Net Worth Ranker
What Is Barbara Mandrell’s Net Worth
Barbara Mandrell, a multifaceted American entertainer renowned for her contributions to country music, acting, producing, and authorship, has accumulated a net worth of $50 million. This substantial financial standing reflects her decades-long career and diverse ventures within the entertainment industry.
Barbara Mandrell’s Career and Earnings
Mandrell’s journey began early; at just 13, she was already showcasing her musical talents, playing steel guitar for the iconic Patsy Cline and touring alongside Cline and Johnny Cash. This early exposure laid the foundation for a prolific career that would see her release over 25 studio albums. Some of her notable albums include “The Midnight Oil” (1973), which marked her entry into the mainstream, “Moods” (1978), “Love Is Fair” (1980), “…In Black & White” (1982), “Spun Gold” (1983), and “It Works for Me” (1994). These albums contributed significantly to her overall earnings through sales and royalties, although specific sales figures for each album are not publicly available.
Her discography boasts numerous hit singles that topped the charts, further boosting her income through record sales and airplay royalties. These include “Standing Room Only,” “Married, But Not to Each Other,” “Woman to Woman,” “Tonight,” “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed,” “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right,” “Years,” “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” “‘Till You’re Gone,” and “One of a Kind Pair of Fools.” The financial impact of these singles is difficult to pinpoint precisely, as royalty rates and sales data from past decades are not consistently tracked publicly.
Beyond her recording career, Mandrell ventured into television, starring in the NBC variety show “Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters” from 1980 to 1982. The show, which aired 36 episodes over two seasons, not only elevated her fame but also provided a consistent income stream during its run. While the exact salary she earned per episode is not publicly known, variety shows of that era often paid their stars handsomely.
Her television appearances extended to guest roles in series such as “The Rockford Files” (1979), “Empty Nest” (1993), “The Commish” (1994), “Touched by an Angel” (1996; 1998), “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” (1996), “Baywatch” (1997), “Diagnosis Murder” (1997), “Sunset Beach” (1997–1998), “Love Boat: The Next Wave” (1998), and “Walker, Texas Ranger” (2000). Although these roles were sporadic, they added to her overall income and maintained her public profile.
Mandrell also took on production roles, including the TV movie “Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story” (1997) and the specials “Barbara Mandrell: The Lady Is a Champ” (1983), “Barbara Mandrell: Something Special” (1985), and “Barbara Mandrell’s Christmas: A Family Reunion” (1986). As a producer, she would have received a portion of the production’s profits, although specific financial details are not available.
In 1990, she authored the memoir “Get to the Heart: My Story,” which became a New York Times bestseller. The book’s success generated income through royalties from sales, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
Key Milestones and Achievements
Mandrell’s career is marked by several significant milestones that have contributed to her financial success and enduring legacy. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009, an honor that solidified her status as a country music icon. She was also the first performer to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award twice, a testament to her widespread appeal and talent.
She has been nominated for 11 Grammys, winning Best Inspirational Performance for “He Set My Life to Music” (1983) and Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group for “I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today” (1984), which she recorded with Bobby Jones. These awards not only brought recognition but also likely increased her earning potential.
Her other awards include Academy of Country Music Awards for Most Promising Female Vocalist (1970), Top Female Vocalist (1978 and 1981), Entertainer of the Year (1980), the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award (2000), and Triple Crown (2005). She has also earned nine People’s Choice Awards, six for Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer, two for Favorite Female Musical Performer, and one for Favorite Female TV Performer. These accolades reflect her popularity and success across various entertainment platforms.
Barbara has received six American Music Awards for Favorite Country Female Artist and one for Favorite Country Song (“Sleeping Single in a Double Bed”), and she earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical for “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters” in 1982.
Mandrell has won nine CMT Music Awards: Most Promising Female Artist of the Year (1976), Female Artist of the Year (1979, 1981, and 1982), Comedian of the Year (1981), Instrumentalist of the Year (1981 and 1982), the Living Legend Award (1985), and the Minnie Pearl Award (1991).
Real Estate and Personal Life
Mandrell and her family previously resided in a 27,000 square foot mansion located in Nashville’s Whites Creek neighborhood. This property, known as Fontanel Mansion, was built for the family in 1988 and is considered the world’s largest log cabin. While she no longer owns the property, its initial construction and upkeep reflect a significant investment.
After the family moved out of the 20-room home in 2002, investors Marc Oswald and Dale Morris purchased the property and transformed it into a “gorgeous Tennessee retreat” featuring an inn, a music venue, Fontanel Records, and Natchez Hill Winery. The sale of the property would have contributed to Mandrell’s overall net worth.
On May 28, 1967, Barbara married Ken Dudney, a former Navy pilot and musician who played drums for the Mandrell Family Band. Barbara and Ken have three children, sons Matthew (born 1970) and Nathaniel (born 1985) and daughter Jaime (born 1976).
Legal Matters and Endorsements
In 1984, Barbara, Matthew, and Jaime were involved in a serious car accident in Nashville, Tennessee. The accident resulted in significant injuries for Mandrell and her children, and the other driver, Mark White, passed away. The legal aftermath of the accident included a lawsuit filed by Mandrell against White’s family for over $10 million in damages, as it was the only recourse to collect from the insurance company under Tennessee law. The outcome of this lawsuit and the specific amount recovered are not publicly available.
Following the accident, Mandrell became an advocate for seat belt safety. As honorary chairman of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 1985, she made commercials promoting seat belt use. While these endorsements were primarily for public service, they also enhanced her public image and may have indirectly contributed to her career.
All of these ventures, from record sales and television appearances to real estate dealings and endorsements, have contributed to Barbara Mandrell’s estimated $50 million net worth.
