol Sauvion ended in divorce after just seven years. He later married Patricia McLean in 1987. His second marriage was a complete disaster. He was arrested for domestic violence, and their marriage abruptly ended in December 2016. He was arrested for the crime and spent several years in prison. Jackie McLean and Wyatt McLean were their two children.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education