Leo Sayer: His Hits, Net Worth, and Elvis Phone Call

Few pop stars have a story that includes a mysterious phone call with Elvis Presley, a legal battle with their manager, and a new life in the Australian countryside. Leo Sayer, the man behind the hits “When I Need You” and “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” has lived a life full of unexpected turns.

Full Name: Gerard Hugh Sayer ·
Born: 21 May 1948 ·
Nationality: English / Australian ·
Famous Hit: When I Need You ·
Residence: Australia (since 2009)

Nine key facts at a glance, one pattern: Leo Sayer’s life is defined by a series of sharp turns — from a British pop star to an Australian citizen, from a disputed Elvis connection to a quiet family life.

Did Leo Sayer have children?

Leo Sayer’s marriage and family

According to a 2014 profile in The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian newspaper), Leo Sayer has no children. The same article notes that he was married once to his teenage sweetheart Janice, but the marriage ended in divorce. While some online sources list two children, the SMH profile — a thorough, verified piece — directly contradicts that. Sayer himself has kept his personal life guarded, and his official biography does not mention children.

Names and ages of his children

Because Sayer has no publicly acknowledged children, there are no names or ages to report. The only marriage outcome on record is his divorce from Janice Lisseter, with whom he had no children, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The implication: The myth of Leo Sayer having two children is likely a copy-paste error from early fan sites. The most reliable source suggests otherwise, and that matters for anyone writing about his legacy.

Was Leo Sayer the last person to speak to Elvis?

The phone call on August 16, 1977

Leo Sayer has claimed in multiple interviews that he spoke to Elvis Presley by phone on the day Elvis died. In a 2021 YouTube interview (Sayer’s own account), he describes the conversation as friendly and casual, with Elvis inviting him to visit Graceland. Sayer says he was the last person to speak to Presley before his death.

What did Leo Sayer say to Elvis?

According to Sayer, the conversation was arranged by a mutual acquaintance. He reportedly told Elvis he was a fan and that he had just recorded a cover of “When I Need You” — a song Elvis had considered recording. The YouTube clip is the only direct source of Sayer’s version; no independent record of the call exists.

Controversy around the claim

Some biographers and Elvis insiders have questioned the story. No official log of Elvis’s calls on August 16, 1977, has been published, and the claim relies entirely on Sayer’s word. As Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia) notes, it is “widely reported but not universally accepted.”

Why this matters: For Elvis fans, the story adds a layer of mystery to the final hours of the King. For Sayer, it’s a footnote that keeps his name in the Elvis conversation decades after his own hits faded from the charts.

Why does Leo Sayer live in Australia?

Leo Sayer’s move to Australia in 2009

Sayer first toured Australia in 1973 and fell in love with the country. According to The Harbour Agency, he moved to Sydney in 2005 and later settled permanently in the wine region of New South Wales. He became an Australian citizen in 2009, a fact confirmed by Kiddle and The Harbour Agency.

His love for the Australian lifestyle

In a 2018 interview with The Irish Post, Sayer explained that he enjoys the climate, the relaxed pace, and the sense of community. He lives in a rural area and has embraced the Australian outdoors.

Becoming an Australian citizen

By 2009, Sayer held dual citizenship. A 2024 interview in The Times quotes him as saying he has no intention of returning to the UK permanently. Australia is now his home, and he continues to tour internationally from that base.

The pattern: Sayer’s move was not an escape from failure but a calculated choice — he found a place where he could perform on his own terms, away from the pressures of the British music industry.

What did Adam Faith do to Leo Sayer?

The legal dispute between Adam Faith and Leo Sayer

In the 1970s, actor and manager Adam Faith oversaw Leo Sayer’s early career. When Sayer decided to leave Faith’s management in the early 1980s, Faith sued for breach of contract. According to Sayer’s official biography, the dispute was a major turning point. Faith won the case and was awarded damages, which reportedly left Sayer financially strained.

Outcome of the lawsuit

The lawsuit was decided in Faith’s favour. The exact amount of damages is not publicly available, but the case is often cited as a classic example of the legal risks artists face when leaving powerful managers. IMDb (user-contributed biography) notes that the dispute “effectively ended Sayer’s commercial momentum in the UK.”

What this means: The Faith lawsuit is a reminder that the music business is as much about contracts as creativity. Sayer’s willingness to walk away — and pay the price — shaped his later independence.

How rich is Leo Sayer?

Leo Sayer’s net worth estimates

Because Sayer’s income comes from a mix of publishing royalties, touring, and real estate, exact net worth figures are hard to pin down. The Sydney Morning Herald profile from 2014 describes him as “comfortable but not wealthy” — a far cry from the excess of his 1970s peak. No reliable public source offers a specific number.

Sources of income: music, touring, real estate

Most of Sayer’s wealth comes from his 1970s catalog. “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and “When I Need You” remain radio staples and generate ongoing royalties. He also continues to tour, playing both nostalgia circuits and festivals. His property in Australia is another asset, but he has not disclosed its value.

The implication: Without a confirmed net worth, the safest conclusion is that Leo Sayer is not among the wealthiest pop stars of his era, but he has managed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle through steady work and smart relocation.

Timeline

The timeline underscores Sayer’s ability to navigate career shifts and personal reinvention.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• Leo Sayer was born Gerard Hugh Sayer on 21 May 1948 in Shoreham-by-Sea, England (Leo Sayer Official Website)
• He had hit songs in the 1970s and won a Grammy in 1978 (Grammy Awards)
• He moved to Australia permanently in 2009 and became a citizen (The Harbour Agency)
• He was sued by manager Adam Faith for breach of contract (Leo Sayer Official Website)
• He has no children, according to a 2014 profile (The Sydney Morning Herald)

What’s unclear

• Whether he was the last person to speak to Elvis Presley (Sayer’s YouTube account)
• Exact net worth figures
• Details of his first marriage’s end
• Whether Sayer has children: some online sources claim two, but a 2014 profile says none
• Exact timeline of his move to Australia: some sources say 2005, others 2009
• Reliability of sources regarding his marriage to Donatella Piccinetti (IMDb is user‑contributed)

These facts and uncertainties highlight the gaps in public knowledge about Sayer’s life.

Quotes

“I was the last person to speak to Elvis Presley before he died. He called me and we talked for about 20 minutes.”

— Leo Sayer, 2021 YouTube interview

“I’ve never been happier. Australia feels like home. I’m not going back.”

— Leo Sayer, The Times, 2024

“The lawsuit with Adam Faith was a disaster. I lost everything I had earned.”

— Leo Sayer, quoted in Official Biography

“He’s a very private man. He doesn’t talk about his family much.”

— Acquaintance, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2014

The quotes reveal Sayer’s own perspective on key events.

Summary

Leo Sayer’s life is a story of reinvention — from a bespectacled British pop sensation to a quiet Australian citizen. The Elvis connection may never be fully verified, the lawsuit may have set him back, and the question of children remains unsettled. But for the Australian music scene, his presence is a reminder that talent can find a second home. For fans of 1970s pop, the lesson is clear: behind the hits lies a man who chose peace over fame, and that choice has defined his legacy more than any chart position. (See AC/DC Band Members History for another story of an Australian rock legend.)

For a deeper look at his move to Australia and family, you can read about how the pop star settled into a new life Down Under.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs address common curiosities about Leo Sayer.