Even though she's 93, Petula Clark is still happy to perform, with the veteran star beginning her career all the way back in 1939 when she was aged just seven.
After over eight decades of performing, Petula has understandably amassed a lot of wealth, and is estimated to be worth $30 million. Much of this money will have come from her music career, where she sang hits like This Is My Song, My Love and Downtown, with many of the tunes being written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent.
However, Petula is also known for her acting career, making her screen debut at the age of 12. The star has appeared in the likes of Medal for the General, Easy Money and Finian's Rainbow, with the latter earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
She made her debut as a child star on the radio, recording messages to send to troops fighting in World War II. Although her initial appearance was delayed due to an air raid, she performed a rendition of Mighty Lak' a Rose while in the bomb shelter, which was later broadcast.
© Gamma-Keystone via Getty ImagesFrom there, she regularly performed for troops, gradually becoming known as 'Britain's Shirley Temple' as she toured alongside Julie Andrews. At the age of 12, she appeared in Medal for the General after being spotted by director Maurice Elvey.
She followed this up with roles in Strawberry Roan, London Town and several films in the Huggett Family film franchise. The end of the 1940s saw the proper start of her music career, with her debut hit being Put Your Shoes on Lucy.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesHer first album, Petula Clark Sings, was released in 1956, and she later released a further 47 studio albums, with some of them recorded in French.
Her most famous hit, Downtown, was released in 1964, and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Singles Chart. The classic song has appeared in major productions since its release, including Flight of the Intruder, Girl, Interrupted and Last Night in Soho.
What is Petula Clark doing now?
Petula continues to perform and her autobiography was released in 2025. The 93-year-old is currently living in Geneva.
Speaking to the Mail about her hopes for the future the same year, she said: "I would like to do another concert, and do it really well. In London and Manchester maybe. I'd do Downtown, Don't Sleep In The Subway then some of my own songs. I could do it. I could certainly do it."
The singer was also asked why she had never received a damehood, reflecting: "You are asking the wrong person. I don't know. Maybe it is because I live in Switzerland. But I don't care. I thought the Queen was great. We met a few times at cocktail parties and she was always absolutely charming. I almost felt that under different circumstances, we could have been friends."
Petula lost her husband, Claude Wolff, back in 2024, although the pair had been living separate lives for a decade before his death. During an appearance on Loose Women in 2016, Petula opened up about her arrangement with Claude, who is the father of her three children, Katherine, Barbara and Patrick.
© Getty Images"We're still married. Claude is the father of our wonderful children," she explained. "We still live together but he has his own life and I have mine and it somehow works."
