The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer from Toronto. His falsetto voice and dark blend of R&B and pop made him one of the biggest touring artists on the planet.
This guide covers his age, height, weight, family, career and net worth. Where sources disagree on a number, we say so.
The Weeknd Wiki/Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Abel Makkonen Tesfaye |
| Stage name | The Weeknd |
| Date of birth | February 16, 1990 |
| Age | 36 years (October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Raised in | Scarborough, Ontario |
| Nationality | Canadian, of Ethiopian descent |
| Height | About 5 ft 8 in (173 cm), as commonly listed |
| Weight | Not confirmed; estimates run from 70 to 80 kg |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor |
| Record labels | XO, Republic Records |
| Partner | Reported to be Simi Khadra (since 2022) |
| Children | None |
| Estimated net worth | Around $300 million |
The Weeknd Real Name
His birth name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. Makkonen is his father’s first name, which follows a common Ethiopian naming custom.
The stage name came from the idea of leaving home for a weekend and never going back. He dropped the extra “e” to avoid a clash with an existing Canadian band.
The Weeknd Early Life and Education
Tesfaye was born in Toronto and grew up in Scarborough. He attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and later Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute. He left school at 17 and moved into downtown Toronto with friends.
- Languages: He grew up around Amharic at home.
- Faith: He attended Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church services as a child.
The Weeknd Parents and Siblings
His father, Makkonen Tesfaye, left the family when Abel was very young. His mother, Samra Tesfaye (also listed as Samrawit Hailu), worked hard to support him. His grandmother helped raise him as well.
Most reliable profiles describe him as an only child. A few low-quality sites list siblings, but no trustworthy source confirms this.
| Family member | Details |
| Father | Makkonen Tesfaye, Ethiopian immigrant |
| Mother | Samra Tesfaye, Ethiopian immigrant |
| Grandmother | Played a major role in raising him |
| Siblings | None publicly confirmed |
The Weeknd Partner – Simi Khadra
The Weeknd is not married and has no children. Multiple outlets report that he has been dating model and DJ Simi Khadra since 2022.
He keeps the relationship private, so details are limited. Some older articles still call Selena Gomez his partner, but they dated around 2017. His past relationships also include Bella Hadid, with whom he was on and off between 2015 and 2019.
The Weeknd Age
The Weeknd was born on February 16, 1990, so he is 36 years old as of October 2026. His zodiac sign is Aquarius.
He turned 36 during the After Hours Til Dawn tour.
The Weeknd Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Most celebrity databases list his height as 5 ft 8 in (173 cm). Some sources claim up to 5 ft 11 in, and he has never confirmed an exact number.
His weight is also unconfirmed. Estimates fall between 70 and 80 kg, and he keeps a slim, athletic build.
He has dark eyes and a signature voluminous hairstyle. His style has shifted from messy hair to sharp suits and bold stage costumes tied to each album era.
The Weeknd Before Fame
Tesfaye worked odd jobs, including a stint at American Apparel, while making music at night with producers like Jeremy Rose and Doc McKinney.
In late 2010 he uploaded songs to YouTube without showing his face or using his real name. The mystery made people curious, and the tracks spread fast.
The Weeknd Career
His debut mixtape, House of Balloons, arrived in 2011, followed by Thursday and Echoes of Silence. Together they became the Trilogy collection.
He then released a string of studio albums:
- Kiss Land (2013): His official debut album.
- Beauty Behind the Madness (2015): Home to “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills.”
- Starboy (2016): Featured Daft Punk on the title track.
- After Hours (2020): Produced the global hit “Blinding Lights.”
- Dawn FM (2022): A radio-themed concept album.
- Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025): Debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
He headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show in 2021 and co-created the HBO series The Idol. In 2025 he starred in the film Hurry Up Tomorrow.
The Weeknd Social Media Presence
The Weeknd is active on Instagram, X and TikTok, but posts sparingly. Most posts are album teasers, tour clips and cinematic visuals.
His Spotify numbers do the talking. “Blinding Lights” has passed five billion streams, and he has held one of the platform’s top spots for monthly listeners.
The Weeknd Net Worth and Achievements
Net worth estimates vary by site, but $300 million is the most common figure. Forbes also ranked him the highest-paid musician of 2025, with about $298 million in earnings that year.
