What Is Stevie Nicks’s Net Worth?
Stevie Nicks, the iconic American singer-songwriter, boasts a net worth of $120 million. This substantial sum is primarily attributed to her enduring success as a member of Fleetwood Mac and her accomplished solo career. Nicks holds the unique distinction of being the only woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with Fleetwood Mac (1998) and again as a solo artist (2019). Her songwriting prowess, responsible for numerous classic hits, has generated significant royalties throughout her career.
Financial Highlights and Career Earnings
A significant portion of Stevie Nicks’s net worth stems from her music catalog. In December 2020, she strategically sold an 80% stake in her publishing rights to Primary Wave for $80 million. This deal encompassed copyrights to iconic songs such as “Edge of Seventeen,” “Landslide,” and “Rhiannon,” allowing Nicks to retain a 20% interest while capitalizing on the catalog’s substantial value.
Fleetwood Mac’s 2018-2019 Live Nation tour, though embroiled in controversy due to Lindsey Buckingham’s departure, provides insight into the band’s earning potential. A lawsuit filed by Buckingham revealed that each band member was slated to receive $200,000 per show over 60 shows, amounting to $12 million. This figure could have escalated to $14 million based on attendance milestones and potential additional dates. While the lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount, it highlights the lucrative nature of Fleetwood Mac’s touring ventures. Furthermore, “Rumours” (1977) remains the best-selling album of the year and reported sales of over 40 million copies worldwide.
Early Life and Career Foundation
Stephanie Lynn Nicks, born on May 26, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, began her musical journey at a young age. Her father, Jess Nicks, worked as an executive at Greyhound, leading to frequent family relocations. The nickname “Stevie” originated from her childhood pronunciation of her name. Her grandfather, a country singer, introduced her to singing duets, nurturing her early talent. At 16, she received a Goya guitar and began composing original songs. While attending Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, Nicks crossed paths with Lindsey Buckingham, a pivotal encounter that would shape her musical trajectory. Buckingham invited her to join his psychedelic rock band, Fritz, which gained some recognition as an opening act for renowned artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in the late 1960s. Although Nicks initially enrolled at San Jose State University alongside Buckingham, she ultimately left to pursue her music career full-time. During that time, Fritz served as the opening act for the legendary Janis Joplin, specifically at a performance in San Francisco in 1970, where they received a modest payment of around $500 for their performance.
Fleetwood Mac and Solo Success
Following Fritz’s disbandment in 1972, Nicks continued collaborating with Buckingham, culminating in the release of their duo album, “Buckingham Nicks,” in 1973. After working odd jobs in order to pay for food and rent, their fortunes changed when Mick Fleetwood, the drummer of Fleetwood Mac, approached them. They joined the band in 1975. The band’s self-titled tenth album, “Fleetwood Mac,” released in July 1975, marked Nicks and Buckingham’s debut with the group. The subsequent album, “Rumours” (1977), achieved phenomenal success, becoming the best-selling album of the year with over 40 million copies sold worldwide. It dominated the American albums chart for 31 weeks and topped charts in numerous other countries. “Rumours” also earned the Album of the Year award in 1978 and generated four U.S. Top 10 singles. Nicks contributed significantly to Fleetwood Mac’s discography with albums such as “Tusk” (1979), “Mirage” (1982), “Tango in the Night” (1987), “Behind the Mask” (1990), and “Say You Will” (2003). In 1990, “Behind the Mask” album had an initial run of 3 million copies printed, with Nicks earning royalty based on the sale of each album.
Nicks embarked on her solo career in 1981 with the album “Bella Donna,” which achieved platinum certification from the RIAA in under three months and eventually reached quadruple-platinum status. Her subsequent solo albums include “The Wild Heart” (1983), “Rock a Little” (1985), “The Other Side of the Mirror” (1989), “Street Angel” (1994), “Trouble in Shangri-La” (2001), “In Your Dreams” (2011), and “24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault” (2014). Each of these albums further solidified her reputation as a powerful force in the music industry, with “Rock a Little” shipping over 1 million units within the first couple of months from its release date. During her solo career, she has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. She is the only woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
Real Estate Holdings
Stevie Nicks has made several notable real estate investments throughout her career. In 2005, she acquired a gated home on 1.2 acres in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles for approximately $9 million. She initially listed the property for sale in December 2017 for $14 million but eventually sold it in an off-market transaction. The exact sale date and final price remain undisclosed. Additionally, in 2004, Nicks purchased an ocean-view penthouse condo in Santa Monica for $3 million.
In 1981, Nicks commissioned the construction of a custom 8,000-square-foot mansion in Paradise Valley, Arizona, near her birthplace and childhood home. She shared this property with her brother and his family for many years before selling it in 2007 for $3 million. This property, situated on a sprawling 5-acre lot, featured a state-of-the-art recording studio, where Nicks reportedly recorded demos for several of her hit songs. In 2007, when Nicks sold this residence, it included not only the main house but also a separate guest house and a horse stable.
Personal Life
Stevie Nicks has been married once, to Kim Anderson, in 1983. The marriage occurred following the death of Anderson’s wife and Nicks’s friend, Robin Anderson. They divorced after three months. She is an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church and officiated the wedding of singers John McCauley and Vanessa Carlton.