Paul Michiels Biography: Albums, Ethnicity, Age, Parents, Songs, Wife, Net Worth, Awards

Paul Anna Kamiel Michiels, professionally known as Paul Michiels, is a Belgian pop and soul musician, blending heartfelt vocals with Motown grooves over five decades.

He first turned heads as the milkman-turned-singer “Polle Pap,” delivering raw charisma in early bands before exploding internationally with Soulsister alongside Jan Leyers.

Their 1988 smash “The Way to Your Heart” topped charts across Europe and cracked the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, defining an era of smooth, danceable soul that echoed Phil Collins and Hall & Oates.

Michiels’ solo pivot brought introspective gems like “One Day at a Time” from The Inner Child (1998), while relentless tours with his Big M’s band cemented his status as Flanders’ enduring showman.

Profile

• Full Name: Paul Anna Kamiel Michiels
• Stage Name: Paul Michiels
• Born: 15 June, 1948
• Age: 77 years old
• Birthplace: Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium
• Nationality: Belgian
• Occupation: Singer, songwriter, musician, pop/soul artist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Michiels and Mrs. Michiels
• Siblings: 4
• Spouse: Tineke Michiels (m. 2005)
• Children: Maxine Michiels, Roel Michiels, Len Michiels, Lode Michiels, Lars Michiels, Lisa Michiels, Anna Michiels, William Michiels
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Paul Anna Kamiel Michiels was born on 15 June 1948, in Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Michiels. He navigates childhood with three brothers and sisters, earning the lifelong nickname “Polle Pap” from milk delivery rounds that spark his stage dreams. Local pubs host his earliest keyboard jams in garage bands, honing a soulful voice through Beatles covers and Flemish folk. Michiels skips formal schooling for music immersion, self-teaching piano and guitar while soaking up Motown records smuggled from Antwerp. He is of Belgian roots, with no publicly known religion.

Career

Paul Michiels kicks off in the 1970s with Purple Bus, then joins British-Belgian outfit Octopus on keyboards from 1974 to 1980, touring Europe and cutting tracks that build his rep as a versatile player.

Octopus splits, prompting his solo debut as P.P. Michiels with the cheeky “Females” video that storms Belgian airwaves and charts. He pens gritty pop singles for local labels, gigging nonstop in smoky clubs while eyeing bigger stages.

Breakthrough brewed in 1986 partnering with Jan Leyers as The Soul Sisters, dropping hooks like “You Get to Me” and “Talk About It” that crack radio playlists. Name tweak to Soulsister unleashes It Takes Two (1988), where “The Way to Your Heart” rockets to No. 1 in Belgium, storms UK Top 20, and hits U.S. Hot 100 at No. 68—pure Motown magic with basslines and harmonies.

Follow-ups “The Way to Your Heart” remix and “Through Before We Started” fuel sold-out tours from Antwerp to Tokyo. By 1990, Leyers, Michiels and SoulSister dropped Heat, packing arenas with soul anthems that define Belgian export pop.

Michiels rides Soulsister’s wave through three albums, a live record, and 1997’s Very Best Of amid their amicable split, pocketing gold plaques and fan adoration.

Solo resurgence hits with The Inner Child (1998), led by poignant “One Day at a Time” that reclaims airplay and tops Flemish charts.

He curates Forever Young (2001), a personal covers collection nodding to Alphaville, Eddie Cochran, and Dionne Warwick, tying into the film Team Spirit. Road warrior mode engages with Big M’s band, blending Soulsister classics and new cuts across Flemish theaters and festivals.

Magic in the House (2006) delivers singles “If I Live, If I Breathe” and “The Light,” showcasing matured souls with orchestral swells.

Guest spots on Idool and TV specials amplify his mentor role, while international collabs keep edges sharp. Legacy swells as Flanders’ soul ambassador, selling out Sportpaleis runs and inspiring Euro-pop heirs.

Paul Michiels headlines anniversary tours resurrecting Soulsister hits alongside solo deep cuts, packing venues like Vorst Nationaal with multigenerational crowds. Archival releases and vinyl reissues sustain catalog streams on Spotify and YouTube, while one-off reunions with Leyers spark festival buzz.

He crafts custom sets for corporate galas and charity drives, blending originals with crowd-pleasing covers. Mentorship shapes young Flemish talents through workshops, passing keyboard finesse and vocal grit.

Exhibitions of stage memorabilia dot Antwerp museums, chronicling his path from milkman to icon. Influence permeates Belgian soul, from radio staples to karaoke anthems that echo in pubs nationwide. Enduring draw lies in live-wire performances that capture raw emotion and dancefloor joy.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @paul.michiels
• Facebook Handle: Paul Michiels
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Paul Michiels ties the knot with Tineke Michiels in 2005; they welcome two children amid a blended family of eight kids total—Maxine, Roel, Len, Lode, Lars, Lisa, Anna, and William—from prior bonds.

Michiels savors quiet cycles through Flemish countryside, fishing trips, and home-cooked stews that ground his jet-set rhythm.

Discography

• The Way to Your Heart (1988)
• Through Before We Started (1990)
• You Get to Me (1987)
• The Inner Child (1998)
• One Day at a Time (1998)
• Magic in the House (2006)
• Forever Young (2001)

Net Worth

Paul Michiels has an estimated $2 million net worth. Soulsister royalties from “The Way to Your Heart” streams and compilations anchor his earnings, joined by solo album sales across Europe.

Tour receipts from Big M’s arena shows and festival slots provide reliable hauls, while TV soundtrack placements and vinyl revivals boost the till.