Net Worth Ranker
What Is Robbie Montgomery’s Net Worth?
Robbie Montgomery, an American businesswoman and former backup singer, has accumulated a net worth of $6 million. This figure reflects her diverse career spanning music and the restaurant industry. Her journey began in the 1960s as an Ikette, providing backing vocals for the iconic Ike & Tina Turner. Later, she transitioned into entrepreneurship, establishing the successful “Sweetie Pie’s” restaurant chain. The convergence of her musical past and culinary present significantly contributes to her current financial standing.
Breakdown of Robbie Montgomery’s Wealth
The $6 million net worth attributed to Robbie Montgomery is derived from several key sources. Her early career as a singer, including her time with the Ikettes and as a backup vocalist for renowned artists, contributed to her initial wealth. While specific earnings from this period are not publicly detailed, performing with acts like The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown would have provided a steady income. However, the primary driver of her net worth is undoubtedly “Sweetie Pie’s.”
Sweetie Pie’s, initially a single restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, expanded over the years and gained significant recognition through the reality television show “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The show, which ran for nine seasons from 2011 to 2018, significantly boosted the restaurant’s popularity and brand recognition. While specific revenue figures for Sweetie Pie’s are not publicly available, the success of a restaurant chain featured on national television would have generated substantial profits.
In addition to restaurant profits, Robbie Montgomery has also capitalized on her brand through various ventures. She authored “Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook: Soulful Southern Recipes, from My Family to Yours,” published in 2015. The cookbook’s sales would have provided an additional income stream. Furthermore, in 2018, she released the album “Miss Robbie’s What They Call Me,” marking a return to her musical roots. While the commercial success of the album is not detailed, it likely contributed to her overall earnings.
It’s important to note that legal issues involving her son, Tim Norman, and the closure of some Sweetie Pie’s locations may have impacted her net worth in recent years. The financial implications of these events are not fully transparent, but they represent potential challenges to her overall wealth.
Robbie Montgomery’s Early Career and Music Ventures
Born on June 16, 1940, in Columbus, Mississippi, Robbie Montgomery’s early life played a role in shaping her path to financial success. The family’s relocation to St. Louis, Missouri, when she was six years old placed her in a vibrant musical environment. Growing up in the Pruitt-Igoe projects, she began singing in the church choir, fostering her talent and passion for music. She attended Curtis Elementary School and Pruitt High School, and from an early age, she showed musical promise, laying the foundation for her career as a professional singer.
Montgomery’s musical career took off when she formed the doo-wop group the Chordettes (later known as the Rhythmettes) with her friends Sandra Harding and Frances Hodges. The trio competed in talent shows and eventually became backup singers for local singer Art Lassiter. This led to their association with Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm. In March 1960, when Lassiter was absent, Turner recruited the Artettes to sing with his backup vocalist Tina Turner (then known as Little Ann) on the song “A Fool In Love.” This song became a hit, reaching #27 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart and #2 on the Hot R&B Sides chart. While this marked an early success, it’s difficult to quantify the exact financial gains at this stage of her career.
In 1960, Turner formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, but Montgomery’s pregnancy prevented her from touring with them initially. After giving birth in 1961, she toured with Earl Hooker before forming The Ikettes with Jessie Smith and Venetta Fields. The Ikettes released the single “Crazy In Love” / “Pee Wee” on Teena Records, Turner’s label, in 1962. Later, in 1965, they achieved hits with “Peaches ‘N’ Cream” and “I’m So Thankful,” performing on shows like “American Bandstand” and “Hollywood A Go-Go.” While specific royalty payments and performance fees are not available, these successes would have provided a growing income.
In the mid-1960s, the Ikettes left the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, signed with Mirwood Records, and changed their name to the Mirettes. They later moved to Revue Records and had a successful single with 1968’s “In the Midnight Hour.” In the 1970s, Montgomery left the Mirettes and joined Dr. John as a backup singer. She also performed with acts such as Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Debbie Reynolds, Bonnie Raitt, and Van Morrison. While Montgomery earned a living as a singer, the consistent income from these activities would have made a small contribution to her net worth.
A turning point in Montgomery’s career came when she was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and underwent lung surgery, forcing her to step back from her singing career. While this marked a setback, it ultimately led her to a new path in the restaurant industry.
Sweetie Pie’s Restaurant Empire and Television Fame
After her health challenges led to her departure from music, Montgomery transitioned into entrepreneurship, opening the first Sweetie Pie’s location in Dellwood, Missouri, in 1996. This was a significant turning point, moving her from performer to business owner. The restaurant served soul food recipes passed down through her family, creating a unique and comforting dining experience. Robbie often hired former inmates to work in her restaurants. While precise initial investment figures are unavailable, the opening of Sweetie Pie’s marked the beginning of her primary wealth-building venture.
The restaurant’s success eventually led to the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) launching the reality series “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” in 2011. The show’s nine-season run, ending in 2018, exposed Sweetie Pie’s to a national audience, significantly increasing its popularity and customer base. Although Robbie Montgomery’s specific salary from the show hasn’t been publicly disclosed, it undoubtedly added to her total income. The widespread appeal of the series also boosted restaurant sales and brand recognition.
The Sweetie Pie’s brand expanded to multiple locations, including a restaurant on Manchester Avenue in St. Louis, managed by her son Tim Norman. The expansion was driven by the TV show’s success. Though the locations’ total revenue is not publicly accessible, each restaurant contributed to Montgomery’s overall income. Furthermore, the television show’s popularity likely led to increased opportunities for endorsements, appearances, and other revenue-generating activities, adding to her net worth.
However, the Sweetie Pie’s story also faced challenges. In 2016, Montgomery sued her son Tim Norman for “stealing money and misusing her trademarks to open competing restaurants.” The financial ramifications of this legal dispute are difficult to quantify, but it likely impacted the overall profitability of the Sweetie Pie’s brand. In September 2022, Robbie announced that the St. Louis location was closing, and in May 2023, it was reported that she would be opening a new restaurant in the area called Sweetie Pie’s 2nd Act.
Additional Ventures and Assets
Beyond her music and restaurant ventures, Robbie Montgomery has diversified her income streams through other projects. In 2015, she published “Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook: Soulful Southern Recipes, from My Family to Yours.” The cookbook’s sales numbers are not publicly available, but it undoubtedly provided a source of income. In 2018, she released the album “Miss Robbie’s What They Call Me,” returning to her musical roots. The album’s commercial success is not detailed, but any royalties and sales would have added to her wealth.
While information on Robbie Montgomery’s real estate holdings and other investments is limited, it’s reasonable to assume that she has invested some of her earnings in assets beyond her restaurant business. Information on property value or private investments are not known.
Legal Issues and Personal Challenges
Robbie Montgomery has faced significant personal and legal challenges that have likely impacted her financial standing. The murder of her grandson, Andre Montgomery Jr., in 2016, and the subsequent conviction of her son, Tim Norman, for his involvement in the crime, have brought personal hardship and legal expenses. The legal battles surrounding Tim Norman’s case, and any associated financial implications for Robbie Montgomery, remain largely undisclosed.
In conclusion, Robbie Montgomery’s $6 million net worth is a result of her successful career in music and her entrepreneurial ventures in the restaurant industry. While the success of Sweetie Pie’s and the “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” television show have been major drivers of her wealth, personal and legal challenges have likely had an impact on her overall financial situation. The exact breakdown of her assets and liabilities remains largely private, but the available information provides a reasonable estimate of her net worth.
