Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Biography: Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Daughter, Wife, Songs, Obituary

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, known professionally as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was a legendary Pakistani singer, songwriter, and composer best known for his extraordinary contributions to Qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music.

Revered globally for his powerful vocals and ability to fuse traditional Eastern music with Western styles, he gained immense recognition across South Asia and beyond.

Profile

• Full Name: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
• Stage Name: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
• Born: 13, October 1948
• Date of death: August 16, 1997 (Aged: 48 years)
• Birthplace: Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
• Nationality: Pakistani
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, and Composer
• Height: 170 cm
• Parents: Fateh Ali Khan and Bashiran Begum
• Siblings: Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan
• Spouse: Naheed Nusrat (m. ?–1997)
• Children: Nida Nusrat
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life And Education

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on October 13, 1948, in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. He was the son of classical singers Fateh Ali Khan and Bashiran Begum. He had several siblings, including his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, who would later accompany him as a harmonium player.

Nusrat was initially encouraged to become a doctor, but he committed to music after his father died in 1964. He was trained in classical music and Qawwali under his family’s long-standing tradition. Khan was of Punjabi ethnicity and practiced Islam as a devout Sufi Muslim.

Career

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan began his musical career by joining his family’s Qawwali group. He was officially appointed as its leader in 1971 following the death of his uncle, Mubarak Ali Khan. He quickly distinguished himself through his powerful vocal range, spiritual intensity, and command of complex rhythmic patterns.

Early performances in Pakistan and India solidified his reputation, and his fame grew internationally through tours and radio appearances.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Khan collaborated with global artists, most notably Peter Gabriel and Michael Brook, bringing Qawwali to Western audiences.

Albums like Shahen-Shah (1989) and Mustt Mustt (1990) blended traditional Sufi elements with contemporary sounds. His voice featured in soundtracks for films such as Dead Man Walking and Natural Born Killers. His ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers earned him worldwide acclaim.

Until he died in 1997, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan continued to tour extensively and record prolifically. He released over 125 albums and received numerous awards, including the UNESCO Music Prize and Pakistan’s prestigious Pride of Performance.

His legacy has endured through posthumous releases and tributes by artists like A.R. Rahman and Jeff Buckley. Widely referred to as the “Shahenshah of Qawwali” (King of Kings of Qawwali), he remains a towering figure in world music history.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @theofficialnusrat
• Twitter handle: @nusratofficial

Personal Life

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was married to Naheed Nusrat, and they had one daughter, Nida Nusrat. Despite his demanding international career, he maintained close ties to his family and cultural roots.

Known for his humble demeanor and devotion to Sufism, Khan lived a spiritual life centered around music, prayer, and service. He passed away on August 16, 1997, in London due to cardiac arrest and kidney failure.

Discography (Selected Works)

• Shahen-Shah (1989)
• Mustt Mustt (1990)
• Night Song (1996)
• The Final Studio Recordings (2001, posthumous)

Net Worth

At his death, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s estimated net Worth was $5 million. His income came from studio recordings, live performances, international tours, film soundtracks, and collaborations with global musicians.