Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)
February 12, 2025

What is Nelly’s net worth?

An American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, Nelly boasts a net worth of $70 million. He made a significant impact with his 2000 album “Country Grammar,” which ended up selling over 10 million copies globally, making it his most successful album to date. The album’s popularity can be largely attributed to hits like “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me.”

His second album, “Nellyville” (2002), solidified his position as a hip-hop icon. It featured chart-topping singles “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” the latter featuring Kelly Rowland, which won a Grammy in 2003. As of now, Nelly has released eight studio albums, amassing over 21 million sales in the U.S. and 40 million worldwide, making him one of the top-selling rap artists.

Aside from music, Nelly has ventured into acting with appearances in movies such as “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He also founded the alcohol brand MoShine and established a non-profit organization, Jes Us 4 Jackie, aimed at increasing awareness about the necessity for bone marrow donors within the African American community.

Catalog Sale

Nelly sold a 50% stake in his music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for $50 million in July 2023, valuing the entire catalog at $100 million.

Tax Problems

A federal tax lien was filed against Nelly in August 2016, alleging that he owed $2,412,283 in overdue taxes and penalties to the IRS, in addition to around $150,000 in state taxes. This substantial debt allowed the government to potentially seize assets, but eventually, the issues were resolved.

(Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Early Life

Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas, had a father in the Air Force at the time of his birth. His parents divorced when he was seven years old, leading him to relocate to St. Louis, Missouri. During his teenage years, Nelly formed the St. Lunatics with friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo’Down, and his half-brother City Spud. The group experienced local success in 1997 with the single “Gimme What Ya Got,” prompting Nelly to pursue a solo career after the St. Lunatics failed to secure a record deal.

Career

Nelly signed with Universal Music in 1999 and released his debut album “Country Grammar” the following year, which remains his highest-selling album. Top 10 hits like “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar” were released to support the album. His second album, “Nellyville,” came out in June 2002 and included hits “Dilemma” and “Hot in Here.” In 2004, he released “Sweat and Suit,” followed by “Sweatsuit” in 2005. His fifth studio album, “Brass Knuckles,” was published in September 2008. After that, Nelly released “5.0” in 2010, then followed up with “M.O.” in 2013 and “Heartland” in 2021. The latter includes a collaboration with Florida Georgia Line titled “Lil Bit,” along with remixes of Kane Brown’s “Cool Again” and Brett Kissel’s “She Drives Me Crazy.”

Winning Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004, Nelly also had a supporting role in “The Longest Yard” (2005) alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. He made appearances in four episodes of “CSI: NY” during 2008-2009, and from 2013 to 2016, he starred in 39 episodes of “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” a parody reality TV show on BET.

In the fall of 2010, he released a fitness DVD, “Celebrity Sweat,” and he established two clothing lines, Vokal and Apple Bottoms.

In 2021, Nelly partnered with Burger King to promote the “Keep It Real Meals,” featuring his own “Cornell Haynes, Jr. Meal,” as part of the company’s campaign to eliminate 120 artificial ingredients from its menu. His meal came with a Whopper, small fries, and a small Sprite.

Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Nelly’s tour bus was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in April 2015, where an officer claimed to have detected the smell of marijuana. A subsequent search uncovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia, multiple handguns, and a substance presumed to be meth. Nelly was arrested and initially booked into jail, later released on bail. He faced felony drug possession charges and other minor offenses, but the felony charge was cleared after lab results showed the substance was not meth. In December 2015, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.

In 2016, the IRS imposed a $2.4 million lien against him due to unpaid taxes.

In the fall of 2017, Nelly faced arrest near Seattle on rape charges, following a woman’s claim that he had assaulted her after inviting her onto his tour bus. He was booked into jail but released shortly thereafter, with charges later being dropped.

Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

Personal Life

Nelly started a relationship with actress and model Shantel Jackson, who is also the ex of Floyd Mayweather Jr., in 2014. By 2021, it became known that they had mutually parted ways. In February 2023, rumors of Nelly rekindling his relationship with Ashanti, another R&B singer from Long Island whom he previously dated, surfaced when they were spotted together wearing matching Cuban link chains. In November 2023, Ashanti and Nelly announced they were expecting a child together.

Philanthropy

Nelly actively engages in philanthropy and runs the nonprofit 4Sho4Kids Foundation. He initiated a campaign in March 2003 to inform African Americans and other minorities about the necessity of bone marrow transplants, inspired by his sister Jackie’s leukemia diagnosis, which ultimately led to her passing in March 2005.

Since 2006, Nelly has organized St. Louis’ White and Black Ball to fund scholarships.

He also created a scholarship in memory of Michael Brown, who was fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014.

In 2010, Nelly produced a public service announcement for the Tackle Hunger campaign, encouraging teens to gather one million pounds of food for families in need during the holiday season.

In collaboration with Vatterott College, Nelly founded the Ex’treme Institute By Nelly in 2011, a music production school located in St. Louis.

Real Estate

Nelly acquired a partially finished mansion for $1.925 million in 2002, situated in a gated community near the Hidden Valley Country Club in Eureka, Missouri. The sprawling 12-acre estate features amenities like a sports court, basketball court, pool, and hot tub. After struggling to sell the property for several years, Nelly ultimately experienced a significant financial loss, selling it in October 2021 for $599,000. Here’s a video showcasing the home as it appeared.

In mid-2021, when it was left behind and gradually deteriorating:

He acquired a ranch-style lake house measuring 2,679 square feet in 2002, which appeared on MTV Cribs that same year. This residence was sold by him in June 2010 for $740,158. Here’s the episode of “Cribs”:

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Information is sourced from 2023 and 2024, with projections extending to 2025 and 2026. Additionally, we broaden the forecast to include 2027 and 2028.
Post Title: Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary) Last Updated: February 12, 2025