Engelbert Humperdinck Net Worth - Pulptastic

May 22, 2024

What is Engelbert Humperdinck’s net worth?

Engelbert Humperdinck, a British Indian pop singer, has a net worth of $180 million, according to reports. He is considered one of the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold over 140 million records globally throughout his career.

Early Life and Career

Arnold George Dorsey, later known as Engelbert Humperdinck, was born on May 2, 1936 in Madras, India to British Army NCO Mervyn Dorsey and his wife Olive. He grew up in Leicester, England where he developed an interest in music and learned to play the saxophone. In the early ’50s, he played saxophone in nightclubs but didn’t start singing until his late teens. He gained fame for his impression of Jerry Lewis and worked under the name Gerry Dorsey for almost a decade. However, his music career was put on hold when he was drafted into the British Army Royal Corps of Signals.

Early Career and Name Change

After being discharged from the Army, Engelbert Humperdinck recorded his first single in 1958 with Decca Records, but it did not gain much success. He continued performing in nightclubs until he was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1961. After recovering, he struggled to make a name for himself in the music industry.

In 1965, Humperdinck’s former roommate and Tom Jones’ manager, Gordon Mills, suggested he change his name to Engelbert Humperdinck to stand out. He signed a new deal with Decca Records under this new name and has been performing under it ever since. He gained early success in Belgium in 1966 when he represented Brian in the annual Knokke song contest with four others.

Engelbert Humperdinck’s Music Career

Engelbert Humperdinck is known as “The King of Romance” and gained popularity with his hit song “Release Me (and Let Me Love Again)” in 1967. The song became a top ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic and reached No. 1 in Britain, beating out The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever.” His B-side “Ten Guitars” also became a hit in New Zealand. Humperdinck’s easy listening style and good looks earned him a large following, especially among women.

Following the success of “Release Me,” Humperdinck had a run of seven consecutive No. 1 hits. He also fronted his own TV series, “The Engelbert Humperdinck Show,” in the late ’60s and starred in another series, “Engelbert with the Young Generation,” in 1972.

In the mid-’70s, Humperdinck focused on selling albums and live performances, developing a lavish stage presence and productions that made him a natural for Las Vegas. He performed regularly at the Riviera Hotel and had a hit in 1976 with “After the Lovin’,” which was nominated for a Grammy award. The album of the same name reached the top 20 and was a double-platinum hit for the singer. In 1979, he took his stage show to Broadway.

Engelbert’s Career Highlights

In the 1980s, Engelbert Humperdinck performed as many as 200 concerts a year and recorded regularly. He also made several appearances on popular TV shows at the time, including “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island.” In 1989, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and won a Golden Globe Award as Entertainer of the Year.

In the late ’90s, Humperdinck contributed a track for the animated film “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America” and released “The Dance Album,” which featured dance-club style versions of his hits. He appeared on numerous TV and radio shows, including “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Howard Stern Show,” and performed at events such as the 1996 Daytona 500 when he sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In 1988, Humperdinck filed a libel suit against the National Enquirer after the publication made false statements about him that were said to have originated from the mother of his “illegitimate child,” Kathy Jetter.

Engelbert Humperdinck’s Continued Success in Recording and Performing

Engelbert Humperdinck’s recording career has spanned decades and continues into the new century with a range of musical collaborations. In 2014, he released an album of duets called “Engelbert Calling,” featuring a long list of A-listers such as Elton John, Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, and many more. Despite his long career, he continues to record and perform live, with 2017 marking the 50th anniversary of his first international chart success. Two celebratory disc sets were produced in the early summer of that year. As a majorly successful entertainer, he tours internationally and has performed in North America, Europe, Australia, and the Far East.

Philanthropic Efforts of Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck, who married Patricia Healey in 1964 and had four children together, is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has been involved with several nonprofits including the American Red Cross, the American Lung Association, and several AIDS relief organizations.

Additionally, in 1977, Kathy Jetter gave birth to Humperdinck’s daughter, Jennifer.

Real Estate Investments of Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck oversees several real estate investments in Hawaii, Mexico, and Los Angeles. In the late 70s, he purchased a home in LA that was previously owned and decorated entirely pink by Jayne Mansfield. The house was affectionately known as “the Pink Palace.” However, Engelbert sold the property to developers in 2002, and it was subsequently demolished.

In the 80s, Engelbert bought a hotel in La Paz, Mexico, which he renamed La Posada de Engelbert. The hotel gained a reputation as a quirky, off-the-beaten-path gem and flourished for some time. However, in 2012, the hotel was demolished and replaced by the Posada Hotel Beach Club.

In 2005, Engelbert purchased a home in LA’s Bel Air neighborhood for $3 million. He listed the property for sale in May 2022 and ultimately accepted an offer of $4 million in October 2022.