Usher Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Usher’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $180 million, Usher is a well-known American singer, songwriter, producer, and actor. His journey in entertainment began in childhood, where he first performed in a pre-teen group and later showcased his talents on “Star Search” at the age of 13. This performance led to a significant opportunity with L.A. Reid and LaFace Records, setting the stage for his future success.

By the time he finished high school, Usher’s debut album had already sold 500,000 copies. At 19, he released his second album, “My Way,” which turned out to be a tremendous success, generating a #1 single and achieving 7x Platinum status in the U.S. The popularity of this album has endured through the years. Following this, he consistently released a series of successful albums and singles, such as “8701,” “Confessions,” “Here I Stand,” “Raymond vs. Raymond,” “Versus,” and “Looking 4 Myself.” His album “Confessions” notably reached Diamond status, indicating over 10 million copies sold.

Aside from his flourishing music career, he also has enjoyed considerable success in film and television, taking on guest and supporting roles in projects like “Moesha,” “The Faculty,” “She’s All That,” “Light It Up,” “In the Mix,” and “Killers.” Furthermore, he has held a position as a judge on “The Voice.”

As of now, Usher has sold around 80 million records worldwide, placing him among the best-selling artists in history. He is a co-founder of RBMG Records, alongside Scooter Braun, which manages Justin Bieber’s record label. In 2024, Usher performed as the headliner for the halftime show at Super Bowl LVIII.

Early Life

Born Usher Raymond IV on October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, Usher was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His mother, Jonetta, and his father, Usher Raymond III, noticed his vocal abilities early on and encouraged him to join the local church choir at the age of nine. To further his musical career, the family relocated to Atlanta, where Usher began recording professionally and made guest vocal appearances. He was educated at North Springs High School.

Career

After performing on “Star Search” at just 13, Usher caught the attention of a rep from LaFace Records who arranged an audition with one of the label’s co-founders. Following his audition with Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road,” Usher was signed instantly. His mother left her job to oversee his career. While working on his debut album, he faced puberty-related challenges in adjusting his singing voice, prompting the label to pause his project and send him to New York in 1994 for a singing and coaching “camp” with Puff Daddy. Usher’s debut, self-titled album was released on August 30, 1994, when he was only 16, and it reached #25 on the “Billboard” charts.

September 1997 saw the release of Usher’s sophomore album, “My Way.” The lead single, “You Make Me Wanna…” topped the charts in the U.K., marking his initial forays into Gold and Platinum certification.

In January 1998, the U.S. saw “Nice & Slow” reach the #1 spot. The album has received a six-time platinum certification. Usher’s third album, “8701,” was launched in August 2001, with hit singles “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Back” both achieving the top position on the “Billboard” Hot 100. For “U Remind Me,” Usher won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and he secured the same accolade the following year for “U Don’t Have to Call.”

Usher’s fourth album, “Confessions,” was released in March 2004 and debuted with sales of 1.1 million units—the highest first-week sales ever recorded for a male R&B artist. The single “Yeah!” held the #1 position for six consecutive weeks. “Confessions” brought Usher numerous awards and accolades, including three Grammys.

Following this success, Usher released five additional studio albums: “Here I Stand” (2008), “Raymond v. Raymond” (2010), “Looking 4 Myself” (2012), “Hard II Love” (2016), and “Coming Home” (2024). All five albums secured positions in the top five on the “Billboard” 200 chart. He also collaborated with Zaytoven for the 2018 album “A.” In 2019, Usher announced his work on “Confessions II,” expected for future release.

Several of Usher’s albums debuted at the #1 spot on the “Billboard” 200 chart. Six of these albums have achieved Platinum status or higher from the RIAA, with “Confessions” selling over 10 million copies and receiving a Diamond certification in the USA. His ten #1 singles include “U Remind Me” (“8701”), “OMG” (“Raymond v. Raymond”), and “Yeah!” (“Confessions”), which topped charts in nine countries and became the top-performing single of 2004 in the USA. He continues to impress audiences with his energetic and innovative live shows. Usher is regarded as a legendary figure in R&B and frequently appears on lists of the greatest R&B vocalists of all time. He has served as a source of inspiration and a major influence for a new generation of R&B artists. Over the years, he has also engaged in partnerships and endorsements with major brands like Samsung, Mastercard, and Pepsi, solidifying his status as a household name.

