Betty Wright Net Worth

Overview

Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), most famously known as Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and background vocalist. Born in Miami, Florida, she began her professional career in the late 1960s as a teenager and rose to prominence in the 1970s with hits such as “Clean Up Woman” and “Tonight Is the Night.” Wright was also known for her use of the whistle register. She started singing gospel with her family group, the Echoes of Joy, before transitioning to R&B. Betty mentored several young singers and did vocal production for artists such as Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez and Joss Stone. Wright influenced a generation of female singer-songwriters and the world of hip hop, who sampled some of her more famous material. She founded her own record label, Ms. B Records, and in 1988, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Black female artist to have a gold album on her own label with the release of Mother Wit. Betty Wright passed away on May 10, 2020, at the age of 66, after battling cancer.

Ms. B Records

Founder

What Is Betty Wright’s Net Worth?

Betty Wright, born Bessie Regina Norris on December 21, 1953, in Miami, Florida, was an American R&B, soul, and gospel singer, songwriter, and background vocalist. She began her professional career in the late 1960s. At the time of her death on May 10, 2020, Betty Wright’s **net worth** was estimated to be $5 million.

Sources of Betty Wright’s Net Worth

Wright’s **net worth** of $5 million primarily stemmed from her successful career as a recording artist. Her income was derived from several sources:

Music Royalties and Sales: Betty Wright earned royalties and sales from her studio albums, singles, and compilation albums. Some of her notable albums include:
- My First Time Around (1968)
- I Love The Way You Love (1972)
- Hard to Stop (1973)
- Danger High Voltage (1975)
- Betty Wright Live (1978) – Reached #6 on the R&B chart.
- Mother Wit (1987) – The first gold album on her own label.
- Betty Wright: The Movie (2011) – with The Roots, reached #27 on the US R&B chart.
Hit Singles: Her hit singles, such as “Clean Up Woman,” which reached #2 on the US R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971 and sold over 1 million copies, significantly contributed to her earnings. Other successful singles include “Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do,” “Where is the Love?” and “Tonight is the Night”.
Songwriting and Production Credits: Betty Wright was a prolific songwriter and producer, earning royalties from songs she wrote and produced for herself and other artists. She won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for composing “Where is the Love?”. In 1992, Wright sued the producers behind Color Me Badd’s hit “I Wanna Sex You Up” for sampling her live version of a song without permission. She won the case, receiving 35% of the song’s royalties.
Collaborations and Vocals for Other Artists: Wright provided vocals for songs by numerous artists, including Jennifer Lopez, David Byrne, Lil Wayne, and Gloria Estefan. She was featured in DJ Khaled’s song “Holy Key” in 2016, featuring Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean.
Sampling of Her Songs: Many artists, including Mary J. Blige, Tupac, Slim Thug, Beyonce, and Chance the Rapper, sampled her songs, generating income through royalties.
Touring and Live Performances: Wright actively toured and performed live, earning income from concerts and shows. She sold out the Barbican Centre in London in July 2019.
Television Appearances: She appeared as a mentor on the reality TV show “Making the Band” in 2006.

Key Milestones and Career Highlights

Betty Wright’s career was marked by several significant milestones that contributed to her financial success:

1968: Released her debut studio album, My First Time Around.
1971: “Clean Up Woman” reached #2 on the R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 1 million copies. It was certified gold on December 30, 1971.
1976: Won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for composing “Where is the Love?”.
1988: Became the first black female artist to score a gold album on her own label with Mother Wit.
2011: Released Betty Wright: The Movie, which was praised as her best effort in 30 years.

Real Estate and Other Assets

Information regarding Betty Wright’s real estate holdings and specific assets is not publicly available. Details about her residences, investment properties, or other significant assets have not been disclosed. It is known that she died at her home in Miami, Florida.

Additional Ventures and Information

Betty Wright remained active in the music industry throughout her career. She formed her own label, Miss B Records, in 1985 and released the album “Sevens” in 1986. In 2017, Wright was honored with the National R&B Music Society Unsung Heroine Award. Betty Wright’s impact on music is still felt today through her timeless songs, her influence on other artists, and her significant **net worth**.