Net Worth Ranker
What Was Burt Bacharach’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on February 8, 2023, Burt Bacharach, the prolific composer, songwriter, and record producer, had a net worth estimated at $160 million. This substantial Burt Bacharach net worth was accumulated over a career that spanned several decades, marked by the creation of numerous hit songs and successful collaborations.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Burt Bacharach was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1928, and spent his formative years in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York City. He honed his musical talents with classical piano lessons, later gravitating toward jazz and bebop. His formal education included studies at McGill University in Montreal, the Mannes School of Music in New York, and the Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California. After serving in the US Army, Bacharach embarked on his professional journey, initially working as a pianist and conductor for singer Vic Damone for three years. He further refined his skills through engagements with singers such as Polly Bergen, Steve Lawrence, Paula Stewart, and the Ames Brothers. In 1956, he secured a pivotal role as a conductor and arranger for Marlene Dietrich’s nightclub shows, touring globally with her until the early 1960s. These early experiences laid the foundation for his future successes in songwriting and music production, contributing to what would eventually become a significant Burt Bacharach net worth.
Songwriting Partnership and Hit Songs
In 1957, Bacharach began collaborating with lyricist Hal David, a partnership that resulted in a string of hit songs. One of their early successes was “The Story of My Life,” which reached number one on the US Country Chart when recorded by Marty Robbins. Together, they wrote over 100 songs in the early 1960s. One of their most successful collaborations was with Dionne Warwick, for whom they wrote such hits as “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk on By,” “Alfie,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” written for the film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1969. They also received Oscar nominations for “The Look of Love,” “What’s New Pussycat?,” and “Alfie.” Bacharach released his first solo album, “Hit Maker! Burt Bacharach Plays His Hits,” in 1965. Although mostly overlooked in the US, it made it to number three on the UK Albums Chart. These songwriting successes significantly bolstered Burt Bacharach net worth.
Later Career and Collaborations
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bacharach continued to write and produce music. He co-wrote the score for the 1973 musical remake of “Lost Horizon” with David. In the early 1980s, Bacharach began a new partnership with lyricist and wife Carole Bayer Sager. The two collaborated on such hit songs as “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” “Heartlight,” and “On My Own.” For Warwick, they also wrote “That’s What Friends Are For.” In 1998, Bacharach co-wrote and recorded the album “Painted from Memory” with Elvis Costello. For the track “I Still Have That Other Girl,” the pair won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Bacharach’s projects in the 2000s included the album “Here I Am,” a collaboration with singer Ronald Isley, and the solo album “At This Time,” which featured guest appearances by Elvis Costello and Rufus Wainwright. In 2016, Bacharach composed and arranged his first original score in 16 years, for the drama film “A Boy Called Po,” working alongside composer Joseph Bauer. In 2020, Bacharach collaborated with Daniel Tashian on the EP “Blue Umbrella,” which received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. His continued work in music enhanced Burt Bacharach net worth.
Television and Film Appearances
Bacharach made several television appearances, including starring in the musical extravaganzas “An Evening with Burt Bacharach” and “Another Evening with Burt Bacharach” for NBC. With his then-wife Angie Dickinson, he appeared in commercials for Martini & Rossi during the 1970s. He also made cameo appearances in all three “Austin Powers” movies, including performing “What the World Needs Now is Love” atop a double-decker bus. While these appearances added to his visibility, their direct impact on Burt Bacharach net worth would have been comparatively smaller than his songwriting and production work.
Real Estate Holdings
Burt Bacharach’s real estate portfolio included significant properties in California. In January 1998, he purchased a home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles for $2.5 million. The property, located on a desirable block, was estimated to be worth $12-15 million at the time of his death. In March 2024, Bacharach’s heirs listed the home for sale with an initial asking price of $17 million. Additionally, in December 2015, Bacharach acquired a home in the beach community of Del Mar, California, for $5.5 million. These real estate investments were substantial contributors to Burt Bacharach net worth.
