Helen Folasade Adu, known professionally as Sade Adu, was born on January 16, 1959, in Ibadan, Nigeria. Her Yoruba name, Folasade, means "crowned with wealth." Sade's father, Adebisi Adu, was a Nigerian lecturer, and her mother, Anne Hayes, was an English district nurse. After her parents separated when she was four, Sade moved to England with her mother and brother, settling near Colchester, Essex.

Sade studied at Saint Martin's School of Art in London and initially gained recognition as a fashion designer and part-time model. Her musical career began in the early 1980s when she joined the band Pride. Her talents soon led to the formation of her own band, Sade, and they secured a recording contract with Epic Records in 1983.

The band's debut album, "Diamond Life," released in 1984, became one of the best-selling albums of its time and marked the most successful debut by a British female vocalist. Sade's music, characterized by its blend of soul, sophisti-pop, smooth jazz, and quiet storm, has made her one of the most successful British female artists in history.

Sade performed at the Live Aid charity concert in 1985 and released several successful albums, including "Promise" (1985), "Stronger Than Pride" (1988), and "Love Deluxe" (1992). After a hiatus following the birth of her child, the band returned with "Lovers Rock" in 2000 and "Soldier of Love" in 2010.

Throughout her career, Sade has been recognized for her influence on contemporary music and was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002 and as a Commander in 2017. She continues to be celebrated for her contributions to music and her enduring legacy.