Artist, musician, and writer Holly Johnson, best known as the lead vocalist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, has been with his husband, Wolfgang Kuhle, for more than 40 years. The pair share a relationship mixed with affection and humor, resulting in a long-lasting bond.
Wolfgang Kuhle shares a passion for music with his partner, and they have been together since 1984, just after Frankie Goes To Hollywood became famous.
Soon after their private marriage, the singer was considered a monumental LGBTQ+ icon. He often advocated for the cause and encouraged others to be confident in their skin.
In an interview with the Guardian, Holly Johnson described that his husband often has to keep up with his tantrums as the singer isn’t easy to live with.
Moreover, Johnson added that Wolfgang calls him a street angel or house devil, implying that the singer had a different persona at home and had to deal with his sharp tongue during arguments.
Despite some challenges, the couple have an enduring love and mutual understanding between one another as the singer respected Kuhle’s privacy by keeping details about him under wraps, regardless of his popularity.
However, Kuhle serves as the singer’s manager while also working as a successful art dealer and painting collector. He often deals with artworks by Duncan Grant and Venessa Bell.
After Holly Johnson’s HIV testing, his husband supported him while the band left the singer out!
Throughout their relationship, Johnson and Kuhle have been through several difficulties while facing criticism for their homosexual connection.
When the medical team diagnosed Johnson with HIV in 1990 and had combination therapy years after, the pair was the target of public backlash as many speculated that his partner had a similar condition.
Johnson shut himself away for 16 months after his diagnosis and only talked about his condition to his partner, but later revealed it to the world through an interview. The singer released his autobiography A Bone in My Flute, coming to terms with HIV.
Holly Johnson – 64 years young #TOTP pic.twitter.com/05zMy10K6b
— ❤🦁🇺🇦🇳🇬🇬🇧J🇬🇧🇳🇬🇺🇦🦁❤ (@MissLionHeart) May 17, 2024
Likewise, the singer struggled with Type 2 diabetes as a side effect of the treatment, all while Kuhle handled Johnson’s declining reputation and career in the music industry.
As years passed, Johnson drew inspiration from his partner’s art journey and began painting to express his feelings. Later, the singer remarked, “Writing the book was a discipline in itself. I was learning to write prose, so I couldn’t keep my drawing up.“
However, his health continued to deteriorate as Johnson was hospitalized after a drug complication in his pancreas. Still, he was thankful as there wasn’t much complication due to immediate medical attention.
With Kuhle by his side, Johnson continued to add little touches to his music, literature, and artistic offerings and claimed that he didn’t find his work draining as he used to. Such expression implied that the singer had been working on a positive outlook on life.
Additional Information
- Born on February 9, 2024, Holly Johnson grew up in Liverpool, England, and started his career with gigs in the local band before securing a place in Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Later, he left the group after an argument with the record company.
- One of Johnson’s paintings is featured on the cover of Kirsty MacColl’s single Angel, which has received much appreciation from fans and critics.
- Holly Johson announced his UK Tour for 2025, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Welcome to the Pleasuredome.
