Net Worth Ranker
What Is Belinda Carlisle’s Net Worth?
Belinda Carlisle, an American singer celebrated for her dynamic career, has amassed a net worth of $14 million. This fortune is primarily attributed to her success as the lead vocalist of the iconic rock band, The Go-Go’s, and her subsequent thriving solo career. Carlisle’s musical journey, marked by hit songs and influential albums, has solidified her position in the music industry and contributed significantly to her financial success.
Early Career and The Go-Go’s Success
Born on August 17, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, Belinda Carlisle’s early life was marked by financial challenges. Her father, Harold, a gas station worker, left the family when she was five, leading to a childhood spent largely in poverty. This early adversity did not deter her from pursuing her passion for music, which began to manifest around the age of ten. Carlisle’s formal education included attending Colina Junior High School and Newbury Park High School, where she also participated as a cheerleader. Her initial forays into the workforce involved roles at a fabric store and as a photocopier for Hilton Hotels, showcasing her diverse experiences before fully committing to music.
Carlisle’s professional music career commenced in 1977 as a drummer for the punk rock band, The Germs. Although her tenure with the band was brief due to contracting mononucleosis, it marked a significant step in her musical journey. Shortly after leaving The Germs, Carlisle co-founded The Go-Go’s, initially named The Misfits. The band’s final lineup consisted of Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock. The Go-Go’s achieved unprecedented success, becoming one of the most prominent American bands of the 1980s and popularizing the new wave music genre in the United States. Their groundbreaking achievement as the first all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own music, and top the charts with a #1 album, “Beauty and the Beat” in 1981, cemented their place in music history. The album sold over two million copies and achieved RIAA-certified double platinum status, featuring hit singles like “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.” The band followed this success with “Vacation,” which earned gold certification, and “Talk Show.” While “Talk Show” experienced relative commercial disappointment in 1984, it marked the band’s final original album until their reunion in 2001.
Solo Career Launch and Early Success
Following The Go-Go’s disbandment in 1985, Belinda Carlisle embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut album, “Belinda,” in 1986. The album achieved gold certification in the US, driven by the hit single “Mad About You,” which peaked at #3 in the US and topped the charts in Canada. Other successful singles from the album included “I Feel the Magic” and her cover version of “Band of Gold.” This early solo success laid the foundation for her subsequent achievements and financial growth.
In 1987, Carlisle released her second solo album, “Heaven on Earth,” which further solidified her position as a prominent solo artist. The album’s lead single, “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” reached the top of the charts in both the US and UK, while the second single, “I Get Weak,” peaked at #2 in the US and #10 in the UK. Additional hit singles from the album included “Circle in the Sand” and “World Without You.” These successes significantly boosted Carlisle’s net worth, driven by album sales, single sales, and increased touring opportunities.
Carlisle’s third solo album, “Runaway Horses,” released in 1989, achieved top-five status in both the UK and Australia, earning double platinum certification in Australia. The album’s lead single, “Leave a Light On,” became a top-five hit in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Further successful singles from the album included “Summer Rain,” “La Luna,” and “(We Want) the Same Thing.” The continued success of her albums and singles contributed substantially to her growing financial portfolio, primarily through royalties and performance fees.
Continued Solo Career and Later Albums
Belinda Carlisle’s fourth solo album, “Live Your Life Be Free,” was released in 1991 and featured singles such as the title track, “Do You Feel Like I Feel?,” “Half the World,” and “Little Black Book.” This album was followed by “Real” in 1993 and “A Woman and a Man” in 1996. The latter album revitalized Carlisle’s career in Europe, with singles including “In Too Deep,” “Always Breaking My Heart,” “Love in the Key of C,” and “California.” “A Woman and a Man” reached #12 in the UK and achieved gold certification. These later albums maintained Carlisle’s presence in the music industry and continued to contribute to her overall earnings through album sales, licensing agreements, and concert performances.
In 1999, Carlisle released a greatest hits album in the UK titled “A Place on Earth: The Greatest Hits,” featuring her past hits alongside three new tracks: “All God’s Children,” “A Prayer for Everyone,” and “Feels Like I’ve Known You Forever.” Subsequent solo albums included “Voila” and “Wilder Shores,” the latter comprising a collection of Sikh chants. Although these albums may not have reached the commercial heights of her earlier work, they contributed to her ongoing income through niche markets and loyal fan bases.
The Go-Go’s Reunion and Later Years
The Go-Go’s reunited in 2001 for the album “God Bless the Go-Go’s,” which included the single “Unforgiven.” While the album received mixed reviews, it reached #57 on the US Billboard 200 chart. From 2011 to 2012, Carlisle and The Go-Go’s embarked on a tour of the United States, including concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre. These reunion performances and the release of new material provided additional income streams for Carlisle, supplementing her earnings from her solo career.
Personal Life and Influences on Net Worth
In 1986, Belinda Carlisle married politician and movie producer Morgan Mason, and they have one son, Duke. Following the 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California, the family relocated to Fréjus in France. In 2017, Carlisle and Mason moved to Bangkok, Thailand. These personal decisions and relocations may have influenced her financial decisions and investment strategies, although specific details are not publicly available.
Carlisle’s past struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction, as well as an eating disorder, also impacted her financial well-being. Her commitment to sobriety since 2005 has allowed her to focus on her career and financial stability without the burden of substance abuse-related expenses and potential career disruptions.
Activism and Philanthropy
Inspired by her son’s coming out, Carlisle has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights. She is also actively involved in supporting women and animals, co-founding the Animal People Alliance in 2014. This nonprofit, based in Kolkata, India, raises funds and trains impoverished women to care for street animals. While her activism and philanthropy may not directly contribute to her net worth, they reflect her values and dedication to social causes, potentially enhancing her public image and brand.
