Elton John: The Iconic Life And Legacy

Elton John's Impressive Net Worth

Hey there, let’s talk about Elton John, the legendary British singer, composer, pianist, and songwriter who has amassed a staggering net worth of $650 million. Elton is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time, having sold more than 300 million albums worldwide. This achievement places him as the fifth best-selling musical artist in modern history, right behind icons like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. And guess what? He consistently ranks among the highest-paid celebrities globally.

During a typical touring year, Elton can rake in more than $80 million from his various ventures. His "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour is nothing short of remarkable—it ranks as the second highest-grossing concert tour of all time. Between 2018 and 2023, this tour included over 330 shows and grossed a jaw-dropping $940 million. Now, Taylor Swift may have broken his record with her "The Eras Tour," but let’s not forget that Elton’s tour spanned several years, while Taylor’s average gross per concert of $14 million surpasses Elton’s average of $2.85 million per show.

When it comes to accolades, Sir Elton John has earned practically every music award imaginable. His song, "Candle in the Wind," holds the title of the best-selling single in both UK and US singles chart history. Over his illustrious career, he’s had 50 songs in the Top 40, with nine reaching the coveted No. 1 spot. In fact, he’s achieved seven consecutive No. 1 albums. On January 15, 2024, Elton sealed his "EGOT" status by winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special. Prior to this, he had already bagged five Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and a Tony Award. Only 19 people in history have ever achieved this elite status. John stands as the most successful solo artist in the history of the US Billboard charts and is the first solo artist to have UK Top 10 singles across six decades.

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The Beginning: Elton John's Early Life

Elton John, originally named Reginald Dwight, was born on March 25, 1947, in Middlesex, England. His journey to becoming a musical legend began early when he started playing the piano at just three years old on his grandmother's piano. At the tender age of seven, he embarked on formal lessons and later won a prestigious scholarship to London's Royal Academy of Music at the age of eleven. Despite his father's attempts to steer him toward a more conventional career in banking, Elton's passion for music never wavered. His parents divorced when he was 14, and his mother remarried Fred Farebrother, who became a supportive stepfather. Interestingly, Elton, his mother, and stepfather continued to live in a modest apartment, where Elton would later reside even as he climbed the charts with multiple Top 40 hits in the United States. His stepfather played a pivotal role in helping the young Reginald land his first weekend gig playing piano at a local pub when he was just 15.

In 1966, Elton joined forces with friends to form the band Bluesology. It was around this time that he adopted the stage name Elton John, paying homage to blues legends Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. Around the same period, he crossed paths with songwriter Bernie Taupin, sparking a collaboration that would result in over 30 albums and sales exceeding 300 million copies.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Stardom

Elton John burst onto the music scene with his debut albums, "Empty Sky" in 1969 and "Elton John" in 1970. From 1972 to 1975, he achieved an incredible streak of seven consecutive albums topping the charts. In 1973, he founded his own record label, The Rocket Record Company, which released albums by artists like Neil Sedaka. However, Elton made the strategic decision not to release his own music on his label and instead signed an $8 million deal with MCA—a sum equivalent to roughly $40 million today.

The 1980s saw Elton releasing successful albums, and in 1992, he and Taupin inked a massive $39 million, twelve-year contract with Warner Bros. Records, marking the largest cash advance in music history at that time. In 1994, Elton composed the unforgettable music for Disney's animated masterpiece "The Lion King," which won a Grammy Award for Best Song and was certified "diamond" in 1999 for selling an impressive 15 million copies. In 1997, following the tragic death of Princess Diana, Elton re-released his 1973 classic "Candle in the Wind." This updated version became the best-selling single in recording history and earned him his only Grammy for Best Male Pop Recording. To this day, Elton continues to tour, compose for the stage, and release chart-topping albums.

Elton John's Personal Life

Elton’s personal life has been as colorful as his music career. He was married to German recording engineer Renata Blauel from 1984 to 1988. Later, he came out as gay and has been in a loving relationship with filmmaker David Furnish since 1993. The couple solidified their union in a civil partnership in 2005 and later married in December 2014 after same-sex marriage became legal in the UK. Together, they have two sons, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, both born through the same surrogate. Beyond his immediate family, Elton also serves as godfather to ten children.

Elton John: Among the Highest-Paid Celebrities

Elton is consistently ranked among the highest-paid entertainers worldwide. Between June 2017 and June 2018 alone, he earned a cool $45 million. From 2011 to 2018, Elton held a lucrative Las Vegas residency titled "The Million Dollar Piano," where he negotiated a deal to receive 88% of the door revenues for each show, translating to roughly $500,000 per performance. His final tour, "Farewell Yellow Brick Road," shattered records by grossing an astounding $853 million over 293 shows.

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Elton John's Net Worth Journey

Back in 2000, Elton's net worth was "only" $100 million. At that time, he was notorious for his extravagant spending habits. He later admitted to burning through $2 million a month during the late '90s, which added up to around $40 million over the period. For instance, in a mere six-month span in 1996, he splurged more than $12 million on homes and half a million dollars on flowers. He amassed an impressive collection of cars, so much so that in June 2001, he sold 20 cars he had never even driven, including a $300,000 1993 Jaguar, Ferraris, Bentleys, and Rolls Royces.

By 2009, when we first featured Elton John on Celebrity Net Worth, his fortune had grown to $265 million. By 2011, it reached $240 million, and by 2013, we bumped it up to $300 million. By 2020, his wealth had skyrocketed, making him a full-fledged half-billionaire.

Elton John's Passion for Art Collecting

Elton is celebrated as one of the most astute celebrity art collectors in the world. His art collection could easily fetch $200 million in the right market. His collection boasts masterpieces by iconic artists such as Mapplethorpe, Warhol, Basquiat, Haring, Damien Hirst, and many others. In 2004, he sold 70 photographs from his collection for $900,000. His photography collection is one of the largest in existence.

Elton John's Real Estate Empire

Since 1974, Elton John's primary residence has been the majestic Woodside estate in Old Windsor, Berkshire, England. This sprawling 37-acre property dates back to the 1750s. Elton purchased it for £400,000 back in 1974, which translates to roughly $5 million USD today, accounting for inflation and currency changes. Interestingly, up until that point, he was still living primarily with his mother and stepfather in their modest apartment. In 1988, he auctioned off the entire contents of the house for $8 million and then proceeded to refurbish and refurnish the entire property.

Elton’s real estate portfolio extends beyond Woodside. He owns properties in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nice, London, and Venice. In October 2015, he acquired a stunning Beverly Hills estate for $33 million. This nearly 20-acre gated property was custom-built in 2001 for the previous owner, Guess co-founder Armand Marciano, and was once listed for $63 million. The main house spans 25,000 square feet and features an 11-car subterranean garage, screening room, wine cellar, gym, and more.

In 2012, he purchased a home nearby for $7.2 million and added another half-acre property next door in September 2021 for $8.5 million. In 1992, Elton bought a 2,500-square-foot penthouse in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the next two decades, he acquired five more units in the building, combining them to create a luxurious 13,000-square-foot penthouse. Elton eventually fell in love with Georgia and appreciated the ease of flying in and out of Atlanta during his tours. He listed the unit for sale in September 2023 for under $5 million and sold it a month later for nearly $14 million.

In 2022, Elton expanded his real estate empire by adding a Toronto penthouse to his collection.

Elton John's Iconic Ferrari Testarossa

In 1987, MCA Records decided to celebrate Elton's 40th birthday in style by gifting him a red 1987 Ferrari Testarossa. Made famous by the original run of "Miami Vice"