George Michael to be posthumously inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The late British born, Greek Cypriot musician George Michael will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year.

Michael, who formed the pop duo Wham with his friend Andrew Ridgeley, died in 2016 at the age of 53. He was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in England, to a Greek Cypriot restauranteur who left Cyprus in the 1950s.

His mother was an English dancer.

The news that Michael would be inducted into the hall of fame was announced by his family through his official Instagram page.

“We are incredibly proud to learn that George will be officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year – he would have been honoured to be included in such esteemed company.”

This was the first year Michael’s name could be included on the ballot where he won the fan vote ahead of second-place winner Cyndi Lauper. The official event will be held on November 3.

To be eligible, a performer needs to have released their first recording 25 years earlier.