Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, known professionally as Tom Jones, was born in 1940 in Treforest, Pontypridd, in Glamorgan, South Wales. He is the son of Thomas Woodward, a coal miner, and Freda Jones. He attended Wood Road Infants School, Wood Road Junior School, and later Pontypridd Central Secondary Modern School. From a young age, Jones showed a strong interest in music, frequently singing at family gatherings, in the school choir, and at local weddings. Although he was not particularly interested in academics or sports, his passion for singing gave him a sense of identity and confidence.
At the age of 12, Jones was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which left him bedridden for two years. During this time, he developed a deeper appreciation for music and also took up drawing, both of which helped him to endure the long recovery period.
Tom Jones launched his professional singing career in the early 1960s and quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and energetic performances. He achieved significant success with a string of hit singles, including "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat," "Delilah," "Green, Green Grass of Home," "She's a Lady," "Kiss," and "Sex Bomb." His vocal versatility allowed him to explore various musical genres, including pop, rock, R&B, gospel, soul, country, dance, and show tunes.
The New York Times described him as a "musical shape-shifter" capable of moving seamlessly between a rich, soulful rasp and a smooth pop croon. Over the course of his six-decade career, Tom Jones sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He boasts 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 in the United States, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful Welsh singers in history.
Tom Jones received several major accolades throughout his career. He won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1966 and an MTV Video Music Award in 1989. At the Brit Awards, he was honored twice: in 2000 as Best British Male and in 2003 with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In recognition of his contributions to the music industry, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1999 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.
Jones also enjoyed considerable success in Las Vegas, where he performed regularly for many years. His residency in the city helped solidify his reputation as a dynamic live performer. In the 2010s, he experienced a resurgence in popularity when he served as a coach on the British television series The Voice UK from 2012 to 2015. His role on the show introduced him to a new generation of fans and highlighted his enduring relevance in contemporary music culture.
| Birth Date: | 7 Jun, 1940 |
| Age: | 79 yrs |
| Occupations: | Singer Actor |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Pontypridd |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Welsh singer |
| Spouse: | Linda Woodward [M. 1957] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 300 million |
