“Without Nena, I would have retired long ago.”

With hits like “Kids in America,” “Cambodia,” and “You Came,” Kim Wilde (64) made music history. She retired from the stage in the mid-90s. But then Nena came along in 2003 and persuaded her to continue. Kim’s new album, “Closer,” has just been released.

Seven years have passed since your last studio album. Do you believe that everything in the world changes every seven years?
I am a very spiritual person—and yes, I firmly believe that! In the past few years, my life has changed dramatically, and significant things have happened, like my divorce after 25 years. I’m finally back where I want to be in life.

“Closer” is the sequel to your 1988 album “Close.” Do you still feel like the young woman you were back then?
At heart, I’m still the same today as I was back then – only I’m much happier than I was back then! I’m more confident, healthier. I feel grown up and at home in life. Life rarely runs as smoothly as you’d imagine. But getting older has been much kinder to me than I expected.

Do you also feel less pressure?
Yes, I feel freer than I used to. Not just as a woman, but also as an artist. I’m no longer signed to a major record label that can dictate to me. For a long time, I held back a lot in many areas of my life. Only now have I rediscovered my own strength – and I have to say, it feels very good!

So your current decade of life – your sixties – doesn’t hurt at all?
Not at all! Physically, I’ve never been better. I’m fitter than ever! I have a personal trainer who works hard with me to keep my body strong so I can hopefully navigate the next 30 to 40 years of my life. I hope for another 30 good years, where I’m physically able to do everything I want. I want to be able to jump into the ocean or, if I feel like it, jump out of a plane (laughs). I want to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. To achieve this, I go ice bathing and swim in the cold sea in the middle of winter. I would never have dared to do that before! I’m grateful for my life and grateful to be healthy.

Do you always find it easy to find inner peace?
Some days I do well, others less so. We should all try to find a place of inner peace in our hearts. Much of what’s happening around us in the world can be upsetting, perhaps even traumatic. How you find that path is different for everyone. For me, it was age that led me to a better place.

Are you still in touch with your friend Nena?
Unfortunately, we’re not in touch at all at the moment – ​​but I miss her very much! I’m so incredibly grateful to Nena: Without her, I probably wouldn’t be on stage anymore. She was the one who brought me back into the music business. I had actually already retired from music (laughs). In 2002, she asked me if I wanted to sing “Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime” with her. I had no idea it would become such a big hit. Nena gave me a boost, and my career suddenly took off again. I’ll never forget that! My door is always open for her.

When did you last see each other?
Unfortunately, that was a few years ago. But I think when we meet again, we’ll pick up exactly where we left off the last time we met — that’s how it is with people who are close to your heart. Nena is simply phenomenal!