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Dionne Warwick has filed for bankruptcy, with debts totalling $10 million, according to her publicist Kevin Sasaki.

Sasaki told CNN:

“Due to several consecutive years (the late ’80s through the mid-’90s) of negligent and gross financial mismanagement, Dionne Warwick has realized the current necessity to file personal bankruptcy. In light of the magnitude of her tax liabilities, Warwick has repeatedly attempted to offer repayment plans and proposals to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board for taxes owed. These plans were not accepted, resulting in escalating interest and penalties. Although the actual amount of back taxes owed have been paid, the resulting penalties and interest has continually accrued.”

The bankruptcy filing states that Warwick owes $7 million in federal IRS debt, more than $3 million to the state of California in franchise taxes, and $500,000 to a lawyer and a business manager. She is reportedly down to her last $1,000 in cash.

This is a sad state of affairs for a singer who has been entertaining fans for 50 years and who has carried out so much admirable work for charity. As noted by Sasaki:

“Warwick has spent many years of her career raising funds for several humanitarian and philanthropic causes without compensation. Aside from carrying the banner for world hunger, she was the first musical artist to donate all sales and proceeds from her landmark recording, ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ to AIDS and The American Foundation For AIDS Research (amfAR).”

Warwick is the second most successful female vocalist of all time on the US charts, with 56 singles breaking into the Billboard Hot 100. Her most celebrated recordings were the many classic collaborations with the Bacharach/David songwriting team, including “Walk on By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Say a Little Prayer,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”.

Related article:
Song of the Week #133 – “Walk On By”