Introduction

Zedd is a German professional DJ and music producer with an estimated net worth of $50 Million.

Earnings History

Zedd had one of the quickest rises to success in music history. The German national first began learning about EDM in 2009, and by 2014, he was ranked the seventh highest-paid DJ in the world. That year, Zedd earned an estimated $21 million, thanks to an average income of $100,000 per performance. Just one year prior, the DJ was grossing only $20,000 per show.

From that point until 2019, Zedd featured on every iteration of Forbes’ highest-paid DJs list. During this time, Zedd’s annual income naturally alternated between higher and lower figures. In his case, he would increase and decrease his activity from year to year. For example, in 2015, his income declined to $17 million, but in 2016, it shot back up to $24.5 million. In 2017, his earnings were an estimated $19 million, and in 2018, they exceeded $22 million. You get the idea. The fluctuations in his income were solely due to his level of activity in each given year.

During his peak years, Zedd reportedly earned at least $200,000 per show, often grossing an average of $250,000 per gig.

Music Career 

Zedd was young when he started his classical music studies, but he later played for German deathcore band Dioramic in 2002, when he was only thirteen. Eight years later, in 2010, he won two Beatport remix contests, confirming his unique skill and propelling him headfirst into the electronic music scene. Zedd’s electro-house music reputation slowly grew, but it was only after remixing the Skrillex song, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” that he made headlines.

It was at this time that he started remixing tracks for various well-known artists, including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Deadmau5, another EDM legend.

A Career-Changing Contract

Zedd’s signing with Interscope Records in 2012 was the event that changed the trajectory of his career, releasing his debut single “Spectrum.” The song was a banger, with it topping Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs in 2012 and Japan’s Hot 100 and US Dance/Electronic Songs in 2013.

His debut solo album was a massive success, released in 2012 and featuring the hit single “Clarity” with British singer Foxes. Zedd’s “Clarity” became his most successful dance recording, charting in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award.

Embarking On A Worldwide Tour

With his star rising and success across Europe, Zedd embarked on his first worldwide tour in 2013, selling out venues across 5 continents. During his career, Zedd has collaborated with artists such as Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, helping to boost their reputations.

In 2015, his second studio album, “True Colors,” was released to wide acclaim, featuring singles like “I Want You to Know” with Selena Gomez. Zedd’s song “The Middle” with Maren Morris, a country singer, and duo Grey reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. His continued dance recording releases alongside other celebrity singers include “Break Free” with Ariana Grande and “Stay” with Alessia Cara.

Net Worth History

Here’s a breakdown of Zedd’s annual net worth:

• 2019 – $45 Million
• 2020 – $46 Million
• 2021 – $47.5 Million
• 2022 – $48 Million
• 2023 – $50 Million

Impossible Foods Investment

While Zedd has enjoyed massive success worldwide, he is also quick to invest in a variety of business ventures. In 2019 and 2020, he invested a significant amount in the Series E and F funding rounds for Impossible Foods. During the round, the company raised a total of $300 million; however, this figure encompasses a substantial list of investors, and Zedd’s individual investment is unknown.

The company is focused on producing sustainable alternatives to meat, fish, and chicken using plant-based ingredients and is supported by many celebrities. Zedd joined well-known stars such as Jay-Z, Trevor Noah, Katy Perry, Phil Rosenthal, Jaden Smith, Ruby Rose, and Serena Williams as major investors.

Real Estate

In December 2014, Zedd paid $3.9 million for a 3,831-square-foot, four-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Los Angeles, California. This property, which features a very modern interior design and includes amenities such as an outdoor pool, recording studio, and wine cellar. It also features views of the Los Angeles city skyline. Zedd recently returned the property to the market in October 2025, seeking $5.5 million. 

Personal Life

With his busy career, the German DJ had little time for romantic entanglements, but in 2015, he briefly dated Selena Gomez, the popular singer. As a high-profile celebrity, Gomez was constantly in the limelight, forcing Zedd into the sometimes unwelcome media attention during their relationship.

