The Weeknd is a Canadian singer and songwriter known for his distinctive falsetto, dark R&B sound, and cinematic pop style. Born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, he is 36 years old in 2026. The Weeknd Height is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm), while his weight is around 75 kg (165 lbs).
He is the only child of Ethiopian immigrant parents Makkonen Tesfaye and Samrawit Hailu. His mother and maternal grandmother played the main roles in raising him in Scarborough. He keeps his romantic life private and is not married. He has no children.
His career began with music uploaded anonymously online before the 2011 mixtape House of Balloons brought wider attention. Albums such as Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, After Hours, Dawn FM, and Hurry Up Tomorrow turned him into a global star. His major achievements include four Grammy wins, 22 JUNO Awards, huge streaming records, and a stadium tour that crossed $1 billion in gross revenue. His net worth is around $300 million.
The Weeknd Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abel Tesfaye; born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye |
| Stage/Professional Name | The Weeknd |
| Birth & Birthplace | February 16, 1990 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Religion | Raised Ethiopian Orthodox Christian |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | Around 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor |
| Education | West Hill Collegiate Institute; Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute |
| Career Highlights | After Hours, Starboy, Blinding Lights, Super Bowl LV |
| Net Worth | Around $300 million |
| Wealth Sources | Music, touring, streaming, publishing, catalog rights, brand work |
| Notable Skills | Singing, songwriting, production, performance |
| Family | Parents Makkonen Tesfaye and Samrawit Hailu; only child |
| Relationship | In a relationship; private personal life |
| Known For | Blinding Lights, Starboy, The Hills, Can’t Feel My Face |
| Social Presence | Instagram, X, YouTube and other music platforms |
The Weeknd Real Name
The Weeknd was born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. He later removed his middle name legally, making Abel Tesfaye the name he increasingly uses outside his famous musical persona.
His stage name came from leaving home as a teenager one weekend. He changed the spelling from “Weekend” to “Weeknd,” dropping the final “e” because the original spelling was already connected to a Canadian band.
For most of his career, fans have known him simply as The Weeknd. He considered closing that chapter after Hurry Up Tomorrow, but in August 2026 he told concert fans that he had tested the idea of retirement and no longer wanted to disappear from the persona.
The Weeknd Early Life and Education
The Weeknd grew up in Scarborough, Toronto, in an Ethiopian-Canadian household. His mother worked several jobs, while his grandmother helped care for him. Amharic was his first language, and he also learned French through French-immersion schooling.
He attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute. His school years did not end with graduation because he dropped out at 17.
Music, movies, Ethiopian culture, R&B, pop, soul, hip-hop, and alternative sounds all shaped his early interests. Those influences later became part of the atmospheric style that separated his music from conventional R&B.
| Education Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Schooling | West Hill Collegiate Institute; Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute |
| Higher Education | Did not attend college |
| Degree/Training | No formal music degree |
| Special Achievement | Built his music career without formal professional music training |
The Weeknd Parents and Siblings
The Weeknd’s father is Makkonen Tesfaye, while his mother is Samrawit Hailu, also known as Samra Tesfaye. His parents came to Canada from Ethiopia and separated when Abel was young.
His mother became the central parental figure in his childhood. His maternal grandmother also cared for him and helped keep him connected to Ethiopian language, food, religion, and culture.
The Weeknd is an only child. His father was largely absent during his upbringing, so his childhood home was shaped mainly by his mother and grandmother.
| Family Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Father | Makkonen Tesfaye |
| Mother | Samrawit Hailu |
| Siblings | Only child |
| Partner | Keeps current relationship private |
| Children | None |
| Family Background | Ethiopian immigrant family in Canada |
The Weeknd Girlfriend and Relationship
The Weeknd keeps his current relationship away from much of the public attention. His relationship status in 2026 is in a relationship, but he has not made marriage part of his public life.
His best-known past relationship was with model Bella Hadid. The pair had an on-and-off relationship between 2015 and 2019. He also dated singer and actress Selena Gomez during 2017.
