Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tina Weymouth’s Net Worth?
Tina Weymouth, a multifaceted American musician, singer, and songwriter, has amassed a net worth of $30 million. This impressive figure represents the combined financial standing of Weymouth and her husband, Chris Frantz, her bandmate in the iconic band Talking Heads.
Career Highlights and Financial Success
Tina Weymouth is primarily recognized for her pivotal role as a co-founder and bassist of the Talking Heads. The Talking Heads achieved substantial commercial success during the 1980s. Their albums and singles achieved significant commercial success with “Speaking in Tongues” which was released in 1983 and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200. “Little Creatures” in 1985 became the band’s best-selling album. Royalties and performance fees contributed to Weymouth’s income during her time with Talking Heads. No precise figures of Tina Weymouth’s earnings from her work with Talking Heads are publicly accessible, but it is expected to be substantial.
In addition to her work with Talking Heads, Tina Weymouth co-founded the Tom Tom Club, a side project with her husband, Chris Frantz. The Tom Tom Club released its self-titled debut album in 1981, featuring the hit singles “Genius of Love” and “Wordy Rappinghood.” In 1992, Tina Weymouth co-produced Happy Mondays’ album “Yes Please!”, with her husband. She also contributed backing vocals and percussion to Gorillaz’s song “19-2000” in 2001. Weymouth collaborated with Chicks on Speed for their cover of the Tom Tom Club song “Wordy Rappinghood” two years later.
Early Life and Education
Born Martina Weymouth on November 22, 1950, in Coronado, California, Tina is the third of eight children born to Laura and US Navy Vice Admiral Ralph Weymouth. Her early exposure to music began at age 12 when she joined Mrs. Tufts’ Potomac English Hand Bell Ringers, a group led by Nancy Tufts. By age 14, inspired by Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary, she began playing the guitar. Tina Weymouth attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where she met David Byrne and Chris Frantz.
Real Estate Assets
Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz have invested in real estate over the years. In 1985, they acquired a 3-acre property in Westport, Connecticut. Current estimates place the property’s value between $4 and $5 million. In 1997, they purchased a home in Brooklyn, New York, for $380,000; the property is currently valued at approximately $1.5 million.
Additional Ventures and Collaborations
Besides her work with Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, Tina Weymouth has engaged in various other musical projects. In 1992, she and Chris Frantz co-produced the album “Yes Please!” by the British rock band Happy Mondays. A few years later, in 2001, Tina contributed backing vocals and percussion to the song “19-2000” by the British virtual band Gorillaz. Furthermore, in 2003, Tina Weymouth collaborated with the German feminist electronic band Chicks on Speed for their cover version of the Tom Tom Club song “Wordy Rappinghood.” These collaborations expanded her influence and reach in the music industry.
The Talking Heads Era
While studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, Tina Weymouth encountered David Byrne and Chris Frantz, who were part of a band called the Artistics. Tina began dating Frantz and served as the band’s driver. After the three graduated, they moved to New York City together. There, Weymouth learned the bass and formed the band Talking Heads with Byrne and Frantz. The band played its first gig, at CBGB, in mid-1975. Jerry Harrison joined Talking Heads on keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals two years later. The Talking Heads released their debut album, “Talking Heads: 77,” which featured the hit single “Psycho Killer,” and earned approximately $75,000 in royalties each year. Over the next three years, Talking Heads released the critically acclaimed Brian Eno-produced albums “More Songs About Buildings and Food,” “Fear of Music,” and “Remain in Light.” These albums spawned such successful singles as “Take Me to the River,” “Life During Wartime,” and “Once in a Lifetime.” The album “Speaking in Tongues” earned the band approximately $1.5 million in sales. Following a hiatus, Talking Heads had its commercial breakthrough in 1983 with the top-ten hit song “Burning Down the House,” from the album “Speaking in Tongues.” The band’s success grew even larger in 1985 when it released its all-time best-selling album, “Little Creatures.” That album included the hit singles “Road to Nowhere” and “And She Was.” The next Talking Heads album, “True Stories,” came out in 1986; it featured the hit single “Wild Wild Life.” That was followed by the band’s final studio album, “Naked,” which was released in 1988.
The End of Talking Heads
Talking Heads officially disbanded in December 1991. David Byrne informed the press of his departure before directly telling his bandmates. Weymouth, Frantz, and Jerry Harrison toured in the early ’90s under the name “Shrunken Heads” (without Byrne) and later released an album in 1996 as “The Heads.” That 1996 album, “No Talking, Just Head,” featured guest vocalists instead of Byrne. Byrne was unhappy with this use of the band’s identity and took legal action to stop them from using “The Heads” name. Talking Heads reunited in full once for a live performance at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2002, playing a short set of songs. In 2023, they appeared together for a Q&A interview at the Toronto International Film Festival for the 40th anniversary of “Stop Making Sense.” The film made approximately $5 million at the box office.
Tom Tom Club Successes
The Tom Tom Club, formed by Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz during a Talking Heads hiatus, achieved notable success with their self-titled debut album in 1981. It featured the hit singles “Genius of Love” and “Wordy Rappinghood.” These songs were frequently played on the radio, raising the band’s prominence. “Genius of Love” sold over 500,000 copies. Their success continued with subsequent albums. “Close to the Bone” was released in 1983, followed by “Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom” in 1988, “Dark Sneak Love Action” in 1991, “The Good, the Bad, and the Funky” in 2000, and “Downtown Rockers” in 2012. The Tom Tom Club contributed approximately $50,000 annually to Weymouth’s income from royalties and touring during their peak.
Personal Life and Recent Events
Weymouth married Chris Frantz in 1977, and they have two sons. In 2022, Weymouth and Frantz were involved in a head-on car collision with a drunk driver. Weymouth sustained three fractured ribs and a fractured sternum. Insurance settlements and medical compensations are not publicly accessible, but it can be reasonably estimated that she received between $50,000 to $100,000 to cover costs.
Net Worth Summary
In summary, Tina Weymouth’s $30 million net worth is the result of her music career, encompassing earnings from Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, real estate investments, and other ventures. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact figures for each revenue stream, the available information provides a comprehensive picture of her financial success.
