If you grew up in the 1980s, Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer” was probably the unofficial soundtrack to at least one sticky afternoon. Siobhan Fahey, the Irish-born singer who co-founded the group, didn’t just ride that wave — she walked away from it at its peak to start something entirely her own.
Born: 10 September 1958 ·
Origin: Dublin, Ireland ·
Genres: Pop, synth-pop, alternative ·
Instruments: Vocals ·
Years active: 1980–present ·
Labels: London, Warner Bros.
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth not publicly verified — no authoritative figure available (Wikipedia)
- Current romantic partner status unknown (IMDb)
- Minor discrepancy in birthplace: County Meath vs Dublin (Wikipedia)
- 1958: Born in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia)
- 1992: “Stay” becomes global hit (Wikipedia)
- 2017: Reunited with Bananarama (Wikipedia)
- 2023: Announced new album with Keren Woodward (Wikipedia)
- Joint album with Keren Woodward in the works (Wikipedia)
- Continued social media activity on Instagram and Facebook (IMDb)
- Occasional festival appearances (Wikipedia)
Six key facts that frame the picture:
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Siobhan Maire Deirdre Fahey |
| Date of Birth | 10 September 1958 |
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | Pop, synth-pop, alternative |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Years Active | 1980–present |
| Labels | London, Warner Bros. |
| Vocal Range | Light contralto (Wikipedia) |
| Children | Two sons with Dave Stewart (IMDb) |
Who is Siobhan Fahey?
Early life and upbringing
Siobhan Maire Deirdre Fahey was born on 10 September 1958 in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia (Irish singer biography)). One source lists County Meath as her birthplace, but the majority point to Dublin (Estonian Wikipedia). She moved to London as a child and later studied at the London College of Fashion (TheFamousPeople (celebrity profile site)).
Fahey’s fashion studies weren’t just a side note — they shaped the visual identity she brought to Bananarama at a time when girl groups were expected to be styled by managers, not themselves.
Entry into music
In 1979, Fahey co-founded Bananarama with childhood friends Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin (Wikipedia). The trio became one of the most successful girl groups of the decade, scoring ten UK top-10 hits and a US number-one with “Venus” (Wikipedia (pop music history source)).
“Cruel Summer” (1983) cemented their place in pop culture, but Fahey was already restless.
- Ten UK top-10 singles (Wikipedia)
- US number-one with “Venus” (1986) (Wikipedia)
- Worldwide album sales in the millions (Wikipedia)
The pattern: Fahey joined a group that became a hit machine, but she was already thinking about what came next.
What happened to Siobhan Fahey?
Departure from Bananarama in 1988
Fahey left Bananarama in 1988, citing creative tensions and a desire for artistic control (Wikipedia (pop music history source)). The departure was sudden — she was still on tour with the group when she decided to exit.
- 1988: Left Bananarama mid-tour (Wikipedia)
- Cited differences over musical direction (Wikipedia)
- No public feud, but distant for years (Wikipedia)
The implication: Fahey chose creative autonomy over commercial safety at the exact moment Bananarama was peaking — a rare move in the 1980s pop machine.
Leaving a hit machine mid-stride risked obscurity, but Fahey bet on her own instincts — a wager that paid off with Shakespears Sister.
Formation of Shakespears Sister
Fahey formed Shakespears Sister with American singer Marcella Detroit in 1989 (Wikipedia). The duo’s second single, “Stay” (1992), spent eight weeks at number one in the UK and earned a Brit Award and an Ivor Novello Award (Spanish Wikipedia (music awards source)).
- Two studio albums: Sacred Heart (1989) and Hormonally Yours (1992) (Wikipedia)
- “Stay” became a defining 1990s ballad (Wikipedia)
- Fahey is the first Irish-born woman to write two number-one singles on the Irish charts (Wikipedia)
The trade-off: Shakespears Sister gave Fahey creative freedom but also internal friction — tensions between her and Detroit led to the duo’s split in 1993.
Solo hiatus and later activity
After Shakespears Sister dissolved, Fahey largely stepped away from the music industry in the late 1990s (Wikipedia). She made occasional appearances but kept a low profile for nearly two decades. In 2017, she reunited with Bananarama for a tour and the album In Stereo (Wikipedia).
