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We Didn’t See This Coming: The Second-Most-Charted Female Vocalist of All Time Files for Bankruptcy

Mar 26, 2013  •  Post A Comment

A multiple Grammy Award-winning singer has filed for bankruptcy in New Jersey. USA Today reports a personal bankruptcy filing for Dionne Warwick, best known for a string of 1960s hits including “Do You Know the Way to San Jose, “Alfie” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”

According to her publicist, Warwick filed for personal bankruptcy March 21 citing "negligent and gross financial mismanagement" in the late 1980s through mid-1990s, with her average monthly income during the period listed as $20,950.

USA Today reports: "The singing star filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey, where she lives. She listed total assets of $25,500 and liabilities of more than $10.7 million in taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service and the state of California, according to the filing.

"Her rep says the back taxes had already been paid, but penalties and interest have continued to accrue, despite the singer offering various repayment options."

Warwick is listed as the second-most-charted female vocalist of all time, behind Aretha Franklin. Warwick had 56 singles make the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998, ranking her second behind Franklin’s 88 charted singles.

Warwick’s hits also included “Walk on By,” “Don’t Make Me Over” and “Message to Michael.”

Warwick, a cousin of the late Whitney Houston, gained renewed fame — some might say notoriety — when she hosted infomercials for the Psychic Friends Network in the 1990s.

2 Comments

  1. From Diva to Deadbeat. When are these stars going to learn that after the manager, you pay “the man”. Then spend all you have. You may end up broke but you’ll have a good time doing it and you won’t have to look over your shoulder when you are old and no one remembers who you are.

  2. “Who” didn’t see this coming? The editor or headline writer is either in their 20’s or doesn’t keep up with entertainment news. Dionne has been in financial do-do before, which is why she was desperate enough to align with the Psychic Friends Network. With “mentors” such as Aunt Dionne, it’s no wonder poor Whitney Houston didn’t have good examples to follow when she was young.

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