Mark King Net Worth

What Is Mark King’s Net Worth?

Mark King, the English musician best known as the lead singer and bassist of the band Level 42, has an estimated net worth of $16 million as of 2025. This wealth is primarily attributed to his successful music career, encompassing album sales, live performances, and royalties earned over several decades.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mark Raymond King was born on October 20, 1958, in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. His father, Raymond King, was a dairyman, and the family resided in a tied dairy house. King’s early life was quite modest, with his childhood home having “one brass tap, an outside toilet, and a zinc bath in front of the fire”. He later lived on the Camp Hill and Albany prison estates on the outskirts of Newport. He attended Kitbridge Middle School and Cowes High School. However, he was asked to leave Cowes High School at the age of 17 for wearing denim jeans. He began his musical journey as a drummer at the age of nine, after his father bought him his first kit for £10, and learned guitar aged 11. In 1974, at the age of fifteen, King met Phil Gould, who would later become his bandmate in Level 42. Gould remembers King as a budding multi-instrumentalist and a “really good guitarist”. King moved to London at the age of nineteen and initially worked in a music store.

In 1979, King co-founded Level 42 with keyboardist Mike Lindup and brothers Phil and Rowland Charles Gould. In 1980 the band was officially formed. Level 42 gained prominence in the 1980s with their jazz-funk sound and King’s innovative slap-bass technique. The band’s first Top 40 single, “Love Games”, was released in 1981, marking their first appearance on Top of the Pops. Their breakthrough came in 1983 with “The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)”. During his time with Level 42, King’s bass-playing skills were sought after by other artists, leading to collaborations with Nik Kershaw, Midge Ure, and David Bowie. Level 42 supported The Police in 1981 and later toured with Steve Winwood in 1986 and Madonna in 1987.

Level 42’s Success and Mark King’s Solo Ventures

Level 42 achieved significant commercial success, selling over 30 million albums worldwide. Their 1987 album, *Running in the Family*, and the 1988 album, *Staring at the Sun*, both reached #2 on the UK charts. The band had 11 Top 20 albums in the UK, as well as 20 Top 40 singles. Their most popular single, “Lessons in Love,” reached #1 in Switzerland and Denmark and the Top 5 in the UK, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium. The band sold out Wembley Arena for a total of 21 nights, and are one of the UK’s most successful bands ever.

Aside from his work with Level 42, Mark King also pursued a solo career. In 1984, he released his first solo album, *Influences*. King needed a deposit to put down on a house, and this album gave him that opportunity. In 1998, he released *One Man*, followed by *Trash* in 1999, a collection of unused songs. King manufactured the CD himself using an Apple Mac, CD burner, and inkjet printer, and posted it directly to fans, charging £17 plus postage. He hand-signed and numbered early copies. The initial CDs were numbered as part of a series of 100. King sold over 1,000 copies. In the years following *Trash*, King released a series of live recordings, including *Live at the Jazz Cafe*, *Live on the Isle of Wight*, and *Live at Reading Concert Hall*. In September 2006, Level 42 released *Retroglide*. In 2007, King released the *Retroglide Live* DVD on his own Summerhouse Record label.

Income Sources and Assets

Mark King’s $16 million net worth is primarily derived from his music career. His income streams include:

Album Sales: Level 42 has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, generating substantial royalties for King as a key member.
Live Performances: Level 42 continues to tour extensively, attracting audiences across generations. Major artists with huge fan bases earn millions per show as festival headliners and arena fillers.
Royalties: King earns royalties from the licensing of Level 42’s music for use in films, television, and other media.
Solo Albums: While his solo work may not have reached the same commercial heights as Level 42, it still contributes to his overall income.
Endorsements and Collaborations: As a respected musician, King may have received income from endorsements of musical instruments and equipment.

King owns a home on the Isle of Wight, his childhood haven, and is believed to have a modest collection of luxury vehicles and music equipment.

Personal Life and Recent Activities

Just before his divorce from his wife Pia, King moved back to his native Isle of Wight in 1988. During the 1990s, King purchased a pub in Ryde. King sold the pub in 2000. King lives with his current wife Ria and youngest daughter. He is the elder brother of fellow Level 42 and Frost* member Nathan King.

As of 2025, Mark King continues to be an active figure in the music industry. He tours with Level 42, and has hinted at working on new music, exploring fresh collaborations, and possibly mentoring younger artists. In March 2025, Level 42 is scheduled to perform at the Royal Albert Hall as special guests of The Who for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Mark King’s Musical Legacy

Mark King’s impact on pop and funk music is undeniable. His slap-bass technique has influenced how bass is played and perceived, earning him accolades and a lasting influence on popular culture. King received a BASCA Gold Badge Award in October 2015 in recognition of his contribution to British music and won the “Outer Limits” award at the 2017 Progressive Music Awards. By bridging the gap between technical mastery and mainstream appeal, King remains a vital figure in the music industry.