PROFILE DETAILS
NAME: Alexander McQueen
REAL NAME: Lee Alexander McQueen
AGE: 40 (at time of death; would be 56 in 2026)
Gender: Male
weight: Information not publicly available
Height: 5′ 8″ (173 cm)
Birthdate: March 17, 1969
Birth Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lewisham, London, England
NET WORTH: $30 million (Estimated estate value as of 2026)
Salary: N/A (Deceased)
MAIN INCOME SOURCE: Fashion Design and Brand Royalties
Profession: Fashion Designer and Couturier
RELIGION: Information not publicly available
FAMILY: Ronald McQueen (Father), Joyce McQueen (Mother), 5 Siblings
PARENTS: Ronald and Joyce McQueen
SPOUSE: George Forsyth (Partner; unofficial marriage in 2000)
CHILDREN: None
CAREER: Founder of Alexander McQueen; Creative Director at Givenchy (1996–2001)
Nationality: British
SOCIAL PROFILES: @alexandermcqueen (Official Brand Account)
What is Alexander McQueen Net Worth and salary?
At the time of his death in 2010, Alexander McQueen had a personal net worth estimated at $30 million. His estate was officially valued at approximately £16 million ($26 million) in 2011. As of February 2026, the Alexander McQueen brand—owned by the luxury conglomerate Kering—is estimated to have an enterprise value exceeding $500 million. While McQueen no longer draws a salary, his estate continues to benefit from archival revivals and licensing. In 2025, Kering reported that the brand underwent a significant strategic restructuring to return to “sustainable profitability,” with 2026 projections focusing on margin improvement under new creative leadership.
Early Life
Born in Lewisham, London, Lee Alexander McQueen was the youngest of six children. His father, Ronald, was a taxi driver of Scottish descent, and his mother, Joyce, was a social science teacher. Growing up in a terraced house in Stratford, McQueen showed an early interest in fashion, reportedly sewing dresses for his three sisters. Despite his working-class roots, his mother encouraged his artistic pursuits, a bond that remained central to his life until her death in 2010.
Before fame
McQueen left school at age 16 with only one O-level in art. He began an apprenticeship at the prestigious Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard, followed by Gieves & Hawkes, where he mastered the technical precision of bespoke tailoring. He later worked for theatrical costumiers Angels and Bermans, which influenced the dramatic, narrative style of his future runway shows. Before launching his label, he worked in Milan for Romeo Gigli and completed a Master’s degree at Central Saint Martins in 1992.
Awards
- British Designer of the Year: 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2003.
- CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire): Awarded by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003.
- CFDA International Designer of the Year: 2003.
- GQ Designer of the Year: 2007.
Personal Life and Relationships
McQueen was openly gay, having realized his orientation at a young age. In 2000, he held an unofficial marriage ceremony with documentary filmmaker George Forsyth on a yacht in Ibiza; the ceremony was attended by close friends including Kate Moss. Although the relationship ended a year later, they remained close. McQueen struggled with depression and the pressures of the fashion industry, which were exacerbated by the loss of his mentor Isabella Blow in 2007 and his mother in 2010.
Family life
McQueen remained deeply connected to his East End roots throughout his career. He was particularly close to his mother, Joyce, who acted as his amateur genealogist and greatest supporter. His father, Ronald, passed away in 2017. McQueen’s will famously left £50,000 to his beloved dogs (Minter, Juice, and Callum) to ensure their care, while the bulk of his fortune was bequeathed to his charity, the Sarabande Foundation, which supports emerging creative talent.
Associated with
- Isabella Blow: The stylist who discovered him and bought his entire graduation collection.
- Sarah Burton: His long-time right hand who served as Creative Director from 2010 to 2023.
- Seán McGirr: The current Creative Director (as of 2026) who succeeded Burton.
- Kate Moss & Naomi Campbell: Iconic models and close personal friends.
Real Estate
McQueen owned several high-value properties in London. His primary residence was a flat in Mayfair, where he was found in 2010. He also owned a luxury penthouse in Mayfair, purchased for $3.2 million in 2009 and later listed for $10.6 million in 2016 following extensive renovations. His estate also included a country home in East Sussex.
Net Worth History
- 1992: $0 (Launched label with unemployment benefits).
- 2000: $10 million (Following the sale of 51% of his brand to Gucci Group/Kering).
- 2010: $30 million (Peak personal wealth at time of death).
- 2026: $500M+ (Brand enterprise value under Kering management).
Trivia
- He famously sewed “I am a c***” into the lining of a suit intended for King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) during his Savile Row days.
- He is credited with inventing the “bumster” trousers, which sparked the low-rise jean trend of the late 90s.
- His 2011 retrospective, Savage Beauty, remains one of the most visited exhibitions in the history of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the V&A.
BIOGRAPHY
Executive Summary
Alexander McQueen remains the definitive “Enfant Terrible” of British fashion, a visionary whose influence as of February 2026 continues to shape the global luxury landscape. Born Lee Alexander McQueen, he rose from a working-class background to become the head of Givenchy and the founder of his eponymous multi-million dollar house. His work was characterized by a unique synthesis of Savile Row precision and avant-garde theatricality, often exploring dark themes of mortality, nature, and Scottish history.
Following his tragic passing in 2010, the brand transitioned into a new era under Sarah Burton, who famously designed the wedding dress for Catherine, Princess of Wales. However, by late 2023, the brand entered a transformative phase with the appointment of Seán McGirr as Creative Director. As of the 2025/2026 fashion cycles, McGirr has steered the house toward a “neo-modern dandyism,” blending McQueen’s original rebellious spirit with a visceral, tactile aesthetic. Recent collections, such as the Spring/Summer 2026 “British Rebellion” show in Paris, have been noted for their “unfiltered vision,” utilizing butt-crack slits and gilded feather gowns to reclaim the brand’s provocative roots.
Financially, the house of Alexander McQueen is currently a cornerstone of Kering’s “Other Houses” division. Despite a challenging global luxury market in 2025, which saw Kering initiate a strategic review and headquarters restructuring, the brand is positioned for a return to growth in 2026. The legacy of the man himself is preserved through the Sarabande Foundation, which continues to fund the next generation of artists, ensuring that McQueen’s commitment to raw, uncompromised creativity survives long after his tenure. His life stands as a testament to the power of technical mastery fused with an uncompromising, often haunting, artistic soul.