Matthew Wilder Net Worth

What Is Matthew Wilder’s Net Worth?

Matthew Wilder, an American musician, composer, and record producer, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $18 million. This financial success is a result of his diverse career encompassing hit singles, successful album production, and strategic real estate investments. His journey from a folk group member to a sought-after producer showcases his adaptability and talent in the music industry.

Early Career and Breakthrough Success

Born on January 24, 1953, in New York City, Matthew Wilder’s musical journey began in the 1970s as part of the Greenwich Village folk duo, Matthew & Peter. The group released one album, “Under the Arch,” in 1972. While specific sales figures for the album are not publicly available, it marked an early stage in Wilder’s career, providing foundational experience in the music industry. In 1978, he moved to Los Angeles, where he initially found work singing for TV commercials, supplementing his income with gigs as a backing vocalist for established artists like Rickie Lee Jones and Bette Midler. During this period, Wilder was also crafting his own solo material, leading to a pivotal record contract with Clive Davis’ Arista Records in 1981.

Wilder’s debut album, “I Don’t Speak the Language,” released in 1983, marked his breakthrough into mainstream success. Although the album peaked at #49 on the Billboard 200 chart, it was the single “Break My Stride” that catapulted him to fame, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While exact sales figures for the single in 1983 are not explicitly documented, its chart performance indicated significant commercial success. The follow-up single, “The Kid’s American,” reached #33 in 1984, contributing to his initial wave of success. His second LP, 1984’s “Bouncin’ Off the Walls,” did not perform as well, highlighting the challenges of maintaining success in the music industry.

The story behind “Break My Stride” is particularly noteworthy. Despite signing with Arista in 1981, Wilder clashed with label head Clive Davis, who initially rejected the song. Wilder independently financed the recording of the song, co-written with Greg Prestopino. Because he was dropped by Arista and self-funded the recording, Wilder owned the rights to the song with Greg Prestopino. This ownership proved highly lucrative over the years, as “Break My Stride” has been licensed for numerous commercials, films, and television shows. Puff Daddy’s sampled version, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” further amplified the song’s financial impact, spending six weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling 3 million copies in the US alone, generating substantial royalties for Wilder.

Production Career and Multi-Platinum Success

In the 1990s, Wilder transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role as a producer, a move that significantly contributed to his long-term financial success. In 1995, he produced No Doubt’s breakthrough album “Tragic Kingdom,” which sold over 16 million copies worldwide. The specific details of Wilder’s production contract for “Tragic Kingdom” are not publicly available, but producing an album of this magnitude would have generated substantial royalties and fees. His production work extended to albums for Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, and Miley Cyrus, although the specific financial details of these projects are not publicly disclosed.

His contribution to the music industry also includes writing “Reflection” for Christina Aguilera. In 1998, Matthew Wilder performed the singing vocal parts for the character of Ling in Disney’s “Mulan.” This role earned him an Academy Award nomination. While the exact compensation for his work on “Mulan” is not public knowledge, involvement in a major Disney film would have provided considerable income and recognition. He has also produced music for films like “Pretty Woman” and TV shows such as “Dawson’s Creek”, with specific financial details unavailable, his continued work ensured a sustained income stream.

Real Estate Investments

Matthew Wilder’s real estate activities, often conducted with his songwriter wife Tamara Dunn, represent a significant component of his net worth. In 2004, they acquired a 7.4-acre property in Malibu for $6.85 million. Shortly after, they purchased the adjacent 4.6-acre lot for $2.4 million. The larger lot was sold to actor Liam Hemsworth in 2014 for $6.8 million. Despite the property’s destruction in the 2018 Woolsey fire, the sale generated a return on the initial investment. In June 2020, Matthew and Tamara bought a home in Malibu for $1.7 million from Miley Cyrus, who had purchased it for $2.5 million in 2016. They retain ownership of the undeveloped 4.6-acre lot purchased in 2004. These real estate transactions illustrate a strategic approach to property investment, contributing to their overall net worth.

The $6.85 million purchase of the 7.4-acre Malibu property in 2004, followed by the $2.4 million acquisition of the adjacent 4.6-acre lot, indicates a substantial investment in high-value real estate. The subsequent sale of the larger lot to Liam Hemsworth for $6.8 million in 2014, despite the later loss of the home due to the Woolsey fire, demonstrates a savvy real estate strategy. The purchase of a Malibu home from Miley Cyrus for $1.7 million in June 2020, after Cyrus’s $800,000 loss on the property, further illustrates their opportunistic approach to real estate investment. As of today, they still own the 4.6-acre lot purchased back in 2004. These real estate transactions have played a pivotal role in augmenting Matthew Wilder’s overall net worth.

Matthew Wilder’s Net Worth Composition

Matthew Wilder’s estimated $18 million net worth is composed of several income streams and asset categories:

• Music Royalties: Royalties from “Break My Stride” and other songs, including licensing fees for commercials, films, and TV shows.
• Production Income: Earnings from producing albums for artists such as No Doubt, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, and Miley Cyrus.
• Real Estate: Profits from real estate transactions, including the sale of the Malibu property to Liam Hemsworth and ownership of the undeveloped 4.6-acre lot.
• Performance Income: Earnings from singing vocal parts for the character of Ling in Disney’s “Mulan.”

While specific figures for each category are not publicly available, these sources collectively contribute to his financial success and sustained net worth.