Ray Charles, renowned as one of the greatest musicians in history, left a huge mark on the music world. Beyond his musical prowess, Charles ventured into different endeavours, amassing considerable wealth throughout his illustrious career. So what was Ray Charles' net worth at his death, and who inherited the singer's fortune?
Despite Ray Charles' planning for his fortune, which included a verbal and written will, it still had conflicts. His children battled for rights in the Ray Charles Intellectual Property, yet he had clearly articulated what they would inherit upon his death.
Full name | Ray Charles |
Nickname | The Genius |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | September 23, 1930 |
Age | 73 years old (at the time of death) |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Place of birth | Albany, Georgia |
Date of death | June 10, 2004 |
Cause of death | Liver failure complications |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Christianity |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Father | Bailey Robinson |
Mother | Aretha Robinson |
Sexuality | Straight |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-wives | Eileen Williams, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
Children | 12 |
Profession | Musician |
Net worth | $75 million (at the time of death) |
Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia, on September 23, 1930. He is considered one of history's most influential and iconic singers and was often called "The Genius." Charles lost sight at age seven, possibly due to glaucoma.
In the 1950s, he pioneered soul music by combining blues, rhythm, jazz, blues and gospel styles into the music he recorded for Atlantic Records. After a long successful musical career, Charles died on June 10, 2004, aged 73, at his home in Beverly Hills, California, of complications resulting from liver failure.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ray Charles, the legendary singer and philanthropist, had a net worth of $75 million at his death. He came from a humble beginning and found massive success in the music industry.
Just before the 2002 Christmas, it’s reported that Ray Charles had a family luncheon with his 12 children at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. He told them he was mortally ill and outlined what to expect from his fortunes. Charles left most of his assets to his charitable foundation.
According to a trust document and those who attended the meeting, Charles reportedly left $500,000 to each of his 12 children to be paid out over the next five years. He gave the rest of his estimated $75 million estate and his music licensing rights to Ray Charles Enterprises.
The Ray Charles Foundation absorbed the Ray Charles Enterprises. Founded in 1986, the Ray Charles Foundation aims to support organisations and institutions researching hearing disorders financially. Formerly known as The Robinson Foundation for Hearing Disorders, it was renamed in 2006.
Some organisations and institutions that have received donations from the foundation include Morehouse College, Benedict College and other universities.
In addition, the foundation also oversees the music licensing contract negotiations and manages all the commercial, marketing, business and financial interest from revenues generated by The Ray Charles Foundation.
Ray Charles' former lavish Beverly Hills home was sold for $9,675,000 by agents Marco Salari and Brent Watson. It was located at 1476 Carla Ridge, Beverly Hill, California. The nearly 3000-square-foot residence has five bathrooms, three bedrooms and head-on city-to-ocean views.
The trust document left by Ray Charles contains no reference to any funds or fortune designated for his wife. Ray Charles had two marriages during his lifetime. His first marriage to Eileen Williams lasted less than a year, from July 31, 1951, to 1952.
Subsequently, he entered into a second marriage with Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, which endured for 22 years, from April 5, 1955, to 1977.
Throughout his life, Ray Charles had many relationships with women, with whom he fathered 12 children. Here is a list of Ray Charles' children and their years of birth?
The late American musician Ray Charles is considered one of the greatest. Ray Charles' net worth at the time of his death was about $75 million. He reportedly left $500,000 to each of his children and gave the rest of his estate, including music licensing rights, to Ray Charles Enterprises.
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Ray Charles' net worth
Ray Charles' net worth
Ray Charles' net worth