Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bing Crosby Net Worth
Bing Crosby, a multifaceted American entertainer celebrated for his singing, acting, and comedic talents, had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 1977. Adjusting for inflation, this is equivalent to approximately $50 million in today’s currency. Crosby’s financial success stemmed from a diverse career spanning over five decades, marked by record-breaking music sales, successful film appearances, and astute business investments.
Bing Crosby’s Early Career and Musical Success
Born Harry Lillis Crosby on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington, Bing’s early life provided the foundation for his future success. His family relocated to Spokane, Washington, where he developed an early interest in music. In 1917, while working a summer job as a property boy at Spokane’s “Auditorium,” Crosby was exposed to leading acts like Al Jolson, whose “electric” delivery profoundly influenced him. Crosby graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1920 and attended Gonzaga University for three years, receiving an honorary doctorate in 1937. The university now houses a collection of Crosby memorabilia, including photographs and correspondence. Crosby gained initial recognition as a vocalist with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and the Rhythm Boys in the late 1920s, setting the stage for his solo career in the early 1930s.
Crosby’s innovative “crooning” style revolutionized popular singing, utilizing the microphone to create an intimate, conversational tone. He recorded over 1,600 songs and sold more than 500 million records globally, establishing himself as the best-selling recording artist of the pre-rock era. His rendition of “White Christmas” became one of the best-selling singles of all time. This song alone earned songwriter Irving Berlin an estimated $65 million, while Crosby and his heirs have earned tens of millions from it.
Bing Crosby’s Hollywood Career and Other Ventures
In Hollywood, Crosby starred in over 70 feature films. His “Road” pictures with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour were particularly successful, blending comedy, music, and adventure. Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Going My Way” (1944) and received another nomination for “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945). Beyond his entertainment career, Crosby invested in technological innovations like magnetic tape recording, which revolutionized the broadcast industry. He also became a part-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team, demonstrating his entrepreneurial foresight.
Crosby’s radio show, “Kraft Music Hall,” was a popular program throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In the early stages of technical recording innovations, Crosby’s laid-back singing style had a consequential impact on him, which in turn would influence many artists later in life, and had a tremendous impact on the development of the postwar recording industry. Crosby wanted to record his shows despite broadcast networks would not permit recording because the recording at the time lacked quality and was not on par with live broadcast sound quality. Eventually he would join ABC after leaving NBC since ABC was more interested in his new ideas. Hence, he pre-recorded his radio shows and mastered commercials onto magnetic tape for the first time in history.
During World War II, Crosby made live appearances for American troops, earning the nickname “Der Bingle” among his German listeners. A poll of U.S. troops ranked Crosby as the most positive influence in boosting morale, ahead of FDR, General Dwight Eisenhower, and Bob Hope. He appeared in “Road to Singapore” (1940) and “Road to Zanzibar,” as well as several additional “Road to” films with Bob Hope.
Bing Crosby’s Real Estate Portfolio
In the 1950s, Bing and his second wife, Kathryn Grant, relocated to Hillsborough, Northern California, purchasing a five-acre property featuring an 11-bedroom French-chateau-style mansion. Kathryn remained in the home until her death in September 2024 at the age of 90. In February 2025, their children listed the mansion for sale at $40 million. This mansion was commissioned in 1929 by Lindsay Howard, whose father, Charles, owned the racehorse Seabiscuit. Bing paid $175,000 for a second Hillsborough home in 1963, which the family sold in 2014 for $8 million.
Crosby owned multiple homes in the Palm Springs/Palm Desert area. In 1955, he constructed a large mansion on 2.5 acres in Palm Desert, California. Legend has it that President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe had a tryst in the 6,100-square-foot home sometime in 1962. The family sold this home in 1999 for $1.9 million, and it was listed for sale in December 2024 for $13.5 million.
In 1936, Crosby exercised an option in his Paramount contract that would enable him to regularly star in out-of-house projects. He’d signed an agreement with Columbia and arranged for Armstrong to appear in the project, which was initially called “The Peacock Feather” but was eventually renamed “Pennies from Heaven.” Crosby notably admired Louis Armstrong for his musical ability. Trumpet maestro Armstrong would become a formative influence on Crosby’s own singing style. Crosby demanded that Louis Armstrong receive equal billing alongside white co-stars. Armstrong would express his appreciation of Crosby’s progressive attitude regarding race, expressing gratitude for this down the road.
Bing Crosby’s Personal Life and Death
Crosby lived a celebrated life in the public eye. He was married twice; first to actress Dixie Lee, and later to actress Kathryn Grant. In 1977, while playing golf with friends in Spain, Crosby collapsed and died instantly from a heart attack. His estate, valued at $10 million at the time of his death, reflected his successful career and astute investments across various entertainment and business sectors. Crosby’s contributions have been honored with his induction into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the former Metropolitan Theater of Performing Arts (‘The Met’) was renamed “The Bing Crosby Theater” in 2006. The Bing Crosby Stadium in Front Royal, Virginia, also bears his name in recognition of his fundraising efforts.