Beyond his own projects, Usher has contributed to numerous other songs and albums, featuring in tracks such as “How Much” (Mariah Carey, “Rainbow”), “Same Girl” (R. Kelly, “Double Up”), and “First Dance” (Justin Bieber, “My World”). His accolades include eight American Music Awards, eight Grammy Awards, and 18 “Billboard” Awards.

Other Ventures

As an actor, Usher has appeared in many notable productions, including “Moesha,” “The Faculty,” “She’s All That,” and “In the Mix.” His side endeavors comprise the establishment of US Records, co-ownership of the professional basketball team the Cleveland Cavaliers, and co-ownership of Tidal.

In 2022, Usher joined forces with Remy Martin, featuring in commercials to promote their champagne.

RBMG Records

In 2008, Usher, along with music manager Scooter Braun, formed a record label called Raymond Braun Media Group, or RBMG Records. This venture was created in partnership with Island Def Jam to introduce teen singer Justin Bieber, whom Braun discovered on YouTube and subsequently brought to Usher for a tryout in Atlanta.

Justin was then auditioned by Usher for LA Reid, the head honcho at Island Def Jam, leading to a swift signing of a deal.

Philanthropy

Usher established a non-profit organization named New Look, with the mission to “provide young people with a new perspective on life through education and real-world experience.” He has initiated chapters in numerous major countries throughout the U.S. For his efforts with New Look, Usher received the Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, an honor designated for individuals who have dedicated themselves to justice, equality, and civil and human rights.

Following Hurricane Katrina, he initiated Project Restart to assist over 700 families in securing or rebuilding their homes. In recognition of his significant contributions, Usher was awarded the key to the city of New Orleans in 2008, and the city’s mayor declared a day in his honor, known as Usher Day.

In 2015, he collaborated with fellow artists to raise over $500,000 in scholarships for students attending historically black colleges. He partnered with UNCF to establish the Usher Raymond Scholarship Program and awarded a student a $100,000 scholarship to Tuskegee University.

Personal Life

Between 2001 and 2003, Usher was in a relationship with TLC member Chilli Thomas. He married stylist Tameka Foster in 2007 and became a stepfather to her three sons from a previous relationship. The couple also welcomed two sons of their own.

In 2009, Usher and Foster divorced, which prompted a highly publicized child custody battle that wasn’t resolved until 2012, when a judge granted Usher primary custody of their two sons.

In September 2015, Usher married his long-time girlfriend and manager, Grace Miguel. However, he filed for divorce in December 2018. The following year, he began dating music executive Jenn Goicoechea, and in September 2020, the couple welcomed their first daughter. A second child followed in September 2021. In February 2024, Usher and Jenn got married.

A notable achievement in 2023 saw Usher receiving an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.

Real Estate

Usher purchased a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Alpharetta, Georgia, for $1.2 million in 1998. He eventually sold the property in 2018 for $1.5 million, although he initially hoped to list it for $2.5 million. His first encounter with the home occurred in 1991 when he was still a teenager, while it was owned by music industry mogul LA Reid. Usher acquired the house seven years later at the age of 20.

Perri “Pebbles” Reid, the ex-wife of Reid and creator of the girl group TLC, was the seller.

In 2007, Usher made a purchase of a palatial estate in Roswell, Georgia for $3.04 million, which measures 13,000 square feet. He sold this residence in 2013 for $2.2 million. Additionally, in 2007, he acquired a 2,908-square-foot home in Atlanta for $970k, but unfortunately sold it at a loss of $775k in 2019.

In 2015, Usher invested in a property in the Hollywood Hills, located above the Sunset Strip, for $3.37 million. At one point, he listed this property for $4.2 million, but ultimately accepted $3.3 million when he found a buyer in November 2018. In 2022, he purchased another home in the Hollywood Hills, this time for $3.4 million, which he later sold in July 2024 for $3.8 million.