Fela Kuti Died Poor Due To Generosity Says Made Kuti

Fela Kuti died poor because of extreme generosity says grandson Made Kuti who shared how the Afrobeat legend gave freely to anyone at Kalakuta

Fela Kuti died poor, according to his grandson and Afrobeat artist, Made Kuti.

Also read: Made Kuti Rejects Materialism

Speaking on the Tea With Tay podcast, Made revealed that although Fela earned massive sums during his music career, he gave most of it away.

“Fela died poor. He had money that could buy a street. But after a show, he’d open a box of cash and let anyone who needed it take some,” he said.

He described Fela’s Kalakuta home as open to everyone no doors, no restrictions.

People from the streets could walk in, collect money, and leave freely.

Fela also insisted on equality, refusing to let his children call him “dad” to avoid showing them special treatment.

Made added that despite his global fame, Fela was more celebrated abroad than at home during his lifetime.

Also read: Made Kuti Questions Car Obsession

Fela Kuti died poor on August 2, 1997, at age 58, but left behind a legacy of music, activism, and radical generosity.