James Joseph Brown, Jr. was born on 3 May 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina USA, of African-American descent. James Brown was one of the most famous singers worldwide, even when he passed away in 2006. He is referred to as the Godfather of soul music, one of the founding fathers of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century popular music and dance.
So just how rich was James Brown? Sources estimate that James had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death, accumulated throughout his long career in the music industry that spanned six decades.
James Brown Net Worth $100 Million
James Brown competed in talent shows when still young, appearing at Augusta’s Lenox Theater in 1944, and winning. While in Augusta, Brown entertained troops during World War II, and learned how to play piano, guitar and harmonica during this period. Brown became inspired to become a professional entertainer after seeing footage of Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five performing “Caldonia” in a short film. James Brown began his career as well as his net worth accumulation as a gospel singer. He was the band’s leading singer in an R&B vocal group called the ‘Avons’ that later evolved to ‘The Famous Flames’. James’ net worth grew as he built a reputation as a enthusiastic live performer singing the ballads ‘Please, Please, Please’ and ‘Try Me’. In 1963 Brown’s net worth jumped as his album ‘Live at the Apollo’ recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem was released. In 2003, the album was rated number 25 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2004, it was one of 50 recordings selected that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. In 1970, Brown established ‘The J.B.’s’ his own band which was performing the funk style songs.
Brown also increased his net worth and became notable for songs of social criticism like the 1968 hit, ‘Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud’. Brown also owns the record as the artist to have charted the most singles on the Billboard Hot 100 which did not reach number-one on that chart. Brown continued to perform and record all his life until he died in 2006 from congestive heart failure and pneumonia.
James Brown received a large number of awards and honors throughout his lifetime and after his death, which also increased James’ net worth. Brown was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and UK Music Hall of Fame. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th annual Grammy Awards. Moreover, James received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th annual Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Awards. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. James Brown received the Lifetime Achievement Award on the BET Awards in 2003.
James Brown was married three times. Firstly, James married Velma Warren in 1953, and they divorced in 1969. Then James married Deidre ‘Deedee’ in 1970, but the couple divorced in 1981. Finally, he married Adrienne Lois Rodriguez in 1984. But the third wife of Brown passed away in 1996. After some time James started dating Tomi Rae Hynie. In 2002, they held a wedding ceremony but the marriage was not valid under some legal circumstances. Brown had numerous children, but acknowledged nine of them.
