How much is Elton John worth?
| Net Worth: | $440 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Singer |
| Date of Birth: | March 25, 1947 (age 75) |
| Country: | England |
| Height: | 5 ft 7 in (1.72 m) |
About Elton John
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March the 25th 1947, Elton John, as he is better known, is a world-renowned award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a brilliant pianist and composer. The legendary and often eccentric music icon has sold over three hundred million records worldwide, in a career that has spanned more than fifty years and is still going strong to this day.
Born to parents Sheila Farebrother and Stanley Dwight, and bought up in Pinner, Middlesex in Greater London. Both parents had a love for music, with his father being the trumpet player in the Bob Millar Band. Known for his incredible live shows where elaborate costumes are the norm, Elton John is a British icon whose music is timeless and loved by generations.
Having taught himself to play the piano by the age of four, it’s no surprise that music was going to be at the forefront of this young man’s life. It came as no surprise either when his talent for music won him a scholarship to a youth programme at the London Royal Academy of Music. In 1962 at the age of 15, Elton John had formed his first band.
The R&B band went by the name of Bluesology and the group was started by himself, and a friend, singer and guitarist, Stewart “Stu” Brown, joining them in the four-piece band was bass player Rex Bishop and drummer Mick Inkpen.
Like most bands, they began playing the local pubs and gained a regular spot at London Establishment club in 1963. The group became professional in 1965, signing a contract with an agency, and took on the role of backing band to American performers who were touring at the time, which included the Isley Brothers and Patti La Belle among others.
The bands big break came in the shape of Fontana Records, who signed them up after hearing a demo. The signing was followed by their first single, “Come Back Baby” in July 1965, written by Elton John. The song proved unsuccessful as did their next single, in November of the same year, “Mr Frantic”, once again written and sang by Elton.
A new version of the band formed in 1966, with only Elton and Brown from the original group evolved. “Since I Found You Baby” was recorded for Polydor Records in December 1966, Four songs were recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios with Little Richard, two of which were released. After getting disenchanted with the band, Elton decided to quit in 1967 to focus more on his songwriting skills and teamed up with fellow songwriter, Bernie Taupin.
Elton and Bernie joined DJM Records as staff songwriters in 1968, writing songs over the next two years for various artists, including Lulu, who they wrote a UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, called “I Can’t Go on Living Without You.” Unfortunately, the song came sixth of six in the 1969 competition.
Elton recorded his first single for DJM in 1968 titled “I’ve Been Loving You.” This was followed by “Lady Samatha” and their debut album, Empty Sky. The follow-up album was the start of the continued success that Elton John has enjoyed in his illustrious career.
Named after the singer himself, Elton John was released in April 1970. The first single to be released off the album was “Border Song” which reached 92 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Your Song”, the second single to be released fared a lot better, reaching the dizzy heights of number seven in the UK singles charts and number eight in the US, becoming Elton Johns first hit single. The touchpaper was lit for the success that was to follow.
The release of the self-titled album in 1970 started the growth of the singer/songwriters bank balance. Reaching number five and number four in the UK and US charts respectively, the album was followed in the same year by Tumbleweed Connection, gaining similar success, reaching number two in the UK and number five in the US.
A year later saw the release of Madman Across the Water, an album which performed poorly in the UK only reaching number 41, faring better in the US, where it peaked at number eight. Following Honky Chateau in 1972 and Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player a year later, came the singers biggest ever selling album. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, released on the October the 5th 1973 sold a massive thirty million copies worldwide.
Success followed in the shape of album sales, sell-out concerts and award after award. The recipient of five Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards, two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Disney Legends Award and a Tony award, as well as achieving thirty-five gold albums and twenty-five platinum albums.
Could it be the unique blend of rock and pop that Elton used in his music? Or could it be the strained relationship with his father that spurred him on? His father always wanted his son to take a more settled job such as a banker and tried unsuccessfully to move his son away from music.
Elton may have had a strained relationship with his mother also, but has said that he was inspired by the rock and roll records she bought home. But let’s not forget one thing here. Elton John was a child prodigy. A gifted musician from such an early age. A cliche yes, but sometimes success is just written in the stars.
John’s Total Net Worth
Elton John has earned estimated total career income of $750 million dollars. John has been earning large sums of money since the 1970s, then in 1992, he and Taupin signed a $39 million dollar twelve-year contract with Warner Bros. Records. In total Elton has sold 300 million albums worldwide, he has earned as much as $80 million dollars per year while touring, and even when he is not, he has earned as much as $40 million.
As John has lived in the United Kingdom, and earned through some high income tax years, he will have had to pay around 51% in taxes on his career income. After tax, it is estimated that his career earnings are at around $367.5 million dollars, having paid $382.5 million dollars in taxes.
Elton John has been married three times and divorced twice. He has two children and in total, about $8-9 million dollars is estimated to have gone in family matters, including a £5 million pounds divorce settlement to Renate Blauel in 1988.
In his personal life he has likely spent $30-40 million dollars of his career earnings but also earned $100-150 million dollars from his investments. John has an art collection including works by Warhol, Basquiat, Haring, Mapplethorpe, Damien Hirst and many more. He has also made lucrative investments in real estate. He will have also had to pay around $8-9 million dollars in business related costs. Therefore, it is estimated that Elton John has a net worth of about $440 million dollars.
Summing-Up
A child prodigy, a genius, a true legend of musical entertainment, and a millionaire many times over. Over three hundred million record sales and numerous awards, this boy from London is, without doubt, one of the most iconic musicians of our time. As the song goes, “Rocket Man, I Think It’s Going Be a Long Long Time”, with a career spanning over fifty years it certainly has been, and we’ve enjoyed every moment. In the words of ABBA, “Thank You For The Music.”
