Net Worth Ranker
What Is Howard Stern’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Howard Stern, the iconic American radio and television personality, boasts a net worth of $650 million. This substantial wealth is a culmination of decades of work in the entertainment industry, primarily through his radio and television career, book deals, and real estate investments. Stern’s journey to amassing such a considerable fortune began in the late 1970s and early 1980s as he developed his radio hosting style.
Howard Stern’s Career and Earnings
Stern’s career trajectory is marked by significant milestones, each contributing substantially to his overall net worth. His early career involved stints at various radio stations, including WRNW in Briarcliff Manor, New York, WCCC in Hartford, Connecticut, WWWW in Detroit, Michigan, and WWDC in Washington, D.C., between 1976 and 1982. These roles laid the foundation for his later success.
A turning point came when he joined WNBC in New York City in 1982 for the afternoon shift, followed by a 20-year run at WXRK in New York City starting in 1985. By 1986, his morning show was syndicated in 60 markets, reaching an audience of 20 million listeners. His success in radio led to other ventures, including two late-night talk shows, two best-selling books (“Private Parts” in 1993 and “Miss America” in 1995), multiple pay-per-view programs, and successful albums.
One notable financial achievement was his book deal with Simon & Schuster in 1993 for his memoir, “Private Parts.” The book became a bestseller, with the initial print run of 225,000 copies selling out rapidly. Within five days, it became the fastest-selling book in Simon & Schuster’s history. The film adaptation of “Private Parts” in 1997 further boosted his earnings, grossing $14.6 million in its opening weekend and $41.2 million domestically.
Howard Stern’s move to Sirius Satellite Radio in 2006 marked a significant shift in his career and earnings. He signed a five-year deal worth $500 million, which essentially paid him $100 million per year ($80 million in cash and $20 million in stock). This deal covered not only his salary but also the production costs of his show, including staff salaries. Before joining Sirius, Stern was making $30 million per year at Viacom. He later renewed his contract in 2010 with another five-year, $500 million deal. In December 2015, he signed a new 12-year deal with Sirius, estimated to pay him $80 million per year, inclusive of his salary, staff salaries, and production costs.
Most recently, on December 9, 2020, Stern confirmed a five-year extension with Sirius, reportedly worth $120 million per year, totaling $600 million. After deducting the salaries of personalities like Robin Quivers ($10 million per year) and Gary Dell’Abate ($4 million per year), and conservatively estimating additional production costs at $10-15 million, Stern’s personal earnings are estimated to be around $90 million before taxes and agent fees. After accounting for these deductions, his net income is approximately $40 million per year. With a schedule of three new shows per week for roughly 40 weeks a year (120 shows annually), Stern earns about $333,333 per show.
Since joining Sirius, Stern has earned over $1 billion, in addition to the hundreds of millions earned from terrestrial radio prior to 2005. This financial success has solidified his position as one of the highest-paid figures in the radio industry.
Howard Stern’s Real Estate Portfolio
A significant portion of Howard Stern’s net worth is tied to his real estate holdings. In 1998, he purchased a 4,000-square-foot apartment on the 54th floor of the Millennium Tower on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for $4.9 million. He subsequently acquired the adjacent 1,011-square-foot unit for $5.75 million. In 2008, he expanded his holdings by purchasing two apartments on the 53rd floor for $15.1 million, adding another 2,546 square feet of space. These acquisitions combined to create an expansive penthouse that is likely worth $50+ million.
In 2005, Stern invested $20 million in an empty lot in Southampton, New York, where he built a custom 16,000-square-foot mansion. Further expanding his real estate portfolio, he purchased a 12-bedroom mansion on 3.25 oceanfront acres in Palm Beach, Florida, for $52 million in 2013. This Palm Beach property features multiple structures spanning a combined total of 40,000 square feet, with the main mansion measuring just under 19,000 square feet. The estate includes landscaped grounds, a seawall, and a pool.
In April 2023, the property next door to Stern’s Palm Beach mansion was sold for $170 million. Given that the neighboring estate is roughly half the size of Stern’s, it is estimated that Stern’s Palm Beach mansion could be worth at least $300 million.
Early Life and Education
Howard Allan Stern was born on January 12, 1954, in the Jackson Heights area of Queens, New York City. His father, Ben Stern, was a radio engineer at WHOM in Manhattan and co-owner of Aura Recording, Inc., a recording studio. Howard’s early exposure to radio through his father played a significant role in shaping his career aspirations. He has an older sister named Ellen. When he was one year old, the family moved to Long Island, New York.
Stern’s interest in radio began at a young age. His father set up a makeshift recording studio in the basement of their home in Roosevelt, New York, allowing him to create his own radio shows. He attended Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School and later moved to Rockville Center, New York, where he attended South Side High School, graduating in 1972.
He enrolled at Boston University in the fall of 1972 and worked at the college radio station, WTBU, during his sophomore year. In 1974, he was admitted to Boston University’s School of Public Communications. He graduated magna cum laude in May 1976, marking the completion of his formal education.
Personal Life
Howard Stern’s personal life has also garnered considerable attention over the years. He married Alison Berns on June 4, 1978, in Brookline, Massachusetts, after meeting through a mutual friend at Boston University. They have three daughters: Emily Beth (born in 1983), Debra Jennifer (born in 1986), and Ashley Jade (born in 1993). The couple separated in October 1999 and divorced amicably in 2001. While the specific terms of their divorce were not disclosed, Alison received their former home in Old Westbury, NY, which she sold in 2003 for $1.3 million. In October 1999, Howard Stern’s net worth was reported at $80 million, with an annual salary of $20 million.
Following his separation from Alison, Stern dated model Angie Everhart and actress Robin Givens before meeting model and television host Beth Ostrosky. They began dating in 2000, became engaged on February 14, 2007, and married on October 3, 2008, at Le Cirque restaurant in New York City.
Stern has been candid about his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which he revealed in his 1995 book, “Miss America.” He manages his OCD through Transcendental Meditation, a practice his parents have used since the early 1970s. In 2012, Stern adopted a pescetarian diet.
He and his wife, Beth Ostrosky Stern, are supporters of the North Shore Animal League of America and have fostered nearly 900 cats. They have four cats of their own: Bella, Yoda, Walter, and Pebble.
During his career, Stern became the most fined radio host in history, with the FCC issuing fines totaling $2.5 million to station owners for content it deemed indecent.
