What is Billy Joel’s net worth?
| Net Worth: | $225 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 73 |
| Born: | May 9, 1949 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Musician |
| Last Updated: | March 8, 2023 |
Introduction
Billy Joel is an American singer-songwriter and one of the best-selling artists of all time, with over 150 million record sales throughout his career.
With multi-platinum selling albums such as 52nd Street combined with 33 top 40 hits in America, he’s picked up no less than 23 Grammy Awards nominations.
As of April 2023, Billy Joel’s net worth is estimated to be $225 Million.
Billy Joel Facts
- As a young boy, Billy Joel was bullied at school and decided to take up boxing lessons and eventually win Golden Gloves amateur brawls.
- The lyrics to his hit song Laura were inspired by his mother, Rosalind Joel, who used to call him in the middle of the night to complain about her day.
- Joel has a sense of humor about his appearance, once referring to himself as “the guy who makes pizza” rather than an iconic stage performer.
- He claims to have once seen a ghost in his East Hampton mansion, saying a woman from the 19th century appeared before him brushing her hair.
- His daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, is named after Ray Charles, one of Billy Joel’s biggest musical inspirations.
Early Life
William Martin Joel was born in the Bronx, New York City, on May 9th, 1949, growing up with his sister Judy.
His father was trained in music as a classical pianist who fled Germany during the war, traveling through Switzerland and Cuba before arriving in the United States.
Billy Joel began taking piano lessons at the age of four, joining his first band, The Echoes, when he was fourteen years old.
Career
After leaving The Echoes to join the band the Hassles, Billy Joel formed a new band with drummer Jon Small called Attila.
In 1971, Joel decided to go solo, releasing his debut solo album Cold Spring Harbor and attracting the attention of Columbia Records.
Additional albums followed, with his fourth solo album, The Stranger, selling over 10 million copies and marking his breakthrough into the mainstream.
Over the following years, Joel released many albums, with his Greatest Hits compilation becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time, selling over 11 million copies worldwide.
He’s worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, touring with Elton John on a regular basis.
He’s also appeared at concerts with Steven Tyler, Paul McCartney, and Garth Brooks, as well as selling out solo tours around the world.
Billy Joel’s Career Earnings
Throughout his career, Billy Joel has earned a considerable amount of money through the sales of his singles and albums.
His live shows also generate large sums of money, with his multi-year Madison Square Garden residencies earning between $2-3 million for each show.
Here’s an estimated overview of Billy Joel’s career earnings:
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 1994 – $46 million
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 2006 – $14 million
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 2010 – $3.3 million
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 2013 – $11 million
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 2014 – $22.9 million
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 2017 – $30 million
- Billy Joel’s Salary In 2022 – $15 million
Billy Joel’s Net Worth Annually
As one of the richest rockstars in the world, Billy Joel’s net worth has continued to increase thanks to ongoing royalties from his record sales.
Despite the fact he took a step back from recording in the early 1990s, royalties combined with fees for his live performances have contributed to his increased net worth.
For example, between June 2017 and June 2018, Billy Joel earned $45 million, with his Madison Square Garden residency grossing $150 million between 2014 and 2019.
Personal Life
Billy Joel has been married several times over the course of his life, with his relationship with Elizabeth Weber Small beginning while she was still married to Jon Small, his partner in the band Attila.
In 1985 he married model Christie Brinkley, with whom he has a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, and the couple divorced in 1994.
He married his third wife, chef Katie Lee, in 2004, and following the dissolution of their marriage, he wedded equestrian Alexis Roderick in 2015.
Awards & Achievements
With his prolific musical output, including many hit singles and albums, Billy Joel is among the most celebrated musicians of his generation.
Here are some highlights from Billy Joel’s career:
- 1978: Billy Joel wins his first Grammy Award, picking up Album of the Year for 52nd Street.
- 1979: He picks up his second accolade at the Grammy Awards, winning Record of the Year for Just the Way You Are.
- 1993: He is inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the following year.
- 2003: Billy Joel is featured twice on Rolling Stone magazine’s Greatest Albums of All Time list, for The Stranger and 52nd Street.
- 2013: For his influence on American culture and the arts, Joel receives the Kennedy Center Honors.
How Does Billy Joel Spend His Money?
Billy Joel has used some of his impressive net worth to invest in real estate and owns several expensive properties around America.
This includes a $22 million home in Oyster Bay, as well as a townhouse in New York, and a home in the Long Island town of Sag Harbor.
He’s also a keen motorbike collector, owning some of the most expensive motorbikes in the world, which he displays in a public museum.
Highlights
Billy Joel has enjoyed a successful career over the course of several decades, collaborating with some of the most significant figures in the entertainment industry.
Here are some of the best highlights of Billy Joel’s career:
- 1971: Billy Joel’s career takes off with the Cold Spring Harbor tour, supporting acts including The Beach Boys, Badfinger, and Taj Mahal.
- 1973: His first album released through Columbia Records, Piano Man, marks his signature style, with the title track ending many of his future concerts.
- 1976: Joel’s song Say Goodbye to Hollywood proves to be his most influential song to date and was later recorded as a cover song by Barbra Streisand.
- 1978: His album 52nd Street becomes a major hit, winning Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year.
- 1985: The release of Greatest Hits Volume 1 and Volume 2 become certified double diamond by the RIAA, considerably increasing Joel’s net worth.
Favorite Billy Joel Quotes
Billy Joel has accumulated a great deal of experience throughout his years as a best-selling musician, offering plenty of insights into the business and his creative process.
Here are our favorite quotes from Billy Joel:
- “As human beings, we need to know that we are not alone, that we are not crazy or completely out of our minds, that there are other people out there who feel as we do, live as we do, love as we do, who are like us.” – Billy Joel
- “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” – Billy Joel
- “In an age of incompetence, I’ve been able to last in this crazy business. I actually know how to play my ax and write a song. That’s my job.” – Billy Joel
- “Artists – musicians, painters, writers, poets – always seem to have had the most accurate perception of what is really going on around them, not the official version or the popular perception of contemporary life.” – Billy Joel
- “If you make music for the human needs you have within yourself, then you do it for all humans who need the same things. You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings.” – Billy Joel
3 Amazing Lessons From Billy Joel
Now that you know all about Billy Joel’s net worth, let’s take a closer look at some of the lessons we can learn from his prolific career in the music industry.
Here are some of the best success lessons to learn from Billy Joel:
1. Take The Time To Slow Down And Appreciate What You Have
When life starts to feel as if it is overwhelming you, take the time to reflect on what matters the most and recharge your batteries.
As Joel says in his song, Vienna, “You’ve got so much to do, and only so many hours in a day” so take the time to “slow down”.
2. If The Chance Arises, Learn From The Master
With his father a classically trained concert pianist, Billy Joel had a unique opportunity to learn from a pro and took the chance with both hands.
3. Be Willing To Help Others
Billy Joel has been in a unique position to charge exceptionally high fees for speaking engagements and concerts but is happy to share his wisdom for free.
His advice on launching a career in the music industry has helped many musicians begin their professional journey and get started on the right foot.
Summary
That wraps up this guide to Billy Joel’s net worth, covering his prolific career and the best-selling records that helped him achieve his impressive fortune.
With dozens of prestigious awards and accolades to his name, Billy Joel has helped shape American music over several decades.
We’ll update this article in the future to make sure it reflects his current net worth, so be sure to check back for the details.
As of April 2023, Billy Joel’s net worth is estimated to be $225 Million.
