It is one of those questions that seems to pop up every time he walks onto a stage or sits in that big red chair on The Voice UK. People see the energy, they hear that booming, floor-shaking baritone, and they just can't make the math work in their heads. So, if you are wondering how old is singer Tom Jones, the answer is pretty staggering: as of early 2026, Sir Tom Jones is 85 years old.
He hit that milestone on June 7, 2025. Honestly, it’s wild. Most people at 85 are worrying about where they left their glasses, but Tom is out here headlining festivals and hitting notes that would make a twenty-year-old’s vocal cords snap.
Born Thomas John Woodward in 1940, he grew up in the coal-mining town of Pontypridd, Wales. That was a different world. He actually survived tuberculosis as a kid, spending two years bedridden. You’ve gotta wonder if that isolation is where he found the grit that defines his voice today.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With His Age
The reason the search for "how old is singer Tom Jones" stays trending is because he refuses to act his age. Most "legacy" acts are basically museum pieces. They go out, they sing the hits in a lower key, and they go home. Not Tom.
He’s still releasing albums that critics actually like. Surrounded by Time, which he dropped a few years back, wasn't some nostalgic cash-grab. It was experimental. It was dark. It was the work of an artist who is still curious.
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The Secret to Staying Young?
People ask him about it constantly. Kinda famously, he’s mentioned using inversion therapy. Basically, the man hangs upside down like a bat to decompress his spine.
- Inversion Therapy: He uses a frame to flip himself over, claiming it helps his circulation and back.
- Boxing: He still works out with a trainer, focusing on cardio and "a lot of stretching."
- Alcohol in Moderation: He’s traded the wild Vegas party nights for the occasional glass of wine with dinner.
- The "Six-Pack" Claim: He once joked in an interview that he still has a 12-pack, though he admitted "health is a lot of luck."
The Voice That Doesn't Quit
Most singers lose their "top end" as they get older. The vocal cords thin out. But Tom’s voice has done something different—it’s gotten thicker. It’s like a heavy mahogany table. He’s admitted that he has to "push harder" now than he did in the sixties, but the result is a sound that has way more character.
He’s not just singing "It's Not Unusual" for the billionth time (though he still does, and the fans still throw the laundry). He’s covering Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. He’s leaning into the "old man" persona in a way that feels powerful rather than pathetic.
Recent Health Scares
Being 85 isn't all sunshine and sold-out arenas. In the summer of 2025, he had to postpone a show in Bremen, Germany, due to an upper respiratory infection. It happens. You’ve also got to remember he’s had both hips replaced over the last few years. He calls himself "the bionic man."
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A Career That Spans Generations
Think about the timeline here. This is a guy who was friends with Elvis Presley. They used to stay up until dawn in Vegas, just singing together in private suites. He saw the Beatles come and go. He saw the rise of disco, the birth of punk, and the digital revolution.
And yet, here he is in 2026, still a staple of Saturday night television.
- The 1960s: The "Sex Bomb" era begins with "Delilah" and "What's New Pussycat?"
- The 1980s: A massive comeback with his cover of Prince's "Kiss."
- The 2010s-2020s: Becoming the beloved elder statesman on The Voice UK.
He’s lived through the death of his wife, Linda, who was his high school sweetheart. They were married for 59 years before she passed in 2016. A lot of people thought he’d retire then. He almost did. But he said Linda’s dying wish was for him to keep singing. So he moved back to London, sold the LA mansion, and stayed on the road.
Is He Retiring Soon?
Short answer: No.
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Longer answer: He literally says he will sing until he can't anymore. He told WalesOnline recently that he has no plans to stop. As long as there is breath in his lungs, he's going to be on a stage somewhere.
If you want to keep up with Sir Tom, the best way is to watch for his summer tour announcements. He usually hits the UK and European circuit every year. Even at 85, he’s a better live performer than artists a third of his age.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the 2026 Tour Schedule: He still plays festivals like Silverstone and major arenas.
- Listen to "Surrounded by Time": If you only know the hits, this album will change how you think about him.
- Watch the Clips: Look up his recent performances on The Voice UK. He often does impromptu "jams" that prove he’s still got the best pipes in the business.
Basically, Tom Jones isn't just "still alive." He's still relevant. Whether he’s 85 or 95, that voice is a force of nature that doesn't seem to care about the calendar.