Net Worth Ranker
What Is Scott Weiland’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in December 2015, Scott Weiland, the iconic American musician best known as the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, had a net worth estimated at $2 million. This figure represented the total value of his estate’s assets, encompassing royalties, potential future earnings from his musical catalog, and any tangible possessions.
Scott Weiland’s Estate and Financial Disputes
Following Weiland’s death, his financial affairs became a matter of public record due to legal proceedings concerning his estate. In early 2016, Mary Forsberg, Weiland’s ex-wife, initiated the process of being appointed as the executor of his estate. Her role would have involved managing the assets, settling outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining funds to the rightful heirs.
Later in 2016, Jamie Wachtel, Weiland’s widow, filed a claim against the estate based on a prenuptial agreement. The agreement stipulated that Weiland was to deposit $2,000 monthly into an account for Jamie’s benefit. However, Jamie asserted that Weiland had only made two such deposits. As a result, she sought $64,406 from the estate to cover the unpaid amount. In 2019, a judge ultimately denied her claim, potentially due to questions regarding the enforceability or interpretation of the prenuptial agreement.
The financial complexities of Weiland’s estate further increased in 2018 when the California State Tax Franchise Board filed a lien for nearly $250,000. This lien represented unpaid state taxes owed by Weiland, highlighting potential financial mismanagement or tax delinquency during his lifetime. Furthermore, a judge ordered the estate to provide $4,000 per month to Weiland’s children. This provision aimed to ensure the children’s financial well-being and support their needs following their father’s passing.
In 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) followed suit by filing a federal tax lien against the estate. This lien stemmed from Weiland’s failure to pay federal income taxes from 2012 to 2014. The exact amount of the federal tax lien was not specified, but it likely represented a substantial sum considering the timeframe involved and Weiland’s income during those years. Despite these financial challenges, reports in mid-2019 indicated that Weiland’s estate had accrued over $1 million in royalties since his death. These royalties likely stemmed from continued sales of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver albums, as well as licensing agreements for his music in films, television shows, and commercials.
Scott Weiland’s Music Career and Sources of Income
Scott Weiland’s primary source of income throughout his career was his music. He achieved significant commercial success as the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots (STP), a band that released six studio albums during his tenure. Their debut album, “Core” (1992), was certified 8x Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), indicating sales of over 8 million copies in the United States alone. The album featured hit singles such as “Plush,” “Creep,” “Sex Type Thing,” and “Wicked Garden,” all of which contributed significantly to the band’s revenue through record sales, radio airplay royalties, and music video royalties.
STP’s subsequent albums, including “Purple” (1994), “Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop” (1996), “No. 4” (1999), “Shangri-La Dee Da” (2001), and “Stone Temple Pilots” (2010), also achieved Platinum or Gold status, further solidifying Weiland’s earning power. Singles like “Vasoline,” “Interstate Love Song,” “Big Bang Baby,” “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart,” and “Lady Picture Show” topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, generating substantial royalties for Weiland and his bandmates.
In addition to his work with STP, Weiland spent five years as the frontman for Velvet Revolver, a supergroup featuring former members of Guns N’ Roses. The band released two albums, “Contraband” (2004) and “Libertad” (2007), both of which achieved commercial success. “Contraband” was certified double platinum, selling over 2 million copies. The success of Velvet Revolver further augmented Weiland’s income through album sales, touring revenue, and merchandise sales.
Weiland also pursued a solo career, releasing five solo albums: “12 Bar Blues” (1998), “Happy” in Galoshes” (2008), “A Compilation of Scott Weiland Cover Songs” (2011), “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (2011), and “Blaster” (2015, with the Wildabouts). While his solo albums did not achieve the same level of commercial success as his work with STP and Velvet Revolver, they still contributed to his overall income through sales and streaming royalties. In 2015 he also released a self-titled album with Art of Anarchy.
Beyond album sales, Weiland generated income through touring. Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver were both successful touring acts, performing at large venues and festivals worldwide. Concert revenue, including ticket sales and merchandise sales at concerts, was a significant source of income for Weiland. He also had a clothing line for English Laundry in 2009, and he published his autobiography, “Not Dead & Not for Sale” (co-written with David Ritzby), in 2011.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Scott Weiland was born Scott Richard Kline on October 27, 1967, in San Jose, California. While specific financial details regarding his early life are unavailable, it is known that his parents, Sharon and Kent, divorced when he was young. He was legally adopted by his stepfather, David Weiland, at the age of 5. The family relocated to Bainbridge Township, Ohio, where Weiland attended Kenston High School. At the age of 14, the family returned to California, and Weiland attended Huntington Beach’s Edison High School and Orange County’s Orange Coast College.
