Musicians

David Gilmour Net Worth

Leading the iconic band Pink Floyd has made David Gilmour boatloads of cash, allowing him to purchase the most expensive cars and aircraft available.

Published

3 years ago

Apr 10, 2023

John Mulder

Net Worth:	$180 Million
Age:	79
Born:	March 6, 1946
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Source of Wealth:	Professional Musician
Last Updated:	Feb 5, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

David Gilmour is an English professional singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with an estimated net worth of $180 Million.

Pink Floyd is a band that changed the music industry, and it wouldn’t have been the same without its talented guitarist, David Gilmour. In 1985, he became the lead singer after Roger Waters announced his departure from the band.

Gilmour is so well-known in the music industry that Rolling Stone considers him one of the top 15 guitarists ever. David has helped make Pink Floyd one of the most successful bands in history, with sales of over 250 million records worldwide.

Pink Floyd Earnings History

Year	Earnings
1989	$56,000,000
1990	$30,000,000
1994	$62,000,000
1995	$70,000,000
Total:	$218,000,000

Before Wealth & Fame

Despite his dislike of school, David Gilmour made friends with Syd Barrett (future guitarist of Pink Floyd) and Roger Waters (bassist), both of whom attended a school down the road. During school lunchtimes, David would join Syd Barrett to practice guitar. He joined a band named Jokers Wild, which recorded a one-sided album and a single on Denmark Street. Unfortunately, only 50 copies were made. After that, David would go around busking with friends, performing Beatles songs.

In mid-1967, David traveled with his band to France under the name Flowers. They weren’t very successful, as club owners were reluctant to pay them. Also, their equipment was stolen.

Music Career

Despite their difficulties, David never gave up. It was during his time in France that his school friends released a debut album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.”

While searching for new equipment for his band, David discovered that Pink Floyd was in trouble. Sid Barrett was experiencing mental problems and could barely remember David, even though they used to play together.

The band was worried about Syd, as he was becoming increasingly more erratic. So, to cover Syd’s spot, David stepped in, and Syd became a non-performing songwriter. Despite the band’s desire to keep him, Syd decided to leave the band altogether. Gilmour took up lead vocals with Wright, and from there on out, there was no stopping them.

Success followed success, from “The Dark Side of the Moon” to “Wish You Were Here,” then “Animals, “ and finally, the world-rocking album “The Wall.” During the recording of “The Wall,” Rick Wright was fired. The relationship between Roger Waters and David Gilmour deteriorated, and Waters eventually left the band after 25 years.

Due to the lack of members, David had to step up and be the lead singer in 1985. Two years later, Gilmour took charge of Pink Floyd and helped produce the album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason.”

“The Division Bell” was released in 1994, and Waters and Gilmour reunited in 2005 to perform “Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd”.

A year later, Gilmour announced that Pink Floyd would most likely never tour or write new material again. That same year, Gilmour released a tribute to Barrett, who’d died in 2006.

This tribute went on to hit the UK’s Top 20 singles chart at number 19. In 2014, Pink Floyd released “The Endless River,” which Gilmour stated would be the last album recorded by Pink Floyd. He felt they were getting too old, and with Wright’s death, it would just be wrong without him there.

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Career Earnings

With a career spanning more than 50 years, David Gilmour’s substantial earnings include royalties, album sales, and endorsement fees. Despite his age, David continues to release songs that earn him considerable royalties.

Here’s an estimated overview of David Gilmour’s annual income:

2015 – $12.5 million
2016 – $15 million
2017 – $18 million
2018 – $20 million
2019 – $22 million
2020 – $20 million
2021 – $30 million
2022 – $20 million

Net Worth History

Given Pink Floyd’s success over 5 decades, it is little wonder that David has such an enormous net worth. Here’s a breakdown:

2017 – $110 million
2018 – $120 million
2019 – $140 million
2020 – $160 million
2021 – $180 million
2022 – $200 million

Personal Life

David married Virginia Hasenbein, an American model, in 1979. They had four children. Unfortunately, the couple split, and David remarried in 1994 to novelist Polly Samson. Samson and David have three children and adopted a fourth.

