Here's How Keith Urban Made His $75 Million Fortune

Publish date: 2024-06-15

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If you're a fan of country music, then you've definitely heard of Keith Urban. This legendary singer has been captivating audiences for decades with his smooth voice and killer guitar skills, and it's no surprise that he's achieved massive success in the industry. But it's not just his talent that has contributed to his impressive $75 million net worth, it's also his smart business moves and tireless work ethic. From his successful music career to his lucrative endorsement deals, Keith has proven time and time again that he's a force to be reckoned with. So, just how did this talented musician turn his passion for music into a massive fortune? Keep reading to find out.

From A Struggling Musician To Country Music Superstar

Born in Whangarei, New Zealand, on October 26, 1967, Keith Urban's family moved to Caboolture, Queensland, Australia, when he was just two years old. Despite his young age, Keith displayed a strong interest in music, particularly country, and began taking guitar lessons at the age of six. His parents, avid fans of the genre, supported Keith's passion and encouraged him to perform in local theater companies and music competitions.

Keith's education includes elementary school in Australia, where he completed his primary education. He then attended high school in Brisbane, Queensland, where he graduated. After completing high school, Keith did not attend college. Instead, he pursued a career in music and acting and has had great success in both fields.

In 1983, Keith took a big step in his career by appearing on the Australian talent show New Faces. In addition to his successful music career, Keith has also gained recognition through his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman and the couple's two daughters. Additionally, Keith holds citizenship in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Now that we know who Keith Urban is, let us explore the various ways in which he made his $75 million fortune.

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From Down Under To Topping The Charts

Keith Urban released his self-titled debut album in Australia in the early 1990s, earning around $1 million. He then formed a band called The Ranch and released one album with them, earning around $500,000. In 1999, he released his self-titled American debut album which earned him almost $2 million and earned him awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

In 2002, he released his second American album, Golden Road, earning around $3 million and winning a Grammy award. He didn't stop working hard though as he made his European debut, earning around $4 million. He went on to release his third studio album, Be Here, in 2004, earning around $5 million and winning another Grammy award. The album was certified quadruple platinum in 2006. Urban also released a live album titled Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, in the same year, making about $6 million for himself in the process.

Gaining Fame And Fortune 

Keith Urban's career saw great success in 2008 with the release of his fifth studio album, Defying Gravity, which grossed $8.5 million. The following year, he judged the Independent Music Awards. He released his sixth studio album, Get Closer, in 2010, earning around $9 million.  His exceptional talent and excellent discography earned him an induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 2012 and in 2013, Urban released his eighth studio album, Fuse, earning around $10 million. His ninth album, Ripcord, was released in 2015. This album earned Urban around $12 million, just $2 million short of what his tenth album, Graffiti U, which was released in 2017 grossed. 

Not showing any sign of stopping, Keith released the singles We Were and God Whispered Your Name in 2019 and 2020, earning $1 million and $500,000 respectively. He also announced The Speed of Now Part 1 from which he earned $16 million. He didn't stop earning though as he made an additional $18 million through collaborations with Taylor Swift and Amy Shark. 2022 saw him release the singles Wild Hearts, Nightfalls, and Brown Eyes Baby, which earned him around $20 million. He went on to headline The Speed of Now World Tour with Ingrid Andress as the opening act, earning an additional $22 million. Urban closed 2022 with the release of Street Called Main, a song that grossed around $24 million.

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Keith’s Break Into The Movies And TV

Keith Urban appeared as a coach on the Australian version of the singing competition show The Voice in 2011 and 2012 and returned to the show for its 10th season in 2020. He served as a judge on American Idol from 2012 to 2016 and returned to the show for its 13th, 14th, and 15th seasons. It was announced in October 2022 that Urban would not be returning to The Voice for its 12th season in 2023 due to his upcoming tour.

Urban was featured in the Australian documentary film Slim and I in 2020, discussing the influence of Australian country music duo Slim Dusty and Joy McKean on his life.  His appearances in TV shows and documentary films definitely earned him a significant amount of money that has contributed to his net worth.

Urban’s Endorsement Deals And Other Income Sources

Keith Urban has endorsed and been sponsored by various brands and companies, including Fender Guitars, Toyota, Cabela's, Chaps, Jack Daniel's, and The Voice. In addition to these endorsement deals, Urban has also made money through the sale of his signature guitars on Home Shopping Network (HSN) and the sale of his music catalog to Litmus Music.

This catalog includes ten multi-platinum, platinum, or gold-certified studio albums and a greatest hits compilation, featuring twenty-four number-one songs and a record-breaking thirty-six consecutive top-five hits. Urban has donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his signature guitars to Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation and the Grammy Foundation.

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Sources: Smooth Radio, Celebrity Net Worth, Closer Weekly, and Yearly News.

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