Before fully dedicating himself to a music career, Weiland worked as a layout artist at the “Los Angeles Daily Journal” in the late 1980s. He left around 1991 to pursue his passion for music. In Weiland’s autobiography, he revealed a traumatic experience of being raped by a high school senior when he was 12 years old. He stated that he had been afraid to tell anyone what happened and that he repressed the memory until he went to therapy while he was in rehab. Scott had a younger brother, Michael, who died of a drug overdose in 2007.
Weiland’s musical journey began when he met Robert DeLeo at a Black Flag concert in 1986. Together, they formed a band with David Allin and Corey Hicock, friends of Weiland’s from childhood. Later, Dean DeLeo (Robert’s brother) and Eric Kretz replaced Allin and Hicock. The group chose the name Stone Temple Pilots because they liked the initials “STP.”
Personal Life and Lifestyle
Scott Weiland’s personal life was marked by both success and struggles, particularly his well-documented battle with drug addiction. While precise details of his daily life and spending habits are not publicly available, it is known that he faced numerous challenges related to substance abuse. These challenges resulted in legal issues, periods of rehabilitation, and strained relationships.
Weiland was married three times. His first marriage was to Janina Castaneda on September 17, 1994, and ended in divorce six years later. He married Mary Forsberg on May 20, 2000. Together, they had two children: son Noah, born in November 2000, and daughter Lucy, born in July 2002. Weiland and Forsberg divorced after seven years of marriage. In 2005, Scott and Noah appeared together on an episode of “The Showbiz Show with David Spade.” Weiland married Jamie Wachtel on June 22, 2013, and they remained married until his death.
Weiland’s health was also a factor in his life. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 34 and had hepatitis C, which was “likely acquired from years of intravenous drug use.” He was convicted of buying crack cocaine in 1995 and was put on probation for a year. In a 2005 interview, Weiland stated that he began drinking alcohol and using cocaine as a teenager. Scott stayed clean from 2002 to 2007, but after his brother’s death, he “had a coke binge,” then spent a month at a rehabilitation center in early 2008. Shortly after Scott died, his wife revealed that he had been drinking heavily before his last tour.
Death and Final Days
Scott Weiland passed away on December 3, 2015, while on tour with the Wildabouts in Bloomington, Minnesota. Police found a small amount of cocaine near Scott’s body, and they also found Xanax, sleeping pills, and other prescription drugs on the tour bus. An autopsy revealed that Weiland had alcohol, cocaine, and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in his system at the time of his death, leading the medical examiner to rule his death an accidental overdose. The autopsy report also noted that Weiland had a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and asthma.
A small funeral was held on December 11th at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, attended by Weiland’s bandmates from Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. His ex-wife Mary and their two children did not attend the funeral, opting for a private ceremony instead.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Scott Weiland and his bands received numerous awards and nominations. In 1993, Stone Temple Pilots won an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist and a “Billboard” Music Award for #1 Rock Song of The Year for “Plush.” The following year, they earned an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist, a “Billboard” Music Award for Top Modern Rock Act Of The Year, a Concert Industry Award for Best New Rock Artist Tour, and a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for “Plush.” In 1995, they received an MTV Movie Award for Best Song From a Movie for “Big Empty.”
“Interstate Love Song” earned Stone Temple Pilots four MTV Video Music Award nominations, and they received Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance for “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart,” “Down,” and “Between the Lines.” The group was also nominated for American Music Awards for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist (1995), Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group (1995), Favorite Metal/Hard Rock Artist (1997), and Favorite Alternative Artist (1997).
With Velvet Revolver, Weiland earned three Grammy nominations, winning Best Hard Rock Performance for “Slither.” The band was named Best International Newcomer by “Kerrang!” magazine in 2004. These awards and nominations recognized Weiland’s talent and contributions to the music industry, further solidifying his legacy as a prominent rock musician.
