• Celebrities
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gambling

Ray Charles Net Worth - The Pioneer Of Soul And The Genius Of His Own Multi-Genre Music Career

26.2KShares
494.7KViews

Who got the money that was in Ray Charles net worth after he died in his Beverly Hills home in 2004 at the age of 74?

In 2004, Ray Charles died and bequeathed the majority of his wealth to the Ray Charles Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people who are blind or deaf.

In addition, he left each of his 12 children $500,000 in trust money.

Learn more about the reasons why Ray Charles was famous, his net worth, and the court struggle regarding the money he left behind by reading more about these topics.

Ray Charles - The Pioneer Of Soul Music

COPYRIGHT_PNW: Published on https://purenetworth.com/ray-charles-net-worth/ by - on 2022-08-06T19:34:12.911Z

Ray Charles smiling while singing and a piano in front of him
Ray Charles smiling while singing and a piano in front of him

There aren't many performers who have left such a musical legacy as Ray Charles has.

Charles, who was born in 1930, has been referred to as "The Genius" by Frank Sinatra (according to the Los Angeles Times).

He surmounted seemingly impossible odds to become one of the most prolific and influential artists of all time.

Ray Charles' music has been sampled by everyone from Kanye West ("Gold Digger," which samples "I Got A Woman") to Led Zeppelin ("Your Time Is Gonna Come," which samples "I Believe to My Soul").

He is widely regarded as the pioneer of the modern soul music genre.

"Ray," a biopic about his life, won Jamie Foxx his first — and only — Academy Award nomination.

And Rolling Stone placed him No. 10 on their list of the Top 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

In short, he's a legend in his own right.

The Early Life Of "The Genius" Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson was born in Georgia in 1930.

At age 3, he became interested in music while watching Pitman play an old upright piano at Pitman's Red Wing Cafe.

Charles was taught by Pitman.

Ray's 4-year-old sibling drowned.

Five-year-old Charles lost his sight.

Charles became blind at age 8 from glaucoma.

Aretha utilized her connections to secure a school for her blind son.

From 1937to 1945, he attended the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, where he learned braille music and classical piano.

14-year-old him lost his mother.

Ray quit school and relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to live with his family friend Charles Wayne Powell.

Ray Charles - The Road To Success

Ray Charles laughing in a gold coat while using piano
Ray Charles laughing in a gold coat while using piano

After signing with Atlantic Records, he had his first success in 1953. "Mess Around" is one of Charles' most popular tunes.

Charles grew from there, becoming one of the earliest crossover pop musicians.

"I've Got a Woman" was another hit for Charles in 1954. "This Little Girl of Mine" and "Fool for You" became hits the following year.

By 1958, he was headlining the Apollo Theater and Carnegie Hall. "What'd I Say" became another Ray classic in 1959.

The song mixed gospel, jazz, blues, and Latin music and was his first top ten pop record.

He released his debut country tune and three albums that year.

In 1959, Ray's contract expired and various labels called.

ABC-Paramount gave him a $50,000 annual advance and better royalties than Atlantic.

"Georgia on My Mind" was his first success for ABC-Paramount.

The song won four Grammys.

Percy Mayfield's "Hit the Road Jack" earned him another Grammy.

In 1964, Ray's third heroin arrest ended his career.

In 1966, he returned to the charts after treatment and parole.

By the 1970s, Charles' music was rarely played on the radio.

In 1974, he left ABC and started Crossover Records.

In 1983, he secured a contract with Columbia Records and recorded country albums and duets with Willie Nelson.

His last public appearance was April 30, 2004, at the dedication of his Los Angeles music studio.

His star rose beyond music, hosting SNL and appearing in The Blues Brothers.

His personal life was tumultuous, as revealed in the Oscar-winning film Ray, but his music will be remembered.

The Legend Ray Charles Net Worth

Ray Charles is revered for his work as a recording artist, vocalist, and philanthropist.

He is widely considered to be a legendary figure in the world of 20th-century music.

At the time of his passing, he was estimated to have had a net worth of $75 million.

Ray Charles's early life was marked by extreme obscurity and destitution, in contrast to his later meteoric rise to prominence in the field of music.

Ray Charles in a sunglasses while laughing and a microphone in front of him
Ray Charles in a sunglasses while laughing and a microphone in front of him

Ray had 12 kids by 10 women.

Each child received $500,000 per his will.

He reportedly told them they'd get more money later.

The children thought this meant they'd get royalties and intellectual property.

His remaining assets were donated to the Ray Charles Foundation, which helps youngsters with hearing and vision problems.

The foundation has $60 million in assets and $5 million in investment income in 2011.

The Ray Charles Foundation has $41 million in assets and $3 million in annual revenue.

According to the LA Times, Charles told his children two years before his death that he was dying of cancer.

He told them about their trust funds and hinted at future money.

Charles' kids thought "getting more money" later meant they'd get his music royalties and licensing rights.

This misconception led to legal battles involving Charles' management, his music, and the Ray Charles Foundation.

Charles' masters are worth $25 million, and he possessed $50 million in additional assets, according to LA Times.

Charles' manager inherited almost all he owned, including his real estate and children's trust funds.

Allegedly, he prevented the family and children from attending Charles' funeral.

