Porter Wagoner Net Worth

What was Porter Wagoner's Net Worth?

Porter Wagoner was an American country music singer who had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death in 2007. Porter Wagoner was known for such songs as "A Satisfied Mind," "Misery Loves Company," "Skid Row Joe," and "The Carroll County Accident." He also formed a popular vocal duo with Dolly Parton, whom he introduced in 1967 on his syndicated television program "The Porter Wagoner Show." Elsewhere, Wagoner recorded some albums with the gospel quartet the Blackwood Brothers, and won three Grammy Awards with the group.

Early Life

Porter Wagoner was born on August 12, 1927 in West Plains, Missouri as the fifth and last child of Bertha and Charles.

Career Beginnings

Wagoner began his music career with the band the Blue Ridge Boys, performing on the radio station KWPM-AM from a butcher shop in West Plains. After that, in 1951, he began performing on KWTO in Springfield, Missouri. This eventually resulted in a record contract with RCA Victor.

Solo Music Career

Wagoner had his first number-one country hit in 1955 with the song "A Satisfied Mind." He followed that with the top-10 hits "Eat, Drink and Be Merry (Tomorrow You'll Cry)" and "What Would You Do? (If Jesus Came to Your House)." Following a number of moderately successful singles, Wagoner had his second number-one country hit, "Misery Loves Company," in 1962. Among his subsequent singles were "Cold Dark Waters," "I've Enjoyed as Much of This as I Can Stand," "Sorrow on the Rocks," "Green, Green Grass of Home," and "Skid Row Joe." In the second half of the 1960s, Wagoner had success with the singles "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" and "The Carroll County Accident," both of which peaked at number two on the country chart. His 1969 single "Big Wind" reached number three.

In the early 1970s, Wagoner's successful singles included "The Last One to Touch Me," "Charley's Picture," "Be a Little Quieter," "What Ain't to Be Just Might Happen," and "Highway Headin' South." During the latter half of the decade, his commercial success declined, with such singles as "Indian Creek," "Mountain Music," and "Hold on Tight" failing to reach the commercial heights of his previous releases. Wagoner didn't have many singles in the 1980s; his biggest hit of the decade, "This Cowboy's Hat," peaked at number 35 on the country chart. After doing little recording in the 1990s, Wagoner resumed his career in the 21st century with the album "The Best I've Ever Been." He released his final studio album, "Wagonmaster," in 2007.

(Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage)

Partnership with Dolly Parton

In 1967, on his syndicated television program "The Porter Wagoner Show," Wagoner introduced singer Dolly Parton. During her tenure on the show through 1974, and for some years after, she recorded many songs with Wagoner, turning the pair into a successful vocal duo. Their first hit together was their 1967 cover of the Tom Paxton song "The Last Thing on My Mind," which peaked at number seven on the country chart.

Wagoner and Parton went on to have a string of further top-10 hits, including "Holding on to Nothin'," "We'll Get Ahead Someday," "Just Someone I Used to Know," and "Better Move it on Home." In 1974, they had their sole number-one single, "Please Don't Stop Loving Me." Subsequent successful singles included "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" and "Making Plans."

I Will Always Love you

In 1973, Dolly wrote "I Will Always Love You" as a farewell song to Porter after she had decided to pursue a solo career. After seven years on "The Porter Wagoner Show," Parton decided to pursue a solo career, but struggled to communicate her decision to Wagoner. Finding words difficult, she channeled her emotions into song, crafting the poignant ballad as a way to express her gratitude while making a clean break. When she performed it for Wagoner, he was moved to tears and told her it was the prettiest song he'd ever heard.

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The Blackwood Brothers

In the second half of the 1960s, Wagoner collaborated on some albums with the gospel quartet the Blackwood Brothers. With the group, he won three Grammy Awards: one for Best Sacred Performance and two for Best Gospel Performance.

Later Career

Although his career waned in the 1980s, Wagoner remained active. In addition to acting in Clint Eastwood's 1982 musical Western film "Honkytonk Man," he produced an R&B album for Joe Simon and formed the girl group the Right Combination. In the 1990s, Wagoner hosted the program "Opry Backstage" on the Nashville Network. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002, and in 2007 was honored at the Grand Ole Opry on his 80th birthday.

Personal Life and Death

Wagoner was married twice, first to Velma Johnson for less than a year in 1943. He was with his second wife, Ruth Williams, from 1946 to 1966, although they didn't get divorced until 1986. Wagoner had three children named Richard, Denise, and Debra.

On October 28, 2007, Wagoner passed away from lung cancer in Nashville. His family and Dolly Parton were at his side. Following his funeral at the Grand Ole Opry House, Wagoner was interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Nashville Home

In 1985, Porter paid $201,000 for a 2.5-acre property in Nashville. The property features a 3,500-square-foot home. Porter's heirs sold this home in March 2025 for $1.7 million.

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