What Is Per Gessle’s Net Worth?
Per Gessle, the renowned Swedish pop singer-songwriter and musician, boasts a net worth of $150 million. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to his successful music career, notably as one half of the iconic duo Roxette alongside Marie Fredriksson, and his accomplishments with the pop group Gyllene Tider, as well as his solo endeavors.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Per Håkan Gessle on January 12, 1959, in Halmstad, Sweden, Per’s musical journey began in his teenage years. His early life was spent with his parents, Elisabeth and Kurt Gessle, and his siblings, Gunilla and Bengt. His father, Kurt, worked as a plumber. Per’s first musical venture, Grape Rock, was formed in 1976 with Mats Persson. This initial collaboration evolved into the highly successful band Gyllene Tider with the addition of Anders Herrlin, Micke Syd Andersson, and Göran Fritzon. Gyllene Tider’s debut album in 1980 marked the beginning of their ascent to become one of Sweden’s most beloved bands. The band saw six of their eight studio albums reach #1 on Sweden’s Sverigetopplistan chart. Their 2004 album “Finn 5 fel!” achieved 3x Platinum certification in Sweden, highlighting their continued success and popularity. In 2013, “Dags att tänka på refrängen” went 2x Platinum, further solidifying their status.
Roxette’s Global Success and Royalties
In 1986, Per Gessle joined forces with Marie Fredriksson to create Roxette, a duo that would achieve international fame and significantly contribute to Per Gessle’s Net Worth. Roxette’s debut album, “Pearls of Passion,” released in October 1986, was certified Platinum in Sweden and reached #2 on the Sverigetopplistan chart, producing the hit singles “Neverending Love” and “Goodbye to You.” Their breakthrough album, “Look Sharp!” in 1988, achieved Platinum or higher status in 12 countries, reaching the top 10 in 10 countries. The album featured global hits such as “Dressed for Success,” “Listen to Your Heart,” “The Look,” and “Dangerous.” The success of “Look Sharp!” was followed by a string of highly successful albums, including “Joyride” (1991), “Tourism” (1992), “Crash! Boom! Bang!” (1994), and “Have a Nice Day” (1999). These albums consistently reached the top 10 in multiple countries and achieved Platinum or higher certifications in at least five countries each. The 1991 single “Joyride” topped charts in over a dozen countries, while “Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)” (1991), “How Do You Do!” (1992), and “Sleeping in My Car” (1994) became top 10 hits in numerous nations. Roxette’s impressive album sales and chart success generated substantial royalties for Gessle, who served as the band’s primary songwriter, further amplifying his net worth. Their 2001 album “Room Service” reached #1 in Sweden and Belgium and went Platinum in Sweden. The single “The Centre of the Heart” became a #1 hit in Sweden.
Solo Career and Continued Musical Ventures
While enjoying immense success with Roxette and Gyllene Tider, Per Gessle also pursued a solo career, releasing his debut self-titled solo album in 1983. The album reached #5 on the Sverigetopplistan chart, indicating a strong start to his solo endeavors. His second solo album, “Scener,” released in 1985, reached #39 on the same chart. In 1997, Per released “The World According to Gessle,” which hit #1 on the Sverigetopplistan chart and was certified Gold in Sweden, marking a significant milestone in his solo career. During Roxette’s hiatus in 2002, Per Gessle released a string of successful solo albums, including “Mazarin” (2003), “Son of a Plumber” (2005), “En händig man” (2007), and “Party Crasher” (2008). The first three albums reached #1 on the Sverigetopplistan chart, while “Party Crasher” peaked at #2. All four albums were certified Platinum or higher in Sweden, and “Mazarin” achieved an impressive 5x Platinum certification. Several singles from these albums, including “Här kommer alla känslorna (på en och samma gång),” “En händig man,” and “Silly Really,” reached #1 on the Sverigetopplistan chart, further adding to Per Gessle’s Net Worth. After Fredriksson’s death in December 2019, Gessle continued to release solo albums, including “En vacker natt” (2017), “En vacker dag” (2017), “Small Town Talk” (2018), “Mind Control” (2019), and “Gammal kärlek rostar aldrig” (2020). Four of these albums reached the top five on the Sverigetopplistan chart, demonstrating his enduring appeal. In 2022, Per released the album “Pop-Up Dynamo!” under the name PG Roxette, collaborating with former Roxette touring band members.
Business Ventures and Investments
Beyond his successful music career, Per Gessle has ventured into the business world, co-owning the Swedish company NoteHeads. This company provides an e-commerce platform for digital sheet music sales and offers the musical composition tool NoteHeads Igor Engraver. While the exact revenue generated by NoteHeads is not publicly available, it contributes to Per Gessle’s overall financial portfolio. He also co-owns a Tylösand hotel. The specific details of the hotel ownership and its contribution to his net worth are not disclosed, but it represents another diversification of his business interests.
Personal Life
Per Gessle married Åsa Nordin on August 21, 1993, at Västra Strö Church in Eslöv, Sweden, with their wedding reception held at Trollenäs Castle. They welcomed their son, Gabriel Titus, on August 5, 1997. While these personal details do not directly impact his financial status, they offer insight into his life outside of music.
Awards and Recognition
Per Gessle’s remarkable achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. After releasing “Mazarin,” he won Grammis awards for Best Artist, Best Composer, Best Male Pop Performer, and Best Song for “Här kommer alla känslorna (på en och samma gång).” He also received Rockbjörnen awards for Best Swedish Male Artist, Best Swedish Song for “Här kommer alla känslorna (på en och samma gång),” and Best Swedish Male Artist. Roxette won three Grammis awards, including the Government Music Export Prize (2002). They also earned six Rockbjörnen awards, four Bravo Otto awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, an Australian Music Award, a Fono Music Award, and a BMI Film & TV Award. The band won two World Music Awards for Best-selling Scandinavian artist and received nominations from the Brit Awards, Juno Awards, Echo Music Prize, and Hungarian Music Awards. While these awards do not directly translate into monetary value, they reflect his artistic success and contribute to his brand recognition, indirectly impacting his earning potential and Per Gessle’s Net Worth.