He has also been romantically connected with DJ Simi Khadra. The Weeknd has no children and tends to keep personal relationships much less visible than his music and performances.
The Weeknd Age
The Weeknd was born on February 16, 1990. He turned 36 years old on February 16, 2026.
His zodiac sign is Aquarius. He entered the music world in his early twenties after leaving school and spending several years developing his sound.
By his mid-thirties, he had already built a catalog spanning underground mixtapes, major pop albums, film and television work, stadium tours, and some of the largest streaming hits of his generation.
The Weeknd Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
The Weeknd stands 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. His weight is around 75 kg (165 lbs).
He has dark brown eyes and dark brown hair. His build is average, and his appearance has changed significantly across different album eras.
One of his most recognizable early features was his tall freeform hairstyle. Later eras brought shorter hair, tailored red suits, facial bandages used as part of the After Hours concept, and other cinematic looks tied to his music.
| Physical Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | Around 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Hair Color | Dark brown |
| Build | Average |
| Distinctive Features | Falsetto voice, changing hairstyles and era-based fashion |
The Weeknd Before Fame
Before becoming famous, Abel left high school at 17 and moved away from home with friends. He lived in Toronto’s Parkdale area and went through an unstable period before music became his main focus.
He worked at an American Apparel store and began recording music in Toronto. Some coworkers even played his early tracks without knowing that he was the singer behind them.
In 2010, songs released online under The Weeknd name began attracting attention. He initially kept his identity hidden, allowing the mysterious sound and artwork to drive interest before House of Balloons pushed him toward a larger audience.
The Weeknd Career
The Weeknd’s early career took off in 2011 with three mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. They established his dark alternative R&B sound. The material was later packaged into Trilogy, while his first studio album, Kiss Land, arrived in 2013.
His mainstream breakthrough came through songs such as “Earned It,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” and “The Hills.” Beauty Behind the Madness reached No. 1, followed by Starboy in 2016. His career reached another level with After Hours and “Blinding Lights,” which became one of the defining global hits of the 2020s.
He continued with Dawn FM in 2022 and Hurry Up Tomorrow in 2025. The latter completed the album trilogy that began with After Hours. His work also expanded into acting and screen production through The Idol and the Hurry Up Tomorrow film.
| Year/Period | Career Highlight |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Released three breakthrough mixtapes |
| 2013 | Released debut studio album Kiss Land |
| 2015 | Beauty Behind the Madness brought major pop success |
| 2016 | Released Starboy |
| 2020 | After Hours and “Blinding Lights” became global successes |
| 2021 | Headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show |
| 2022 | Released Dawn FM |
| 2025 | Released Hurry Up Tomorrow |
| Present | Performing the extended After Hours Til Dawn Tour |
The Weeknd Albums
The Weeknd’s studio albums show his shift from atmospheric alternative R&B toward large-scale synth-pop and cinematic concept projects.
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Kiss Land | 2013 |
| Beauty Behind the Madness | 2015 |
| Starboy | 2016 |
| After Hours | 2020 |
| Dawn FM | 2022 |
| Hurry Up Tomorrow | 2025 |
After Hours, Dawn FM, and Hurry Up Tomorrow form a connected trilogy. Hurry Up Tomorrow debuted at No. 1 in Canada and closed the three-album storyline.
The Weeknd Social Media Presence
The Weeknd maintains a major presence across Instagram, X, YouTube, and music-streaming platforms. His accounts are used for music releases, concert material, visuals, album campaigns, and occasional glimpses into his interests.
His online identity has changed alongside his music. He began using Abel Tesfaye more visibly on social platforms during the period when he was considering moving away from The Weeknd persona.
Streaming is especially central to his reach. He became the first artist to reach 100 million monthly Spotify listeners, reflecting the enormous global audience surrounding his catalog.
The Weeknd Net Worth and Achievements
The Weeknd’s net worth is around $300 million. His wealth comes mainly from recorded music, publishing, streaming royalties, touring, merchandise, catalog rights, and commercial partnerships.
