Edward Charles Wells: What happened to Julie Andrews’ father?

Edward Charles Wells is the father of Julie Andrews. Edward Charles Wells’s daughter is an English actress, singer, and author. As one of the most recognized figures in the world of entertainment, she is best known for her performances in Mary Poppins where she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She is also known for starring in the musical film The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries. She also lent her voice to the Shrek franchise and the Despicable Me franchise (2010–present).

Edward Charles Wells: Bio Summary

Who is Julie Andrews’ father?

Edward Charles Wells was born on 16 December 1908 in Hersham, Surrey, England, United Kingdom to his parents,  David Wilfred Wells and Elizabeth (Packham) Wells. He had three siblings- Frank Wells; Robert Wells and Elizabeth (Betty) Wells, per Geni. Unfortunately, Edward Charles passed away at the age of 81. What was the cause of his death? Keep reading to learn more.

Julie Andrews’ father was a teacher of metalwork and woodwork, in 1932. According to the Mary Poppins actress Wikipedia, she was conceived as a result of an affair her mother had with a family friend. Andrews discovered her true parentage from her mother in 1950, although it was not publicly disclosed until her 2008 autobiography. Edward Charles tied the knot with Julie Andrews’ mother  Barbara Ward Wells on 26 December 1932 in Hersham, Surrey, England, United Kingdom.

ALSO, READ; Joanna Edwards: Inside the Life of Julie Andrews’ Adopted Daughter

Things were going well for the family until the outbreak of World War II when Edward Charles Wells and Barbara Ward Wells decided to go their separate ways and were soon divorced. The reason behind their divorce is unknown. After their divorce, each found love again and remarried: Barbara to Ted Andrews, in 1943, and Edward Charles Wells in 1944 to Winifred Maud (Hyde) Birkhead, a war widow and former hairstylist at a war work factory that employed them both in Hinchley Wood, Surrey.

ALSO, READ; Barbara Ward Wells: How did Julie Andrews’ mother die?

In the wake of the war, Julie Andrews’ father assisted with evacuating children to Surrey during the Blitz. The actress lived briefly with her father and her brother, John in Surrey.  In 1940, Edward Charles Wells sent her daughter to live with her mother and stepfather, who Wells thought would be better able to provide for his talented daughter’s artistic training.

While this was going on, the young  Julie Andrews had been used to calling her stepfather “Uncle Ted”, however, her mother suggested it would be more appropriate to refer to her stepfather as “Pop”, while her father Edward Charles Wells remained “Dad” or “Daddy” to her, a change which she disliked.

ALSO, READ; Amy Edwards: Who is Julie Andrews’ adopted daughter?

At the age of 10, the iconic singer and actress began singing with her pianist mother and singer stepfather (whose last name she legally adopted) in their music-hall act. Demonstrating a remarkably powerful voice with perfect pitch, she made her solo professional debut in 1947 singing an operatic aria in Starlight Roof, a revue staged at the London Hippodrome.

What happened to Julie Andrews’ father?

According to Wikitree, Julie Andrews’ father, Edward Charles Wells passed away in March 1990 at North Yorkshire, England, UK. He was 81 years old at the time of his passing. The cause of Wells’ death has not been made public. His daughter has also not spoken much about his death. As of 2023, Edward Charles Wells’ daughter Julie Andrews is 88 years old.