While Zedd focuses primarily on his music career, he is also a soccer fan, supporting the German football club FC Kaiserslautern. His family is well educated, which has made Zedd multilingual, speaking Russian, German, English, and basic French.

Summary 

By following his dream of becoming a musician, Zedd defied the odds and is now one of the most well-known and popular dance music performers. His achievements, awards, and impact on electronic music make him one of the genre’s leading personalities and trend-setting icons. By collaborating with talented artists, Zedd not only keeps abreast of the latest talent but also influences the next generation of artists.

Introduction

David Guetta is a French professional DJ and music producer with an estimated net worth of $150 Million.

Guetta is a pop culture phenomenon, having sold over 10 million albums and 65 million singles worldwide. He has taken DJing to a whole new level and was voted the world’s number one DJ in the Top 100 DJs poll.

He’s come far from his early days at the Broad Club in Paris. Starting from nothing, he’s worked his way up to being one of the top-earning celebrities in the world. His 2009 album One Love was a massive success. It brought him mainstream attention and launched his hugely successful career.

Quick Facts

• Peak annual income of $37 million (live performances)
• Earned a combined $196.5 million between 2012 and 2019
• Sold his entire music catalog for over $100 million to WMG (2021)

Earnings History

David Guetta, Tiesto, and Steve Aoki are the only three DJs to have been featured on every annual version of the Forbes World’s Highest-Paid DJs list (2012 to 2019). Of the three individuals, Guetta is the second-highest earner overall, earning $196.5 million during the period. He was also never the highest earner in any single year, with the top spots frequently occupied by Calvin Harris, Tiësto, and The Chainsmokers.

In 2012, Guetta earned an estimated $13.5 million from all his endeavors, which was his lowest-earning year during the period. However, his income quickly skyrocketed, and from 2013 to 2015, his earnings never dipped below $30 million. This includes his peak annual income of $37 million in 2015. That year, several factors were at play, including:

• Las Vegas residency (30 shows total)
• Weekly residency in Ibiza
• Headlining Coachella

From this point onward, his income gradually declined to $28 million the following year, $25 million in 2017, and $15 million in 2018. One thing worth mentioning is the 2021 sale of his music catalog to Warner Music Group. Although the acquisition was a one-off and not indicative of typical annual income, WMG reportedly paid over $100 million to acquire Guetta’s entire back catalog.

Early Life

Guetta was raised by his father, a socialist named Pierre Guetta, and his mother, Monique. He has four brothers and sisters, as well as half-siblings on both sides of his family. He discovered his love for music at a young age,  mixing his first vinyl at 13.

By the age of 15, David was regularly visiting many local discos. His biggest inspiration came from the track “Rude,” composed by the American DJ Farley Keith. He was immediately drawn to it and knew he wanted to write something similar. He discovered house music while working in a gay club, which helped him find his style.

At the age of 17, David began his DJ career at the Broad Club in Paris. And by 1988, he was hosting his own club nights. In the mid-90s, Guetta played at Le Centrale, the Rex, Le Boy, and Folies Pigalle.

In 1994, David became the manager of Le Palace nightclub. After hosting the best parties at clubs around France, David and Joachim Garraud founded Gum Productions in 2001.

Music Career 

Guetta’s first hit single was “Just a Little More Love”. It featured the well-known American singer Chris Willis and sold over 300,000 copies. He released follow-up singles in 2002, “Love Don’t Let Me Go”, “People Come People Go”, and “Give Me Something”, to wide acclaim. This was followed by the release of multiple compilations, starting with F*ck Me I’m Famous, which he released in 2003.

David released his second album, Guetta Blaster, in 2004. However, his third album, Pop Life, released in 2007, was a massive success in the UK and Ireland. According to EMI, the album sold more than 530,000 copies in 2010. His lead single from his third album, Love is Gone, reached number 1 on the American Dance chart.  

On July 5, 2008, David performed at an event called “UNITED” alongside Tiesto, Carl Cox, Joachim Garraud, and Martin Solveig in front of a 40,000-person audience.

