Net Worth Ranker
What Is Don Cornelius’ Net Worth?
At the time of his death on February 1, 2012, Don Cornelius, the iconic host and producer of “Soul Train,” had a net worth of $10 million. This figure reflects his decades-long career in the entertainment industry, primarily through his creation, ownership, and hosting of the nationally syndicated dance and music program “Soul Train.” Cornelius’s financial standing was built on his success in television, radio, and as a pioneering figure in bringing Black culture and music to a wider audience. The sale of “Soul Train” rights in 2008 for an undisclosed amount also played a significant role in his overall net worth. The exact details of the sale agreement were not publicly disclosed, making it difficult to assess the precise financial impact of this transaction on his net worth.
Early Career and “Soul Train” Creation
Don Cornelius’s journey to a $10 million net worth began long before “Soul Train” hit the national stage. Born on September 27, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, Cornelius graduated from DuSable High School in 1954. Following his high school graduation, he served in the United States Marine Corps for 18 months during the Korean War. After his military service, Cornelius took on various sales jobs, including selling tires, cars, and insurance, before becoming an officer with the Chicago Police Department. Dissatisfied with law enforcement, he took a significant risk by enrolling in a three-month broadcasting course in 1966. With only $400 in his bank account and a family to support, this decision proved pivotal. He successfully landed a job as an announcer, news reporter, and disc jockey at Chicago radio station WVON. His move to Chicago television station WCIU-TV in 1967, where he hosted a news program called “A Black’s View of the News,” marked another step in his burgeoning career. This experience, coupled with the civil rights movement, inspired him to create “Soul Train” in 1970, addressing the lack of television programs dedicated to soul music.
The debut episode of “Soul Train” featured artists such as Eddie Kendricks, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Bobby Hutton, and Honey Cone. The show quickly gained popularity, transitioning from a local daily program on WCIU-TV to national syndication and a move to Los Angeles in 1971. As the host, writer, and producer, Cornelius became synonymous with “Soul Train,” known for his signature afro, smooth voice, and catchphrases like, “and you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always, in parting, we wish you love, peace, and soul!” From 1971 to 1993, “Soul Train” showcased a wide array of top artists, including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson. The show also provided a platform for talented dancers, many of whom went on to successful careers. By prominently featuring Black Americans, “Soul Train” played a crucial role in promoting Black culture, music, and dance, and helped launch the “Black is Beautiful” campaign. Its broad appeal led to a significant white audience and a large following across the country.
“Soul Train” Ownership and Sale
Don Cornelius hosted “Soul Train” from 1971 until 1993 and produced it until 2008. He maintained ownership of the “Soul Train” brand for many years, which was a major source of his wealth. The show’s continued success allowed Cornelius to build his net worth substantially. In 2008, Cornelius sold the rights to “Soul Train” to MadVision Entertainment for an undisclosed amount. This sale marked a significant transition in the show’s history and had a direct impact on Cornelius’s financial standing. In 2016, those investors then sold “Soul Train” to BET (Black Entertainment Television). The exact financial terms of these transactions remain confidential, but they contributed to Cornelius’s overall net worth. Despite stepping away from hosting duties in 1993, Cornelius continued to profit from the show’s enduring popularity and syndication deals.
Other Ventures and Film Appearances
Beyond “Soul Train,” Don Cornelius explored other ventures in the entertainment industry. While these roles were relatively minor compared to his success with “Soul Train,” they contributed to his income and public profile. In 1988, he appeared as a record producer in the film “Tapeheads.” In 1987, he portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in the mockumentary “The Return of Bruno,” which starred Bruce Willis as fictional singer Bruno Radolini. In the film, Cornelius hosted a show called “Bless My Soul,” loosely inspired by “Soul Train.” His final onscreen appearance was in a 2012 episode of “Unsung.” These ventures, though not primary sources of income, added to his overall earnings and diversified his portfolio.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Don Cornelius’s personal life also played a role in his financial affairs. His first marriage was to Delores Harrison, with whom he had two sons, Anthony and Raymond. This marriage ended in divorce. In 2001, he married Russian supermodel Victoria Avila, a union that lasted until 2009. The dissolution of his marriage to Avila was marked by legal troubles. In October 2008, Cornelius was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge at his home on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. He pleaded not guilty to spousal abuse and was subject to restraining orders filed by Avila. Ultimately, he was placed on 36 months of probation. Avila filed for divorce during this time. As part of the divorce settlement, Avila received a separate LA mansion and $300,000 worth of life insurance policies connected to Cornelius. For much of his later years, Don Cornelius lived in an impressive mountaintop mansion. The 4,000-square-foot mansion with endless views was sold a year after his death for $1.39 million. These real estate holdings contributed to his overall asset portfolio and influenced his net worth.
Death and Legacy
On February 1, 2012, Don Cornelius was found dead at his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 75 years old. An autopsy report revealed that Cornelius had been suffering from seizures for 15 years due to complications from a brain operation in 1982. He had expressed that he never felt the same after the operation, which contributed to his retirement from hosting “Soul Train.” His health deteriorated significantly in the final six months of his life, leading to his suicide. His death marked the end of an era for a man who had significantly impacted the entertainment industry and Black culture. In the years following his death, allegations of sexual assault surfaced. In the 2022 documentary miniseries “Secrets of Playboy,” Cornelius was accused of sexually assaulting two Playboy bunnies in the 1970s. His son, Anthony, released a statement calling the allegations baseless and unbelievable. These accusations, while not directly impacting his net worth, cast a shadow over his legacy. Don Cornelius’s $10 million net worth reflected his successful career as a television host, producer, and cultural icon. His creation and ownership of “Soul Train” were central to his financial success, and his influence on music and television remains significant.