David has many properties, one of which is an 11-bedroom mansion named Hook End Manor in South Oxfordshire, worth over a million pounds. He currently resides on a farm with his family in Wisborough Green, Sussex, and has another home in Hove.

With his numerous properties, David still enjoys recording on his houseboat, “Astoria”, located near Hampton Court.

Gilmour is an atheist and does not believe in an afterlife. As an experienced pilot, David bought a collection of antique aircraft. His hobby became too commercial for his liking, resulting in the sale of his collection. He did, however, retain a biplane, which he still flies occasionally.

How Does David Gilmour Spend His Money?

David Gilmour has a passion for flying and all things aeronautical. His love of aircraft led him to spend a considerable amount of money on his collection, which he later sold. He owns at least six properties around the world, and needless to say, they are not cheap.

David is a big-time car collector. However, the car that was used as collateral to bankroll Pink Floyd’s tour in 1987 wasn’t his. The vehicle in question was a Ferrari 250 GTO, worth over $40 million today. It belonged to Nick Mason, who, together with David, raised enough money to ensure the success of their world tour.

Summary

Despite a rough start early in his career, David Gilmour stood by his band, choosing to dig in and make the most of a bad situation.

Starting from nothing, he has reached his current position through hard work and tenacity. By embracing his passion, he was able to take it to the next level and make music his life. Always fighting on, David is the star of Pink Floyd and their savior when things got bad. His net worth continues to increase, and Pink Floyd remains one of the most significant musical influences in rock history.

Musicians

James Hetfield Net Worth

Published

2 months ago

Dec 17, 2025

John Mulder

Net Worth:	$300 Million
Age:	60
Born:	August 3, 1963
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Country of Origin:	United States of America
Source of Wealth:	Professional Singer
Last Updated:	January 17, 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction

James Hetfield is an American professional musician and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $300 Million.

Quick Facts

Metallica earned approximately $221.5 million from 2017-2020
The band has grossed over $1.22 billion in revenue from touring

Metallica Earnings History

Year	Earnings
1998	$32,000,000
2017	$66,500,000
2018	$46,000,000
2019	$68,500,000
2020	$40,500,000
Total	$253,500,000

Metallica first appeared on the Forbes Celebrity 100 in the late 1990s and were among the few bands to make the list. In 1998, they earned an estimated $32 million, with the lion’s share coming from the Poor Re-Touring Me Tour and sales of their latest album, ReLoad. While we’re aware that Metallica appeared on the Forbes list for several other years during the late 90s and early 2000s, it was difficult to get a hold of them. Most of the older lists redirect to broken pages, even when accessed through an archived version of the website.

That said, in 2017, Metallica reappeared for the first time in over a decade, thanks to a comeback with the WorldWired Tour. The tour began in October 2016 and ran for roughly three years, until August 2019, grossing $430 million in revenue. As a result, Metallica became one of the world’s highest-earning bands for four years straight.

The figures we’re about to discuss relate to earnings from June 1 to June 1; Forbes calculated 2017 earnings using data from June 1, 2016, to June 1, 2017. That year, the band earned an estimated $66.5 million. This was followed by $46 million in 2018, $68.5 million in 2019, and $40.5 million in 2020. This would bring Metallica’s combined earnings from 2017 to 2020 to $221.5 million.

In this most recent tour, Metallica consisted of four members: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo. As co-founders, Hetfield and Ulrich earn the most, although touring income is split more evenly. For argument’s sake, an equal split would have earned Hetfield roughly $55.4 million over the four year period.

ESP Guitar Brand Deal

Hetfield’s collaboration with ESP Guitars has resulted in several successful signature models, including the “Iron Cross” ($8,000) and the “Truckster” ($1,000-$4,000). These models are consistently top sellers, boosting ESP’s brand value and Hetfield’s earnings.

