A celebrated singer, composer, and songwriter, Michael W. Smith is widely recognised for his song “Place in This World,” released in 1991, which ranked high on the Billboard Hot 100.
Famous for his soothing melodies and touching lyrics, Michael left a strong impact on the Christian music world in his career of four decades. While he is popular as a leading figure in contemporary Christian music, he has also achieved mainstream success and sold over 18 million albums worldwide.
He has built a large fan base over the years, and many of them are intrigued to delve deeper into his career and life story. If you are among those fans, we have everything you need to know in this post.
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Early Life
Born on 7th October 1957, in Kenova, West Virginia, Michael Whitaker Smith was raised in a devout Christian family by his parents, Barbara Smith and Paul Smith. His father worked in an oil refinery while his mother served as a caterer.
Michael was fond of music from a young age, and supported by his parents, he delved deeper into it, dreaming of pursuing a career in the field later. He was a child when he started singing in the church choir and learned to play the piano around the same time.
Talking about his educational qualifications, he attended Marshall University but dropped out without completing his degree as he wanted to pursue his career as a musician.
Beginning of Career
After dropping out of university, Michael started playing with different bands in West Virginia before shifting to Nashville to take his career seriously.
He practiced music and did a few odd jobs before he secured a position as a keyboardist at a well-known music group, Higher Ground, in 1979. He later associated himself with Meadowgreen Music, which gave him the opportunity to write gospel music for artists like Sandi Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Amy Grant, and others.
He dropped his debut album, Michael W. Smith Project, in 1983, which was well-received in the Christian music community and helped him gain widespread recognition.
Shot to Fame
Michael was already popular in Christian music, but he entered mainstream fame in 1991 with the release of “Place in This World,” as the track ranked no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
He introduced him to a global audience and solidified his position in the industry as he continued to release hit albums like I’ll Lead You Home and Change Your World.
Relationship
Michael W. Smith has been married to his wife, Deborah Kay Davis, since 1981, and they share five children together, including Anna, Tyler, Ryan, Emily, and Whitney.
His wife is his biggest support as the two have been married for years, building a happy life together with their kids.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
Michael W. Smith’s main source of income has been his music career, including album sales, lives concerts, stage performances, and songwriting. Selling over 18 million albums worldwide and dropping multiple chart-topping hits, he has built a successful career with his net worth standing at a whopping $14 million in 2025.
