Zayn Malik warned Rishi Sunak that some children are having to resort to stealing food
(Picture: Doug Peters/PA Archive)Former One Direction star Zayn Malik has called on Rishi Sunak to “give all children living in poverty” a free school meal during the cost of living crisis.
The singer, 29, urged the prime minister to use his November budget to extend the threshold to include young people from families on universal credit.
Malik, who relied on free school meals when he grew up in Bradford, is backing the Food Foundation’s Feed The Future campaign.
But, what is Zayn Malik’s net worth? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Zayn Malik’s net worth?
As of November 2022, the net worth of the singer and songwriter from Bradford, England has been estimated at about $75 million (£65 million).
Who is Zayn Malik?
Zayn Malik, 29, is a former member of the UK boy band One Direction, before known as 1D.
Zayn has three sisters and was born Zain Javadd Malik in Bradford to a British Pakistani father and an English mother. Brought up in East Bowling, Malik was always theatrical and appeared in school productions, attended performing arts courses and wrote raps, once singing with Jay Sean when he visited his school.
Initially, Malik intended to be a music teacher but after auditioning on The X Factor when he was 17 his life went in a different direction.
One Direction was formed in 2010 and Malik’s last live appearance with the band was in March 2015. He gave a statement at the time, saying he wanted to be a “normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight”. He subsequently signed a solo recording contract with RCA Records.
In 2016, Zayn started dating the model Gigi Hadid, and the couple went on to have a child, Kia, who was born in September 2020. They briefly split in 2017, before reconciling soon afterwards. The couple separated for good in October 2021.
What did Malik write in his letter to Rishi Sunak?
In his letter, he writes: “These children are suffering from lack of concentration, some even resorting to stealing food from school canteens because they are so hungry but can’t afford to buy lunch.
“They are also feeling shame which is directly impacting their physical and mental health. I know what that shame feels like, I have seen it first-hand, as growing up in Bradford, I relied on free school meals. I personally experienced the stigma surrounding food insecurity.
“My hope is that in writing this letter we can all ensure that no child ever has to experience this hunger and stigma again as my experience is not unique; it is a struggle that many children in England are sadly going through right now.”