Those earnings are not the same as net worth. They came from touring, album sales and a catalog deal with Lyric Capital, which Forbes says netted him roughly $200 million after fees.
| Income source | Details |
| Touring | After Hours Til Dawn tour topped $1 billion in gross revenue |
| Catalog deal | Lyric Capital agreement, about $200 million net per Forbes |
| Streaming and sales | Billions of streams; Hurry Up Tomorrow opened at number one |
The Weeknd Awards and Recognitions
He has won four Grammy Awards, including two in 2016 for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Performance. Another win came in 2018 for Starboy, and a fourth in 2023 for Best Melodic Rap Performance on “Hurricane.”
He has also won many Billboard, Juno and American Music Awards.
Grammy history has not always been smooth. He boycotted the awards in 2021, returned to perform in 2025, and received no 2026 nominations.
The Weeknd Legacy and Impact
He helped bring moody, cinematic R&B to the mainstream and inspired artists who blend pop with dark, atmospheric production.
His tours reset records for male solo artists. The Hurry Up Tomorrow era was billed as the end of The Weeknd persona.
The Weeknd Nationality and Religion
He is Canadian with Ethiopian roots and often speaks proudly of both Toronto and his heritage.
He grew up around the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church. He has not made his current religious views a public topic.
The Weeknd Future Plans and Goals
He has said that Hurry Up Tomorrow closes the chapter on The Weeknd name. Future projects may appear under Abel Tesfaye, and he has shown strong interest in film.
The Weeknd Songs List
These are his most popular and most important tracks:
- Blinding Lights: The record-setting 2019 single from After Hours.
- Save Your Tears: A synth-pop favorite that reached number one in the US.
- Starboy: The Daft Punk collaboration that topped the Hot 100.
- The Hills: A dark, moody chart-topper from 2015.
- Can’t Feel My Face: His breakout pop hit.
- Earned It: The Fifty Shades of Grey single that earned a Grammy.
- Heartless: A number-one single from After Hours.
- Die For You: A slow-burn hit that climbed years after release.
- Call Out My Name: A raw ballad about heartbreak.
- Timeless: A 2024 collaboration with Playboi Carti.
The Weeknd Lesser-Known Facts about The Weeknd
- Faceless debut: He hid his identity in his first YouTube uploads.
- Retail job: He once worked at American Apparel.
- Chart record: He once held the top three spots on a Billboard R&B chart at once.
- Acting: He voiced characters on The Simpsons in 2022.
- Business owner: He owns a stake in OverActive Media.
The Weeknd Hobbies
His interests show up in his work:
- Film: He is a self-described cinephile and fills his videos with movie references.
- Music production: He spends long hours writing and producing in the studio.
- Visual art direction: He shapes the look of each album era himself.
- Acting: He has moved from television into feature films.
The Weeknd Favorite Things
He rarely shares personal favorites, but interviews point to a few clear ones:
- Michael Jackson: A lifelong musical hero.
- 1980s synth sound: The base of the After Hours era.
- Cinema: Especially dark thrillers and stylized visuals.
- Toronto: He still calls it home and gives back to the city.
The Weeknd Interesting Facts
- He launched his career through free mixtapes.
- His tour became one of only three in history to pass $1 billion in gross.
- A high-school dropout, he became the world’s highest-paid musician of 2025.
FAQs
What is The Weeknd’s real name?
His real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. The Weeknd is his stage name.
How old is The Weeknd?
He is 36 years old. He was born on February 16, 1990.
What is The Weeknd’s height and weight?
His height is commonly listed as 5 ft 8 in (173 cm). His weight is unconfirmed, with estimates of 70 to 80 kg.
Who is The Weeknd’s girlfriend?
He is reported to be dating Simi Khadra since 2022. He is not married and has no children.
What is The Weeknd’s net worth?
Estimates center on about $300 million. Forbes also reported $298 million in 2025 earnings.
How many Grammys has The Weeknd won?
He has won four Grammy Awards.
Conclusion
The Weeknd rose from Scarborough and anonymous YouTube uploads to stadium tours, billion-dollar grosses and a Forbes number one ranking.
His story shows how mystery, strong songwriting and steady reinvention can build a lasting career.As he steps toward life as Abel Tesfaye, fans can expect new projects and more film work.