When he released his fourth album, One Love, in 2009, little did David know that his fame would go global. The album reached the top spot on the UK Singles Chart and in many other countries worldwide. The album sold three million copies worldwide and was nominated as “Best Electronic/Dance Album” at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

The Black-Eyed Peas released a song called “I Gotta Feeling,” produced by David Guetta. The song also hit the charts and became the most downloaded song of all time in the United States, with over 7.5 million downloads.

His fifth album, Nothing But The Beat, released on 26 August 2011, starred many top celebrities, including Nicky Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, Lady Gaga, Afrojack, and Sia. Guetta produced, wrote, and featured on Rihanna’s seventh album, Unapologetic, which saw him tour alongside her.

Music Catalog Sale

In June 2021, Guetta sold his entire recorded music catalog to Warner Music Group, making him one of the youngest musicians ever to do so. Although official figures have not been released, the Financial Times and other sources suggest the deal is worth more than $100 million.

Warner Music Group secured Guetta’s back catalog from the past two decades, including approximately 50 million record sales and over 14 billion streams, as well as a going-forward agreement granting Warner Music Group the rights to his future recordings. The deal also differs from more significant catalog acquisitions, such as Bob Dylan‘s, as it reportedly covered only Guetta’s recorded music, not his songwriting catalog, which, if included, would make the deal worth considerably more.

Guetta has since stated that it was the right time to renew his creative partnership with Warner Music Group so he could continue innovating with new projects, work on his catalog, and build his career.

Net Worth Annually

David Guetta’s value skyrocketed in 2021 after a partnership with Warner Music took his net worth from $100 million to $150 million. If he gets his wish to perform in space, he will increase it exponentially again.

Here’s a breakdown of David Guetta’s annual net worth:

• 2017 – $100 million
• 2018 – $100 million
• 2019 – $105 million
• 2020 – $120 million
• 2021 – $100 million
• 2022 – $150 million

How Does David Guetta Spend His Money?

David absolutely loves to travel, and to ease the process, he invested in various properties across the globe. If he’s in different cities each day of the week, he’s likely staying in one of his properties. He lives a clean life, neither smoking nor drinking. But he does like to dress well. This chic Parisian music producer is a massive fan of Nialaya jewelry, especially their bracelets.

You’ll also catch him wearing Christian Louboutin’s flat sneakers or French shoe designer Christian Louboutin’s latest creation. 

Summary 

David Guetta remains the most famous DJ in the world, and pop stars everywhere seek his compilations and music production skills. Increasing his net worth by more than $50 million in one year shows that David still has the skills and talent, even after all these years. He’s got his eyes on the stars, literally wishing to perform in space.

Introduction

DJ Tiësto is a Dutch professional DJ with an estimated net worth of $170 Million.

He’s known as the “Godfather of EDM”. He is famous worldwide, having appeared on over 117 charts. His debut and the most recognized event of his career was his performance at the Home Depot Center in 2011. This event was headlined as “the largest single headline DJ show in US history. His talent and showmanship have earned him the “Greatest DJ of All Time” tag.

Quick Facts

• Earned a combined $252 million between 2012 and 2019
• Average annual income of $31.5 million
• Typically receives between $150,000 and $300,000 per show
• World’s highest paid DJ in 2012 ($22 million in earnings)

Earnings History

Tiësto is just one of three individuals to appear on every iteration of Forbes’ highest-paid DJs list from 2012 to 2019. The others being David Guetta and Steve Aoki. During this time, Tiësto’s earnings typically ranged between $22 million and $39 million per year, consistently performing at over 100 live shows annually.

In 2012, he was the world’s highest-paid DJ, earning $22 million, thanks to pulling in an average gross revenue of $250,000 per performance. However, Tiësto was knocked off the top spot by Calvin Harris in 2013, who became the leader in earnings for the majority of the 2010s. Tiësto pulled in $32 million that year, followed by $28 million in 2014, and $36 million in 2015. Remaining comfortably in the second spot for 2016, he earned a total of $38 million, still performing at over 100 shows in a calendar year. During this time, his Las Vegas residency was one of his primary sources of income. 

