During the course of his nearly 40-year career, pop legend Sting has worked hard for his fortune - and believes his children should do the same.
In an interview with The Daily Mail on Sunday, the former Police frontman revealed that his kids will not inherit his $300 million fortune when he dies. The 62-year-old musician, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, is the father of six children - two with his first wife Frances Tomelty, and four with his current wife Trudie Styler.
"They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate," Sting told The Mail. "Obviously, if they were in trouble I would help them, but I've never really had to do that. They have the work ethic that makes them want to succeed on their own merit."
Sting was reportedly raised by a working class family near the Wallsend shipyards in England. The 16-time Grammy Award winner said he wants his children to earn their own fortune, adding that he does not want to leave them "trust funds that are albatrosses 'round their necks."
"They have to work," Sting said. "All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate.... People make assumptions, that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but they have not been given a lot."
Besides wanting his children to work hard and make a name for themselves, Sting said his fortune has already been committed to something else.
"There won't be much money left because we are spending it! We have a lot of commitments. What comes in, we spend, and there isn't much left," the singer revealed.
He added: "I appreciate it because I spent much time without [money]. I use my money well. I am not a billionaire. I am very well off and I am certainly not complaining. I was not given it. I earned it through hard work and it was hard work. You try singing for two hours, getting on a plane every day. It's hard, but I love it."
Sting is not the only celebrity parent who refuses to spoil their children with a trust fund.
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson said she does want her children to have financial security because "it ruins people not having to earn money". The Boston Globe reported that action star Jackie Chan has previously stated that his son Jaycee will not be inheriting a fortune either, but added that he will support his son in whatever he choose to do.