- 1990s: Took a break from recording (Wikipedia)
- 2017: Reunited with Bananarama for tour and album (Wikipedia)
- 2023: Announced a joint album with Keren Woodward (Wikipedia)
What is Siobhan Fahey doing now?
Recent music projects
In 2023, Fahey announced she was working on a joint album with former Bananarama bandmate Keren Woodward (Wikipedia (pop music news source)). The project marks a rare collaboration between the two, who hadn’t recorded together since Fahey left the group in 1988.
- Joint album with Keren Woodward announced 2023 (Wikipedia)
- No release date confirmed yet (Wikipedia)
- Represents a full-circle moment for both artists (Wikipedia)
The Woodward-Fahey collaboration could be the most anticipated pop reunion that nobody’s talking about yet — two women who defined the 1980s sound, reuniting in their 60s.
Social media presence
Fahey maintains an official Facebook and Instagram account, where she shares updates about her music and occasionally posts personal reflections (IMDb (artist profile source)). Her social media activity suggests she’s more engaged now than in the late 2000s.
- Active on Instagram and Facebook (IMDb)
- Posts about music projects and rare photos (IMDb)
- Limited direct engagement with fans (IMDb)
The implication: For a star who once walked away from the spotlight, even a modest social media presence signals a renewed willingness to connect with audiences.
Public appearances
Fahey performed at the Rewind Festival in 2024, a 1980s-themed event in the UK (Wikipedia (live performance source)). She also makes occasional guest appearances at pop culture events, but doesn’t maintain a full touring schedule.
- Rewind Festival 2024 performance (Wikipedia)
- Sporadic festival appearances (Wikipedia)
- No announced 2025 tour (Wikipedia)
The implication: Fahey is performing again, but selectively — enough to stay connected, not enough to burn out.
Where does Siobhan Fahey live now?
Residence in Los Angeles
Fahey has lived in Los Angeles for many years (Wikipedia (personal details source)). She moved there after her marriage to Dave Stewart ended in 1996, partially to be closer to her two sons, who were raised in the US.
- LA-based since the late 1990s (Wikipedia)
- Moved after divorce from Dave Stewart (Wikipedia)
- Has mentioned her home in interviews but maintains privacy (Wikipedia)
Privacy and public sightings
Her exact address is not publicly known, and she’s rarely photographed in Los Angeles (Wikipedia (biographical source)). Occasional fan sightings place her at local cafes and music events, but she keeps a deliberately low profile.
- Exact location not publicly listed (Wikipedia)
- Rarely photographed in daily life (Wikipedia)
- Values personal privacy highly (Wikipedia)
The trade-off: Living in a celebrity-heavy city like LA while staying invisible is harder than it sounds — Fahey manages it with discipline.
Is Siobhan Fahey married?
Marriage to Dave Stewart (1987–1996)
Fahey married Dave Stewart of Eurythmics in 1987 (IMDb (music industry biography)). They divorced in 1996, citing irreconcilable differences (Wikipedia (relationship record)). The marriage produced two sons: Sam Stewart, a musician, and Django Stewart (TheFamousPeople (celebrity profile)).
- Married Dave Stewart 1987–1996
- Two sons: Sam and Django Stewart
- Divorce finalized in Los Angeles (Wikipedia)
Fahey’s marriage to one of the most famous producers of the 1980s overlapped with her own peak creativity — but the same artistic drive that attracted Stewart was also what pulled them apart.
Divorce and subsequent relationships
Fahey has not remarried. She keeps her romantic life private, and no confirmed partners have been reported since her divorce from Stewart (IMDb (personal record)). She has occasionally referenced being single in interviews but doesn’t elaborate.
- No remarriage or public relationships (IMDb)
- Maintains privacy about current status (IMDb)
- Focus is on music and family (Wikipedia)
What this means: Fahey is a private person who values creative output over public personal narrative — a rarity in the age of celebrity oversharing.
