Net Worth Ranker
What Is Plácido Domingo’s Net Worth?
Plácido Domingo, the renowned Spanish tenor and conductor, has amassed a considerable fortune throughout his illustrious career. As of 2025, Plácido Domingo’s net worth is estimated to be around $300 million. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to his extensive career in opera, crossover pop music, and his leadership roles in prestigious opera houses.
Early Career and Opera Success
José Plácido Domingo Embil was born on January 21, 1941, in Madrid, Spain. His family moved to Mexico when he was nearly eight years old, where his parents established a zarzuela company. Domingo’s early exposure to music led him to study piano and, at the age of 14, he entered the National Conservatory of Music. By the age of 16, Domingo was performing professionally alongside his mother. In 1959, he successfully auditioned for the Mexico National Opera, where he was accepted as a tenor comprimario. His debut role was as Borsa in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”
Domingo’s operatic debut came in 1961, when he performed the lead role in “La Traviata” in Monterrey. Later that year, he made his US debut with the Dallas Civic Opera, singing the role of Arturo in “Lucia di Lammermoor.” In late 1962, Domingo signed a six-month contract with the Israel National Opera, which was subsequently extended to two and a half years. After completing his contract, he auditioned for the New York City Opera and debuted in “Madama Butterfly” in 1965. Following this, Domingo made his debuts with the Vienna State Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the San Francisco Opera, Covent Garden, and the Salzburg Festival. Domingo’s performance in Verdi’s “Otello” at the Hamburg State Opera in 1975 became his signature role.
Rise to Fame and Crossover Success
Throughout the 1980s, Domingo gained increased fame, venturing beyond opera. His duet “Perhaps Love” with country singer John Denver earned him widespread recognition. Following this, Domingo released pop music albums, including “My Life for a Song,” “Save Your Nights for Me,” and “Be My Love.” His English-language rendition of “Bésame Mucho” earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Pop Performance. Domingo’s collection of Ernesto Lecuona songs, “Always in My Heart,” won him a Grammy in the same category.
Domingo’s rising profile led to television and film appearances. In 1982, he performed in Franco Zeffirelli’s opera film “La Traviata,” and in 1984, in Francesco Rosi’s “Carmen.” In 1986, Domingo reunited with Zeffirelli to reprise his role in a filmed version of “Otello.” In 1987, he appeared with Julie Andrews in the Emmy Award-winning holiday special “The Sound of Christmas.” These ventures undoubtedly contributed to Plácido Domingo’s net worth, enhancing his visibility and appeal to a broader audience.
Later Career and Opera Company Directorship
Since the 1990s, Domingo has continued to add new roles to his repertoire. During that decade, he performed many roles for the final time, including Don Carlo, Cavaradossi, Alvaro, and Hoffmann, and took on roles beyond the standard French and Italian ones. He increased his involvement in Wagnerian operas and debuted in a Mozart opera, “Idomeneo,” for the first time in over three decades. Domingo also appeared in works such as “Stiffelio,” “Il Guarany,” “Hérodiade,” and “Le Prophète.” In the 2000s, he sang his last performances of famous roles, including in the operas “Andrea Chénier,” “Otello,” “Fedora,” and “Pagliacci.” Domingo also created new roles in modern operas, such as the titular role in Tan Dun’s “The First Emperor” and the role of Pablo Neruda in “Il Postino.”
In the latter half of the 2000s, Domingo began taking on baritone roles, such as the titular role in Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra.” He went on to perform in other baritone roles in “Rigoletto,” “Thaïs,” “I due Foscari,” “Giovanna d’Arco,” “Nabucco,” and “Gianni Schicchi,” among others. In the summer of 2018, Domingo performed at the FIFA World Cup opening gala concert in Moscow.
Domingo became artistic director of the Washington National Opera in the 1996-97 season and general director in 2003. He was also artistic director of the Los Angeles Opera from 2000, later becoming general director, a position he held through 2011. His roles as artistic director and general director of major opera companies provided a steady income and undoubtedly contributed to Plácido Domingo’s net worth.
Earnings and Income Sources
Plácido Domingo’s primary income sources include:
- Opera performances: Over 150 roles performed in multiple languages (Italian, French, English, Russian, German, and Spanish).
- Recordings: More than 100 opera recordings.
- Crossover pop albums: Sales and royalties from numerous albums.
- Opera company directorship: Salaries from the Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera.
- Concerts and special appearances: Performances at events like the FIFA World Cup.
- Film and television: Appearances in opera films and holiday specials.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Domingo owns an apartment in New York, a house in Madrid, and a vacation home in Acapulco. These properties represent a significant portion of his assets and contribute to Plácido Domingo’s net worth.
Philanthropy
Plácido Domingo founded Operalia, The World Opera Competition in 1993 to discover and help launch the careers of promising young opera singers. He is also actively involved in humanitarian work, including fundraising efforts for earthquake relief in Mexico. Domingo’s contributions to the world of opera and his philanthropic efforts have earned him numerous accolades and awards.
Plácido Domingo’s enduring career, marked by both artistic excellence and strategic leadership, has cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in opera and a significant contributor to Plácido Domingo’s net worth.
