Net Worth Ranker
What Is Lindsey Buckingham’s Net Worth?
Lindsey Buckingham, the celebrated American guitarist, singer, composer, and producer, has amassed a considerable fortune over his career. As of 2025, his net worth stands at an estimated $150 million. This figure reflects a significant adjustment due to his divorce settlement with Kristen Messner, his wife of 21 years, whom he married in 2000. At his career zenith, Buckingham’s net worth was believed to have exceeded $250 million, a testament to his enduring influence and success in the music industry.
Early Career and Fleetwood Mac Success
Born on October 3, 1949, in Palo Alto, California, Lindsey Adams Buckingham’s journey into music began early. Raised in Atherton, he attended Menlo Atherton High School. His initial foray into music involved a toy Mickey Mouse guitar, which his parents later upgraded to a $35 Donald Duck guitar, recognizing his budding talent. By age 13, Buckingham’s interest gravitated towards folk music, with a particular fascination for the banjo techniques of the Kingston Trio. He never received formal training. Between 1966 and 1971, he performed both folk and psychedelic rock with his high school band, where he served as a vocalist and bassist. In 1972, Lindsey began dating Stevie Nicks, and the two recorded a series of demos.
In 1973, Buckingham and Nicks signed with Polydor Records; however, they were dropped after their debut album, “Buckingham Nicks,” performed poorly in sales. The turning point in Buckingham’s career arrived in 1975 when he and Nicks were introduced to Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood, impressed by their sound, invited Buckingham to join the band as a replacement for guitarist Bob Welch. The addition of Buckingham and Nicks proved transformative for Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham’s first album with the band, the self-titled “Fleetwood Mac,” reached #1 on the American charts. Buckingham’s contributions included songs like “Monday Morning” and “I’m So Afraid,” and lead vocals on “Crystal” and “Blue Letter.” “Fleetwood Mac” sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. within a year of its release.
In 1977, Fleetwood Mac achieved superstardom with the release of “Rumours,” one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide. The album spawned several hit singles, including Buckingham’s “Go Your Own Way,” which reached the US Top Ten. Buckingham also contributed songs like “Second Hand News” and “Never Going Back Again,” and co-lead vocals on “Don’t Stop” and “The Chain.”
Solo Projects and Later Fleetwood Mac Years
Buckingham sought to diversify Fleetwood Mac’s sound with the 1979 album “Tusk,” which he primarily directed. He also wrote the lead single and title track, “Tusk,” which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Tusk” ultimately sold over 4 million copies worldwide. During Fleetwood Mac’s hiatus in 1981, Buckingham launched his solo career with the album “Law and Order.” He played nearly every instrument on the album and invited bandmates Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie to make guest appearances. The lead single, “Trouble,” reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 in Australia.
After regrouping with Fleetwood Mac for 1982’s “Mirage,” which topped the American charts, Buckingham continued his solo pursuits. He released “Go Insane” in 1984, featuring a modestly successful title track. In 1987, Buckingham rejoined Fleetwood Mac for “Tango in the Night,” which became their biggest commercial success since “Rumours.” However, feeling constrained by Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham decided to leave the band. “Tango in the Night” spawned hit singles like “Little Lies” and “Everywhere”, and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Post-Fleetwood Mac Career and Legal Dispute
In 1992, Buckingham released his third solo album, “Out of the Cradle,” with many tracks addressing his relationship with Nicks and his departure from Fleetwood Mac. He embarked on a solo tour with seven other guitarists in his band. Later, in 1997, he briefly reunited with Fleetwood Mac for “The Dance” tour. Buckingham had been working on his fourth solo album, “Gift of Screws,” but was persuaded to hold it back and use some of its tracks for a new Fleetwood Mac album. This resulted in 2003’s “Say You Will,” the first Fleetwood Mac studio album in 15 years to include Buckingham and Nicks, which sold over 3 million copies in the U.S.
Buckingham released solo albums “Under the Skin” in 2006, “Gift of Screws” in 2008, and “Seeds We Sow” in 2011. He participated in tours both solo and with Fleetwood Mac, including 2012’s “One Man Show,” 2013’s “Live World” tour, and “On with the Show” from 2014 to 2015. In 2018, following a performance, Buckingham was fired from Fleetwood Mac due to artistic disagreements.
In October 2018, seven months after his firing, Buckingham sued the remaining members of Fleetwood Mac, claiming he was fired without cause after agreeing to postpone his solo plans. He asserted that he lost out on $12-14 million from a Live Nation contract for a future tour. The lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Catalog Sale and its Impact on Lindsey Buckingham’s Net Worth
In 2012, Lindsey sold 25% of his music catalog to Kobalt for an estimated $30 million. In September 2020, Kobalt was acquired by Hipgnosis Songs Fund for $323 million. In January 2021, Buckingham sold his remaining 75% stake in his catalog to Hipgnosis for an estimated $60-80 million. The sale gave Hipgnosis 100% of Lindsey’s rights to royalties and license fees earned from songs like “Go Your Own Way” and “The Chain.”
Personal Life and Real Estate Ventures
In 1998, Buckingham had his first son, William Gregory, with photographer and interior designer Kristen Messner. The two married in 2000 and subsequently had daughters Leelee and Stella. However, Kristen filed for divorce in June 2021 after 21 years of marriage. In 2005, Lindsey sold a home in LA’s Bel-Air neighborhood for $19.5 million. In January 2018, Buckingham listed his 11,000-square-foot Los Angeles mansion for $22 million. He bought the property in 2013 for $6 million and completely remodeled the Georgian-style, three-story mansion, eventually selling it for $19 million to Disney film executive Dana Walden.
In April 2019, Lindsey listed a Brentwood mansion for $29.5 million. He and Kristen bought the double lot in 2004 for $6.6 million and built a custom 10,000-square-foot mansion. They eventually sold this home for $28 million to Michael Gross, the one-time Vice Chairman of WeWork. In 2020, they bought a home for $3.7 million in La Quinta, California’s guard-gated Hideaway golf club community. Built in 2014, the 5,500-square-foot Spanish contemporary-style residence features four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. In June 2022, Lindsey paid $14 million for a home in Brentwood. The seller, mega-producer Lauren Shuler Donner, bought the house just seven months prior for $13 million.