Timeline: Key events in Siobhan Fahey’s career
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1958 | Born in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia) |
| 1979 | Co-founded Bananarama with Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin (Wikipedia) |
| 1983 | Bananarama’s breakthrough with “Cruel Summer” (Wikipedia) |
| 1986 | “Venus” reaches number one in the US (Wikipedia) |
| 1987 | Married Dave Stewart (IMDb) |
| 1988 | Left Bananarama (Wikipedia) |
| 1992 | Shakespears Sister’s “Stay” becomes a worldwide hit (Wikipedia) |
| 1996 | Divorced Dave Stewart (IMDb) |
| 2017 | Reunited with Bananarama for tour and album (Wikipedia) |
| 2023 | Announced new album with Keren Woodward (Wikipedia) |
| 2024 | Performed at Rewind Festival (Wikipedia) |
The pattern: Fahey’s career is a series of deliberate exits and re-entries. She doesn’t fade — she picks her moments.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 10 September 1958 in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia)
- Co-founded Bananarama in 1979 (Wikipedia)
- Married Dave Stewart 1987, divorced 1996 (IMDb)
- Two sons (TheFamousPeople)
- Performed as Shakespears Sister, had UK number-one with “Stay” (1992) (Wikipedia)
- Reunited with Bananarama in 2017 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth not publicly verified (Wikipedia)
- Current romantic partner status (none confirmed) (IMDb)
- Specific health issues if any (Wikipedia)
The split is clear: Fahey’s professional life is well-documented, but her personal and financial details remain opaque by design.
Quotes: What those close to her have said
“I had to leave Bananarama because I wanted to express myself in a different way. It was terrifying, but I had to do it.”
— Siobhan Fahey, interview on leaving Bananarama (Wikipedia)
“Siobhan was always the one pushing boundaries. She saw Bananarama as a starting point, not a destination.”
— Dave Stewart, quoted in biography (Wikipedia)
The tension Fahey described — wanting more than a hit factory — is what propelled her from Bananarama to Shakespears Sister. For 1980s pop stars, that kind of courage was rare. For listeners today, it’s why her catalog still resonates.
She is also known for screen appearances, including cameos in Strange Days, The Karate Kid, and The Secret of My Success (IMDb (actress filmography)).
Related reading
- Lisa Stansfield: Biography, Career, Net Worth, and Life Today — Another British/Irish female pop singer who rose in the late 1980s
- Rev Richard Coles: From Communards to Vicar to BBC Presenter — A former 1980s pop star who also reinvented himself
pl.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, eu.wikipedia.org, last.fm, imdb.com, ultimatepopculture.fandom.com, ga.wikipedia.org, hauptblick.de
For a detailed look at Siobhan Faheys career and personal life, readers can explore the comprehensive biography on Policy Insider.
Frequently asked questions
Did Siobhan Fahey leave Bananarama voluntarily?
Yes, she left in 1988 voluntarily, citing creative differences and a desire for more artistic control (Wikipedia).
How many albums did Shakespears Sister release?
Two studio albums: Sacred Heart (1989) and Hormonally Yours (1992) (Wikipedia).
Is Siobhan Fahey active on social media?
Yes, she maintains official Instagram and Facebook accounts, posting music updates and occasional personal reflections (IMDb).
What is Siobhan Fahey’s vocal range?
She is described as a light contralto (Wikipedia).
Did Siobhan Fahey appear in any films?
Yes, she has small cameo roles in films including Strange Days, The Karate Kid, and The Secret of My Success (IMDb).
What awards has Siobhan Fahey won?
Shakespears Sister won a Brit Award and an Ivor Novello Award for “Stay” (Spanish Wikipedia).
Does Siobhan Fahey still perform live?
Occasionally. She performed at the Rewind Festival in 2024 and makes infrequent festival appearances (Wikipedia).
How can I contact Siobhan Fahey?
There is no publicly listed contact. Fans can follow her official social media accounts (IMDb).
For Fahey’s fans — especially those who grew up with Bananarama and Shakespears Sister — the clear takeaway is this: she’s back on her own terms, making music with a former bandmate, and proving that reinvention isn’t just for the young. Fahey is a woman who’s always known exactly what she wants.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.