Sting Emphasizes Work Ethic Over Inheritance for His Six Children

Sting told CBS Sunday Morning that he does not intend to provide his children with a direct inheritance. He described his approach as encouraging them to earn their own living, noting that he believes it reflects kindness rather than cruelty. He emphasized trust in his children’s ability to support themselves and highlighted his expectation that they will “make their own way.”

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Sting’s perspective is shaped by his early life and varied employment. He recalled taking jobs in an office, on construction sites, teaching in a mining village, and performing on a cruise ship while pursuing music. He later achieved commercial success, releasing fifteen solo studio albums and five albums with The Police. In recent years he adapted his musical *The Last Ship* for the Metropolitan Opera House, a tribute to shipbuilders in his hometown of Newcastle.

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The conversation centers on Sting and his six children. Among them are Eliot Sumner, a musician, and Mickey Sumner, an actress. Sting’s comments address the entire group, emphasizing a collective expectation of self-reliance.

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• Children: six, including Eliot Sumner (musician) and Mickey Sumner (actress)

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• Solo studio albums: fifteen

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• Albums with The Police: five

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Sting’s statements contribute to broader public discourse about wealth, privilege, and work ethic among high-profile families. By rejecting a “you don’t have to work” approach, he aligns his personal philosophy with a working-class ethic, suggesting that financial independence is a value he wishes to model for his children. The remarks also intersect with ongoing conversations about how celebrity families manage inheritance and career development, highlighting the tension between public expectations of generosity and personal beliefs about personal responsibility.

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In the interview, Sting framed his stance as a deliberate choice to avoid what he termed a form of abuse. He expressed confidence that his children possess an extraordinary work ethic and that providing them with unearned wealth would undermine that trait. He also identified himself as part of the working class, stating that he loves to work and believes the working class is defined by a desire to work.

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• “Or whether I’ve said to them, ‘Guys, you got to work. I’m spending our money. I’m paying for your education. You’ve got shoes on your feet. Go to work,’” — Sting, CBS Sunday Morning

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• “That’s not cruel. I think there’s a kindness there and a trust that they will make their own way. They’re tough, my kids.” — Sting, CBS Sunday Morning

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• “The working class works and wants to work. I’m one of those people, I love to work.” — Sting, CBS Sunday Morning

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