Abu Bakr Salem Biography: Age, Parents, Net Worth, Height, Children, Spouse, Awards

Abu Bakr Salem was a legendary Yemeni-Saudi singer, poet, and composer whose golden voice made him a beloved figure across the Arab world.

His songs, such as “24 Saa’ah” and “Mata Ana Ashoufak,” became timeless classics, touching millions with their emotional impact.

A proud Hadhrami, he carried his Yemeni heritage to Saudi Arabia, where he settled in the 1970s, becoming a cultural icon.

Profile

• Full Name: Abu Bakr Salem Bilfaqih
• Stage Name: Abu Bakr Salem, Abu Aseel
• Born: March 17, 1939
• Died: December 10, 2017 (Age: 78 years old)
• Birthplace: Tarim, Wadi Hadhramaut, Yemen
• Nationality: Yemeni, Saudi
• Occupation: Singer, Poet, Composer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 m)
• Religion: Islam
• Parents: Abdel Rahman Bilfaqih
• Siblings: Single
• Spouse: Two
• Children: Aseel Abu Bakr Salem
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life & Education

Abu Bakr Salem Bilfaqih was born on March 17, 1939, in Tarim. He came from the Ba’Alawi sada, a respected Hadhrami family known for its cultural contributions.

After his father passed away when he was young, Abu Bakr was raised by his mother, grandfather Abdel Rahman Bilfaqih, a local poet, and his uncles.

Showing his strong voice even then. Of Arab-Yemeni ethnicity, he took pride in his Hadhrami roots, which later inspired his patriotic songs about Yemen.

Abu Bakr’s formal education details are limited, as he grew up in a time when schooling in Tarim was basic.

He studied Islamic studies and poetry locally, learning from his grandfather and community scholars. His training in singing began with performing at local events and mosques, where he developed his distinctive voice.

Career

Abu Bakr started his career as a teacher for three years before diving into music. In 1956, he performed his first hit, Ya Ward Mahla Jamalak, on Aden TV, using his own poem, which made him a local star.

Inspired, he spent two years releasing songs like Lima Alqee Al Habib and Ya Habib.

In 1958, he moved to Beirut, a music hub, to chase bigger dreams. His 1960s single 24 Saa’ah sold over a million copies, becoming a classic in the Arabic Tarab genre.

He fled Beirut during the 1975 Lebanese Civil War and settled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he worked with poet Hussein Al-Mehdhar to create some of his greatest hits.

Abu Bakr’s patriotic songs celebrated Yemen’s history, including the 1962 abolition of the monarchy and the 1990 unification, and honored his roots in Hadhramaut.

He performed across the Gulf, drawing huge crowds, and worked with Khaliji music pioneers like Talal Maddah.

His son, Aseel, joined him in the hit duet A Sun Between You and Me, topping charts. Abu Bakr’s voice and poetry made him a legend in Khaliji music.

Social Media

Abu Bakr was not active on social media, as his career peaked before platforms like Instagram became popular.

Personal Life

Abu Bakr Salem, standing at an estimated 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 m), lived a private life focused on family and music.

He was married to two women of Yemeni origin, though their names aren’t public. His son, Aseel Abu Bakr Salem, followed in his footsteps as a Khaliji singer.

Abu Bakr faced health challenges in his final decade, including open-heart surgery and kidney failure, treated in Munich, Germany, and at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh.

His last public appearance was at the Saudi National Day in Jeddah in September 2017, but he couldn’t sing due to his illness.

He passed away on December 10, 2017, in Riyadh, leaving a legacy of music and Yemeni pride. Abu Bakr’s love for his homeland and faith shaped his life, and he remained a humble, devoted artist until the end.

Net Worth

Abu Bakr Salem’s net worth was estimated at around $5 million at the time of his death in 2017.

His wealth came from his long career as a singer, composer, and poet, with hits like 24 Saa’ah selling over a million copies. Concerts across the Gulf, album sales, and royalties added to his income.

His modest lifestyle in Riyadh reflected his focus on art over luxury, leaving a lasting cultural wealth for Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Discography

• Ya Ward Mahla Jamalak (1956)
• Lima Alqee Al Habib (1950s)
• Khaf Rabek (1950s)
• Ya Habib (1950s)
• Ya Kahef Al Rouh (1950s)
• 24 Saa’ah (1960s, over 1 million copies sold)
• Mata Ana Ashoufak (1968, won Greece’s Golden Disc Award)
• A Sun Between You and Me (duet with son Aseel Abu Bakr Salem)