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What Is Desmond Child’s Net Worth?
Desmond Child, a highly accomplished American musician, songwriter, and producer, has amassed a substantial net worth of $200 million. This financial success stems from his prolific career, which includes co-writing or producing over 80 Top 40 singles, working with numerous iconic artists, and strategic management of his music publishing rights.
Desmond Child’s Music Career: From Rouge to Chart-Topping Hits
Desmond Child’s journey in the music industry began in his early years, following a childhood immersed in music. His mother, Elena Casals, a songwriter herself, instilled a love for music and taught him piano. In 1975, Child formed the band Desmond Child & Rouge with Maria Vidal, Myriam Valle, and Diana Grasselli. Although the band released two studio albums, “Desmond Child & Rouge” and “Runners in the Night,” their commercial success remained limited. However, their appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in December 1979, and their song “Last of an Ancient Breed” featuring on “The Warriors” soundtrack offered early exposure.
The turning point in Child’s career arrived with his foray into songwriting for other artists. In 1979, he co-wrote “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” for KISS, marking the start of a long and fruitful association. The 1980s saw Child collaborate with a diverse range of artists, including Billy Squier (“You Should Be High Love”), Cher (“Walk With Me,” “When the Love is Gone,” “The Book of Love”), Bonnie Tyler, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Alice Cooper. His songwriting prowess became highly sought after, and he consistently delivered hit songs that propelled these artists to new heights.
During the 1980s, Child wrote for Bonnie Tyler, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, John Waite, Ronnie Spector, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Alice Cooper. In 1991, Child released the solo album “Discipline,” and the single “Love on a Rooftop” was a “Billboard” Top 40 hit. Getty Images Desmond co-wrote six songs on Ratt’s 1990 album “Detonator” as well as several songs on Joan Jett & The Blackhearts “Notorious” (1991), Bon Jovi’s “These Days” (1995), and Chynna Phillips’ “Naked and Sacred” (1995). His work as a co-writer and producer on Ricky Martin’s self-titled 1999 album earned him three Grammy nominations. In the 2000s, he worked with numerous “American Idol” alums, writing songs for Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Diana DeGarmo, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, and Ace Young. Child has also written for LeAnn Rimes, Sebastian Bach, Lindsay Lohan, Scorpions, Katy Perry, Weezer, and Selena Gomez. He produced Meat Loaf’s 2006 album “Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose” and co-wrote six of the album’s tracks, and in 2013, “Believe in Me,” a song he wrote for Bonnie Tyler, was chosen as the U.K.’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. After the contest ended, Tyler received Eurovision Song Contest Radio Awards for Best Singer and Best Song. Desmond co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
The 1990s marked another pivotal period in Child’s career. He played a key role in revitalizing Bon Jovi’s career with co-writing credits on “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and “Bad Medicine.” These songs not only topped the charts but also became anthems that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. Child’s collaboration with Aerosmith on “Dude Looks Like A Lady” further solidified his reputation as a hitmaker. His ability to craft catchy melodies and relatable lyrics earned him consistent success on the Billboard charts.
In 1999, Child co-wrote and produced Ricky Martin’s self-titled album, which included the global sensation “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” This song became a cultural phenomenon, topping charts in numerous countries and selling millions of copies. Child’s contribution to the song’s success was significant, and it earned him Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Moreover, a peculiar legal detail related to the song “Thong Song” by Sisqó has contributed to Child’s income. Sisqó reportedly did not obtain proper clearance to use the line “Livin’ la vida loca” in his song, resulting in a significant portion of the publishing royalties going to Child instead of Sisqó.
In the 2000s, Child continued to write for popular artists, collaborating with “American Idol” alums like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Clay Aiken. He also worked with established artists like LeAnn Rimes, Scorpions, and Katy Perry, demonstrating his versatility and ability to adapt to changing musical trends. He produced Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose” in 2006 and co-wrote six tracks on the album. In 2013, “Believe in Me,” a song he wrote for Bonnie Tyler, represented the U.K. in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Royalties and Income Streams
The majority of Desmond Child’s $200 million net worth stems from music royalties. As a songwriter, he earns royalties every time his songs are sold, streamed, or played on the radio. Given his involvement in over 80 Top 40 singles, these royalty streams provide a consistent and substantial income. The specific royalty rates vary depending on the agreement with each artist and record label, but generally, songwriters receive a percentage of the song’s revenue. His co-founding of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013 has further solidified his presence and influence within the industry, potentially leading to new opportunities and collaborations.
Beyond songwriting royalties, Child also earns income from producing records for other artists. As a producer, he receives a fee for his services, and he may also earn a percentage of the album’s sales. His production work on Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose” in 2006, for example, generated significant income. The exact financial details of his production deals are not publicly available, but given the album’s commercial success, it likely contributed substantially to his wealth.
Another key element contributing to Desmond Child’s net worth are his publishing rights. As the copyright holder of his songs, Child has the exclusive right to license them for use in films, television shows, commercials, and other media. These licensing agreements can generate significant revenue, particularly for popular songs that are in high demand. The financial terms of these licensing agreements are typically confidential, but the consistent use of his songs in various media outlets contributes to a steady income stream. Child’s autobiography, “Livin’ on a Prayer: Big Songs Big Life,” co-written with David Ritz, would also provide royalties from book sales.
Awards and Recognition
Desmond Child’s accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards: Best R&B Song for “Thong Song,” Best Pop Album for “Ricky Martin,” and Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” He won a Latin Grammy for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album for “Soy” (by Alejandra Guzmán), and he won El Premio Awards for Song Of The Year for “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “La Copa De La Vida” (“The Cup Of Life”). In 2003, Desmond earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music and Lyrics for “Everyone Matters” from “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” and he received an Online Film & Television Association Award nomination for Best Music, Adapted Song for “Elephant Love Medley” from” Moulin Rouge!” in 2002. “Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!!” (which Child produced) won a Silver Award for Best Music Video at the 2010 WorldFest Houston, and in 2008, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Child has also won the ASCAP Founders Award (2018), TAXI Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), and NARAS Florida Chapter Heroes Award (2000). In 1999, he received a key to the City of Miami Beach, and he has been immortalized on the Miami Beach High Wall of Fame. In 1998, “La Copa De La Vida” was named the official song of the World Cup.
These accolades not only recognize his artistic achievements but also enhance his reputation and marketability, leading to further opportunities and collaborations. His induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 cemented his legacy as one of the most successful songwriters of his generation. These honors often translate to increased demand for his services and higher fees for his songwriting and production work. Other milestones include receiving a key to the City of Miami Beach in 1999 and having “La Copa De La Vida” named the official song of the World Cup in 1998.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Desmond Child’s personal life has also influenced his creative output. He began a relationship with Curtis Shaw after meeting in 1989. The couple welcomed twin sons, Nyro and Roman, on May 8, 2002, via a surrogate, documenting their experience in the 2013 film “Two: The Story of Roman & Nyro.” These personal experiences are reflected in his songwriting, which often explores themes of love, identity, and family.
Specific details regarding Desmond Child’s real estate holdings are not readily available in the public domain. However, it is common for individuals with substantial wealth to invest in real estate, and it is likely that Child owns properties in the United States and possibly abroad. The value of these properties would contribute to his overall net worth.
