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Fame reduces musician life expectancy by four years, study finds
A study of 648 singers shows famous artists have a 33% higher mortality risk and die about 4 to 4.6 years earlier than less-famous peers, similar to occasional smoking risks.
- On November 25, 2025, researchers from University Witten Herdecke analysed 648 singers, finding famous singers lived to 75 on average versus 79 for less-famous singers, the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reported.
- Using AcclaimedMusic.net's Top 2,000 Artists, the study paired 324 famous singers with 324 less-known peers based on demographics and music role.
- Analysis showed a 33% higher mortality risk for famous singers, with life in the limelight shortening lives by around 4.6 years, comparable to occasional smoking, the authors say.
- They emphasise that the research is observational and cannot prove causation, and the study authors say the results underscore the need for targeted protection and support for famous individuals.
- The study's sample — singers born 1910–1975 and active 1950–1990 — limits generalisability as it includes only North America and Europe/the UK and may not apply elsewhere.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left6Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
46% Left
L 46%
C 23%
R 31%
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