Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kenny G’s Net Worth?
Kenny G, the American adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist, boasts a substantial net worth of $100 million as of 2025. This financial achievement stems from a multi-faceted career that extends beyond his success in the music industry. While his record sales contribute significantly, strategic investments, particularly in real estate and early-stage companies, have played a crucial role in accumulating his wealth.
Musical Success and Earnings
Kenny G’s career took off after signing with Arista Records in 1982, under the guidance of Clive Davis. His debut album achieved gold status, setting the stage for future triumphs. His 1986 album, “Duotones,” marked a turning point, achieving 5x Platinum status. A key single, “Songbird,” became one of only two instrumentals to break into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 5, alongside Jan Hammer’s “Miami Vice Theme.” While specific earnings from album sales are not publicly available, it’s worth noting that his 1992 album “Breathless” sold 12 million copies. Additionally, his 1994 album “Miracles: The Holiday Album” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold 8 million copies, further boosting his revenue stream.
His global sales total over 75 million records, making him the most successful instrumentalist of all time. Although detailed breakdowns of royalties from each album or single are not released, these sales figures provide a glimpse into his income from music-related activities. Furthermore, Kenny G has collaborated with renowned artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Steve Miller, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Katy Perry and Kanye West. While specific financial details of these collaborations are not disclosed, they undeniably augmented his earnings and fame.
Strategic Investments and Real Estate Holdings
Kenny G’s acumen extends beyond the music realm to strategic investments. He attributes his early investment success to luck rather than sheer intelligence. He notably invested in Starbucks before its IPO in 1992. While the exact value of his initial investment isn’t known, a $1,000 investment at the IPO price would be worth over $300,000 today. This indicates the potentially significant returns he may have gained, possibly reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.
In addition to Starbucks, Kenny G maintains stakes in prominent companies like Apple, Microsoft, and United Airlines. While the precise value of these investments is not publicly available, they contribute to his overall financial portfolio and long-term wealth accumulation. Kenny G is also a successful real estate investor. Court filings from April 2023 revealed that he earns approximately $600,000 per month in rental income from his property portfolio. This substantial revenue stream highlights the significant role real estate plays in his financial picture.
Kenny G’s real estate dealings include the acquisition of a four-acre estate in Hunts Point, Washington, for $8.8 million in 1990, where he constructed a 12,200-square-foot mansion in 1995. He listed this property for sale in 1998 for $26.5 million. The property was later sold to Craig McCaw for an undisclosed amount in 1999. McCaw listed the property for sale in July 2022 for $85 million, then lowered the price to $70 million a year later, but has not found a buyer as of March 2025. In late 2007, Kenny purchased a home in Studio City, California, for $2.85 million and sold it in February 2021 for $2.765 million. Rapper Lil Dicky bought the estate in December 2023 for $6.3 million after a major renovation. Since 1998, Kenny G’s primary residence has been a bluff-top mansion in Malibu. He acquired the initial portion of the property in 1997 for $12.5 million. In 2000, he invested an additional $3 million to purchase the adjacent house, which he subsequently demolished to build a new mansion from scratch. Construction costs for this second residence reportedly exceeded $3.5 million. This property includes two bedrooms, four bathrooms, a 9-foot piano, a tennis court, and a 1,500-square-foot recording studio. The main property features offices, a screening room, and a guest house overlooking the ocean. These real estate ventures reflect his active involvement in property investment and management.
Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings
Born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick in Seattle, Washington, on June 5, 1956, Kenny G’s journey to success began with early musical experiences. While in high school, one of his fellow musicians/classmates was Robert Damper, who still plays in his band today (piano and keyboards). He landed his first professional gig at the age of 17 as a sideman for Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra. Prior to his solo career, Kenny G also recorded with the Seattle funk band Cold, Bold & Together and became a credited member of The Jeff Lorber Fusion. Kenny studied accounting at the University of Washington. This choice was strategic, as he wanted a solid degree to fall back on if his music career didn’t pan out. The lessons learned in his business classes have been instrumental in managing his finances and investments throughout his career.
Personal Life and Alimony
Kenny G’s personal life includes two marriages. He was married to Janice DeLeon from 1980 to 1987 and to Lyndie Benson from 1992 to 2012. He has two sons. Following their divorce in 2013, Kenny began making alimony payments to Lyndie Benson at a rate of $40,000 per month, totaling $360,000 per year. By March 2023, he had paid approximately $4 million in alimony over the previous decade. In March 2023, he requested a reduction in alimony payments, citing a decrease in income due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on touring. This information highlights the financial obligations arising from his personal life and their impact on his overall financial situation.
