What Is Engelbert Humperdinck's Net Worth?
Engelbert Humperdinck MBE is a British Indian pop singer who has a net worth of $180 million. Engelbert Humperdinck is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. During his career to date, he has sold more than 140 million records worldwide.
Known for his rich, deep voice and charismatic stage presence, Engelbert first rose to prominence in the 1960s. His breakthrough came with the hit song "Release Me," which achieved remarkable success, topping charts globally. This song not only defined his musical style but also set the stage for a series of successful releases.
Born in India to British parents and raised in Leicester, England, Humperdinck's early life was a far cry from the glitz and glamour of his later career. He started pursuing music seriously in his teens, initially performing in nightclubs under the name Gerry Dorsey, a moniker he used until his name change in the mid-1960s. The name Engelbert Humperdinck, borrowed from the 19th-century German composer, became synonymous with his new, more sophisticated image.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Humperdinck enjoyed significant success. His romantic ballads and pop hits resonated with audiences worldwide, leading to sold-out concerts and a dedicated fan base. Songs like "The Last Waltz," "After the Lovin'," and "A Man Without Love" are just a few examples of his widespread appeal. These songs not only showcased his vocal talent but also his ability to connect with the emotional core of his audience.
In addition to his musical achievements, Humperdinck's career has been marked by a series of television appearances, including his own music show, which further cemented his status as a household name. His charm and charisma made him a popular guest on various talk shows and music specials.
Early Life
Engelbert Humperdinck was born Arnold George Dorsey on May 2, 1936, in Madras, India. Humperdinck was one of ten children to British Army NCO Mervyn Dorsey and his wife Olive. He is of Welsh, German, and Anglo-Indian descent. His family moved to Leicester, England, when he was ten years old. Engelbert then showed an interest in music and began learning to play the saxophone. By the early '50s, Humperdinck was playing saxophone in nightclubs but didn't start singing until he was in his late teens. He became known for his impression of Jerry Lewis, which prompted his friends to give him the nickname Gerry Dorsey, a name he worked under for nearly a decade. His attempt to get his music career off the ground was interrupted by being drafted into the British Army Royal Corps of Signals.
Early Career
After his discharge from the Army, Engelbert got a chance to record in 1958 with Decca Records. His first single, "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," did not take off. He continued working in nightclubs, but in 1961, he was stricken with tuberculosis. He eventually regained his health and returned to music but with little success. He teamed up with Gordon Mills, his former roommate in the Bayswater area of London, who had become the manager of Tom Jones. Mills suggested a name change to the more arresting-sounding Engelbert Humperdinck. He adopted the name professionally but not legally. Mills arranged a new deal for him with Decca Records, and Dorsey has been performing under the name ever since. He enjoyed early success in July 1966 in Belgium, where he and four others represented Britain in the annual Knokke song contest.
Success
In the mid-60s, Humperdinck visited German songwriter Bert Kaempfert in Spain and offered arrangements for three songs: "Spanish Eyes," "Strangers in the Night," and "Wonderland by Night." He returned to Britain to record all three songs. "Strangers in the Night" was quickly requested by Frank Sinatra.
Also known as "The King of Romance," Engelbert first became known for his 1967 hit "Release Me (and Let Me Love Again)." The song made the top ten lists on both sides of the Atlantic and got to #1 in Britain, beating out The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" for the top spot. His B-side "Ten Guitars" became a huge hit in New Zealand. "Release Me" spent 56 weeks in the Top 50. What followed was a run of seven releases, which were all consecutive #1 hits. His easy listening style and good looks earned a large following, especially among women. From 1969 to 1970, Humperdinck fronted his own TV series, "The Engelbert Humperdinck Show," for ATV in the UK and ABC in the U.S. By the start of the '70s, he had settled into a busy schedule of recordings. In 1972, he starred in another series for BBC 1, "Engelbert with the Young Generation." It ran for 13 weeks. By the middle of the decade, he was concentrating on selling albums and on live performances. He developed a lavish stage presence and productions, which made him a natural for Las Vegas. He performed regularly at the Riviera Hotel in Vegas through the early and middle years of the decade. In 1976, he had a hit with "After the Lovin'," which became a top 10 hit in the U.S. and 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, Humperdinck took his stage show to Broadway.
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1980s
In the 1980s, Engelbert consolidated his discography, recorded regularly, and performed as many as 200 concerts a year while also headlining appearances in Las Vegas. In the mid-80s, he made many appearances as an actor on popular TV shows at the time, including "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island." He continued to perform and record throughout the eighties.
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 later years (late '90s), he recorded a track for the animated film "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America" and also released "The Dance Album," which featured dance-club style versions of his hits. Engelbert retained a large public profile during these years and made numerous appearances on TV and radio, including on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Howard Stern Show," and he performed at events such as the 1996 Daytona 500 when he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Recent Success
Humperdinck's recording career has continued into the new century and includes a range of musical collaborations. In 2014, he teamed up with a huge list of A-listers for an album of duets called "Engelbert Calling," featuring Elton John, Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, John Il Divo, Willie Nelson, Lulu, Gene Simmons, Shelby Lynne, Smokey Robinson, Wynonna Judd, Kenny Rogers, Andrea Corr, Johnny Mathis, Tini, Neil Sedaka, Dionne Warwick, Charles Aznavour, Beverly Knight, Armando Manzanero, Luis Fonsi, and Ron Sexsmith. He continues to record and perform live, and for the 50th anniversary of his first international chart success, two celebratory disc sets were produced in the early summer of 2017. Well into his sixth decade as a majorly successful entertainer, Engelbert continues his schedule of international concert dates and tours North America, Europe, Australia, and the Far East.
Personal Life
In 1964, Humperdinck married Patricia Healey, and they had four children together. In 1977, Kathy Jetter gave birth to Humperdinck's daughter, Jennifer.
His philanthropic efforts include involvement in such nonprofits as the American Red Cross, the American Lung Association, and several AIDS relief organizations.
Real Estate
Humperdinck oversees a number of real estate investments in Hawaii, Mexico, and Los Angeles.
In the late '70s, he bought a home in LA that is affectionately known as "the Pink Palace." The Pink Palace was previously owned and decorated entirely pink by Jayne Mansfield. He sold the property to developers in 2002. The home was subsequently demolished.
In the eighties, Humperdinck bought a hotel in La Paz, Mexico, and renamed it La Posada de Engelbert. The hotel flourished for some time and acquired a reputation as a quirky, off-the-beaten-path gem. The hotel was eventually demolished in 2012 and replaced by the Posada Hotel Beach Club.
In 2005, Engelbert paid $3 million for a home in LA's Bel Air neighborhood. He listed this home for sale in May 2022, ultimately accepting $4 million in October 2022.
