Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80, was worth $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which tracks the wealth and finances of the rich and famous.
Watts, often referred to as one of the best drummers of all time, amassed most of his fortune through ownership of shares in corporate entities of The Rolling Stones, which include royalties, album sales and tours, as well as other business ventures, Celebrity Net Worth said.
He explored other business ventures – including a successful Arabian horse stud farm that he ran with his wife in rural England, it said.
Combined, the four band members of The Rolling Stones are worth an estimated $1.45 billion, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards earning the most at $500m each, followed by Watts and Ronnie Wood at $200m, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Watts was one of the 10 richest drummers in the world before his death, according to Wealthy Celebrity. The list is topped by Ringo Star of The Beatles and Metallica's Lars Ulrich with $350m, followed by Dave Grohl of Nirvana/Foo Fighter fame at $320m and U2's Larry Mullen Jr with $300m. Watts is equal sixth with the Eagles' Don Henley at $250m.
Originally trained as a graphic artist, Watts joined The Rolling Stones in January 1963 but also toured the world with his jazz band, The Charlie Watts Orchestra, which released 10 albums.
Watts and his wife, Shirley, bought the 242-hectare Halsdon Arabians stud farm at Dalton, Devon, in the early 1980s, where Polish Arabian horses are bred.
The couple regularly attended the annual Pride of Poland horse auction at Janow Podlaski and, in 2009, paid the highest price for a lot at the time – €500,000 ($587,154) for a mare named Pinta – according to website HorseTalk.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his publicist, Bernard Doherty, who said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.
“Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also, as a member of The Rolling Stones, one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
“We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.’’
Watts is survived by his wife, daughter Seraphina and granddaughter Charlotte.