The children tried to get Charles' music back under copyright rules, but the Ray Charles Foundation sued them, saying they broke an agreement with their father.

By 2015, the organization won a lawsuit preventing the children from obtaining estate interest.

People Also Ask

Who Got Ray Charles Money?

His estimated $75 million fortune, as well as the licensing rights to his music, were given to Ray Charles Foundation by Charles, who bequeathed each of his 12 children a sum of $500,000.

After Charles' death, the foundation took over Ray Charles Foundation.

How Much Was Ray Charles Worth At Death?

At the time of his passing, he was the owner of a net worth of $75 million.

Who Owns The Rights To Ray Charles Music?

The Ray Charles Foundation is the owner of the rights to all of his post-Atlantic recordings (with the exception of the Friendship album which was released on Columbia/Sony), and these recordings are accessible for licensing on a global scale.

In addition, The Foundation is the owner of the publishing rights of many well-known works, including "Hit the Road Jack" and others.

Why Did Ray Charles Go Blind?

Ray Charles did not experience his initial problems with his vision until he was approximately seven years old.

In later years, medical professionals hypothesized that juvenile glaucoma was the condition that led to his blindness.

But Charles insisted throughout his life that his visual impairment was never a barrier to his professional success in any way.

Conclusion

Ray Charles was a philanthropist in addition to being a musician and record producer.

He is widely considered to be a legendary figure in the world of 20th-century music.

At the time of his passing, it was believed that Ray Charles net worth was $75 million.

And throughout his career that spanned more than half a century, Ray Charles never let anyone tell him what he could or could not do with his life or his music.

He never allowed anyone else to tell him what he could or could not do with either.

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

Recent Articles

  • Lexi Rivera Height And Net Worth - A Star In The World Of Social Media

    Youtubers

    Lexi Rivera Height And Net Worth - A Star In The World Of Social Media

    Many people are curious about Lexi Rivera height. If you want to know more about her then continue reading. Lexi Rivera is a social media influencer who has become a household name in recent years.

  • Olivia Rodrigo Age And Net Worth - A Rising Star In The Music Industry

    Celebrities

    Olivia Rodrigo Age And Net Worth - A Rising Star In The Music Industry

    If you are curious about Olivia Rodrigo age and net worth, then you came to the right place. Olivia Rodrigo is a talented American singer, songwriter, and actress.

  • Dusty Springfield Net Worth -  The Woman Behind The Music

    Singers

    Dusty Springfield Net Worth - The Woman Behind The Music

    Dusty Springfield net worth was $1.5 Million. Her soulful voice and distinctive style made her one of the most successful British female singers of the era, and she continued to influence generations of musicians long after her death in 1999.

  • How Old Is Tony Lopez And Net Worth - A Social Media Star And Dancer

    Celebrities

    How Old Is Tony Lopez And Net Worth - A Social Media Star And Dancer

    How old is Tony Lopez? In this article we will talk about the things you need to know about him. Tony Lopez is a social media sensation and dancer who has gained massive popularity over the years.

  • Guillermo Del Toro Considers Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, And Mia Goth For Netflix's Frankenstein

    News

    Guillermo Del Toro Considers Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, And Mia Goth For Netflix's Frankenstein

    Guillermo del Toro considers Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth for Netflix's Frankenstein. Guillermo del Toro is in talks with Netflix to cast Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth for his upcoming live-action “Frankenstein” movie, following his recent Oscar win for the best-animated feature with “Pinocchio.”

  • Celebrity Wins: A Look At High Rollers Who Have Won Big At Casinos

    Gambling

    Celebrity Wins: A Look At High Rollers Who Have Won Big At Casinos

    If you're a fan of casinos and gambling, you may have heard of some of the biggest celebrity wins over the years. These stars have hit the jackpot while playing various games at casinos worldwide and won considerable sums of money.

  • How Old Is Damien Prince And Net Worth? A Multifaceted Personality

    Youtubers

    How Old Is Damien Prince And Net Worth? A Multifaceted Personality

    In this article, we will talk about how old is Damien Prince and his net worth. Damien Prince is an influential figure in the world of social media and an entrepreneur in the United States.

  • Steve Winwood Net Worth - From Traffic To Solo Success

    Singers

    Steve Winwood Net Worth - From Traffic To Solo Success

    Steve Winwood is a legendary musician known for his powerful vocals, skilled keyboard playing, and extensive contributions to the rock and roll genre. With such an impressive career, it's no wonder that many are curious about Steve Winwood net worth.

  • Lindsay Lohan Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Bader Shammas - 'Blessed And Excited'

    News

    Lindsay Lohan Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Bader Shammas - 'Blessed And Excited'

    Good news! lindsay lohan is pregnant and she's going to be a mom! The Parent Trap star, 36, announced on Instagram Tuesday that she is expecting her first child with her husband Bader Shammas.

  • Lizzo Height And Net Worth - An Advocate For Body Positivity And Self-love

  • Janis Joplin Net Worth - How Much Was She Worth When She Died?

  • How Tall Is Kevin Gates And Net Worth - An Influential Rapper

  • Caleb Coffee Height And Net Worth - A Look At The Rising Social Media Star

  • Was Hugh Grant Being Rude To Ashley Graham At The Oscars, Or Just British?