Musicians
Lars Ulrich Net Worth
Known for being the co-founder and drummer of Metallica, Lars Ulrich has earned a considerable net worth as one of the world’s greatest rockstars.
| Net Worth: | $350 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 62 |
| Born: | December 26, 1963 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Country of Origin: | Denmark |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Musician |
| Last Updated: | Jun 3, 2026 |
Introduction
Lars Ulrich is a Danish professional musician, songwriter, and co-founder of Metallica with an estimated net worth of $350 Million.
Quick Facts
- Metallica earned an estimated $221.5 million from 2017 to 2020
- The band has grossed revenues of over $1.5 billion 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 |
| 2025 | $53,000,000 |
| Total | $306,500,000 |
When we first began researching Metallica’s earnings for our profile on James Hetfield, we unfortunately struggled to find information about their early success in the late 1980s and 1990s. Despite appearing on the Forbes list several times in the 90s and 2000s, those web pages have been lost over time. Even when accessing an archived version, information is hard to come by.
The only year we were able to obtain information for was 1998, when Metallica earned an estimated $32 million. That year, the Poor Re-Touring Me Tour was responsible for the bulk of the band’s income.
In 2017, Metallica made an astonishing comeback with the WorldWired Tour, which began in October 2016 and ran for roughly three years, until August 2019. The tour grossed $430 million over the three years, accounting for just over one-third of the band’s lifetime tour revenue. As a result, Metallica were again named among the world’s highest-earning bands for four years straight.
Forbes calculates earnings estimates using income earned between June of the year prior to June and June of the year the list is published. In other words, 2017 earnings refer to income from June 2016 to June 2017. That year, Metallica 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. In total, the band earned an estimated $221.5 million between 2017 and 2020.
In the WorldWired Tour, Metallica consisted of four members: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo. Hetfield and Ulrich earn the most money as Metallica’s co-founders, but reports suggest touring income is split somewhat evenly. For argument’s sake, $221.5 million split four ways would have earned Ulrich roughly $55.4 million over the four-year period.
Metallica
Metallica’s debut album, Kill’Em All, was released in 1983 and was followed a year later by Ride the Lightning; both were well received. The band’s third album, Master of Puppets, was released in 1986, with And Justice for All following two years later in 1988. However, it was their fifth album, the self-titled Metallica, released in 1991, that propelled them to superstardom.
To date, Metallica has sold over 125 million albums, making them one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Even 30 years after their formation, Metallica is still one of the highest-earning bands in the world, easily grossing millions from their tours and merchandise sales.
Throughout his career, Ulrich has been known for his distinctive drumming style, which began as very harsh and aggressive and eventually became simpler in the 1990s. Known for playing in synch with James Hetfield’s rhythm guitar, Ulrich uses clean beats and heavy drums for most of his newest songs.
Tour History
We briefly mentioned above two Metallica tours that helped them make the Forbes Celebrity 100, but these weren’t the only successful tours of their career. Typically, on average, the lion’s share of a musician’s income is generated from concerts and touring. This wasn’t always the case; before streaming platforms took over, record sales were a much more lucrative source of income.
Metallica has one of the most extensive touring histories, having performed on almost forty tours, either as a supporting act or as the lead act. For the purposes of discussing the band’s touring revenue, we’ll focus only on their tours.
Unfortunately, back in the 1980s and early 1990s, tour revenues in the music industry weren’t as well documented. Thus, we’re unable to see how much Metallica’s earlier tours generated. This includes the likes of:
- Kill ‘Em All for One (1983-1984)
- Bang That Head That Doesn’t Bang (1984)
- Ride the Lightning Tour (1985)
- Damaged Justice (1988-1989)
- Pour Touring Me (1996-1997)
- Re-Load Promo Tour (1997)
- Poor Re-Touring Me Tour (1998-1999)
Touring Revenues
Beginning in the 2000s, touring revenues became much more widely reported on. Metallica’s first tour of the decade, the Summer Sanitarium Tour, commenced in June 2000 and concluded in August 2003. In total, the tour grossed $90.8 million across 41 shows. The band barely took any rest, launching the Madly in Anger with the World Tour in November of the same year. Technically, the tour grossed less per show, but it was almost double overall at $178.7 million.
Between 2006 and 2008, Metallica held several smaller tours, including Escape from the Studio ’06, Sick of the Studio ’07, and the 2008 European Vacation Tour. They wrapped up the decade with the World Magnetic Tour, which spanned five continents and a total of 187 shows. Yet again, this tour represented a significant step up in earnings, grossing a total revenue of $219.9 million between October 2008 and November 2010. The shows in Australia alone grossed over $30 million in revenue.