His financial scale grew sharply with the After Hours Til Dawn Tour. By the end of 2025, the tour had crossed $1 billion in gross revenue, while his 2025 earnings reached $298 million. Those earnings are separate from his total net worth.
His music catalog also became part of a major partnership with Lyric Capital in late 2025. The structure brought substantial investment into his catalog while leaving Abel and his team with ownership interests and creative control.
| Year/Period | Career / Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Major international breakthrough |
| 2020–2021 | “Blinding Lights” set major chart records |
| 2023 | Became first artist to reach 100M monthly Spotify listeners |
| 2025 | Received Key to the City of Toronto |
| 2025 | Tour passed $1 billion in gross revenue |
| Present | One of Canada’s most commercially successful music artists |
The Weeknd Awards and Recognitions
The Weeknd has won four Grammy Awards from 14 nominations. He also holds 22 JUNO Awards, making him the most decorated male artist in JUNO history.
His recognition extends beyond traditional music awards. “Blinding Lights” set major streaming and chart longevity records, while his overall streaming performance made him the first musician to reach 100 million monthly Spotify listeners.
In 2025, Toronto presented him with the Key to the City for his artistic achievements, cultural impact, and philanthropy.
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Urban Contemporary Album | Won |
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Performance | Won |
| 2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Urban Contemporary Album | Won |
| 2021 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Artist | Won |
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Melodic Rap Performance | Won |
| 2023 | JUNO Awards | Album of the Year – Dawn FM | Won |
| 2025 | City of Toronto | Key to the City | Honored |
| 2026 | JUNO Awards | Multiple categories | Five nominations |
The Weeknd Legacy and Impact
The Weeknd helped bring dark, atmospheric alternative R&B into the mainstream before expanding his music into synth-pop, dance, and large cinematic concepts. His falsetto and moody production became central parts of his musical identity.
“Blinding Lights” became his biggest global streaming landmark. In 2025, it became the first song to pass five billion streams on Spotify. He had already become the first artist to reach 100 million monthly listeners on the platform.
His impact also extends to touring. The After Hours Til Dawn Tour crossed $1 billion and became the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist by the end of 2025.
The Weeknd Records and Milestones
Several of The Weeknd’s biggest achievements are tied directly to streaming and chart records.
- First artist to reach 100 million monthly Spotify listeners
- “Blinding Lights” became the first song to reach five billion Spotify streams
- “Blinding Lights” spent a record 57 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10
- Won 22 JUNO Awards, the most by a male artist
- Shares the record for three JUNO Album of the Year wins
- After Hours Til Dawn Tour crossed $1 billion in gross revenue
- Headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show in 2021
- Received the Key to the City of Toronto in 2025
The Weeknd Nationality and Religion
The Weeknd is Canadian. He was born in Toronto and raised in Scarborough by a family with Ethiopian roots. His parents immigrated to Canada from Ethiopia before his birth.
He grew up speaking Amharic and maintained a strong connection with Ethiopian culture through his family. His upbringing also included French immersion education.
He was raised as an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and attended church with his grandmother during childhood. As an adult, he has spoken about religion and spirituality in less definite personal terms, so his Ethiopian Orthodox background is more precise than assigning a current religious identity.
The Weeknd Future Plans and Goals
The Weeknd remains active on the After Hours Til Dawn Tour in 2026. The expanded tour is scheduled to continue through Europe and Asia before concluding in Kuala Lumpur in November 2026.
His plans for The Weeknd name have also shifted. He previously discussed retiring the persona after Hurry Up Tomorrow, but during an August 2026 concert he told fans that he had tested retirement and did not like it.
No next studio album has been announced. His current public focus remains the tour, while his recent comments leave the door open for The Weeknd identity to continue beyond the era once framed as its ending.
