Net Worth Ranker
What Is Quincy Jones’ Net Worth?
At the time of his death on November 3, 2024, at the age of 91, Quincy Jones, a highly influential American musical conductor, record producer, trumpeter, musical arranger, and television producer, had a net worth of $500 million. This substantial net worth was accumulated over a career spanning more than six decades, during which he made significant contributions to the music and entertainment industries.
Quincy Jones’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born on March 14, 1933. His family participated in the “Great Migration,” relocating to Chicago when he and his brother were young. Jones’ initial exposure to music came through religious songs. His early musical experiences were enriched by access to a piano owned by a neighbor, which allowed him to practice regularly. During his childhood, his mother faced a schizophrenic breakdown and was admitted to a mental hospital, leading to his parents’ divorce and his father’s remarriage. As World War II commenced, the family moved to Washington, where his father secured employment at a naval shipyard. Post-war, they settled in Seattle, where Quincy Jones attended high school. During his time in high school, he developed his musical talents and became a proficient trumpet player. He connected with other major jazz musicians in Seattle and introduced himself to Ray Charles at age 14. In 1951, Quincy Jones received a scholarship to Seattle University, where one of his classmates was Clint Eastwood. After just one semester, he transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston. While studying, he also played jazz at local bars, which eventually motivated him to pursue a full-time professional music career.
After leaving college, Quincy Jones moved to New York, where his talent as an arranger quickly gained recognition. One of his early gigs involved playing in a band supporting Elvis Presley’s first televised appearances in 1956. Following a period of touring, he resided in Paris and became the music director for Barclay, a French record company. By 1961, Quincy Jones became vice-president of Mercury, the parent company of Barclay and a major record label in the United States. During this time, he also started composing music for motion pictures, beginning with “The Pawnbroker.” His skills in composing movie scores were soon recognized, leading to a successful career as a sought-after composer in Hollywood. He composed scores for films such as “The Italian Job,” “The Getaway,” and “The Deadly Affair,” and he wrote theme songs for TV shows like “The Bill Cosby Show,” “Roots,” and “Mad TV.” Throughout the 1960s, Quincy Jones collaborated with musicians such as Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, and Frank Sinatra. In the 1970s, after forming his own production company, Qwest Productions, he continued to work closely with Frank Sinatra. In 1981, Quincy Jones released his album “The Dude,” which featured a range of artists performing songs he had written or produced and won three Grammy Awards.
Quincy Jones’s Collaboration with Michael Jackson
Quincy Jones’s partnership with Michael Jackson is a highlight of his career, yielding three albums that transformed popular music. They first met on the set of “The Wiz” in 1978, where Jones was the musical director and Jackson played the Scarecrow. Impressed by Jackson’s talent, Jones produced Jackson’s first solo adult album, “Off the Wall” (1979). This album sold over 20 million copies and included hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You.” Their next collaboration, “Thriller” (1982), became the best-selling album of all time, selling around 70 million copies worldwide and winning eight Grammy Awards. Jones’ production approach, blending pop, R&B, rock, and disco, helped create timeless tracks like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the title track. The duo completed their trilogy with “Bad” (1987), which sold over 35 million copies and produced five Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles. Their total album sales together exceed 150 million copies, and their influence on popular music continues to resonate decades later through countless artists.
Every time a Quincy Jones-produced Michael Jackson album or song is sold or played commercially, Quincy earned a royalty. His production work with Michael Jackson alone resulted in more than 150 million records sold.
Quincy Jones’s Further Ventures and Earnings
Quincy Jones expanded his career into film production with “The Color Purple.” In 1990, his production company merged with Time Warner to create a new production company that produced shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “The Jenny Jones Show,” and “Madtv.” In 2001, Quincy Jones released his autobiography, “Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones,” and in 2007, he started his own podcast. He also made guest appearances on television series like “The Boondocks” and “Saturday Night Live,” and had cameo roles in films like “Fantasia 2000” and “Austin Powers in Goldmember.” Throughout his career, Jones earned 28 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Legend Award, and received numerous honors, including the Grammy Living Legend Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and the National Medal of Arts.
Quincy Jones’s Real Estate Portfolio
In December 1986, Quincy Jones purchased a home in Bel Air for $3 million, which is equivalent to approximately $7 million today. He sold this property in 2005 for $5.4 million after constructing a 25,000-square-foot compound, also in Bel Air. This new residence is estimated to be worth between $25 and $30 million today. The sale of his initial Bel Air property contributed to his overall net worth.
