The Weeknd Net Worth

The Weeknd’s Net Worth: A Deep Dive into His Music, Investments, and Success

Introduction: The Rise of The Weeknd

The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, has rapidly ascended from a mysterious figure on YouTube to one of the most globally recognized and influential artists in contemporary music. His unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and electronic sounds, coupled with his distinctive vocal style and introspective lyrics, has captivated audiences worldwide. This article delves into the various facets of The Weeknd’s life, including his impressive net worth, real estate holdings, early life, career trajectory, musical style, business ventures, and philanthropic efforts. We’ll explore the journey of a young artist who defied convention to become a cultural icon.

The Weeknd’s Impressive Net Worth

As of 2024, The Weeknd’s net worth is estimated to be around $300 million. This substantial wealth is a testament to his extraordinary success in the music industry, his entrepreneurial endeavors, and shrewd investments. He has achieved this through record sales, streaming revenue, touring, brand endorsements, and various business ventures. The Weeknd’s financial achievements solidify his position as one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world.

The Weeknd’s Real Estate Portfolio

The Weeknd has invested significantly in real estate, owning luxurious properties that reflect his success. His portfolio includes:

• Los Angeles Penthouse: In December 2019, he purchased a penthouse in Los Angeles overlooking the Beverly Hills Country Club for $21 million, with monthly HOA fees of $6,800. He listed this property for sale for $22.5 million in January 2022 and eventually sold it in August 2023 for $19 million.
• Hidden Hills Estate: Previously, The Weeknd owned a three-acre estate in Hidden Hills, California, which he bought for $18 million in June 2017. The home, over 13,000 square feet, featured nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and a 1,200-square-foot guest house. He listed it for $25 million in June 2020, selling it to Madonna in April 2021 for $20 million. Madonna sold it in June 2023 for $23 million, after initially listing it for $26 million. A video tour of this estate is available:

• Bel Air Mansion: In August 2021, The Weeknd acquired a $70 million mansion in Los Angeles’ Bel Air neighborhood. The 33,000-square-foot property, purchased in an off-market deal, sits on 1.6 acres and boasts an indoor pool, sports court, movie theater, gym, music studio, and outdoor pool.

(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known as The Weeknd, was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario. He was raised by his mother and grandmother after his parents separated. His parents were Ethiopian immigrants who came to Canada in the late 1980s. The Weeknd’s early life was marked by religious influences, as he frequently attended the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. However, he also experienced challenges, including drug use beginning at age 11. He dropped out of high school before graduating, embarking on a path that would lead him to music.

The Breakthrough: From Mixtapes to Global Stardom

The Weeknd’s career began when he started uploading songs to YouTube. His stage name came from the fact that he left home one weekend and never returned. A crucial early connection was with producer Jeremy Rose, who was exploring “dark R&B.” Rose gave Tesfaye permission to use the songs but requested credit as a producer. The tracks gained a significant following, attracting attention from artists like Drake. His first major release was the mixtape House of Balloons, which was a critical and commercial success. Drake also showed his support, attending The Weeknd’s early concerts and later collaborating with him. Following the release of two more mixtapes, The Weeknd attracted the attention of major record labels.

(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Breakthrough

In 2012, after touring in the United States and Europe, The Weeknd partnered with Republic Records, creating his own imprint, XO. This partnership led to the release of Trilogy, a compilation of his first three mixtapes, finally crediting Jeremy Rose for his production work. The album charted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200. A year later, his first studio album, Kiss Land, was released and featured Drake; it debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard Top 200. Over the next few years, The Weeknd collaborated with artists such as Justin Timberlake and Ariana Grande and toured extensively.

Beauty Behind the Madness, The Weeknd’s second studio album released in 2015, was a massive success, debuting at the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 and eventually going platinum. He became the first male artist to hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot R&B Chart simultaneously, with three singles that also went platinum.

In 2016, The Weeknd released Starboy, which included tracks featuring Daft Punk. After further collaborations and touring, he released My Dear Melancholy in 2018. In 2017, The Weeknd set a Guinness World Record for the Most Streamed Album on Spotify in One Year. He also released his first greatest hits album, The Weeknd in Japan, in 2018. In 2020, he announced his next album, After Hours, followed by Dawn FM in 2022.

Earnings and Financial Success

The Weeknd’s income has been consistently impressive. Between June 2017 and June 2018, he earned an astounding $90 million. From June 2018 to June 2019, his earnings amounted to $40 million, demonstrating his ability to maintain a high level of financial success over time. His earnings come from album sales, streaming, touring, and brand endorsements.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The Weeknd’s Unique Musical Style and Influences

The Weeknd’s music is often classified within the R&B and hip-hop genres, although he transcends such simple categorization. His distinctive sound blends indie and electronic elements with R&B, creating a unique and atmospheric listening experience. His influences include artists like Michael Jackson and Prince. Lyrically, The Weeknd delves into emotionally complex themes, often exploring darkness, desire, and vulnerability.

Business Ventures and Brand Collaborations

Beyond his music, The Weeknd has engaged in a variety of business ventures and brand collaborations. He has worked with diverse companies, including condom companies, e-cigarette manufacturers, and Marvel. He is one of the “faces” of Apple Music and has served as a brand ambassador for Puma. The Weeknd is also heavily involved in fashion, selling his own “XO” branded merchandise and collaborating with brands like A Bathing Ape and designers such as Alexander Wang. He also owns shares in the esports company OverActive Media Group.

In August 2020, he partnered with TD Bank to launch Black HXOUSE. In March 2021, he auctioned off visual artwork and an unreleased song as an NFT on Nifty Gateway. In October 2021, he joined Tom Brady’s NFT platform Autograph as a board member.

Getty Images

Personal Life and Relationships

The Weeknd’s personal life has also attracted public interest. He dated model Bella Hadid starting in 2015, but they split in 2016, citing busy schedules. In 2017, he was in a relationship with Selena Gomez, and the couple lived together briefly before breaking up. The Weeknd and Bella Hadid rekindled their relationship in 2018 but separated again in 2019.

In April 2023, The Weeknd disclosed that he has attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in an interview with Interview Magazine.

Philanthropic Efforts

The Weeknd has consistently demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy. In April 2021, he donated $1 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support relief efforts in Ethiopia during the Tigray War. In March 2022, he partnered with the WFP to launch the XO Humanitarian Fund, donating $1 from every ticket sold during his “After Hours til Dawn Tour,” in addition to an initial $500,000 contribution. These actions show his dedication to using his platform to make a positive impact.

In 2015, he was arrested in Las Vegas for assaulting a police officer. He received a sentence of 50 hours of community service for the incident.

Awards and Accolades

The Weeknd’s contributions to music have been widely recognized. Over his career, he has won four Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, 20 Billboard Awards, 22 Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards. He has also received nominations for Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award, further illustrating his widespread influence and critical acclaim.

/**/

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s journey from an anonymous artist to a global superstar is a remarkable story of talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial acumen. His net worth reflects his success, earned through music, touring, and diverse business ventures. His musical style has redefined modern R&B, and his willingness to experiment has kept him at the forefront of popular culture. His philanthropy further cements his status as a multi-faceted icon. As The Weeknd continues to evolve, his legacy as one of the most influential artists of our time appears secure.