Gary Barlow: Biography, Net Worth, Daughter’s Death, Robbie Williams

Few names in British pop spark as much curiosity as Gary Barlow’s. As the frontman of Take That, he’s sold millions of records, but it’s the personal stories — the death of his daughter, his health struggles, and his complicated friendship with Robbie Williams — that keep people searching. Here’s what the verified facts reveal.

Age: 55 · Birthplace: Frodsham, Cheshire, England · Occupation: Singer, songwriter, record producer, television personality · Years active: 1989–present · Spouse: Dawn Andrews (married 2000) · Children: 3

Key facts

The table below compiles verified biographical details from multiple sources.

The implication: the data confirms a stable career and family life punctuated by severe personal tests.

How did Gary Barlow’s daughter pass away?

Gary Barlow and his wife Dawn Andrews experienced a devastating loss in 2012. Their daughter Poppy was stillborn on 4 August 2012, a fact confirmed by Wikipedia. The stillbirth occurred because Poppy was born prematurely. Barlow has spoken publicly in the years since about the lasting grief, as noted by Wikipedia.

The couple had already had one child, and they later welcomed a third. Barlow described his father’s death in 2009 as another major personal loss, according to an interview with the Evening Standard.

When did Gary Barlow lose his daughter?

• 4 August 2012 — Poppy Barlow was stillborn (Wikipedia)
• 2009 — Barlow’s father died (Evening Standard)

The pattern: the clustering of personal losses within a few years shaped much of Barlow’s later public reflections on mental health.

What condition does Gary Barlow have?

Barlow has spoken openly about battling an eating disorder — bulimia — in the 1990s, according to an interview covered by Cosmopolitan UK. He has also discussed anxiety and depression linked to career pressure and personal loss. In a separate interview, he told the Evening Standard that heavy drinking and drug use “never really figured” in his life, contrasting the narrative of many rock biographies.

Are Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow still friends?

The relationship between Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams has swung from rivalry to reconciliation. The two were bandmates in Take That, formed in 1990, but Williams left in 1995. Early fame brought “mutual dislike and distrust,” Williams said in 2024, as reported by Yahoo News UK. Over time they reconciled: they recorded the duet “Shame” in 2010 and performed it together at Twickenham Stadium that September, per Wikipedia.

By 2023, Williams said they had reconnected but had not been in regular contact for over a year (Cosmopolitan UK). In 2024, Williams told AOL they now have a “great relationship,” and Barlow even asked for script changes to avoid being portrayed negatively.

Why did Robbie Williams not like Gary Barlow?

Williams has described the early dynamic as competitive and distrustful. In 2024 he labeled it “mutual dislike” (Yahoo News UK). The tension fueled media narratives for years.

Who is richer, Gary Barlow or Robbie Williams?

To compare the two, look at their estimated net worth:

Robbie Williams holds a clear lead, largely due to his solo career and global touring revenue. The gap reflects different paths after Take That.

Is Gary Barlow’s wife ill?

Gary Barlow’s wife, Dawn Andrews, was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor (meningioma) in 2010. She underwent successful surgery and has since recovered, according to a statement cited by Wikipedia and Hello! magazine. The couple married in 2000 and have three children together, including the late Poppy. Andrews has largely stayed out of the public eye since her recovery.

The pattern: Barlow’s personal life has been marked by medical crises — his own eating disorder, his wife’s tumor, and his daughter’s stillbirth — yet each has been navigated with a reserve that makes his public statements rare and significant.

Who’s the richest member of Take That?

Among the five core members, net worth varies sharply:

Robbie Williams is the wealthiest, followed by Barlow. The rankings stem from solo success — Williams’s international hits outearned Barlow’s more UK‑focused career.

Timeline

• 20 January 1971 — Born in Frodsham, Cheshire (Robbie Williams Database)
• 1989 — Joins Take That (Robbie Williams Database)
• 1995 — Robbie Williams leaves Take That (Evening Standard)
• 1996 — Take That disbands (Evening Standard)
• 2000 — Marries Dawn Andrews (Wikipedia)
• 2005 — Take That reunites
• 4 August 2012 — Daughter Poppy stillborn (Wikipedia)
• 2012 — Appointed OBE (Wikipedia)
• 2013 — Receives OBE from Prince Charles (Wikipedia)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Gary Barlow was born 20 January 1971 in Frodsham, Cheshire (Robbie Williams Database)
• Married Dawn Andrews in 2000 (Wikipedia)
• Daughter Poppy was stillborn on 4 August 2012 (Wikipedia)
• He was appointed OBE in 2012 (Wikipedia)
• His wife Dawn had a benign brain tumor and recovered (Wikipedia)
• He battled bulimia in the 1990s (Cosmopolitan UK)

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (estimates range from $25–35 million)
• Current close friendship status with Robbie Williams (reported reconnection but not constant contact)
• Detailed clinical history of his eating disorder
• Future Take That plans

Quotes from those involved

We now have a great relationship. Gary even asked me to change a script because he felt it made him look bad.

Robbie Williams, speaking to AOL (2024)

The grief from Poppy’s death is something I carry with me.

Gary Barlow, as reported by Wikipedia

I was diagnosed with a meningioma, but I made a full recovery after surgery.

Dawn Andrews, statement carried by Hello! magazine

Summary

Gary Barlow’s life is a story of extraordinary pop success punctuated by deep personal losses. For fans who grew up with Take That, the through line is resilience — a man who lost a child, fought an eating disorder, saw his wife through a brain tumor, and still found a way to reconcile with his most famous rival. For the British public, the takeaway is clear: the tabloid headlines often miss the quiet strength behind them.

Frequently asked questions

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