Bobby Brown Net Worth: Formed New Edition at 12, Entitled to Whitney Houston’s Legacy, Now on a Legacy Tour. Is His Net Worth $2 Million?
Bobby Brown is an R&B icon with a unique melodic voice, incredible stage presence, and a dark side that has often turned his life upside down.
Like his personal life, Bobby Brown’s net worth is a roller coaster, from rags to riches and back. Here’s the intriguing story of this musical celebrity, how he rose to stardom, and what Bobby Brown is currently doing.
Bobby Brown’s Net Worth
Officially, Bobby Brown’s current net worth is assumed to be at $2 million. This amount often raises eyebrows, as the iconic singer has had a hugely successful career, and his lifestyle couldn’t have been more glamorous.
Looking closely, the low figure becomes more understandable. Brown’s many successes were associated with as many failures. He wasn’t a model citizen for decades, and his frequent transgressions cost him plenty.
Additionally, Brown has been involved in philanthropic activities that reduced his wealth considerably. However, He has been touring again with his original band, bound to refill his coffers.
He’s also entitled to Whitney Houston’s legacy as their only daughter passed away, leaving him as a benefactor. This could reinstate his net worth near the $40 million mark.
Who Is Bobby Brown?
Robert Barisford Brown was only three years old when he saw James Brown performing in Orchard Park, Roxbury. The little kid must’ve been deeply affected by the music that he joined the church choir a few years later.
Years later, he rose to fame and became a musical icon. Here’s how his journey began.
Early Beginnings
Brown’s childhood was marred by violence, need, and, eventually, transgression. His father was a construction worker, while his mother was a substitute teacher. They lived in the projects around similarly destitute families.
By the time Brown was a preteen, he had joined the neighborhood’s illegal activities. At that early age, this was mainly petty theft. But even that didn’t end well. When he was 11 years old, he witnessed the brutal death of his friend.
In 1982, as Brown turned 12, he formed a band with some of his friends. That was the year New Edition saw the light. In 1983, the band’s debut album, Candy Girl, became an instant hit. It reached #20 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
Despite the evident success of New Edition and Brown’s non-stop tours, albums, and hit single releases, he claims he never held more than a meager of money! In 1986, Brown decided to leave New Edition and fly solo.
Rising to Fame
In 1988, Brown met three songwriters and producers who would take his career straight to the top. R&B legends L.A. Reid, Teddy Riley, and Babyface were instrumental in creating Brown’s stellar album Don’t Be Cruel. The album sold more than 12 million copies upon its release.
The Golden Years
In the 1990s, Bobby Brown was one of the biggest stars, and it was reported that his debut album alone brought in more than $35 million. He lived life in a big way, but his luxurious lifestyle of expensive homes, cars, partying, and, unfortunately, drugs ate up most of his wealth.
This didn’t stop him from marrying Whitney Houston, who was just as glamorous and successful as he was. Their life together wasn’t a fairytale, though. Domestic violence, drug abuse, and adultery made the marriage a real tragedy.
Brown’s golden years included appearing in several movies and TV shows. This consists of a small scene in Ghost Busters. He reunited with New Edition twice, and he wowed everyone with memorable performances in both times.
He also did a reality TV show, but that didn’t gain as much applause from the audience as his other work.
Tragedy Hits
Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston managed to keep their exhausting marriage going for 15 years, from 1992 to 2007. They had one child together, who was also a celebrity: Bobbi Kristina.
Bobbi wasn’t Brown’s only child, though. He had three other children from different women before marrying Houston. Later on, after the divorce, he began a relationship with Alicia Etheredge and had a son and two daughters.
In 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub of the Beverly Hilton. A few years later, in 2015, her daughter Bobbi Kristina faced an uncannily similar end. Only five years after these horrible tragedies, Brown’s son was found dead at his home.
These dark years took a heavy toll on Bobby Brown. While many speculated that he would drown deeper in violence and drug abuse, he seemed willing to rise from the ashes and recreate his life.
What Is Bobby Brown Currently Up To?
Bobby Brown received tons of acclaim and awards over his long career, which kept him in a good place among his fans despite his edgy history.
As of 2023, Brown has reunited with New Edition, and they are successfully doing a Legacy Tour. His performance is impeccable, and the fans are receiving it pretty well.
Brown seems to have developed keen entrepreneurial savvy over the years, so he has a bunch of thriving businesses. He’s also giving back through his philanthropic endeavors, focusing mainly on preventing domestic abuse.
The Takeaway
The demons of childhood trauma or the excesses of sudden affluence can quickly destroy talent. Bobby Brown has experienced both, and many times, he failed life’s tests and tribulations. The important thing is that he ultimately turned his life around.
Another great takeaway from Bobby’s story is respecting one’s talent. Even at a young age, Bobby Brown believed in himself and knew that music was his calling. He gave music his everything until the whole world knew who he was.
Looking at Brown’s career, one cannot overlook the effect of the talented songwriters and producers that Brown chose to work with. He had a knack for reaching the best people in the industry and the intelligence to cooperate successfully with them.
