Rod Stewart: The Rock Legend's Journey And Net Worth

What’s the Deal with Rod Stewart’s Net Worth?

Let’s talk about Sir Rod Stewart CBE, the legendary British singer-songwriter whose net worth stands at an impressive $300 million. Now, here’s the kicker—this figure includes the value of his real estate and a $100 million sale of his music catalog in February 2024. Over the years, Rod has sold over 250 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians in history. He’s not just a one-hit wonder, either. Ten of his albums have hit the top spot, and he’s had chart-topping singles in six consecutive decades. That’s staying power, my friends.

Back in the day, Rod was just a young guy drawn to folk and R&B. One day, while playing harmonica on a London train platform, he caught the attention of Long John Baldry. This chance encounter led to gigs with the Hoochie Coochie Men and eventually landed him a record deal with Decca Records in 1964. But Rod’s journey wasn’t smooth sailing. He bounced around from group to group in the late ‘60s before joining the Jeff Beck Group as their vocalist. Together, they created a blues- and funk-influenced sound that paved the way for early heavy metal.

But Rod wasn’t content with just being part of a band. He launched his solo career in parallel, releasing his debut album, “An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down,” in 1969. This was just the beginning of a string of albums that cemented his status as a music icon.

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The 1970s were a game-changer for Rod. Tracks like “Maggie May” from the album “Every Picture Tells a Story” became anthems of the era. He masterfully blended rock with elements of folk and soul, creating a sound that resonated with audiences worldwide.

As the ‘80s and ‘90s rolled in, Rod continued to evolve, exploring new wave and pop. His hit “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” showed his ability to adapt to the disco-infused sounds of the time. And in the 2000s, Rod took a bold turn by releasing the “Great American Songbook” series, where he reinterpreted classic tunes from the early 20th century. These albums not only highlighted his versatility but also introduced timeless songs to a new generation.

Throughout his career, Rod has been showered with accolades, including two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—as a solo artist and as a member of Faces.

Catalog Sale: A $100 Million Deal

In February 2024, Rod Stewart inked a deal to sell his song catalog for a whopping $100 million. The sale included his publishing catalog, recorded music, and some name and likeness rights. It covered both his solo work and his contributions to bands like Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. The buyer? Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group. This deal was a testament to the enduring value of Rod’s music.

Rod’s Early Days: Where It All Began

Rod Stewart, born Roderick David Stewart on January 10, 1945, in London, England, was the youngest of five children. His parents, Robert Joseph Stewart and Elsie Rebecca Gilbart, nurtured his early years. Growing up, Rod was all about hobbies like building model railways and playing soccer. In fact, he was the captain of his school soccer team and even played for Middlesex Schoolboys. But music wasn’t on his radar until the early 1960s, when he picked up the harmonica and later the piano. Influenced by artists like Al Jolson and Little Richard, Rod left school at 15 with dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. He worked odd jobs, including a stint as a gravedigger at Highgate Cemetery.

Early Career: The Road to Stardom

Rod’s career began to take shape in 1962 when he started busking around Leicester Square with folk singer Wizz Jones. For the next year and a half, they traveled to places like Brighton, Paris, and Barcelona, honing their craft. Rod’s love for American rhythm and blues acts like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding grew stronger, leading him to join The Dimensions in October 1963 as a harmonica player and vocalist. Over the next few years, he was part of several musical acts before joining the Jeff Beck Group in 1966. This marked his first taste of success, releasing two albums and touring the UK and the U.S. His punk-rock style earned him the nickname “Rod The Mod.”

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Solo Career Beginnings and Faces: Balancing Acts

In October 1969, Rod joined the band Faces as their lead singer. Other members included Ron Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones. At the same time, Rod signed with Mercury Records as a solo artist, releasing his debut album, “An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down,” in 1969. Faces released their first album, “First Step,” in early 1970, which was heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones. The album did well in the UK and quickly earned them a dedicated live following.

Rod’s breakthrough came in 1971 with his solo album “Every Picture Tells a Story.” It featured hits like “Reason to Believe” and “Maggie May,” which topped the charts in both the U.S. and the UK simultaneously. “Maggie May” was even included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Faces released a second album, which saw more success, and they toured extensively in 1972. However, tensions arose due to Rod’s growing solo success. His second solo album reached #2 on the U.S. charts and #1 in the UK. Faces’ final album, “Ooh La La,” reached #1 in the UK in 1973, but Rod didn’t even sing on the title track. The band parted ways in 1975, marking the end of an era.

Career After Faces: A Continued Legacy

After Faces, Rod moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and continued to thrive. In 1976, his ballad “Tonight’s the Night” topped the U.S. charts for eight weeks. The ‘80s saw a slight slowdown, but his 1981 album “Tonight I’m Yours” went platinum. Despite some slower periods, Rod has consistently released music, earning 12 #1 albums and 11 #1 singles in the U.S. and UK. Ranked #33 in “Q” magazine’s “Top 100 Singers Of All Time,” Rod has sold over 130 million records worldwide. The “Sunday Times” Rich List of 2019 estimated his fortune at £190 million, making him one of the wealthiest in the British music industry.

Accolades: The Awards Keep Coming

Rod’s long list of accolades includes a Brit Award in 1993 for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004, he won his first Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album with “Stardust: The Great American Songbook Volume III.” Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1994, Rod also received the Diamond Award from the World Music Awards in 2001 for selling over 100 million records worldwide, along with a Legend Award from the WMA.

Personal Life: Love, Family, and Challenges

Rod’s personal life has been as colorful as his career. He’s the father of eight children with five different women. His first child, Sarah Streeter, was born when he was 18, and they decided to put her up for adoption. Rod met Streeter for the first time in 2008. He has two children with his first wife, Alana Stewart—Kimberly and Sean. With former girlfriend Kelly Emberg, he has a daughter named Ruby. Rod was married to model/actress Rachel Hunter from 1990 to 2006, with whom he had two children, Renee and Liam.

In 2005, at age 60, Rod became a father again to son Alastair Wallace with then-fiancee Penny Lancaster. They married in 2007 and welcomed their second son, Aiden, in 2011. Rod faced a health scare in 2000 when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After successful surgery, he had to re-learn how to sing.

Rachel Hunter Divorce Settlement: A Costly Split

When Rod filed for divorce in 2005, his net worth was around $120–$150 million. Most of this wealth was earned during his marriage to Rachel Hunter, after already paying a hefty settlement to his first wife, Alana Stewart. Rachel reportedly sought half of his net worth, which would have been $50–$75 million. In the end, they settled on undisclosed terms, with Rod providing funds for Rachel to buy several homes, a large settlement likely in the tens of millions, and an agreement to support their children financially.

Real Estate: Rod’s Luxurious Homes

Rod’s real estate portfolio is nothing short of impressive. In 1986, he bought a country estate in England for a little over $1 million, selling it in 2019 for $6.15 million. In 2013, he purchased Darrington House, an 18th-century castle, for $6.2 million. This 10-bedroom, 5-bathroom estate features cottages, a carriage house with a clock tower, a greenhouse, a wine cellar, and more. In 1995, he bought an oceanfront house in Palm Beach, Florida, for $7.2 million, now worth at least $20 million.

In 1991, Rod spent $12.1 million for a 20,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Park, Beverly Hills. In June 2023, he listed it for $70 million, then briefly removed it from the market before re-listing it in December 2023 for $80 million. By February 2024, he lowered the price to $74 million. Now that’s what I call luxury living!