What is Bernie Taupin's Net Worth?
Bernie Taupin is a prolific English singer, songwriter, poet, and lyricist who has a net worth of $200 million. A large portion of Bernie Taupin's net worth is based on the value of Bernie and Elton John's song catalog. Bernie wrote the lyrics for the majority of Elton's biggest hits.
Bernie and Elton first met in 1967 when both men answered an ad seeking new songwriters. They quickly connected and soon realized they made a good team. Elton John was capable of writing excellent music, but his songwriting abilities were lacking. Taupin was the exact opposite. Together, they realized that they could achieve great things.
Bernie has been described as the lyrical translator of Elton's moods, memories, and fantasies. Despite not being a gay man himself, Bernie has been able to tap into a wide range of Elton's emotions over the decades when he was both in and out of the closet. As an example of their collaborative relationship for the track "Your Song," one morning in the 1970s, while they were both staying at Elton's mom's apartment, Bernie wrote some lyrics on a piece of paper and then went to brush his teeth. By the time he came back, Elton had written the melody to what would become their first big hit in the United States. Bernie famously HATES the song "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," which he wrote. The song would go on to become their biggest European hit single.
Taupin and John were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992. Bernie calls his decades-long relationship with Elton a "nonsexual love affair."
Bernie Taupin and Elton John's biggest hits include:
- "Your Song" (1970): This was one of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's first big hits. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.
- "Tiny Dancer" (1972): While initially it didn't chart very high, it has become one of John's most enduring songs, largely due to its inclusion in the film "Almost Famous."
- "Rocket Man" (1972): This song reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
- "Candle in the Wind" (1973/1997): Originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, it became a global hit after being reworked in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana following her death. The 1997 version is one of the best-selling singles worldwide.
- "Crocodile Rock" (1973): This song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Elton John's first No. 1 hit in the US.
- "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (1974): This song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top 20 hit in the UK.
- "Daniel" (1973): This song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top 5 hit in the UK.
Early Life
Bernard John Taupin was born on May 22nd, 1950, in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. Raised in a farmhouse with no electricity by a family with French roots, Bernie eventually relocated with his parents to another farmhouse that did have access to electricity. Taupin grew up alongside two brothers and soon proved that he was not as academically gifted as his siblings. However, he showed a talent for creative writing at a young age.
At the age of 15, he worked as a trainee at a local newspaper. However, he quickly left this job and started hitchhiking around the country with his friends. He drank heavily, attended dances, and played snooker. After scraping together an income from various part-time jobs, he answered a fateful advertisement in a newspaper…
Career
The advertisement was for an audition with Liberty Records, which was seeking new talent. Bernie failed the audition, as did a completely unknown artist at the time named Elton John. After being rejected, John was able to see the poems written by Bernie. After becoming enamored with Taupin's writing, John connected with the lyricist. The pair immediately began making music together.
Over the years, Taupin and John collaborated on more than 30 albums. In 1977, John and Taupin parted ways briefly, allowing Bernie to work with a range of other artists. These included Alice Cooper. By 1980, the pair had started working together once again. Taupin is also known for writing the lyrics for a number of films, including "Aida," 1994's "The Lion King," and "Billy Elliot." He also wrote the screenplay for "Rocketman," the Elton John biopic.
In total, Taupin wrote almost too many Elton John hits to list. These include well-known songs like "Rocket Man,""Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," "Bennie and the Jets," and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hits continued throughout the 80s and the 90s, including "Sad Songs," "Simple Life," and "Believe."
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In 1991, the documentary "Two Rooms" highlighted the collaboration style between the two artists. Taupin wrote the lyrics and gave them to John, who composed music to the words. There was no further interaction between the two artists, especially during the early days of their collaboration. However, Elton and Bernie collaborated more closely as the years went by. Another film entitled "Rocketman" also highlighted the relationship between John and Taupin, and the pair won an Academy Award for the movie's song, "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again." In addition to music, Bernie and Elton have collaborated on a number of Broadway musicals.
Throughout the years, Bernie has worked with a vast number of other artists. He is especially well known for his work with bands like Starship and Heart. Taupin is also a producer, having produced the album "American Gothic" for David Ackles. This album was later hailed as the "Sgt. Pepper of Folk Music."
As a solo artist, Taupin first recorded spoken-word albums such as "Taupin" in the early 70s. He then released his first album as a singer, entitled "He Who Rides the Tiger." In 1996, Bernie created his own band called Farm Dogs. In addition, Bernie is an accomplished visual artist who has been displaying his artwork since 2010. His artwork has been displayed across the United States and Canada.
(Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
Relationships
Bernie Taupin has been married a total of four times throughout his life. His first wife was Maxine Feibelman, whom he married in 1971. Taupin's relationship with Feibelman, which eventually ended in divorce by 1976, influenced many of Elton John's songs. By 1979, Bernie had remarried Toni Lynn Russo, the sister of well-known actress Rene Russo. That marriage also ended in divorce in 1991.
By 1993, Taupin remarried for a third time, this time to Stephanie Haymes Roven, the daughter of well-known entertainers Dick Haymes and Fran Jeffries. This third marriage ended in divorce after five years, in 1998. In 2004, he married Heather Kidd. Kidd and Taupin have two children together, and the family lives in Santa Barbara County, California.
Real Estate
In 2017, it was reported that Taupin was selling a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley with a listed price of $4.7 million. The 30-acre ranch was purchased decades ago, and Bernie attempted to sell it for $5.95 million in 2016. After attracting no potential buyers, he cut the price and re-listed the ranch. The main house features five bedrooms, and there are separate spaces for a studio and an office. Bernie is famously fond of horses, and the residence features a "cavernous equestrian center" with an arena and stables.
Despite his love of horses, reports later stated that Taupin "no longer rides horses," and this was part of the reason he chose to sell. Additional highlights include a pizza oven, a pool, a pond, and outdoor riding rings.