Additionally, we have revenue figures for the Metallica By Request Tour (2014), which grossed $43.8 million, and, more importantly, for the WorldWired Tour. This tour became the 5th-highest-grossing tour of the 2010s, bringing in $430 million in ticket sales between February 6, 2016, and August 25, 2019.
Still, the band broke their own record in recent years with the continuation of the M72 World Tour. Though the tour began in April 2023 and is yet to conclude, it has already grossed $517.5 million. With an end date of July 5, 2026, this won’t be the final total. At the time of writing, Metallica’s tours have grossed at least $1.5 billion in revenue.
Divorce Settlements
Lars Ulrich has been married three times; his first marriage was to Debbie Jones in 1988, which ended in divorce in 1990 while Ulrich was recording the Black album. Ulrich married again in 1997 to Skylar Satenstein, an emergency physician, and the couple had two sons before divorcing in 2004.
Following his second divorce, Ulrich dated Connie Nielsen, a Danish actress, from 2004 to 2012, during which time they had one child together. In 2015, Ulrich married Jessica Miller, an American fashion model. Despite being divorced twice, there were never any reports on alimony payments, settlements, or child support obligations. While it’s likely that these were a factor in the divorce proceedings, the outcome has never been publicly disclosed.
Real Estate
Lars Ulrich previously owned a 9,750-square-foot, seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom home in Tiburon, California. This home overlooks San Francisco Bay and features an indoor basketball court, recording studio, aquarium, sauna, and numerous other amenities. The drummer listed the property for sale at $12 million in October 2019, and it sold for $10.3 million in January of the following year.
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Musicians
Don Henley Net Worth
The incredibly talented Don Henley, founded the Eagles and has generated enormous wealth from his hit songs.
| Net Worth: | $250 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 78 |
| Born: | July 22, 1947 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Musician |
| Last Updated: | Jun 2, 2026 |
Introduction
Don Henley is an American professional singer, musician, and founding member of The Eagles with an estimated net worth of $250 Million.
Quick Facts
- The Eagles earned more than $375 million between 2014 and 2020
- The band’s peak annual income was $100 million
- Grossed more than $1.6 billion in tour revenue
The Eagles Earnings History
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2005 | $45,000,000 |
| 2006 | $70,000,000 |
| 2014 | $100,000,000 |
| 2015 | $73,500,000 |
| 2018 | $56,000,000 |
| 2019 | $100,000,000 |
| 2020 | $41,000,000 |
| Total | $485,500,000 |
The Eagles have been featured on the Forbes Celebrity 100 more than half a dozen times. Their first run was between 2005 and 2006, when they earned an estimated $45 million and $70 million, respectively. According to reports, the band grossed more than $77 million on tour that year and earned substantial sums from DVD sales of The Farewell Tour.
They returned to the list in 2014, largely due to the success of the History of the Eagles Tour, which grossed more than $253 million between July 2013 and July 2015. That year, The Eagles earned an estimated $100 million, followed by $73.5 million in 2015. Once the tour had concluded, the band dropped off the list, but returned yet again in 2018, earning approximately $56 million. The lion’s share of their income was generated from the An Evening with the Eagles Tour, which grossed $166 million.
In 2019, the band took home another $100 million, and in 2020 (their last appearance on the Celebrity 100), they earned roughly $41 million. Assuming the information above is relatively accurate, The Eagles would have earned a total of $485.5 million over the seven years mentioned.
Real Estate
In March 2018, Don Henley paid $2.21 million for a 1,827-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Los Angeles, California. He sold this property for $2.285 million in August 2025, resulting in a post-tax, post-commission loss.
Reports also suggest that Henley purchased a 3,554-square-foot home in Los Angeles for his son in 2022. The property, which cost Don roughly $4.3 million, features four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and several eco-friendly amenities. This includes using recycled materials for the roof and solar panels for energy.
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Summary
After creating music with the Eagles for 37 years, Don has become a legend in the music industry. His albums released with the band continue to sell worldwide. It is beyond doubt that the Eagles and Don Henley have become a part of music history. Don Henley turned 75 this year and is no longer as involved in music as he once was. But even without new releases, Don Henley remains one of the most successful artists of all time.
Musicians
Jimmy Buffett Net Worth
We’re heading to Margaritaville to learn all about Jimmy Buffett’s net worth and how he came to be one of the world’s richest musicians.
| Net Worth: | $1.2 Billion |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 25, 1946 |
| Died: | September 1, 2023 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Musician |
| Last Updated: | Jun 2, 2026 |
Introduction
Jimmy Buffett was an American professional singer, songwriter, and author with an estimated net worth of $1.2 Billion.
