Brian May Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Songs & Albums, PhD

Brian Harold May, professionally known as Brian May, is an English musician, songwriter, and astrophysicist who achieved monumental global fame as the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Queen.

He is universally celebrated for his distinctive sonic style, which he famously crafted using his home-built “Red Special” guitar, and for composing timeless rock anthems such as We Will Rock You and The Show Must Go Bound.

Beyond his major contributions to music history, he has earned widespread respect as an animal welfare advocate and accomplished academic, building a unique legacy that spans both the arts and sciences.

Brian May
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Brian Harold May
Stage Name:	Brian May
Born:	July 19, 1947 (age 78 years old)
Place of Birth:	Hampton, United Kingdom
Nationality:	British
Height:	1.88m
Parents:	Harold May and Ruth May
Spouse:	Christine Mullen (m. 1976–1988), Anita Dobson (m. 2000)
Relationship:	Married
Children:	James May, Louisa May, Emily Ruth May
Occupation:	Musician, Songwriter, and Astrophysicist
Net Worth:	$210 million

Early Life and Education

Brian May was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton Hill, near Twickenham, Middlesex, United Kingdom. He was raised as an only child in a nurturing and technically inclined household by his parents, Mr. Harold May, who worked as a skilled draughtsman at the Ministry of Aviation, and Mrs. Ruth May, who dedicated herself to managing the family home.

He attended Hampton Grammar School, where he excelled academically and completed multiple advanced levels in physics and mathematics while concurrently constructing his iconic Red Special guitar alongside his father.

He later enrolled at Imperial College London, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science honors degree in Physics before pausing his doctoral studies to pursue music, eventually returning decades later to complete his PhD in Astrophysics in 2007. He belongs to the English ethnic background and practices Christianity.

Career

Brian May began his career in the mid-1960s when he formed the semi-professional rock outfit Nineteen Eighty-Four before co-founding the band Smile alongside drummer Roger Taylor and singer Tim Staffell.

Following the dissolution of Smile, he joined forces with vocalist Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon in 1971 to establish Queen, a group that quickly distinguished itself in the British music scene through its ambitious blend of hard rock, progressive arrangements, and operatic vocal harmonies.

The band achieved its first major commercial breakthroughs in the mid-1970s with classic albums such as Sheer Heart Attack and A Night at the Opera, which featured his multi-layered guitar tracking and innovative solo work.

He experienced monumental career growth throughout the 1970s and 1980s as Queen transitioned from theater acts into one of the largest stadium rock attractions in world history.

He wrote several of the band’s most enduring global hits, anchored their legendary 1985 Live Aid performance, and expanded his portfolio by producing solo albums such as Back to the Light during the early 1990s.

Following the tragic passing of Freddie Mercury, he took charge of preserving the group’s massive musical legacy by overseeing the hit West End musical We Will Rock You and launching highly successful global concert tours under the banner of Queen + Paul Rodgers and later Queen + Adam Lambert.

He has successfully solidified his status as a revered elder statesman of rock music and global culture through prestigious media appearances and historic career milestones.

He performed on the roof of Buckingham Palace for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, received a knighthood for his extensive services to music and charity, and published notable academic books regarding space dust and stereoscopic photography.

His enduring influence continues to shape contemporary rock instrumentation, and his active curation of remastered archival recordings secures Queen’s place across modern digital streaming and cinematic platforms.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @brianmayforreal
• Facebook Handle: @BrianMayOfficial
• Twitter Handle: @DrBrianMay

Personal Life

Brian May was born on July 19, 1947, and is currently 78 years old. He is currently married to his second wife, British actress Anita Dobson, whom he wed in 2000 after meeting her in the mid-1980s and drawing significant media interest to their long-term partnership.

He was previously married to Christine Mullen from 1976 until their formal divorce in 1988, a relationship that produced his three adult children, James May, Louisa May, and Emily Ruth May.

He occupies much of his personal time at his country estate in Surrey, where he operates an animal rescue sanctuary, manages ongoing campaigns against wildlife culling, and navigates his daily routine.

Discography

• Back to the Light (1992)
• Another World (1998)
• Furia (2000)
• Queen (1973)
• Queen II (1974)
• Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
• A Night at the Opera (1975)
• A Day at the Races (1976)
• News of the World (1977)
• Jazz (1978)
• The Game (1980)
• Flash Gordon (1980)
• Hot Space (1982)
• The Works (1984)
• A Kind of Magic (1986)
• The Miracle (1989)
• Innuendo (1991)
• Made in Heaven (1995)

Net Worth

Brian May has an estimated net worth of $210 million. The primary source of his wealth is derived from his foundational career with Queen, which encompasses decades of multi-platinum global album sales, massive stadium tour guarantees, and steady publishing royalties from his extensive songwriting catalog.