The Elizabethan mansion I bought for £100,000 was a big hit, says Suzi Quatro

Suzi Quatro, who turns 74 tomorrow, is one Best American Singer, Songwriter and Bassist known for hits such as Can The Can (1973) and Devil Gate Drive (1974), both of which topped the list British charts.

The mother of two children, who is also called ‘de Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ and is famous for her leather catsuits, has lived in Great Britain before than 50 years. She is married to the German rock promoter Rainer Haas.

What did your parents teach you about money?

I come from a family of five, and although I had a comfortable upbringing in an affluent part of Detroit, I learned to be frugal.

My father, Art, the son of an Italian immigrant, had two jobs: during the day he worked for General Motors, but at night he played music.

My Hungarian mother Helen hated wasting money. Her favorite saying was, “You never know what tomorrow will bring.”

So while some of my friends at school bought the best clothes, my mother bought me cheaper imitations.

Even though I’m a jeans and T-shirt girl, I’ve also had a penchant for designer clothes since then and can happily afford to buy the best ones these days.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

After forming a rock group called the Pleasure Seekers with my sisters at the age of 14, we hit the road and by the time I was 17 I was making $1,000 a week – a ridiculous amount of money at the time.

But when I moved to England in 1971, I stayed in a small hotel room and had to live frugally because money was tight.

Sometimes when I went to the pub for a drink I would even sneak into the kitchen, grab a piece of chicken and put it in my pocket!

Have you ever been given stupid money?

Yes, for doing rock cruises, which pay very well. I’ve done a few in Europe and a few in Australia – but I have to get paid a lot of money for it, for one simple reason: I don’t have sea legs.

I’m the kind of person who throws up in a port, so if I want to go on a rock cruise, they have to pay me really good money.

But I’ve always made a good living – I’ve never been a cheapskate.

What was the best year of your financial life?

It’s probably now. In the 1960s, record companies were throwing money at bands, but when I came to prominence in the 1970s, record deals weren’t that good.

The royalties on my big hits weren’t great back then either. But I get more out of my live shows today than ever before. I also play big gigs. I just played in front of 10,000 people at a festival in Germany.

The most expensive thing you bought for fun?

A mink coat, which I bought in 1975 when it was not yet politically incorrect to wear one.

I went to the best furrier in London, had my measurements taken and was told it would cost £5,500 – a fortune at the time.

I was hesitant because of my frugal upbringing, but my first husband, guitarist Len Tuckey, told me, “You buy it – you earned it,” and I did.

I loved wearing it in the 1970s, but as long as it’s still hanging in my wardrobe, I don’t think I’ll be wearing it anytime soon.

What is your biggest money mistake?

I probably bought a pink 1957 Ford Thunderbird, costing about $12,000 if I remember correctly, that I had shipped back to England after a vacation to Miami in 1994.

It was my dream car, but you know what? I once drove it to the nearest McDonald’s with the top down, bought a Big Mac and a Diet Coke… and then sold it, because I quickly realized it wasn’t designed for British roads – it just fit not.

Best money decision you’ve made?

I’m buying my 15th century country house in Essex, where I’ve lived since 1980.

It cost around £100,000 when I bought it with Len (the couple divorced in 1992), and although I haven’t had it valued for a long time, it’s worth much more than that today.

Do you have a pension?

I do not have a private pension, but I do receive a state pension. I am also still working and have no plans to retire. It’s not that I need the money, I just love what I do.

Do you own more than one property?

In addition to my monumental country house, I have also bought property nearby for my son, daughter and granddaughter, so that I have my family around me.

I also have a second home in Mallorca with my second husband Rainer, who lives in Hamburg. Everyone thinks it’s crazy, but we have had a successful marriage for 31 years, despite living so far apart.

If you were Chancellor, what would you do?

Well, despite living in Britain all these years, I’m still an American citizen (I’ll always be ‘The Girl From Detroit’), so I’m not even sure if I can be chancellor.

If I were, I would just raise taxes.

What is your number one financial priority?

Just to make sure I’m financially comfortable for the rest of my life and can take care of the people I love: my family.

Suzi Quatro marks her 60th year in showbusiness with a five-date UK tour in November, including a show at the London Palladium (aegpresents.co.uk).