The “Iron Cross,” inspired by Hetfield’s guitar collection, is a fan favorite, known for its distinctive design and premium build quality. Meanwhile, the more affordable “Truckster” appeals to a broader audience, making Hetfield’s sound accessible to aspiring musicians. These collaborations enhance ESP’s reputation and reinforce Hetfield’s influence as a guitarist and brand ambassador.

Legal Issues & Lawsuits

James Hetfield has faced several high-profile legal battles during his career, particularly regarding copyright and trademark protection. In 2000, Metallica famously sued Napster for enabling mass copyright infringement. The band identified 335,435 users who shared their music without permission and filed a lawsuit in a California federal court. They demanded that Napster block these users and sought damages totaling more than $10 million, calculated at $100,000 per song.

The case also implicated universities like Yale, USC, and Indiana University for allowing Napster access on their campuses, highlighting their role in facilitating music piracy. This landmark case reshaped the music industry’s approach to digital piracy and brought global attention to Metallica’s commitment to protecting artists’ rights.

That same year, Hetfield also filed a cosmetics trademark dispute with Guerlain over a perfume called Metallica. The case was settled confidentially in the Central District of California, thereby protecting Metallica’s brand identity. Guerlain’s decision to discontinue the product reinforced the band’s vigilance in safeguarding its name.

Divorce Settlement

James Hetfield’s divorce from Francesca Hetfield, filed in Colorado in early 2022, ended their 25-year marriage. The settlement divided their joint assets and extensive real estate portfolio, including their primary residence in Vail, Colorado, and properties in Marin County, California, and Maui, Hawaii.

The Vail home, located in Francesca’s hometown, reflected their family’s long-standing connection to the area, though its value at the time of the divorce was not disclosed. The Marin County property, purchased in 2000 for $4.4 million, was one of their most notable investments. Their Maui estate, reportedly acquired for an estimated $15 million, complicated the settlement process, and the final settlement figures remain confidential.

Real Estate

Hetfield’s real estate portfolio reflects his considerable financial success and varied interests. In 1999, he purchased 1,150 acres in Marin County, California, and named it “Rocking H Ranch.” Over time, he donated 330 acres for public trails and 1,000 acres to the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, reducing his holdings to just 50 acres.

In 2021, Hetfield sold 20 acres of land in Arizona for $1.2 million, marking a strategic exit from non-California properties. Frustrated with Marin County politics, he moved to Vail, Colorado, in 2016, though he retained some smaller investments in California. Additionally, he owns a property in Maui, Hawaii. His relocation to Colorado provided a quieter lifestyle amid stunning mountain views, allowing him to balance his real estate, personal, and musical commitments.

Philanthropy

Through the All Within My Hands Foundation, launched in 2017, Hetfield has significantly impacted hunger relief, disaster response, and education. The foundation has invested over $10 million in the Metallica Scholars Initiative, supporting students across the U.S. in gaining trade skills.

In August 2023, it donated $200,000 to the Hawaii Community Foundation for wildfire relief in Maui, Feeding America, and local food banks. In 2016, Hetfield also co-hosted the Acoustic-4-A-Cure concert, which raised funds for the Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

Musicians

Roger Waters Net Worth

Breaking down Roger Waters’ net worth, covering his work with iconic prog rock band Pink Floyd and his lucrative solo career.

Published

2 months ago

Dec 14, 2025

Andy Dilks

Net Worth:	$310 Million
Age:	82
Born:	September 6, 1943
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Source of Wealth:	Professional Musician
Last Updated:	Feb 5, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

Roger Waters is an English professional musician, singer-songwriter, and composer with an estimated net worth of $310 Million.

Waters is best known as the bassist and former co-founder of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. One of the band’s driving forces, he’s worked with several other bands and artists over the years and is a vocal advocate for various political causes.

