Net Worth Ranker
What Is Frank Farian’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death, Frank Farian, the German singer and record producer renowned for creating iconic bands such as Boney M., Milli Vanilli, and No Mercy, had an estimated net worth of $200 million. This substantial net worth was primarily accumulated through his prolific career in the music industry, marked by impressive record sales and numerous certifications.
Frank Farian’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Frank Farian was born Franz Reuther on July 18, 1941, in Kirn, Germany. Raised by his mother alongside his two siblings after his father’s death during World War II, Farian initially trained as a cook. However, his introduction to rock music led him to reinvent himself as Frank Farian and form the band Frankie Boys Schatten. Although their debut single, “Shouting Ghost,” released in 1964, was unsuccessful and led to the band’s dissolution, Farian’s ambition did not wane. In 1967, he released a cover of Otis Redding’s “Mr. Pitiful” and secured a recording contract as a solo artist. He later appeared on the German music television series “Hitparade,” laying the groundwork for his future success. His breakthrough arrived in 1976 with a German-language rendition of Dickey Lee’s “Rocky,” which topped the charts in Germany, signaling the beginning of his ascent in the music industry.
The Meteoric Rise of Boney M.
In early 1975, Frank Farian released “Baby Do You Wanna Bump” under the moniker Boney M., a track that initially gained traction in Belgium and the Netherlands. Recognizing the potential of the project, Farian assembled a group comprising vocalists Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, along with dancers Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell, for television and live performances. Officially branded as Boney M., the group launched their debut album, “Take the Heat Off Me,” in mid-1976. This album became a resounding success throughout Europe, spawning hit singles such as “Daddy Cool” and “Sunny.” Boney M. continued to build momentum with their second album, “Love for Sale,” released in 1977, which produced the popular tracks “Ma Baker” and “Belfast.” Their commercial zenith arrived in 1978 with the release of “Nightflight to Venus,” their third album. This album not only dominated charts across continental Europe and Scandinavia but also marked Boney M.’s first chart-topping album in the UK. “Nightflight to Venus” featured the globally acclaimed hits “Rivers of Babylon” and “Brown Girl in the Ring,” which significantly contributed to Frank Farian’s growing net worth. In 1979, Boney M. achieved another number-one hit in the UK with the album “Oceans of Fantasy.” Despite the relative underperformance of their 1981 album, “Boonoonoonoos,” Boney M. found renewed success later that year with “Christmas Album,” which included the popular single “Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord.” Following Bobby Farrell’s departure, Reggie Tsiboe joined the group, and they released the album “Ten Thousand Lightyears” in 1984. The group’s eighth and final studio album, “Eye Dance,” was released the following year. Although Boney M. attempted several reunions from 1988 onwards, these efforts were largely unsuccessful. In 2006, a stage musical titled “Daddy Cool,” featuring the music of Boney M. and other groups created by Farian, premiered in London’s West End, further solidifying his legacy in the music industry.
Frank Farian and Far Corporation
As Boney M.’s trajectory began to wane in the mid-1980s, Frank Farian took the initiative to form the supergroup Far Corporation. This ensemble included prominent musicians such as David Paich, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, Robin McAuley, and Bobby Kimball. Notably, Far Corporation achieved recognition as the first act to chart with a cover version of Led Zeppelin’s iconic song “Stairway to Heaven.” This venture added to Frank Farian’s diverse portfolio and contributed to his accumulating net worth.
Milli Vanilli: Success and Scandal
In 1988, Frank Farian established the German R&B music act Milli Vanilli, featuring performers Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus. The group released their debut album, “All or Nothing,” in the same year, followed by their North American debut, “Girl You Know It’s True,” in 1989. The latter achieved significant success, reaching the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart and producing three number-one singles. Milli Vanilli was awarded the Grammy Award for Best New Artist for the album. However, controversy ensued when it was revealed that Morvan and Pilatus had not sung any of the vocals on their releases and had been lip-syncing. This revelation led to a scandal, with Farian admitting his involvement. As a result, Milli Vanilli’s Grammy Award was revoked, and numerous lawsuits were filed in the US under consumer fraud protection laws. Despite the scandal, the initial success of Milli Vanilli contributed to Frank Farian’s financial gains, albeit tarnished by the ensuing controversy.
La Bouche, Le Click, and No Mercy
Following the Milli Vanilli scandal, Frank Farian created the Eurodance duos La Bouche and Le Click. La Bouche achieved success with its 1995 debut album “Sweet Dreams,” which spawned the singles “Be My Lover,” “Fallin’ in Love,” “I Love to Love,” and the title track. La Bouche released one more album, “A Moment of Love,” in 1997. That same year, Le Click had its biggest hit with the single “Call Me,” from its first and only studio album, “Tonight is the Night.” Among Farian’s other music groups was No Mercy, a trio of American singers brought together in Germany in 1995. The group became successful with its debut album, “My Promise,” which contained the international hit songs “Missing,” “Where Do You Go,” “When I Die,” “Please Don’t Go,” and “Kiss You All Over.” No Mercy would release two more studio albums, “More” (1998) and “Day by Day” (2007). These ventures further solidified Farian’s position in the music industry and contributed to his financial prosperity.
Other Music Contributions
In addition to his work with various bands, Frank Farian produced and mixed Meat Loaf’s 1986 album “Blind Before I Stop,” and sang backing vocals on its lead single, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mercenaries.” He also produced songs and albums by Jamaican soul singer Precious Wilson. These contributions showcase Farian’s versatility and broad involvement in the music industry, further augmenting his financial success.
Frank Farian’s Record Sales and Certifications
During his career, Frank Farian sold over 850 million records and earned around 800 Gold and Platinum certifications. These accomplishments highlight his significant impact on the music industry and contributed to his substantial net worth.
Frank Farian’s Personal Life and Death
Frank Farian had three daughters and a son with Chinya Onyewenjo. In 2022, he announced that he had undergone life-saving heart surgery. Two years later, on January 23, he passed away at the age of 82. Despite health challenges in his later years, Farian’s legacy as a successful music producer and artist remains intact, leaving behind a substantial net worth accumulated through his prolific career.
