Miljenko Matijevic Biography: Songs, Awards, Videos, Age, Wife, Album, Net Worth, Ethnicity

Miljenko Matijevic is a Croatian-American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead vocalist and founder of the hard rock band Steelheart.

Renowned for his five-octave vocal range, soaring falsettos, and emotional delivery, he became one of the most iconic rock frontmen of the early 1990s.

His band’s self-titled debut album, Steelheart (1990), went platinum and featured the hit single “I’ll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)”, which remains a defining power ballad of the glam-metal era.

Profile

• Full name: Miljenko Matijevic
• Nickname: Mike, Mili
• Date of birth: November 30, 1964
• Age: 61 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Zagreb, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
• State of origin: Zagreb
• Nationality: Croatian-American
• Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Musician
• Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
• Weight: 78 kg (172 lbs)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Dark brown
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: Brother – John Matijevic
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Christianity (raised Catholic)
• Ethnicity: Croatian
• Net worth: $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Miljenko Matijevic (61 years old) was born on November 30, 1964, in Zagreb, then part of Yugoslavia (modern-day Croatia).

During his early childhood, he lived with his grandparents before emigrating to the United States with his parents and older brother John in 1970. The family first settled in Scarsdale, New York, and later in Greenwich, Connecticut.

By age nine, Miljenko began singing in his church choir, and by eleven, he discovered Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Queen, which deeply influenced his musical direction.

After high school, he enrolled at university to study mechanical engineering, but his passion for music led him to drop out and fully pursue a career in rock.

Personal Life

Miljenko Matijevic keeps his personal life private. He divides his time between Los Angeles and South Korea, where he maintains a particularly devoted fanbase due to his collaborations and frequent tours there.

Career

Miljenko Matijevic began performing in local Connecticut rock bands during the 1980s, most notably in a group called Red Alert, alongside guitarist Chris Risola, bassist James Ward, and drummer John Fowler. After moving to Los Angeles, they rebranded as Steelheart, taking the Sunset Strip scene by storm.

In 1990, Steelheart released their debut album Steelheart, which went platinum and peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard 200. The single “I’ll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)” reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Can’t Stop Me Lovin’ You” also gained heavy airplay.

Their sophomore album, Tangled in Reins (1992), showcased a heavier sound and included the fan-favorite “Sticky Side Up”. However, tragedy struck that same year when, during a Halloween concert in Denver, a lighting truss collapsed onto Matijevic, fracturing his jaw, cheekbone, and several vertebrae. The accident forced a long hiatus.

After recovering, Matijevic re-formed Steelheart with a new lineup, releasing Wait (1996) and Good 2B Alive (2008). He also lent his singing voice to actor Mark Wahlberg in the 2001 film Rock Star, performing the vocals for the fictional band Steel Dragon.

Matijevic’s work in Rock Star introduced his extraordinary range to new audiences and rejuvenated interest in his career.

In 2017, Steelheart released Through Worlds of Stardust, marking a return to melodic rock. Matijevic gained renewed international fame, particularly in South Korea, after his appearance on King of Mask Singer (MBC, 2016), where his vocal range astonished viewers.

Net Worth

Miljenko Matijevic’s estimated net worth is $5 million USD, accumulated through record and album sales (particularly the multi-platinum Steelheart debut), international touring and live performances etc.

Social Media

• Instagram: @steelheart01
• Facebook: Steelheart Official
• YouTube: Steelheart Official

Filmography

• Rock Star (2001) – Singing voice for Mark Wahlberg’s character Chris “Iggy” Cole
• King of Mask Singer (2016) – Appeared as himself, “Masked Singer” contestant

Discography

• Steelheart (1990)
• Tangled in Reins (1992)
• Wait (1996)
• Just a Taste (EP, 2006)
• Good 2B Alive (2008)
• Through Worlds of Stardust (2017)