Earnings History

Year	Earnings
2012	$88,000,000
2013	$44,000,000
2014	$46,000,000
2018	$68,000,000
Total	$246,000,000

As a solo artist, Roger Waters has been named among the world’s highest-paid musicians on several occasions. In 2012, Forbes ranked Waters second, with an estimated $88 million in earnings. It appears as though this was the former Pink Floyd singer’s highest-earning year as a solo artist. This is thanks to The Wall Live Tour, which grossed $458.6 million between the 15th September 2010 and the 26th September 2013. Waters also made the list the following year, despite his annual income halving to $44 million. He also earned a similar sum of $46 million in 2014.

After a brief hiatus, Roger returned in 2018, earning an estimated $68 million. The lion’s share of his income came from the Us + Them Tour, which grossed $261.8 million. While the information above covers only a few years of Roger Waters’ solo career, he earned a combined $246 million over the four-year period.

Pink Floyd Earnings History

Year	Earnings
1989	$56,000,000
1990	$30,000,000
1994	$62,000,000
1995	$70,000,000
Total:	$218,000,000

Pink Floyd

After Syd Barrett and Bob Klose joined the band, Waters switched to bass guitar, and in 1966, they adopted the name Pink Floyd. Following Barrett’s departure from the band and David Gilmour’s arrival in 1968, Waters led the creative process, helping the band compose some of its most iconic songs. Their biggest hit came in 1973, with Dark Side of the Moon selling over 40 million copies worldwide and making them household names.

This fame was further enhanced by the release of the album The Wall in 1979, followed by the film adaptation starring Bob Geldof in the lead role. Despite creative differences with David Gilmour, Pink Floyd continued to release music in the early 1980s, with Waters eventually tackling his solo career in 1985.

Roger Waters’ solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, received mixed reviews, but his US tour as a solo artist proved to be a huge success. Pink Floyd reunited in 2005 to play a set in London’s Hyde Park, with additional tours from Waters as a solo artist over the ensuing years.

Real Estate

In September 2007, Roger Waters paid $15 million for a 7,000-square-foot townhouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The home features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a private recording studio. As far as we’re aware, he still owns the property.

In October 2010, Waters paid $16.2 million for a 2.1-acre property in Bridgehampton, New York. He demolished the old property and began building a new 13,334-square-foot, six-bedroom mansion. Construction was completed in 2017, and recent estimates value the new home at $38.9 million.

Summary

There you have it, our complete guide to the life experiences and musical career that helped Roger Waters earn his fame and fortune. We expect his net worth to change over time as Waters continues touring and releasing new music. We’ll update this article to reflect these changes, including new music releases and tours that might have increased Roger Waters’ net worth.

Musicians

Gene Simmons Net Worth

Gene Simmons is the KISS frontman who earned millions from his live performances and legendary albums, becoming enormously wealthy in the process.

Published

2 months ago

Dec 12, 2025

John Mulder

Net Worth:	$400 Million
Age:	76
Born:	August 25, 1949
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Country of Origin:	United States of America
Source of Wealth:	Professional Musician
Last Updated:	Feb 4, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

Gene Simmons is an American professional musician with an estimated net worth of $400 Million.

Simmons co-founded the 1970s rock band KISS, which became internationally famous and made Gene and his fellow band members enormously wealthy. However, Simmons’ wealth didn’t come from the music itself, although it helped, of course.

Through licensing agreements on merchandise, Gene and the band placed their logo and iconic name on more than 5,000 different products, from t-shirts to pinball machines.

Quick Facts

Sold the rights to the KISS IP for $300 million
KISS typically earned between $20 million and $40 million per year

Before Wealth & Fame

Gene and his mother left Israel when he was 8, and they moved to Queens, New York City. After moving to America, Gene took on a more American-sounding name, calling himself Eugene Klein. His mother saw that he was passionate about music and bought him his first guitar, but after a while, Gene decided to switch over to the bass, which he believed would help him get into a band more easily.

