Engelbert Humperdinck and the Paternity Lawsuits He Couldn’t Escape
For decades, Engelbert Humperdinck captivated the world with his velvety voice and romantic ballads. But behind the tuxedos, sold-out shows, and fan hysteria, there’s a lesser-known — and far more complicated — chapter of his life: a string of paternity lawsuits that followed him throughout his career.
In a strikingly candid interview with The Telegraph, Engelbert didn’t shy away from acknowledging the controversies.
“I’ve had more paternity suits than casual suits,” he quipped — half joking, half admitting a truth fans rarely heard.
Despite being married to his wife Patricia since 1964, Engelbert openly confessed to having numerous affairs during the height of his fame. His undeniable charm and international celebrity status made him the subject of repeated paternity claims. Women came forward, alleging he was the father of their children — and many even took him to court seeking child support or DNA tests.
Some of these lawsuits were quietly settled out of court, others were dismissed, and a few were never publicly resolved. While the exact number remains unclear, reports from UK tabloids and legal records suggest that Engelbert may have faced over a dozen paternity-related claims throughout his life.
Though these incidents generated tabloid frenzy in the 1970s and ’80s, Engelbert rarely commented on them in public. Instead, he focused on his music and on caring for his wife during her long battle with Alzheimer’s until her passing in 2021.