Net Worth Ranker
What Is Barry White’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in 2003 at the age of 58, Barry White, the iconic American singer-songwriter, had a net worth of $20 million. This figure represents the culmination of a career spanning several decades, marked by numerous hit songs, successful albums, and various ventures into television and advertising. The primary source of Barry White’s net worth was undoubtedly his music career, encompassing royalties from album sales, single releases, songwriting credits, and performance fees.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Barry Eugene Carter on September 12, 1944, in Galveston, Texas, White’s early life was characterized by the challenges of growing up in a tough neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles. His family included his father, Melvin A. White, and his mother, Sadie Marie Carter. White’s musical journey began early, with him recalling his voice deepening dramatically at age 14. A turning point occurred during his teens when he was jailed for theft. It was while incarcerated that he heard Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now or Never,” an experience he later credited with changing his life.
After leaving prison, Barry shifted his focus to music. He began performing with a group called The Upfronts in the ’60s while also writing songs for other artists. He first released the song “Too Far to Turn Around” in 1960. He also recorded several singles under his own name around this time, backed by the vocal groups The Atlantics and The Majestics. In 1965, White produced “Feel Aw Right” by the Bel Cantos and recorded his debut single, “Man Ain’t Nothing,” released under the name Lee Barry in 1966. In 1967, he co-wrote “Together Forever” with Pat Powdrill & the Power Drills. Throughout the ’70s, White wrote and produced multiple hit tracks for Bobby Fuller, The Banana Splits, and his most successful group, Love Unlimited.
Musical Career and Peak Success
Barry White’s breakthrough came with his work producing for Love Unlimited, a Motown-style girl group. Their 1972 album, “From A Girl’s Point of View We Give to You…Love Unlimited,” marked the beginning of White’s string of long-titled albums and singles. He wrote, produced, and arranged their classic soul ballad “Walkin’ in the Rain with the One I Love,” which reached #14 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 Pop Chart and #6 on the “Billboard” R&B chart. This song became White’s first million-selling single as a writer and producer.
In 1973, Barry created The Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece orchestral group that served as a backing band. In 1973, he released a single, “Love’s Theme,” written by him and the Orchestra. The track reached #1 on the “Billboard” Pop charts. In 1974, White released his first album with the Orchestra, “Rhapsody in White.” He continued making albums with the Orchestra into the ’70s with relative success and then ceased making albums with them in 1983. His solo performance career began somewhat accidentally and started when he recorded a few songs himself so that another artist could consider using them on an upcoming album.
White’s solo career officially began with the 1973 release of “I’ve Got So Much to Give.” The album’s success was immediate, reaching #1 on the “Billboard” R&B charts and #3 on the “Billboard” Pop charts. Throughout his solo career, White recorded 20 studio albums, nine of which achieved Gold status, two achieved Silver status, and three achieved Platinum or Multi-Platinum status. He also won two Grammy Awards (and was nominated for 11) and recorded seven #1 hits. Barry’s final album was 1999’s “Staying Power,” which resulted in his last hit song of the same title. His autobiography, “Love Unlimited,” was written with Mark Eliot and published that same year by Broadway Books.
Additional Ventures and Income Streams
Beyond his primary income from music, Barry White supplemented his net worth through various ventures in television and advertising. He lent his distinctive voice to voice-over work, including the character Brother Bear in the 1975 film “Coonskin.” He also made appearances as himself in multiple episodes of “The Simpsons.” White’s voice was also featured in commercials for major brands, including Oldsmobile, Jeep, and Arby’s restaurant commercials. He also provided a voiceover for Apple’s first iBook commercial. Further adding to his visibility, White made three guest appearances on the TV series “Ally McBeal,” where his music was frequently featured in dream sequences.
These forays into television and advertising provided additional revenue streams for White, contributing to his overall financial success and solidifying his position as a multi-faceted entertainer.
Personal Life and Legacy
Barry White’s personal life was marked by several relationships. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary, when he was 19, but they separated in 1969 and later divorced. In 1974, he married singer Glodean James. Although it was reported that they divorced in 1988, they remained legally married until his death in 2003, despite living separate lives. White had at least nine children, including two with his first wife, Mary, by the time he was 16, and four with Glodean James.
Throughout his life, White faced health challenges related to his weight. In 1995, he was hospitalized with high blood pressure, leading to the cancellation of tour dates. He was hospitalized again in 2002 with kidney failure attributed to diabetes. In May 2003, White suffered a severe stroke while undergoing dialysis and awaiting a kidney transplant. He passed away on July 4, 2003, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at the age of 58. Despite his health struggles, Barry White left behind a legacy as one of the most influential and beloved soul singers of all time, with a net worth that reflected his significant contributions to the music industry.
