Dionne Warwick files for bankruptcy

Dionne Warwick has filed for bankruptcy in the US after amounting debts of almost $10 million in taxes since 1991.

Dionne Warwick’s liabilities include nearly $7 million owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 1991 to 1999 and more than $3 million in business taxes owed to the state of California, where she lives.

The singer has sold more than 100 million records since the 1960s.

Dionne Warwick’s publicist said she had been the victim of poor financial management.

He added that the 72-year-old singer had paid back the actual amount of the taxes but not penalties and interest that had accumulated over the years.

In documents filed in her home state of New Jersey this month, Dionne Warwick listed about $21,000 in monthly income and a similar amount in monthly expenses.

Her publicist said she had “repeatedly attempted to offer re-payment plans and proposals to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board for taxes owed”.

Dionne Warwick, cousin of the late Whitney Houston, won her first of five Grammy awards in 1968 with Do You Know The Way To San Jose?.

The second award came two years later, for the album I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.

Dionne Warwick has sold more than 100 million records and has enjoyed more charts hits than almost any other female singer.

Last March, Dionne Warwick celebrated 50 years in show business with a special event at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

To mark the anniversary Dionne Warwick released Now, an album featuring new versions of some of her most famous songs.