The Weeknd Songs List
- Blinding Lights – record-breaking synth-pop hit
- Starboy – Daft Punk collaboration
- The Hills – dark breakthrough single
- Can’t Feel My Face – major pop crossover
- Earned It – Fifty Shades soundtrack hit
- Save Your Tears – synth-pop fan favorite
- Die for You – enduring Starboy hit
- Call Out My Name – emotional R&B ballad
- I Feel It Coming – smooth Daft Punk collaboration
- Heartless – After Hours lead single
- Wicked Games – early signature song
- In Your Eyes – retro-pop single
- Take My Breath – dance-pop release
- Sacrifice – Dawn FM single
- Out of Time – smooth Dawn FM track
- Timeless – Playboi Carti collaboration
- São Paulo – Anitta collaboration
- Cry for Me – Hurry Up Tomorrow track
Lesser-Known Facts About The Weeknd
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| First language | Amharic |
| French ability | Learned through French immersion |
| Siblings | He is an only child |
| Stage-name inspiration | Leaving home one weekend |
| Missing “e” | Helped distinguish the name from an existing band |
| Early job | Worked at American Apparel |
| Early anonymity | Initially released music without revealing his identity |
| Movie interest | Longtime cinephile |
| Ethiopian influence | Heard Ethiopian music during childhood |
| First mixtape | House of Balloons |
| Debut studio album | Kiss Land |
| Super Bowl | Headlined halftime show in 2021 |
| Acting work | Appeared in The Idol and Hurry Up Tomorrow |
| Humanitarian role | Became a World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador |
| Toronto honor | Received Key to the City in 2025 |
| Gaming interest | Plays games including Elden Ring and the Persona series |
The Weeknd Hobbies
- Video gaming – longtime interest in console and PC games
- Watching movies – strong interest in cinema
- Anime – part of his visual and entertainment interests
- Listening to music – wide-ranging musical taste
- Exploring Japanese culture – recurring creative interest
- Creative visual work – closely involved with his album-era imagery
The Weeknd Favorite Things
- Food – Ethiopian food
- TV series – Game of Thrones
- Musician – Emika
- Super Bowl halftime performance – Diana Ross’ 1996 show
- Gaming style – prefers a controller
The Weeknd Interesting Facts
- His first language was Amharic.
- He dropped out of school at 17.
- His stage name was inspired by leaving home one weekend.
- He first built mystery by releasing music anonymously online.
- House of Balloons became his breakout mixtape.
- Michael Jackson was an important vocal influence.
- He headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show.
- He became the first artist to reach 100 million monthly Spotify listeners.
- “Blinding Lights” became the first Spotify song to cross five billion streams.
- He has won four Grammy Awards.
- He holds 22 JUNO Awards.
- Toronto gave him the Key to the City in 2025.
Read: Lori Singer Height
Read: Billie Eilish Height
Read: Randy Jackson Height
Read: Alex Warren Height
Read: Benson Boone Height
Read: Tate McRae Height
Read: Willie Nelson Height
FAQs About The Weeknd
What is The Weeknd’s real name?
The Weeknd was born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. He later legally removed his middle name and increasingly uses Abel Tesfaye outside his stage persona.
How old is The Weeknd in 2026?
The Weeknd is 36 years old. He was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
How tall is The Weeknd?
The Weeknd Height is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm). His weight is around 75 kg (165 lbs).
Does The Weeknd have a wife or children?
The Weeknd is not married and has no children. He keeps his current romantic life relatively private.
What is The Weeknd’s net worth?
The Weeknd’s net worth is around $300 million. Music sales, streaming, publishing, touring, catalog rights, merchandise, and commercial work form his main income streams.
Conclusion
The Weeknd is 36 years old in 2026 and stands 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, with a weight of around 75 kg (165 lbs). The Weeknd Height remains a popular search among fans interested in his physical profile. He grew up as the only child of Ethiopian parents and was mainly raised by his mother and grandmother.
His journey started in Toronto before anonymous online songs and the House of Balloons mixtape brought him wider attention. Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, After Hours, and songs such as “Blinding Lights” transformed him into an international music star.
His net worth is around $300 million, while his career includes four Grammy wins, 22 JUNO Awards, historic streaming milestones, a Super Bowl halftime performance, and a billion-dollar stadium tour. In 2026, he remains active as The Weeknd and continues performing on the After Hours Til Dawn Tour.
