What is Ringo Starr net worth?

Ringo Starr is one of the most famous and beloved musicians in the world. As the drummer for the legendary rock band The Beatles, Ringo played an integral role in creating some of the most iconic and influential music ever recorded. Though often overshadowed by the prodigious talents of John, Paul and George as songwriters and vocalists, Ringo’s steady drumming and affable personality were essential ingredients of the Beatles’ unique chemistry.

Outside of his work with the Fab Four, Ringo has enjoyed a long and varied solo career spanning over five decades. He has released 20 studio albums and has acted in over 15 films. Through it all, Ringo has built up an immense fortune over his 60+ years in show business. But what exactly is Ringo Starr’s net worth? Let’s take a closer look.

The Beatles Years

Ringo first joined The Beatles in 1962, replacing original drummer Pete Best just as the band was on the cusp of stardom. When The Beatles exploded onto the global scene the following year with Beatlemania, Ringo was along for the thrilling ride. Beatles albums like Please Please Me, With The Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night were flying off record store shelves by the millions.

As The Beatles’ fame and record sales grew exponentially, so did the band’s income. By 1966, The Beatles had become international icons and were able to negotiate a very lucrative record contract that entitled them to a far bigger share of royalties from their music sales. It’s estimated that by the end of the 1960s when The Beatles disbanded, each member had accrued a personal fortune worth around $100 million.

That’s the equivalent of over $600 million today adjusting for inflation! Not too shabby for a decade’s work. The popularity of The Beatles has scarcely waned over the ensuing five decades, ensuring a steady income stream for Ringo from ongoing sales of Beatles records and merchandising.

Solo Career

While nothing could match the phenomenal success he enjoyed as a Beatle, Ringo has done very well as a solo artist over the past 50 years. He has released 20 studio albums, his most recent being What’s My Name in 2019.

Ringo’s solo records have produced several hit singles over the years like “Photograph”, “You’re Sixteen” and “Wrack My Brain.” His album Ringo (1973) was certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S. He has also collaborated with dozens of artists ranging from Paul McCartney and George Harrison to Barbara Streisand and Peter Frampton. Ringo’s distinctive drumming style remains in high demand for studio sessions and guest appearances.

In addition to album sales and royalties, touring has been a major source of income for Ringo as a solo artist. He has consistently played to packed houses in the U.S., Europe and Latin America since 1989 when he formed his first All Starr Band. Even at age 82, Ringo shows no signs of slowing down. He just completed a North American tour with his current All Starr lineup in October 2022.

Acting Career

Ringo has complemented his music career with a wide-ranging acting resume in films and television. Ironically, he was the first Beatle to seriously pursue acting. Beginning with the Beatles’ 1964 film debut A Hard Day’s Night, Ringo stood out for his natural comedic skills and deadpan humor. This led to leading roles in quirky films like The Magic Christian (1969), Blindman (1971) and the Frank Zappa musical 200 Motels (1971).

Ringo’s acting work tapered off during the 1970s as he focused more on his solo music. But since 1989 he has experienced a major revival as a character actor in projects ranging from children’s television to independent films. Some notable credits include:

– Voice of Thomas the Tank Engine (1984-1986)
– Caveman (1981)
– Princess Daisy (1983)
– Alice in Wonderland (1985)
– Lisztomania (1975)
– The Last Waltz (1978)
– That’ll Be the Day (1973)

Ringo’s enduring popularity from his Beatles fame, distinctive persona and name recognition have made him an in-demand celebrity actor over the decades. He has appeared either as himself or a fictional character in over 30 films and TV shows. Ringo’s acting resume is an impressive accomplishment that has further augmented his considerable wealth.

Real Estate

Like his fellow Beatles, Ringo has invested a good chunk of his earnings in an impressive portfolio of luxury real estate around the world. His property holdings at one point included:

– Tittenhurst Park estate (Ascot, UK) – sold in 1988 for nearly $15 million
– London apartment – sold in 2016 for $2.5 million
– Beverly Hills mansion – sold in June 2021 for $2.3 million
– English country estate (Surrey) – sold in 2021 for nearly $2 million
– Apartment in Monte Carlo (Monaco)
– 80-acre estate on Cranbourne Chase (UK)

After selling most of his properties in recent years, Ringo currently resides primarily at his Beverly Hills home which he purchased in 1993. Located high in the mountains above Sunset Boulevard, this lavish French Country-style estate spans over 10,000 square feet with 5 bedrooms on a sprawling 3+ acre lot. He bought the property for $5.8 million and it is likely worth at least 4 times that today.

Between his former UK country estates, London apartment and other luxury real estate holdings, Ringo has made millions over the years through his high-end property investments.

Other Business Ventures & Investments

In addition to music, acting and real estate, Ringo has earned substantial income from:

– Ownership of Ring O’Records recording studio in Los Angeles
– Launching his own record label (Ring O’Records) in 1978
– Opening “Ringo’s Yellow Submarine” fan club in 1973
– Ownership stake in Apple Corps alongside Paul, George and Yoko Ono
– Various merchandising endeavors (Ringo T-shirts, mugs etc)
– Advertising endorsements/sponsorships (Got Milk?, Pizza Hut, etc)

A savvy business-minded rock star, Ringo has cultivated multiple side ventures that have added to his considerable wealth over time. He has also invested portions of his fortune in stocks, bonds and other vehicles as any prudent high net worth individual would do.

Philanthropy

Ringo Starr has donated large sums to various charitable causes over the years. Some of his biggest donations include:

– $2.1 million for the construction of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Paul McCartney’s Liverpool-based music and arts school (1995)

– $1 million to the Beverly Hills Education Foundation to benefit public schools (2021)

– Over $1 million raised annually since 2009 for the David Lynch Foundation through his annual Peace & Love Birthday event

– Supporter of multiple organizations including UNICEF, City of Hope, Make A Wish Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Association

– Major donor for Cancer Research UK

Ringo has provided generously to many worthy philanthropic causes, primarily focused on medical research and enhancing access to arts education. While this philanthropy has cost him millions over the years, it has also earned Ringo abundant goodwill.

Summary of Ringo Starr’s Wealth

Based on all his music, acting, real estate and business endeavors over six decades, Ringo Starr has amassed a huge personal fortune by any measure. Most sources estimate Ringo’s current net worth to be around $350 million. That’s comparable to celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Gordon Ramsay.

Among The Beatles, that places Ringo squarely in the middle:

– Paul McCartney: $1.2 billion+
– Yoko Ono (inheritance from John Lennon): Estimated $700+ million
– George Harrison: Estimated $400 million at time of death
– Ringo Starr: $350 million

So while Paul McCartney unquestionably has much deeper pockets, Ringo Starr is still an extremely wealthy rock icon. With his continued touring and business dealings, Ringo’s net worth has likely not peaked quite yet even in his ninth decade on earth. But $350 million is certainly an amazing lifetime accomplishment for the Beatles’ drumming legend.

Conclusion

In summary, Ringo Starr’s immense net worth of around $350 million can be attributed to:

– His share of The Beatles’ profits in the 1960s which made him a multi-millionaire at a young age

– His long and commercially successful solo music career spanning over 50 years

– Earnings from a prolific acting career with over 30 film and TV credits

– Savvy real estate investments in luxury properties, primarily in London and Los Angeles

– Ownership of businesses like his record company and merchandising ventures

– Prudent stock market and other investments to diversify his revenue sources

Very few recording artists can claim the longevity, continued relevance and diversity of income streams Ringo Starr has achieved over 60+ years in show business. Combined with his iconic status as drummer for history’s most successful band, it’s no surprise Ringo finds himself near the top of the rock star rich list today.