It’s been almost nine years since pop icon Prince died at age 57. And with the Recording Academy honoring the “Diamonds and Pearls” singer with a Lifetime Achievement Award this past Saturday (Feb. 1), it’s time we discuss his legacy, and most interestingly...his net worth.
Prince Rogers Nelson’s music transcended genres, genders, and generations. And with his fiery aura and dedication to instrumentation, Prince goes down in history as one of the most impactful musicians of all time. From “Purple Rain” to “1999,” his music continues to flood mainstream radio and music culture, and for that, he’ll always be celebrated.
The Rise to Fame
The Minneapolis native fell in love with music at an early age, but it wasn’t until he formed The Revolution, his live and later studio band, that he would reach legendary status. Together, Prince & The Revolution released “Purple Rain” in 1984. This soundtrack— coupled by the movie of the same title— was Prince’s sixth studio album, but it was the first time he’d been put on the map permanently.
The release of “Purple Rain” shook the industry, grossing almost $70 million at the U.S. box office. Since then, the project has become a pop culture phenomenon and gave us arguably one of the best soundtracks ever.
“When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” quickly reached the top of the charts, and Prince would follow up his success with “Kiss” and “Diamonds and Pearls.” Despite having major success in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Prince continued making music and touring until he was found dead from an accidental fentanyl overdose on April 21, 2016, according to CNN.
His Net Worth
According to Finance Monthly, Prince was worth somewhere between $200 and $300 million at the time of his death. Unlike many of his peers, Prince had control of his masters and was consequently able to maintain the rights to his music.
With this coupled with an untouchable career as a producer, song writer, and performer, it’s no shocker Prince had so much financial success. He also completed 30 musical tours throughout his career, helping grow his net worth, including a final tour, the “Piano & a Microphone Tour,” where Prince performed without a band.
His estate continued growing even after his death due to ongoing royalties and real estate holdings, including the famous Paisley Park.
Battle Over His Estate
Prince didn’t name anyone in his will, so after his death, his remaining estate was divided between his six siblings, according to CBS News. In 2022, the IRS and the estate’s administrator agreed to end an ongoing court battle and valued the estate at about $156 million, according to CNN.
But troubles arose once more after three of his siblings granted L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer Jr. each a 10 percent interest in Prince Legacy and management authority, according to CBS. One sibling, Sharon Nelson, later tried to amend the LLC agreement and remove McMillan and Spicer as managing members, and so the matter was taken to court. In 2024, CBS reported a Delaware judge ruled in favor of McMillan and Spicer.
Despite the messy battles over his estate, Prince left a legacy selling millions of records while also inspiring artists across the musical spectrum. Prince opened the doors for artists like Young Thug to wear a dress on his mixtape cover and Janelle Monáe to be unapologetically themselves. And there’s no amount of money that could ever erase that.