Net Worth Ranker
What Is Anthony Cumia’s Net Worth?
Anthony Cumia, a prominent American radio personality and broadcaster, has amassed a net worth estimated at $4 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to his career in radio, podcasting, and related media ventures. Cumia’s most notable role was as co-host of the “Opie and Anthony” show, which aired from 1995 to 2014 and played a significant part in building his net worth.
Early Career and “Opie and Anthony” Era
Born on April 26, 1961, in Queens, New York, Anthony Cumia’s path to radio stardom began unconventionally. Before venturing into broadcasting, Cumia worked installing HVAC systems, a stark contrast to his future media career. His early influences included figures like Don Imus and Howard Stern, shaping his interest in provocative and uncensored radio. In 1994, he submitted an O.J. Simpson parody song to a contest on Gregg “Opie” Hughes’ radio show “Nighttime Attitude,” marking his entry into the radio world.
The “Opie and Anthony” show officially launched in 1995 on WAFF in Boston. The duo’s controversial style led to their firing in 1998 after an April Fool’s prank where they misled the public. Despite this setback, the show continued, moving between various radio stations before landing a position on XM Satellite Radio in 2004. During the peak of their popularity, around 2014, Anthony Cumia and Gregg “Opie” Hughes were each earning $5 million per year. However, Cumia’s tenure at SiriusXM ended in 2014 when he was fired for a series of racially charged tweets directed at a black woman. This event marked the end of the “Opie and Anthony” show and significantly impacted Cumia’s career trajectory.
“The Anthony Cumia Show” and Subsequent Ventures
Following his dismissal from SiriusXM, Anthony Cumia launched “The Anthony Cumia Show,” an audio and video podcast that has been ongoing since 2014. While specific revenue figures for the podcast are not publicly available, it is a primary source of his income, generated through subscriptions, advertising, and merchandise sales. In 2018, Cumia released his memoir, “Permanently Suspended: The Rise and Fall… and Rise Again of Radio’s Most Notorious Shock Jock.” Although the book’s financial success is not explicitly detailed, it contributed to his overall earnings and brand.
Real Estate Investments and Property Details
Anthony Cumia’s real estate ventures have played a role in his financial portfolio. In 2006, he purchased a 4,589-square-foot home in Roslyn Heights, New York, for $2.9 million. This property featured five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms. In October 2020, the house was listed for sale at $3.1 million, highlighting amenities that suggested a luxurious living environment. The house eventually sold in September 2021 for $2.492 million, resulting in a financial loss compared to the initial purchase price.
In August 2022, Cumia invested in a 5-acre property in Taylors, South Carolina, for $945,000. This property includes a 3,200-square-foot home with four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The real estate holdings reflect a diversification of Cumia’s assets and investment strategies, contributing to his overall net worth.
Personal Relationships and Controversies
Anthony Cumia’s personal life has been marked by various relationships and controversies that have, at times, influenced his public image and career. His marriage to Jennifer Ballou in 1990 ended in 2002, with Cumia later describing it as a significant mistake. Subsequent relationships have been short-term, including one that led to his arrest and guilty plea for third-degree assault charges.
Throughout his career, Cumia has been involved in numerous public disputes. In 1998, he and co-host Gregg Hughes were fired from WAFF Boston for falsely reporting the death of Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino. In 2002, their show was canceled by WNEW in New York City after they incited couples to engage in public sex acts, leading to arrests. In 2007, XM suspended “Opie and Anthony” after they aired a segment featuring a homeless man expressing violent desires towards Condoleezza Rice and Laura Bush. The 2014 firing from SiriusXM for racially charged tweets further underscores the controversies that have punctuated Cumia’s career.
In 2015, Cumia was arrested on charges of strangulation, assault, criminal mischief, and unlawful imprisonment following an argument with his girlfriend. He later pled guilty to third-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing. These incidents have not only affected his personal life but also potentially influenced his professional opportunities and net worth.