While in high school, he put together his first band, Lynx, which was renamed Missing Links shortly after. Gene moved on to a new band called The Long Island Sounds while attending Sullivan County Community College. He then transferred to Richmond College, where he earned a degree in education and began teaching grade-school Spanish. To supplement his teaching, he became an assistant to the editors of Vogue and Glamour magazines.

While working alongside the glamorous editor, he decided to change his name to Gene Simmons, a name that would go on to become one of the most famous in rock music worldwide. Shortly after that, he joined a band called Bullfrog Beer, taking the first major step in his music career, which eventually led him to meet Paul Stanley.

Music Career

Once Gene met Paul, they decided to team up and form a band called Wicked Lester. The band was immediately successful, signing a deal with Epic Records. The band’s first album was a disaster, so Paul and Gene set out to become one of the best bands in the world. They teamed up with drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Paul Frehley, marking the start of the legendary band KISS.

Their manager suggested that they wear full-stage makeup to stand out from other bands, and the fans loved it. They released their first album in 1974, which was popular, but the subsequent two albums were a bust. To build momentum, the band decided to perform live, and Gene’s fire-breathing stunt helped establish their reputation for amazing live shows.

They recorded their first show, and the album reached quadruple platinum status. The band played for five years and was incredibly successful, but they ultimately decided to pursue their solo careers.

After pursuing solo careers, the band decided to reunite, but they faced backlash from their fans. The makeup and Gene’s theatrics no longer impressed the crowds, so they decided to play without makeup or any other unusual gimmicks.

This new look helped the band grow in popularity, but it wasn’t working for them, so Peter Criss was voted out and replaced by Paul Charles (stage name Eric Carr), who played for KISS until his death in 1991.

In 2013, Paul Stanley and Gene teamed up with Doc McGhie to become part-owners of the LA Kiss Arena Football League team.

KISS Music Catalog & IP Sale

In April 2024, Kiss sold the rights to its music catalog, brand name, likeness, and intellectual property to Swedish entertainment and music investment firm Pop House Entertainment Group for a reported $300 million.

Pop House, co-founded by Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA, is well recognized for its digital avatar projects with ABBA and KISS. By purchasing KISS’s catalog, Pop House secured the iconic face paint designs, 5,000 branded products, and KISS’s trademarks as an American rock band, allowing it to generate revenue from multiple sources and develop new AI-generated content.

KISS praised their ongoing relationship with Pop House and sees them as the right partner to secure their band’s legacy and future interests. The sale also marks the band’s retirement from live performances and is one of history’s most significant catalog sales.

Career Earnings

Gene earned hundreds of thousands of dollars from his stage performances and album sales, but the real money came from the licensing deals he helped negotiate. It is believed that Gene Simmons earns over $34 million annually.

Here’s an estimated overview of Gene Simmons’s annual income:

2013 – $25 million
2014 – $26.4 million
2015 – $25 million
2016 – $28 million
2017 – $29 million
2018 – $29.5 million
2019 – $28 million
2020 – $30 million
2021 – $32.5 million
2022 – $34 million

With sales of KISS merchandise still ticking along, Gene and his fellow band members continue to enjoy the financial rewards of their iconic status.

Real Estate

In May 2021, Gene Simmons paid $8.2 million for a 10,871-square-foot, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom mansion in Henderson, Nevada. This property features extensive glass throughout, an outdoor pool, an 11-car garage, and panoramic views of Las Vegas. At the same time, Simmons also acquired the 0.48-acre vacant lot next door for $2.6 million.

Ironically, the fire-breathing specialist put the property back on the market just five months later because he couldn’t handle the Nevada heat. Also, strangely enough, Simmons attempted to get $15 million for the main property, almost double what he paid just a few months earlier. It eventually sold for $11 million in March 2023. As far as we’re aware, he still owns the vacant lot.

Following the move, Simmons acquired a 16,390-square-foot, seven-bedroom, eleven-bathroom mansion in Beverly Hills, California, for $16 million. In 2025, he tried to sell the property for $48 million, but no one snapped it up. In July of that year, after a price reduction, he closed a sale at $28 million.