Net Worth Ranker
What Is Nikki Sixx’s Net Worth?
Nikki Sixx, born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. on December 11, 1958, in San Jose, California, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $65 million. This fortune is primarily derived from his career as a musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer. His most significant contributions have been as the co-founder, bassist, and main songwriter for the iconic heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Sixx’s early life was marked by instability. His father abandoned the family, and he was later raised by his mother, Deana Richards, before being abandoned by her as well. He then lived with his grandparents. During his teenage years, Sixx faced challenges that included expulsion from school for selling drugs. He was then sent to live with his mother in Seattle, where he picked up guitar skills. Using funds earned from selling a stolen guitar, he acquired his first bass. At 17, Sixx moved to Los Angeles and worked various jobs to support himself, including positions at a liquor store and selling vacuums. These jobs allowed him the flexibility to pursue auditions for bands. He initially joined a band called Sister after responding to an ad, but he was soon dismissed. In the late 1970s, he legally changed his name to Nikki Sixx.
Mötley Crüe: Formation and Success
In 1981, Nikki Sixx co-founded Mötley Crüe with drummer Tommy Lee. They later recruited guitarist Mick Mars and vocalist Vince Neil. Mötley Crüe independently recorded their debut album, “Too Fast for Love,” in 1981, which was released on their own label, Leathür Records, in November 1981. Following this, the band signed with Epic Records, and the album was re-released in 1982. “Shout at the Devil,” released in 1983, became a significant hit. The band continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, including “Theatre of Pain” in 1985, “Girls, Girls, Girls” in 1987, and “Dr. Feelgood” in 1989. “Dr. Feelgood” proved to be Mötley Crüe’s most commercially successful record, remaining on the album charts for 114 weeks. The 1990s saw the release of “Decade of Decadence” in 1991, followed by “Mötley Crüe” in 1994 with John Corabi replacing Vince Neil. Neil returned to the band in 1997, leading to the release of “Generation Swine.” In 2000, Mötley Crüe released “New Tattoo,” featuring Randy Castillo (formerly of Ozzy Osbourne’s band) on drums, due to Tommy Lee’s departure in 1999. The original lineup reunited in 2004, with Sixx openly discussing his sobriety. In 2006, Mötley Crüe launched a reunion tour featuring all four original members, followed by a co-headlining tour with Aerosmith. In 2008, they released their final album, “Saints of Los Angeles,” with Nikki Sixx credited as the writer or co-writer on all tracks. Mötley Crüe initially announced their retirement in 2015 but later reversed this decision.
Catalog and Publishing Sales
Nikki Sixx played a pivotal role as Mötley Crüe’s primary songwriter. In 2020, Sixx divested 70% of his share in Mötley Crüe’s publishing rights to Hipgnosis for an undisclosed sum. This strategic financial move allowed him to capitalize on his extensive songwriting catalog. In December 2021, Mötley Crüe sold their entire music catalog to BMG for $150 million. This was a particularly advantageous deal, especially considering that the band members had previously purchased the rights to their master recordings from their record company in the 1990s for $10 million. This sale significantly bolstered Nikki Sixx’s net worth, underscoring his financial acumen in managing the band’s assets.
Side Projects and Ventures
Nikki Sixx has also engaged in several projects beyond Mötley Crüe, enhancing his income streams. He launched the clothing line “Royal Underground” in 2006 with musician Kelly Gray. Initially focused on men’s clothing, the brand eventually expanded into women’s attire. In 2010, Nikki Sixx and Kerri Kasem hosted nationally syndicated rock/alternative music radio programs “Sixx Sense” and “The Side Show Countdown” through Premiere Radio Networks. These ventures added to his financial portfolio, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and diversification of income.
Personal Life and Real Estate Investments
During his time with Mötley Crüe, Sixx battled a severe heroin addiction and has stated that he overdosed multiple times. On December 23, 1987, he overdosed on heroin and was reportedly declared clinically dead for two minutes before being revived by a paramedic with two syringes of adrenaline. He married Playboy Playmate Brandi Brandt in 1989, and they had three children: Gunner, born in 1991; Storm, born in 1994; and Decker, born in 1995. They divorced in late 1996. One month later, he married Playboy Playmate and actress Donna D’Errico, with whom he had a daughter, Frankie-Jean, born in 2001. They divorced in the summer of 2007. Sixx married Courtney Bingham in March 2014, and they have a daughter, Ruby, born in 2019.
Nikki Sixx has also made strategic investments in real estate. In July 2014, Sixx and his wife purchased a mansion in Westlake Village, Los Angeles, for $4.125 million. The property features a 10,300-square-foot, single-story home set on 1.2 acres within the exclusive gated community of North Ranch Country Estates. The home includes high ceilings, large main rooms, a family room with a wet bar, and extensive loggias. It also includes a swimming pool, spa, and a pool cabana with bathrooms and an outdoor shower. The home has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. In October 2020, he listed this home for sale for $5.699 million and eventually sold it in September 2021 for $5.18 million, resulting in a profit from the initial purchase. Shortly after acquiring the Westlake Village mansion, Sixx listed his former home in Calabasas for sale for $2.399 million. This property, situated in a gated community on a third-of-an-acre corner lot, features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, wood floors, an office, a loft, a music room/home theater, a swimming pool, spa, and barbecue center. He had purchased this home in 2011 for $1.89 million. In November 2022, Sixx and Bingham purchased a $6.9 million mansion in the Lake Sherwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, further diversifying their real estate holdings.
Authorial Achievements and Media Presence
Beyond his musical endeavors, Nikki Sixx is a New York Times best-selling author. His literary works include “The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band” (2001), “The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star” (2007), “This is Gonna Hurt” (2011), and “The First 21” (2021). These books have contributed significantly to his income through royalties and sales. In addition to his published works, Sixx has revealed that he is writing his fifth book and also plans to release a children’s book with his wife, Courtney. These projects further diversify his income streams.