Quick Facts
- Owned a 28% stake in Margaritaville Hotel & Resorts
- Earned an estimated $228 million between 2015 and 2019
- Estimated income of $570 million from touring and recording
- Peak annual income of $51 million in 2018
Earnings History
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1993 | $12,000,000 |
| 1994 | $14,000,000 |
| 2015 | $36,000,000 |
| 2016 | $40,500,000 |
| 2017 | $50,500,000 |
| 2018 | $51,000,000 |
| 2019 | $50,000,000 |
| Total | $254,000,000 |
Forbes ranked Jimmy Buffett among the world’s highest-paid musicians at least seven times. In 1993 and 1994, he was featured on the Forbes Top 40, earning an estimated $12 million and $14 million, respectively. At the time, Buffett had just released his compilation album Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads, a four-disc set featuring Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band’s greatest hits. To date, it’s the second-best-selling album of Buffett’s career, with over 4 million copies sold in the United States.
Two decades later, in 2015, Forbes ranked Buffett as the 62nd-highest-paid celebrity in the world, with an estimated $36 million in earnings. By this point in his career, Buffett’s primary source of income was no longer music. Instead, he was earning tens of millions of dollars from his Margaritaville hotel and resort business. Jimmy was also featured on the list for the next four consecutive years. He earned $40.5 million in 2016 and at least $50 million per year between 2017 and 2019.
All things considered, this brings his total income between 2015 and 2019 to $228 million. With that said, it only accounts for a fraction of Jimmy Buffett’s career.
Royalty Income
As one of the richest rock stars in the world, Jimmy Buffett earned a lot of money from his music. This included royalties paid by music platforms that allow listeners to stream his albums without needing to buy them.
Here’s a breakdown of Jimmy Buffett’s annual music royalties:
- Spotify – $25 million
- Apple Music – $20 million
- Amazon – $10 million
- Other services – $5 million
Real Estate
Jimmy Buffett previously owned an enormous 20,122-square-foot, five-bedroom, seven-bathroom mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. This property sits on 1.41 acres, features multiple swimming pools, a tennis court, and is directly adjacent to the beach. According to reports, Buffett sold the property for $18.5 million in 2010. Recent estimates place its current value at $111 million.
In April 2014, Buffett and his wife paid $8.25 million for a 4,322-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Beverly Hills, California. Several years later, in 2019, the couple began renting out the property for $25,000 per month. They still own the home, which is now valued at $7.7 million.
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Summary
Jimmy Buffett is one of the world’s most easy-going millionaires, but his incredible success sets him apart from everyone else. Buffett has tapped into a unique niche and made it his own, something that has made him remarkably successful and well-known.
Musicians
Bill Berry Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $40 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 67 |
| Born: | July 31, 1958 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Musician |
| Last Updated: | Jun 3, 2026 |
Introduction
Bill Berry is an American retired professional musician with an estimated net worth of $40 Million.
Berry was the drummer for the alternative rock band R.E.M., but he is best known for his economical drumming style. He also played other instruments, including guitar, bass, and piano, for songwriting and on R.E.M. albums. After a long career with the band, he left the music industry to become a farmer and has since maintained a low profile.
Quick Facts
- Paid roughly $113,000 for a 56.6-acre farm in Georgia
- R.E.M. earned an estimated $44 million in 1996
- Signed an $80 million, five-album deal with Warner Bros. in 1996
- The band has sold over 93 million records worldwide
R.E.M. Earnings
In 1996, R.E.M. was ranked on Forbes’ Top 40 with an estimated annual income of $44 million. At the time, most of this figure came from touring. However, prior to the 2000s, touring revenue in the music industry wasn’t widely reported; verified figures are difficult to find. In any case, between January 1995 and November 1995, R.E.M. held the Monster Tour, which grossed an estimated $94.6 million. Not all of this revenue fell within the calculation period for Forbes Estimates, but anything from June 1 onward would have.
Warner Bros. Records Deal
In 1996, R.E.M. signed a five-album record deal with Warner Bros., reportedly valued at $80 million, or $16.66 million per album. At the time, this was among the largest record deals in history, which many might have found surprising. According to reports, R.E.M.’s contract with the label included the following:
- $10 million signing bonus
- $20 million advance tied to future sales of existing catalog
- $10 million advance per album
- 24% royalty payment on future retail sales
Real Estate
In the late 1980s, Bill Berry purchased 56.6 acres of land in Watkinsville, Georgia. While the purchase price wasn’t publicly disclosed, Berry has previously commented on this investment, saying he wanted to broaden his portfolio at the time. He mentioned that the land cost about $2,000 per acre back then, which would have totaled about $113,100. There now stands a 6,010-square-foot home on the land, and the property is worth roughly $1.47 million. It also costs him roughly $16,000 in property taxes each year.
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