Elton John Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Elton John Net Worth (Money & Salary)
January 13, 2025
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Discovering Elton John’s Net Worth
Elton John, a highly renowned and prosperous British musician, composer, pianist, and lyricist, boasts a net worth of $650 million. With over 300 million albums sold worldwide, Elton John stands as one of the most triumphant music artists. His records place him as the fifth best-selling musical artist in modern times after Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elvis, and The Beatles. Maintaining a position among the highest-earning celebrities globally is not a rarity for him.
During a year filled with tours, Elton can effortlessly amass more than $80 million from various ventures. Furthermore, his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour presently stands as the second most lucrative concert tour ever. Conducted between 2018 and 2023, spanning over 330 shows, the tour accumulated $940 million. Although Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” eclipsed his tour grossing record, it’s worth noting that Taylor Swift’s average gross per concert of $14 million is substantially higher than Elton’s average of $2.85 million.
Sir Elton John has clinched virtually every prestigious music award in existence. His iconic song, “Candle in the Wind,” holds the title of best-selling single in both UK and US singles chart history. Having crafted 50 songs that landed in the Top 40, nine of which reached No. 1, and garnering seven consecutive #1 albums, Elton is truly a music legend. On January 15, 2024, he solidified his status as an EGOT winner by seizing an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special. Prior to this, he had secured five Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. His EGOT achievement makes him the 19th person ever to attain such a status. John stands as the most prosperous solo artist in the annals of US Billboard charts and the first solo artist with UK Top 10 singles throughout six decades.
Elton John’s Formative Years
Reginald Dwight, christened as Elton John, was born on March 25, 1947, in Middlesex, England. His engagement with the piano commenced at the tender age of three, tinkling on his grandmother’s piano. At seven, he delved into formal lessons and secured a scholarship to London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Music by the age of eleven. Despite his father’s futile attempt to steer him toward a conventional banking career, Elton’s maternal figure and stepfather, Fred Farebrother, a local artist, provided unwavering support after his parents’ divorce when he was 14. They relocated to an apartment that became a lasting abode for Elton, even amidst his soaring success in the US with four Top 40 albums. His stepfather, instrumental in Elton’s pursuits, helped the 15-year-old land a weekends-only gig playing piano at a local establishment.
In 1966, Elton and his comrades established the band Bluesology. During this period, he adopted the moniker Elton John as a nod to blues stalwarts Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.
Concurrently, Elton crossed paths with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Their collaboration materialized into over 30 albums that collectively sold more than 300 million copies.
Evolving into a Legend
Debuting his inaugural albums, “Empty Sky” and “Elton John,” in 1969 and 1970, respectively, Elton John hit a stride with seven consecutive chart-topping albums between 1972 and 1975. The establishment of his own record label, The Rocket Record Company, in 1973, saw releases by the likes of Neil Sedaka. Rather intriguingly, he shunned releasing his own music under his label, opting for an $8 million deal with MCA instead. This deal equates to approximately $40 million today after adjusting for inflation.
Throughout the 1980s, Elton rolled out successful albums, culminating in a groundbreaking $39 million, twelve-year contract with Warner Bros. Records inked with Taupin in 1992. This deal marked the most significant cash advance in music history at the time. The 1994 assignment to compose the soundtrack for Disney’s animated feature “The Lion King” earned Elton a Grammy for Best Song and received a “diamond” certification in 1999 for selling fifteen million copies. In 1997, following the demise of Princess Diana of Wales, John re-launched his 1973 masterpiece “Candle in the Wind”. This 1997 rendition became the all-time best-selling single, garnering John his sole Grammy for Best Male Pop Recording. As of 2023, Elton John continues to tour, craft stage compositions, and generate chart-topping albums.
Life Beyond the Spotlight
His marriage to German recording engineer Renata Blauel lasted from 1984 to 1988. Subsequently embracing his true self, Elton embarked on a relationship with filmmaker David Furnish in 1993, culminating in a civil partnership in 2005. After the legalization of same-sex marriage in the UK, the duo officially tied the knot in December 2014. Together, they parent two sons, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, both born via the same surrogate. Moreover, Elton John serves as a godparent to ten individuals.
Elite Earnings in Showbiz
Elton perennially features among the crème de la crème of entertainers worldwide. Between June 2017 and June 2018, he garnered $45 million. Spanning from 2011 to 2018, Elton helmed a Las Vegas residency titled The Million Dollar Piano. In a strategic maneuver, he secured an 88% share of door revenue per show, equating to around $500,000 per performance.
The pinnacle of John’s touring career, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, clinched the title of the highest-grossing tour ever, amassing $853 million across 293 shows.