Tom Jones: The Voice Behind The Iconic Hits

Just How Rich Is Sir Tom Jones?

Let me tell you about a man who's more than just a singer—he's an icon. Sir Thomas John Woodward OBE, better known as Tom Jones, has built a net worth of a cool $300 million. This Welsh powerhouse isn’t just some guy who belts out tunes; he's sold over 100 million records worldwide and has been a staple in the music industry since the mid-1960s. With 36 Top 40 hits in the U.K. and 19 in the U.S., Tom's voice is as legendary as they come. Songs like "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat," "Delilah," "She's a Lady," and "Green, Green Grass of Home" became anthems in their own right. But wait, there's more! Tom didn't stop at music. He's dipped his toes into acting, appearing in shows like "Fantasy Island" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." In 2012, he even became a coach on "The Voice UK." For his incredible contributions to music, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2006, adding "Sir" to his already impressive title.

Growing Up in Glamorgan

Now, let's rewind to the beginning. Tom Jones wasn't always Sir Tom. He was born Thomas John Woodward on June 7, 1940, in Glamorgan, South Wales. Growing up wasn't easy for young Tom. His dad was a coal miner, and life was tough, but music was always around. By the time he was a kid, he was already singing at weddings and family gatherings. Tom attended Wood Road Infants School, Wood Road Junior School, and Pontypridd Central Secondary Modern School, where he also sang in the choir. But life threw him a curveball when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of 12. That kept him in bed for two years, but it didn’t stop him from dreaming big. At just 16, Tom married his girlfriend, Linda Trenchard, who was pregnant with their child. Life got real fast for this young couple. Tom had to drop out of school and work odd jobs, like at a glove factory and construction company, just to make ends meet. Their son, Mark, was born a month after their wedding, and from that point on, Tom was a family man with big dreams.

A Career That Shook the World

Fast forward to 1963, and Tom's life was about to change forever. He started singing lead for the Welsh band Tommy Scott and the Senators. The next year, they recorded a few tracks with producer Joe Meek, but it wasn’t enough to grab the attention of big record labels. Enter Gordon Mills, who saw potential in Tom after watching him perform at the Top Hat in Cwmtillery. Mills became his manager and suggested Tom go by the stage name "Tom Jones." It was a game-changer. In 1964, Tom signed with Decca Records, and the rest, as they say, is history. His first big hit, "It's Not Unusual," was a smash success, thanks in part to pirate radio station Radio Caroline. It hit #1 in the U.K. and #10 in the U.S. in 1965. Tom didn’t stop there. He recorded theme songs for movies like "What's New Pussycat?" and "Thunderball" that same year. The hits kept coming, and in 1966, he won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Songs like "Green, Green Grass of Home" and "Delilah" became timeless classics. Tom's first Las Vegas performance at the Flamingo in 1967 was legendary. He became good friends with Elvis Presley during this time, and their bond lasted until Elvis's passing. Tom spent at least one week a year performing in Vegas until 2011. In 1969, he starred in his own variety show, "This Is Tom Jones," earning a reported $9 million over three seasons. The show even got him a Golden Globe nomination in 1970. The 1970s and 80s saw Tom branching out into country music and TV appearances, including the U.S. television movie "Pleasure Cove" in 1979. In 1988, his cover of Prince's "Kiss" won him an MTV Video Music Award. He continued to evolve, releasing albums like "Reload" in 1999, which topped the U.K. charts.

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Tom Jones wasn’t just about music; he was a global entertainer. On New Year's Eve in 1999, he performed at Washington, D.C.'s millennium celebration at the invitation of President Bill Clinton. He also participated in the Concert for Diana in 2007 and the Help for Heroes charity concert in 2010. In 2012, Tom joined "The Voice UK" as a coach, bringing his wisdom to a new generation of singers. That same year, he starred in the "King of the Teds" episode of the TV series "Playhouse Presents" and performed at the BBC Radio 2's Live in Hyde Park festival and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert. With over 40 studio albums and an autobiography, "Over the Top and Back: The Autobiography," released in 2015, Tom Jones has left an indelible mark on the music world.

Beyond the Stage: Tom's Personal Life

Tom’s personal life was as colorful as his career. He married Linda Trenchard in 1957, and they had a son, Mark, shortly after. Despite his numerous infidelities, Tom and Linda stayed together until her passing from cancer in 2016. Tom has admitted to having relationships with several women, including TV host Charlotte Laws and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. A fling in 1987 with model Katherine Berkery resulted in another son, Jonathan, though Tom initially denied paternity. It wasn’t until 2008 that he admitted Jonathan was his son, though they reportedly don’t have a relationship.

Honors and Recognition

Tom Jones has received countless accolades for his work. In 1966, he won a Grammy for Best New Artist, and his hit "It's Not Unusual" was nominated for Contemporary Rock & Roll Male Vocal Performance and Single. In 1970, he won the Ivor Novello Award for International Artist of the Year and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series for "This Is Tom Jones." His cover of Prince's "Kiss" earned him an MTV Video Music Award in 1989. He also took home Brit Awards for Best British Male in 2000 and Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2003. In 1989, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tom’s Real Estate Journey

Tom and Linda’s real estate journey started in 1976 when they purchased Dean Martin's mansion in Los Angeles for $500,000. They sold it to Nicolas Cage in 1998 for a staggering $6.469 million. The couple also owned an 8,143-square-foot villa in the Mulholland Estates neighborhood of L.A., which they bought for $2.65 million in 1998. After Linda’s passing, Tom sold the home and an adjacent lot for $11.28 million and moved back to London, where he continues to live today.