Understanding Elton John’s Net Worth: A Deep Dive Into The Legendary Musician’s Multi-Million Dollar Fortune
Elton John (76 years old) is an internationally renowned singer, pianist, and composer. With an illustrious music career that spans over fifty years, it is no surprise that many wish to know more about his finances.
In this article we will explore his substantial net worth as well as some key facts behind his fortune.
Behind the $550 Million Net Worth of Elton John
Elton John, a globally celebrated British musician famed for his singing, composing, piano skills, songwriting, and flamboyant style, boasts an impressive net worth of $550 million, establishing him as one of the most financially successful artists ever. His record sales exceeding 300 million albums globally have positioned him as the fifth top-selling artist in contemporary music history, following closely behind Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elvis, and The Beatles.
He frequently sits amongst the world’s highest-earning celebrities, and in his touring years, Sir Elton effortlessly rakes in more than $80 million from various avenues. Additionally, his ongoing Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour holds the record for the highest-grossing concert tour ever.
Comprising over 330 shows from 2018 to 2023, the tour has grossed $940 million, with an average gross per concert of $2.85 million.
However, this record is soon set to be overtaken by Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” which started in March 2023 and has an average gross per concert of $14 million and some experts predict it will bring in as much as $1.4 billion by the end of its run in December 2024.
Elton John’s list of achievements is endless, his trophy cabinet featuring every possible music award. His timeless classic, “Candle in the Wind,” remains the highest-selling single on both UK and US singles charts.
With 50 Top 40 hits, nine No.1 chart-toppers, seven-string of #1 albums, and a hoard of awards including five Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and countless music honors, Elton John has indeed made his mark. He holds the record for the most successful solo artist on the US Billboard charts and the only solo artist to have UK Top 10 singles across six different decades.
The Rocket Man’s Real Estate Portfolio
Since 1974, Elton John has been primarily residing in a vast estate named Woodside in Old Windsor, Berkshire, England. Dating back to the 1750s, this 37-acre haven was purchased by Elton in 1974 for approximately 400 thousand pounds, which equates to around $5 million USD today after considering inflation and currency fluctuations.
Prior to this acquisition, Elton had been living with his mother and stepfather in a modest apartment. In 1988, he auctioned the entire house contents for $8 million and embarked upon an extensive refurbishment and refurnishing mission. Elton John has possession of further properties in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nice, London, and Venice.
The music legend purchased a stunning Beverly Hills estate for $33 million in October 2015. This nearly 20-acre gated property was custom built in 2001 for Guess co-founder Armand Marciano and was originally showcased for $63 million.
The primary residence is a prodigious 25,000 square feet, comprising an 11-car subterranean garage, movie screening room, wine cellar, gym, and more.
He also acquired an adjoined property in a nearby area for $7.2 million in 2012, and in September 2021, he invested $8.5 million for another half-acre property next door
In 1992, Elton broadened his property portfolio with a 2,500 square-foot penthouse in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the ensuing two decades, he purchased five more units in the same building, amalgamating them into a 13,000 square-foot penthouse. Atlanta’s easy access for touring led to Elton developing a fondness for Georgia.
In September 2023, he listed the Atlanta unit on the market for just under $5 million, successfully selling it a month later for just under $14 million. A video tour of Elton’s former Atlanta penthouse is available for viewing:
Elton John’s Royalties
The exact amount Elton John earns in royalties is quite tricky to quantify. It’s broad knowledge that artists receive a percentage of revenue generated from their work, typically ranging between 10%-20%. Given that Elton John’s discography spans over five decades with over 300 million record sales, it’s safe to conclude that his royalty income is significant.
Elton John’s Earnings for Glastonbury
In 2020, Elton John announced his first-ever appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, which sadly could not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, it is impossible to state definitively how much he would have earned. However, considering his stature, his performance fees for such significant events are likely in the millions.
Private Concert Charges: Up to $2M
Elton John certainly knows how to keep his audience enthralled with electrifying performances, making him an in-demand artist for private gigs. While the specific figures for hiring the pop music icon are kept under wraps, estimates suggest that it could cost anywhere between $1.5 million to $2 million for a private Elton John concert, depending on various factors.
Rights to Elton John’s music
Published songs are often owned by the songwriter or a publishing company, in this case, Elton John’s long-serving publishers Dick James Music initially owned many of his songs. However, in the late 1970s, John formed his own company, Big Pig Music Ltd, which now manages his music rights.
Elton John’s net worth is a testament to his enduring talent, unabated creative output, and strategic business decisions. Behind the successful artist stands a shrewd businessman who has expertly managed his finances to construct an already impressive fortune.
To delve deeper into the life and career of this iconic artist, check out Elton John’s autobiography Me on Blinkist. Discover the story behind the legend — from his upbringing in suburban London to his ascension to international stardom.
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Me
- 19 min reading time
- audio version available
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