Whitney Houston’s Net Worth: Her Houses, Cars, Career and More

Last updated on August 4th, 2023 at 06:09 am

Whitney Houston was one of the most successful and iconic recording artists of all time. Her death in 2012 was a huge loss to the music industry, and her legacy lives on through her music and her fans. In this article, we will take a look at Whitney Houston’s net worth, how she became rich, and her early life and career.

Whitney Houston’s Net Worth

At the time of her death, Whitney Houston’s net worth was actually around negative $20 million. She had amassed a large amount of debt through her real estate properties as well as a lavish lifestyle. However, during the peak of her career, it is said that Whitney Houston’s net worth was around $40 million.

How Did Whitney Houston Get Rich?

Houston’s road to riches began in the 1980s when she burst onto the music scene with her debut album “Whitney Houston.” The album was a massive commercial success, selling over 25 million copies worldwide and earning her multiple Grammy nominations.

From there, Houston continued to release hit after hit, including “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” both of which topped the charts and cemented her status as a global music superstar.

In 2001, she inked a massive $100 million recording contract with Sony. However, she only ever earned $40 million from this contract since her career saw a downswing following the signing of the contract, with her albums seeing less commercial success than they had in previous years.

In addition to her music career, Houston also earned money from various endorsement deals and acting roles. She starred in films such as “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale,” both of which were box-office hits and earned her critical acclaim.

Whitney Houston’s Cars

Whitney Houston famously owned a white 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera, which recently sold at auction for $42,000. She also owned a 1986 Rolls-Royce limousine, which now belongs to the AACA Museum. Some reports also mention that she owned multiple Mercedes-Benz SL500s.

 

Whitney Houston’s House

Whitney Houston owned multiple properties throughout her life, the most notable of which was the mansion she purchased in Mendham, New Jersey, in 1993 for around $500,000. She used this home as a guest house until selling it in 2010 for $940,000.

She also purchased a large estate in Alpharetta, Georgia, in 2003 for $1.38 million. She sold this home in 2008 at a loss after finalizing her divorce from Bobby Brown.

How Much Does Whitney Houston Make Per Show?

Houston’s earnings per show varied depending on the location and size of the venue. According to reports, she earned an estimated $500,000 per show during her tours and live performances.

Some sources say she earned $30 million annually from her tours 10 concert tours in the late 80s and early 90s.

How Much Are Whitney Houston’s Tickets?

Ticket prices for Whitney Houston shows fluctuated from anywhere between just $50 all the way up to the $1000 price point. The price of her shows varied depending on the venue and show type.

Whitney Houston’s Early Life

Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey.

She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and cousin of Dionne Warwick. Growing up in a musical family, Houston’s talent was evident from a young age. She began singing in her church choir at the age of 11 and later joined her mother’s group, the Drinkard Singers.

Houston’s mother recognized her daughter’s talent at maintaining perfect pitch and helped her to develop it by arranging singing lessons and encouraging her to participate in local talent shows.

She also exposed her daughter to the works of Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan. Houston’s early influences helped shape her style and vocal technique, which would later become her signature sound.

In her teenage years, Houston began to pursue a career in music, and by the early 1980s, she had signed a recording contract with Clive Davis’ Arista Records. This marked the beginning of her rise to fame and fortune, and she would go on to become one of the most successful and iconic singers of all time.

Whitney Houston’s Career

Houston began her career in the 1980s and quickly rose to fame with her debut album Whitney Houston. She went on to become one of the best-selling female artists of all time, with over 200 million records sold worldwide.

Her career was marked by numerous awards and accolades, including six Grammy Awards and 22 American Music Awards.

Houston’s estate continues to earn money from her music and brand even after her death in 2012. Her salary and earnings were a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft, and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest performers of all time.