Dr Dre Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Title: Dr Dre Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: April 12, 2025
What is Dr. Dre’s Net Worth?
Dr. Dre, an American rapper, entrepreneur, actor, and producer, boasts a net worth of $500 million. Recognized as one of the most successful entertainers over the past thirty years, he has amassed hundreds of millions through his music career and even more through various business ventures.
Throughout his career, Dre has sold hundreds of millions of singles and albums, both as a member of N.W.A and as a solo artist. Additionally, he played a crucial role in launching the careers of Eminem and 50 Cent through his production label, Aftermath Entertainment.
In the constantly evolving world of music, especially in hip-hop, artists can rise to fame and disappear just as quickly. A rapper might drop a hit mixtape or collaborate on a successful track, only to fade away from the spotlight. While some artists transition into different lives, others struggle to recapture early acclaim or face issues unrelated to their musical careers, hindering their continued production. Despite this trend, Dr. Dre, known by his real name Andre Romelle Young, has defied these odds and attained lasting success. Starting his rap career in the mid-80s with World Class Wreckin’ Cru, he gained notoriety after joining N.W.A, where he helped pioneer the “gangsta rap” genre alongside Ice Cube and Eazy-E, transforming the rap and hip-hop scenes forever. Fast forward to now, and he has put out several successful solo albums, won seven Grammy Awards (out of 26 nominations), established his own record label—Aftermath Entertainment, produced chart-topping tracks for numerous artists, including Eminem, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Young Buck, and Kendrick Lamar, and developed a line of signature headphones that he later sold.
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Beyond his musical endeavors, Dr. Dre, alongside music producer Jimmy Iovine, founded the consumer electronics brand Beats By Dre, which was sold to Apple in May 2014 for $3 billion. At the time of the acquisition, both Jimmy and Dre held 25% stakes in Beats, resulting in a pre-tax profit of $750 million for each. After the deal, Dre’s total fortune, including his other assets, amounted to $780 million after taxes.
In June 2020, news emerged that Dre’s 24-year marriage to Nicole Young had ended with her filing for divorce, with no prenup in place. A court submission in December 2021 revealed details about Dre’s financial state, indicating he controls assets worth between $450 million and $500 million, with a monthly income of approximately $230,000. Furthermore, the document revealed that in 2021, Dre sold $73 million in Apple shares, while holding $182,733,809 in checking and savings accounts along with $6 million in stocks and $270 million in personal assets.
Early Life and Early Success
Born as Andre Romelle Young on February 18, 1965, Dre grew up in South Central Los Angeles, right in the midst of the emergent West Coast hip-hop scene. During his teenage years, he often visited nightclubs where he picked up DJ skills. In 1984, he became a member of the electro-hop group World Class Wreckin’ Cru. After crossing paths with fellow rapper Ice Cube, Dr. Dre joined the rap project N.W.A., which was managed by rapper Eazy-E. The group released their debut album “Straight Outta Compton” in 1988 under Ruthless Records, founded by Eazy-E and Jerry Heller. This album, marked by its violent and profane themes, was groundbreaking and later achieved double platinum status, standing as a pivotal work in hip-hop history.
In 1989, Ice Cube departed from N.W.A. due to disagreements concerning royalty payments with Jerry Heller and Eazy-E. Eventually, Dr. Dre experienced a similar fallout with Eazy-E. After leaving the group in 1991, he co-founded Death Row Records alongside Suge Knight. Dr. Dre released his debut solo album, “The Chronic,” in 1992. The album sold 6 million copies worldwide and earned a reputation as one of the best-produced and most popular hip-hop albums ever. It reached number three on the Billboard 200 and achieved multi-platinum status within less than a year. The album also garnered Dr. Dre a Grammy for Best Rap Performance for his single “Let Me Ride.” While with Death Row Records, he produced tracks for label mates like Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Warren G, who is also his step-brother.
Dre parted ways with Death Row in 1996 due to frustration with the legal issues and conflicts plaguing the controversial label. He relinquished his rights to his back catalog and ownership in the company. Dre later expressed that he left $50 million behind when departing from Death Row. Shortly after, he founded Aftermath Entertainment, which would go on to host numerous talents like Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.
In 2001, Dre sold his stake in Aftermath Entertainment to Interscope Records for $52 million.
(Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for BET)
Beats By Dre and Sale to Apple
During a meeting in 2006 with Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the sound quality of his music through Apple’s plastic AirPods headphones. He commented during the meeting: “Man, it’s“It’s one thing for people to steal my music. To destroy the feeling of what I’ve worked on is another matter entirely.” By the end of their meeting, Jimmy and Dre resolved to establish their own headphone company.
Their initial collaboration was with Monster Cable to produce the first Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones, launching in July 2008. In August 2010, HTC, a mobile phone manufacturer, acquired 50.1% of Beats for $309 million, which valued the company at approximately $618 million. By July 2012, HTC sold half of its stake back to Jimmy and Dre for $150 million, keeping a 25% share. Subsequently, in September 2013, HTC divested its remaining 25% share back to Jimmy and Dre for $265 million. Around the same time, Beats announced it had secured a $500 million investment from the Carlyle Group, marking the first valuation of Beats at $1 billion. In January 2014, the company unveiled a subscription music service known as Beats Music.
