Born Richard Starkley Jr. on 7 July 1940, in Liverpool, England, but known by the stage name of Ringo Starr, he is a drummer, songwriter, peace activist, film director, as well as a singer, still best known for his involvement with the legendary rock band called The Beatles. Founded in 1960 in Liverpool, The Beatles also consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, The band rose to prominence in the United Kingdom in 1962, and came to dominate the pop music scene virtually worldwide over most of the next decade.
So just how rich is Ringo Starr, as of mid-2017? According to authoritative sources, Ringo’s net worth is estimated to be $380 million, most of which he accumulated during his direct and later indirect involvement with The Beatles, as well as his solo career. Among Starr’s most valuable assets are properties in London, Monaco and Los Angeles.
Ringo Starr Net Worth $380 Million
Ringo’s parents – Elsie and Richard – enjoyed singing and dancing, but divorced when he was six. Starr studied at St Silas, and later at Dingle Vale secondary modern school, but his education was hindered by serious bouts of appendicitis and tuberculosis, however, while recovering from the latter, he was introduced to drumming, in which he became increasingly interested. Leaving school early, he had several menial jobs, but also as an apprentice machinist where he joined other young apprentices to form Edie Clayton and the Clayton Squares, playing skiffle at local venues, facilitated by an old drum kit given to Ringo by his stepfather, Harry Graves. Joining Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, more permanent venues and some success saw them playing in Europe, including with the fledgling Beatles in Hamburg, with whom Ringo also collaborated – he subsequently joined the band in 1962, having somewhat reluctantly given-up his apprenticeship after four years of a five-year course. However, his net worth was about to really take-off!
With the release of a the single called “Love Me Do”, The Beatles had their first hit song, and a year later in 1963, the group released their debut album called “Please Please Me”, which was later included in a list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The Beatles reached international fame in 1965, with the release of the “Rubber Soul” album, which sold more than six million copies in the US alone. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” came out in 1967, to positive feedback and considerable commercial success – the album maintained the #1 position on the music charts in the UK for 22 consecutive weeks, won four Grammy Awards, and is now recognised by authoritative publications worldwide as the greatest album of the pop era. The album featured such hit songs as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, “A Day in the Life”, “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever”. The Beatles subsequently released twelve albums, the last in 1970 under the title “Let It Be”, which produced a popular single of the same name. The group broke up shortly afterwards in 1970, while its members went on to launch solo careers, all helping increase their net worth.
Even though he is best known as a member of “The Beatles”, Ringo Starr managed to launch a successful solo career as well. His debut solo album came out the same year that The Beatles broke up, in 1970, under the title of “Sentimental Journey”, which met with fairly positive reviews, despite some critics being displeased with its odd composition. To date, Ringo Starr has released 17 solo albums, the most recent of which is entitled “Ringo 2012”. His net worth benefited somewhat from all his efforts.
Over the years, Ringo has also collaborated with numerous high profile artists, including former Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Jeff Lynne among many others, and has also participated in several charity concerts, plus the “Concert for George” following Harrison’s death in 2001. He also formed, and has periodically toured with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band.
Starr has been the winner of 10 Grammy Awards, and has succeeded in selling 600 million albums worldwide, mostly with The Beatles. Among many awards, Ringo was rewarded with an MBE by The Queen in 1965, and inducted as a solo artist into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 – The Beatles were inducted in 1992.
In his personal life, Ringo Starr was married to Maureen Cox (1965-75) with whom he has three sons – son Zak is also a drummer. He married American actress and model Barbara Bach in 1981, and having both recovered from alcoholism in the ’80s, they divide their time between their residences in Surrey, Monte Carlo and Los Angeles. They launched the Lotus Foundation charity, and are consistent contributors to various causes.
