All The Babes
Imelda May
Also known as Imelda Mary Clabby
Career
Active 1991 – present
Biography
About Imelda May
At just 5'2", Imelda May stands as one of Ireland's most distinctive musical voices. The Dublin-born singer and songwriter has spent 35 years in the industry, starting her career at 16 by performing with local bands in The Liberties area. She formed her own band in 2002 and released her debut album, No Turning Back. Her 2008 album Love Tattoo became the best-selling album of all time by a homegrown female artist in Ireland. Her most recent album, 11 Past the Hour, marked her fourth Number 1 in Ireland and fourth Top 10 in the UK.
May's career was boosted when Jools Holland discovered her and asked her to support him on tour. Since then, she has performed alongside legends including Lou Reed, U2, Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher, Elvis Costello, and Van Morrison. As a multi-instrumentalist, she brings a versatile skill set to her work, which also extends to acting and TV hosting. She is a straight, 52-year-old female of Irish and Caucasian heritage, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Her personal life has seen its share of changes. She married her guitarist and band member, Darrel Higham, in 2002. The couple had a daughter in August 2012. On July 17, 2015, May announced their separation after 13 years of marriage. Despite the personal shifts, she has remained a consistent presence in the music scene. She currently has 197k Instagram followers, and her Real/Natural figure and Slim build are part of her public image. Her journey from local Dublin stages to international acclaim is defined by her music, which continues to resonate with audiences.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Years Active
- 1991-present (started around 16 years old; 35 years active)
- Birthplace
- Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Sexuality
- Straight
Body
- Hair Color
- Brown
- Eye Color
- Brown
- Weight
- 123 lbs (or 56 kg)
- Boobs
- Real/Natural
Extra
- Instagram Followers
- 197k (as of April 2026)
Frequently asked
How did Imelda May start her career?
Imelda began performing with local bands in Dublin at age 16. Her breakthrough came when Jools Holland discovered her and invited her to support him on tour.
What is Imelda May's most notable achievement in Ireland?
Her 2008 album Love Tattoo is the best-selling album of all time by a homegrown female artist in Ireland, making her a record-holder in her home country.
Has Imelda May won a Number 1 in the UK?
No, her albums have reached the Top 10 in the UK, with 11 Past the Hour being her fourth Top 10, but they have not reached Number 1.
Did you know
- Imelda was born and raised in The Liberties, a historic area of Dublin.
- She is a multi-instrumentalist, performing with local bands from the age of 16.
- Her marriage to Darrel Higham lasted 13 years before they separated in 2015.
- She has a daughter born in August 2012.
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