Net Worth Ranker
What Is Emily Saliers’ Net Worth?
Emily Saliers, an accomplished American singer-songwriter, has an estimated net worth of $6 million. This wealth has primarily been accumulated through her successful music career as one half of the iconic folk duo, Indigo Girls, as well as through solo endeavors and strategic business ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Emily Ann Saliers was born on July 22, 1963, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Don and Jane Saliers. She is the second of four daughters. Her father, Don Saliers, was the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and her mother, Jane, worked as a librarian. When Emily was around 11 years old, her family relocated to Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Saliers attended Laurel Ridge Elementary School in Decatur, where she first met Amy Ray, her future Indigo Girls bandmate. She later attended Shamrock High School. She began her college education at Tulane University but transferred to Emory University, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in English. While at Emory, Saliers and Ray solidified their musical partnership, performing regularly at local clubs. Before officially becoming the Indigo Girls, they performed under various names, including “Saliers & Ray” and “B-Band”.
Indigo Girls: A Storied Music Career
The Indigo Girls officially formed in 1985 and released their independent debut album, “Strange Fire,” in 1987. The duo’s major label debut, “Indigo Girls,” was released in 1989, featuring hit singles like “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears”. The album was a commercial success, selling over two million copies in the United States and earning them a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. The Indigo Girls have released a total of sixteen studio albums, seven of which have been certified gold, four platinum, and one double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Overall, they have sold over 15 million records. Some of their best-selling albums include:
- Indigo Girls (1989): 2,000,000 copies sold
- Rites of Passage (1992): 1,000,000 copies sold
- Swamp Ophelia (1994): 1,000,000 copies sold
- Nomads Indians Saints (1990): 500,000 copies sold
- Strange Fire (1987): 500,000 copies sold
- 1200 Curfews (1995): 500,000 copies sold
- Shaming of the Sun (1997): 500,000 copies sold
Their enduring popularity and consistent touring schedule have been key factors in maintaining their financial success over the years. The Indigo Girls have cultivated a dedicated fan base, known for their enthusiastic participation during live performances. Crowd singalongs, often overpowering the band, are a trademark of their concerts. They continue to tour extensively, performing both with their full band and in more intimate settings with just Saliers and Ray.
Solo Work and Other Ventures
In addition to her work with the Indigo Girls, Emily Saliers has also pursued solo projects. She composed the film score for the short film “One Weekend a Month” in 2004. In 2017, she released her first solo album, “Murmuration Nation”. The album features collaborations with artists such as Jonatha Brooke, Jennifer Nettles, and Lucy Wainwright Roche. Saliers has also co-authored a book with her father, Don Saliers, titled “A Song to Sing, a Life to Live: Reflections on Music as Spiritual Practice.” Saliers was a co-owner of Watershed Restaurant in Decatur, Georgia, from its founding until she sold her share in April 2018. She was also one of the initial investors in the Flying Biscuit Cafe, a popular brunch spot in Atlanta. Furthermore, Saliers was a co-founder of the Common Pond environmental gift shop in Atlanta, though it is now defunct. Saliers’s additional income comes from royalties from her music, live performances, and merchandise sales.
Real Estate and Personal Investments
Emily Saliers’s assets include real estate holdings in Georgia. She resides in Decatur, Georgia, with her wife, Tristin Chipman, and their daughter, Cleo. Saliers also assisted in funding a music room at Emory University’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, which was named in honor of her parents, Don and Jane Saliers. She had a passion for wine collecting, with a wine cellar that was reported to be at 2,000 bottles, but she gave up drinking in 2011.
Philanthropy and Activism
Throughout her career, Saliers has been actively involved in various social and political causes. The Indigo Girls co-founded Honor the Earth, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous environmental issues. They support a wide range of charitable causes such as women’s rights, LGBTQ issues, environmental issues and voter education. Saliers actively supports immigration reform and other initiatives.
