James Hillier Blount (Blunt) was born on the 22nd February 1974, in Tidworth, Wiltshire, England, and is a former officer in the British Army, and now a singer-songwriter possibly best known for his notable debut album “Back to Bedlam” (2004), which had two hit singles “You’re Beautiful”, and “Goodbye My Lover”. Blunt has won numerous awards including two MTV Video Music Awards, Ivor Novello Awards, two Brit Awards, and five Grammy nominations. His net worth significantly increased after the release of his first studio album. Blunt’s music career started in 2003.
Have you ever wondered how rich James Blunt is, as of mid-2016? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that James Blunt’s net worth is as high as $18 million. Having a successful musical career, and being one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Britain has helped him to improve his wealth substantially.
James Blunt Net Worth $18 Million
James Blunt is the first of three children of Jane Ann Farran Blount and Colonel Charles Blount, a cavalry officer in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars and later a helicopter pilot. Blunt was born in an army hospital, and his family has a significant military history that dates back to the 10th century. The Blunts had to move a lot due to the Colonel’s postings, so James lived in several locations in Europe. He went to Elstree School in Woolhampton, Berkshire, and later to Harrow School, earning A-levels in Economics, Chemistry, and Physics. Blunt studied at the Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering and Sociology at University of Bristol, and graduated in 1996.
Soon after finishing his studies, Blunt joined the army in 1996, and had to serve minimum four years because the Army sponsored him through university. After getting his Captain rank, he joined the Blues and Royals forces in Kosovo in 1999, and was assigned to the Republic of Macedonia–Yugoslavia border. A year later he was a member of the Queen’s Guard in London, before in 2002 Blunt left the army.
Blunt had violin and piano lesson when he was a kid, and was introduced to the electric guitar at the age of 14. The reason he left the army was to pursue his musical career, and he recorded “Back to Bedlam” in 2003 in Conway Recording Studios. The album came out in October 2004 and became an international hit a year later after the release of his third single “You’re Beautiful”. Before then, Blunt was a relatively unknown musician, but this single launched him to the top of the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006. The album sold over 11 million copies worldwide and was certified 10x platinum in Britain, entering the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest selling album in one year.
Blunt released his second studio album called “All the Lost Souls” in 2007, selling 4.5 million copies internationally. He also published a documentary named “James Blunt: Return to Kosovo” in 2008. James’ third album “Some Kind of Trouble” was released in 2010, but didn’t have the success of previous ones, as it sold only a million copies worldwide. “Moon Landing” is the name of Blunt’s fourth album, and most recently, he announced that he had started to work on his next album which should be released in 2016. Regardless, his net worth is still rising.
Regarding his personal life, James Blunt married Sofia Wellesley, a daughter of Lord and Lady John Wellesley, and granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Wellington in 2014, and the pair became parents in June 2016. Blunt resides in Ibiza but also owns properties in Verbier, Switzerland. James is supporting various charitable and environmental causes, having performed at the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium, London in 2007.
Brit Award for Pop Act (2006), MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video/Best New Act, MTV Australia Award for Song of the Year, Echo Award for Best International Newcomer/Best International Rock/Pop Male Artist, NRJ Music Award for International Breakthrough of the Year
Albums
Back to Bedlam (2004), All the Lost Souls (2007), Les Sessions Lost Souls (2008), Chasing Time: The Bedlam Sessions (2006), Some Kind of Trouble (2010), Moon Landing (2013), The Afterlove (2017)
Nominations
Grammy Award for Song of the Year, Grammy Award for Record of the Year, Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album, MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, Brit Award for British Single, Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act, Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Per...
Movies
20 to 1 (documentary, 2006), MTV Pilipinas Music Video Award (2006, TV movie), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
TV Shows
Dancing with the Stars (2011), The Office, MADtv, Grey's Anatomy, Torvill & Dean's Dancing on Ice, The X Factor (2005), Criminal Minds, Night of the Proms, Live from Studio Five
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Quote
1
[on Carrie Fisher] Ten years ago, I sat down at a restaurant with some mutual friends and she was at the end of the table. I was about to record "Back to Bedlam" and she unbelievably offered up her home to me. Outside my room she put a cardboard cutout of herself as Princess Leia, with her hair up in a bun. It was outside my bedroom, protecting me at night. This time around, I stayed with her again, and she gave me a lightsaber so I was safe. She's a very special, bright person - so bright that people might think she's a bit crazy.
2
[on Elton John] The kindest man I've ever met. On a music level, on a friendship level, on a humanitarian level this is an incredibly special person - and that's not including his other great talent, which is he is an incredible songwriter and a formidable performer.
3
I know I'm a pop star. But sometime I'd like to be a rock star.
4
I think Elton (Elton John) comes from a really special period. Phenomenal singer-songwriters, from David Bowie and Elton, Paul Simon.
5
Having been snubbed by the Mobos (Music of Black Origin awards) this year and deeply hurt and upset by that, I am creating the Mopos - The Music of Posh Origin. I'm hoping to beat Coldplay and Keane.
6
(at the 2006 Ivor Novello Awards) I'm going to be rude about this before anyone else has the chance - thank you so much for the award for most overplayed song.
7
Things take a long time, but when it's right things move fast.
8
It's always nice to be able to capture your life's experiences in a song and hold the emotion in that way.
9
I don't think about Norfolk as I write songs.
10
I think sensitive is the wrong description of me. I'm British, actually, so quite bad at expressing myself in conversation, as any ex-girlfriend will tell you. I'm probably emotionally stunted.
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Fact
1
In September 2014, Blunt married his fiancée, British society beauty and legal consultant Sophie Wellesley. She is the granddaughter of the Duke of Wellington.
2
Once put his sister on eBay, as "damsel in distress, needs knight in shining armour". The man who won the auction later married her.
3
Was best man at actress Tina Hobley's wedding to PR firm director Oli Wheeler.
(March 1, 2006) His song "You're Beautiful" became a US number one single, making him the first UK artist since Elton John in 1997 to top the US singles chart.
(February 15, 2006) Won two prizes at the 2006 Brit Awards for "Best Pop Act" and "Best British Male".
8
Wrote the song "You're Beautiful" after seeing another ex-girlfriend on the London Underground with her new boyfriend. He claimed on the BBC concert that aired on BBC1 on December 9, 2005 at 11:3s GMT that "our eyes met for a second but we relived an entire lifetime of memories".
9
Wrote the song "Good-bye My Lover", for an ex-girlfriend (who is still alive despite rumors that she passed on). He considered her to be the woman he wanted to marry before she left him.
10
He plays the guitar and the piano. He also writes all of his own lyrics and music.
11
He attended Harrow, a large, well-known public school for boys. His music was never appreciated in school as it was too emotional for the teenage boys in his class. Despite these set backs, he continued to practice everyday.
12
He was in the army for four and a half years. He spent six months in Kosovo as part of the peace keeping force. He recorded his memories of his time in the army in "No Bravery", the closing track of his album, "Back to Bedlam".
13
Had planned to be a musician after he saw an older boy playing the electric guitar it inspired him to become one too.
$18 Million