Tiësto reached a peak annual income in 2017, earning an estimated $39 million, with his earnings dropping slightly over the next couple of years. Despite this, the Dutchman earned a combined $252 million between 2012 and 2019, making him the second-highest-earning DJ during that period. Although his recent earnings aren’t as well-known, he still held a Las Vegas residency with Zouk from 2021 to 2024, which paid him between $150,000 and $300,000 per night.

Before Wealth & Fame

Tijs Micheil Verwest was born on 17 January 1969 in Breda, Netherlands. His single mother raised him, his brother, and his sister. During his school years, Tiësto was passionate about soccer and went on to play for Vesting Boys and Saint Anna Boys Club.

Tiësto’s love for music blossomed at the age of 12. He would listen to radio shows such as “In The Mix” and Ben Liebrand’s “Ferry Maat Soul Show”. As he grew up, he realized he had to start working toward his goal of pursuing a career in the music industry.

He began by blending various musical genres to create new, distinctive tracks. He started selling a few of the tracks, which helped him out financially. Unfortunately, his music wasn’t bringing in enough money, so he worked in a variety of restaurants to make a living.

His career took off when he started performing at house parties and then at clubs, and he gained more confidence. His first club performance was at Spock in 1985, when he played “new beat” and “acid house” tracks.

Music Career 

Tiësto’s big break occurred in 1994 when the manager of Basic Beat Recordings offered him a contract. He met DJ Arny Bink, and the duo released multiple tracks under the label “Trashcan Records” and four albums under “Guardian Angel Records” during the mid-1990s.

“Magik Series”, a collection of trance music tracks, was the first album released under Tiësto’s label. Not long after, Tiësto released two sub-labels, “Song Bird” and “In Trance We Trust”. He collaborated with Ferry Corsten on the Gouryella project, and the trance music compilation reached the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.

His next big project was Kamaya Painters. This project collaborated with another top DJ, Benno De Goeij. The first installment of the series, “In Search of Sunrise”, was released to wide acclaim.

“Summerbreeze” was released on the 10^th of October 2000, hitting the top of the US Billboard charts soon after. He caught the eye of the Olympic committee and was asked to become the first-ever DJ to play on the Olympic stage. Afterward, Tiësto released an album, Prade of the Athletes, that included the track he played at the Olympic event.

One of his most successful albums was Elements of Life, released in 2007. The album reached the top of the Dutch album charts and the US Billboard Top Electronic Albums. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008.

He opened his first-ever restaurant and club, Cineac, in collaboration with a team of Chinese Michelin-starred chefs. You can see what it looks like on his official Instagram account, but it’s been renamed Mansion.

His fifth and latest album, A Town Called Paradise, was released in June 2014 under multiple labels. Many of the tracks on the album became record-breaking successes worldwide.

Net Worth Annually

Here’s a breakdown of DJ Tiësto’s annual net worth:

• 2017 – $120 million
• 2018 – $130 million
• 2019 – $140 million
• 2020 – $150 million
• 2021 – $165 million
• 2022 – $180 million

Personal Life

Tiësto married model Annika Backed in September 2019. They have two children together: a daughter, Viola Margreet Verwest, and a son, Viggo Tiësto Verwest.

With Tiësto’s previous passion for soccer, he has revealed that he is a big fan of the Italian football club Inter Milan, home to some of the richest soccer players in the world, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o. Such is his love for the club that he’s collaborated with them numerous times.

How Does DJ Tiësto Spend His Money?

Tiësto has a love for clothes, especially Gucci. But even with his champagne taste in clothing, he will still buy the same item of clothing for less from another brand, as long as it looks like the original Gucci.

Although he splurges on luxuries, Tiësto is known for his philanthropic work. He primarily supports the Global Poverty Project and RED. He has also been named the official worldwide ambassador for the Dance4Life Foundation, which promotes awareness and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Summary 

DJ Tiësto’s only goal is to share music with as many people as possible. By following his passion for music, he has successfully become one of the wealthiest DJs in the world. He is committed to performing and producing tracks until he can no longer do either. Even at 50, Tiësto shows no sign of slowing down. He’s bringing new music to the world while living the life he always dreamed of.