On May 28, 2014, following weeks of speculation, Apple confirmed its acquisition of Beats by Dre for $3 billion. The deal included $2.6 billion in cash and $400 million in stock. At the time of the transaction, both Dre and Jimmy held 25% ownership of Beats, with their stakes valued at $750 million before taxes, approximately $500 million after taxes. The Carlyle Group reaped $1 billion from the deal.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Apple Stock Ownership
As previously noted, when Beats sold to Apple, a portion of the $3 billion purchase price, specifically $400 million, was paid in Apple stock. Being a 25% owner, Dre acquired $100 million worth of Apple shares. At the closure of the deal, Apple was trading at approximately $95 per share, equating to around 1 million shares received. As of now, Apple’s stock value is just over $200 per share, meaning if Dre retains all of his shares, his Apple stock alone is now worth $200 million (prior to taxes).
Dr. Dre Career Earnings By Year
2007 – $20 million
2008 – $15 million
2009 – $13 million
2010 – $17 million
2011 – $14 million
2012 – $110 million
2013 – $40 million
2014 – $620 million
2015 – $33 million
2016 – $41 million
2017 – $34.5 million
2018 – $35 million
Total: $992.5 million
Catalog Sale
In January 2023, Dr. Dre completed a transaction to sell his artist royalties, producer royalties, his share of N.W.A. royalties, and writer’s royalties for $200 million. This agreement also encompassed the master recordings of his iconic 1992 album “The Chronic” and his share of Kendrick Lamar’s projects released under the label he established with Interscope for the up-and-coming rapper. Shamrock Holdings, known for possessing Taylor Swift’s catalog, reportedly acquired 75-90% of the rights in the $200 million deal, with Universal acquiring the remaining portion.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Philanthropy
Together, Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine made a notable donation of $70 million to the University of Southern California in May 2013, aiming to create the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation.
In June 2017, he contributed $10 million towards the construction of a performing arts center at Compton High School.
Dr. Dre Real Estate
Dr. Dre’s real estate portfolio is valued at a minimum of $80 million.
Woodland Hills: During the late 1990s, Dr. Dre acquired a mansion in Woodland Hills, California, for $2.4 million. After he listed it for sale in July 2019 at $5.25 million, he found a buyer a month later for $4.5 million. The mansion was situated in a gated community and sprawled over a 16,000+ acre lot. In 2014, shortly after selling Beats, he invested $50 million in a stunning new mansion formerly owned by Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen in Brentwood.
Hollywood Hills: In January 2013, he sold his mansion located in Hollywood Hills for $32.5 million, having purchased it in 2001 for $15.4 million.
Malibu: Dr. Dre bought a beachfront mansion in Malibu in 2000 for $4.8 million. Constructed in 1993, the property boasts 8,800 square feet, six bedrooms, and seven bathrooms, located on the highly sought-after Carbon Beach. In November 2022, Dre put this Malibu mansion on the market for $20 million. You can catch a glimpse of it at the 10-minute mark of this drone video:
Calabasas: In 2018, he purchased a mansion in Calabasas, California, for $4.9 million, which he sold for $6 million in January 2023, but still retains another mansion in Calabasas. Here’s a video tour of his previous Calabasas residence:
Pacific Palisades: He spent $2.25 million in 2019 for a relatively modest ocean-view home in the Pacific Palisades, situated within a gated community.
Personal Life
Dr. Dre became a father at the age of 16 in 1981, welcoming a son named Curtis with his then-girlfriend, a 15-year-old named Cassandra Joy Greene. Curtis, who is a rapper, goes by the name Hood Surgeon and reportedly met his father for the first time in his 20s.
In 1983, Dr. Dre welcomed another child, a daughter named La Tanya Danielle Young.
Later, in 1988, Dre had a son with his girlfriend Jenita Porter.
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His father’s name, Andre Young Jr., was bestowed upon him. Sadly, in August 2008, Andre passed away due to a drug overdose.
In 1990, Dre became a father to a son named Marcel with singer Michel’le.
Dre was married to Nicole Young from 1996 until she initiated divorce proceedings in 2020. Together, they have two children: a son named Truice and a daughter named Truly. Reports at the time of her June 2020 divorce filing indicated that there was no prenuptial agreement in place, potentially granting her a sizable portion of his wealth. The couple’s divorce was finalized in December 2021.
In January 2021, Dre experienced a brain aneurysm and was admitted to the ICU at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. While he was receiving treatment, his residence became the target of an attempted burglary, prompting an outpouring of support from various celebrities, including LeBron James, Martin Lawrence, Snoop Dogg, Ellen DeGeneres, and Russell Wilson. He was discharged from the hospital in February.
Divorce Settlement
Ultimately, Dr. Dre consented to pay Nicole $100 million in two installments. He initially provided her with $50 million upfront and is scheduled to pay the remaining $50 million a year later.
Super Bowl Halftime Show
On February 13, 2022, Dre was the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. His performance featured Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige, along with surprise appearances by 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak. This occasion marked the first Super Bowl halftime show to receive the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).
Dr Dre Net Worth (Money & Salary)
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Data is sourced from 2023 and 2024, with forecasts extending into 2025 and 2026. The forecast data also includes projections for 2027 and 2028.
* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.
Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Post Title: Dr Dre Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: April 12, 2025