Who Was Anselmo Feleppa? George Michael Never Really Recovered after the Death of His ‘First Real Love’

English singer and songwriter George Michael may have had several loves throughout his life, but Anselmo Feleppa was his "first real love." When Anselmo Feleppa passed away in 1993, the singer never recovered.

Six years after George Michael passed away, his last film titled "George Michael Freedom Uncut" will be released on June 22, 2022. He made the documentary alongside his best friend and partner, David Austin, and it is an incredibly intimate narrative of fame, love, and tragedy.

The documentary, which the singer narrated and co-directed, will provide a behind-the-scenes look at his life as he discusses his feelings about achieving early fame and legacy.

Austin revealed that Michael took complete control of the film and told his story the way he wanted. About his legacy, Michael said:

"I want to leave songs, I believe I can leave songs that will mean something to other generations."

In honor of Michael's birthday, Sony Music Entertainment President, Premium Content, Tom Mackay, said they were thrilled to have worked with Austin and their partners to bring the extraordinary life of Michael to his fans.

WHO WAS ANSELMO FELEPPA?

Feleppa was a Brazilian dress designer who met Michael in a hotel lobby in the early 1990s, and something clicked in the singer's head. He said:

"This was the first love of my entire life. This was the first person I ever shared my life with. It was tragic that I lost him, but it was a wonderful, wonderful experience meeting him."

Michael said he always knew who he would fall in love with, and he said the situation with Feleppa was distorted and a "very strange first love." However, Feleppa showed him how to live, relax, and enjoy life.

Michael knew that Feleppa was terminally ill within six months of their relationship. After Feleppa died of an "Aids-related illness" in 1993, Michael said in 2017:

"He still, 23 years later, brings a tear to my eye. He was my saviour."

Michael's longtime friend Andros Georgiou believed that if Feleppa had not died, Michael would still be alive. In tribute to his first love, Michael wrote a song titled "Jesus to a Child."

WHO HAS GEORGE MICHAEL DATED AFTER ANSELMO FELEPPA?

After losing Feleppa, Michael entered a state of depression, which he described as "a deep black hole," and his next serious relationship was with Kenny Goss.

Goss, an art dealer, and businessman, met Michael at a Fred Segal restaurant. They were together for 13 years, and Michael wanted to marry him in a small ceremony.

Unfortunately, they broke up, and Michael revealed that his love life had been more turbulent than he had let on. He went on to date actress Brooke Shields, and she said their relationship was never sexual.

Michael was then linked to hairstylist and photographer Fadi Fawaz, but they never spoke about their alleged relationship. They started dating soon after their first meeting in 2009, and Fawaz helped Michael through several personal issues.