Peter Maffay Biography: Songs & Albums, Awards, Height, Age, Net Worth, Spouse, Children

Peter Alexander Makkay, professionally recognized as Peter Maffay, stands as one of Germany’s most prominent and influential rock musicians, songwriters, composers, and producers, with a career extending over five decades.

Born in Romania and relocating to Germany during childhood, he achieved widespread acclaim in the 1970s with his breakthrough single “Du.”

Over the years, he has sold in excess of 50 million records, establishing himself as the nation’s best-selling artist within the rock genre.

Profile

• Full Name: Peter Alexander Makkay
• Stage Name: Peter Maffay
• Born: 30, August 1949
• Age: 76 years old
• Birthplace: Brașov, Romania
• Nationality: German
• Occupation: Singer, Musician, Composer, Guitarist, And Music Producer
• Height: 1.68m
• Parents: Wilhelm Makkay, and Augustine Feltes
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Hendrikje Balsmeyer (m. 2022)
• Girlfriends: Petra Küfner (m. 1975-1979), Chris Heinze (m. 1981-1986), Michaela Herzeg (m. 1990-2000), and Tanja Spengler (m. 2003-2020)
• Children: Yaris Maffay, Nina Makkay, and Anouk Maffay
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $27 million

Early Life and Education

Peter Alexander Makkay was born on August 30, 1949, in Brașov, Romania, in Transylvania. His parents, Wilhelm Makkay, a Hungarian engineer, and Augustine Feltes, of German descent, raised him as their only child in a multilingual household.

In 1963, the family moved to Bavaria, Germany, during the ethnic German repatriation. He attended Realschule and later Ruperti-Gymnasium in Mühldorf am Inn but left high school in 1968 after repeating two grades.

He began a vocational apprenticeship as a chemical graphic artist but left to pursue music full-time. Of Hungarian-German ethnicity with Siebenbürgen Saxon roots, Maffay has mentioned his Catholic background, though it is a minor aspect of his public persona.

Career

Peter Maffay launched his path in music during his late teens, forming his first band in 1965 and gigging locally in Germany while juggling day jobs.

By 1969, at age 20, he signed with Telefunken and released his debut single “Du,” a tender ballad that skyrocketed to number one on the German charts for weeks, selling over a million copies and marking his explosive entry into the pop-rock scene.

Early albums like Für das Mädchen, das ich liebe followed, blending folk influences with rock, and his relentless touring built a loyal fanbase despite initial critics dismissing him as a teen idol.

The 1980s saw Maffay evolve into a rock powerhouse, embracing harder sounds with albums such as Revanche and Steppenwolf, the latter inspired by Hermann Hesse and yielding hits that topped charts amid Germany’s Neue Deutsche Welle wave.

He created the Tabaluga concept in 1983—a green dragon protagonist for rock operas and children’s albums—that became a multimedia franchise with animated films, musicals, and five studio records, selling millions and earning him family-friendly acclaim.

Collaborations with international stars, Grammy considerations, and over 20 number-one albums underscored his growth, including founding his own label and producing for others while navigating personal reinventions through diverse genres.

Peter Maffay commands an unmatched stature in German music, with ongoing tours drawing massive crowds into arenas and his foundation aiding thousands of children since 2000.

Albums like Niemals war es besser and live spectacles keep his catalog vital, while honors such as the Echo Lifetime Achievement Award Awards and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany highlight his contributions.

His blend of artistic innovation and humanitarian efforts continues to inspire across generations.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @maffay.de
• Facebook Handle: Peter Maffay

Personal Life

Peter Alexander Makkay has navigated a series of high-profile relationships that often intersected with his public image, starting with his first marriage to Petra Küfner from 1975 to 1979.

He then wed Chris Heinze in 1981, adopting daughter Nina during their union which ended around 1986; followed by Michaela Herzeg from 1990 to 2000.

His longest marriage was to Tanja Spengler in 2003, with whom he welcomed son Yaris before divorcing in 2020 after years of separation rumors.

In 2022, at age 72, he tied the knot with Hendrikje Balsmeyer, a teacher 35 years his junior, and they celebrated the birth of daughter Anouk that same year.

Maffay maintains a grounded lifestyle split between his Bavarian home and Mallorca retreat, passionate about motorcycles, sailing, and his foundation’s work with abused youth, while keeping family details protective amid media scrutiny.

Discography

• Du (Single, 1969)
• Für das Mädchen, das ich liebe (1970)
• Josy, wo geht die Reise hin (1971)
• Steppenwolf (1982)
• Tabaluga oder die Reise zur Vernunft (1983)
• Deutschland ’84 (1984)
• Sonne in der Nacht (1985)
• Tabaluga und das leuchtende Schweigen (1986)
• Kein Weg zu weit (1989)
• Leipzig (1990)
• 38317 (1991)
• Freunde + Propheten (1992)
• Tabaluga und Lilli (1993)
• Begegnungen (1998)
• X (2000)
• Heute vor dreissig Jahren (2001)
• Tabaluga und die Zeichen der Zeit (2011)
• Wenn das so ist (2014)
• MTV Unplugged (2017)

Net Worth

Peter Alexander Makkay has an estimated net worth of $27 million, earned through over 50 million record sales, extensive touring, and royalties from his large catalog, including the profitable Tabaluga series.

His income also comes from music production, running an independent label, book deals, merchandise from his dragon franchise, real estate investments, and endorsement partnerships, showcasing his strong business sense in entertainment.