Highlights
- Paul Simon, a music industry stalwart, has amassed a net worth of $200 million.
- Unfortunately, the 81-year-old has experienced a setback in his health.
- Simon remains resilient and continues to create new music.
Paul Simon has been a stalwart in the music industry for over six decades, having risen to prominence as one-half of the folk-rock band Simon & Garfunkel. The now 81-year-old has enjoyed immense success both as a solo artist and a member of Simon & Garfunkel, captivating audiences with timeless hits such as 'Bridge over Troubled Water,' 'Still Crazy After All These Years,' and 'Graceland.'
In addition to garnering numerous accolades, including the rare distinction of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, Simon has amassed a substantial fortune, with his current net worth estimated at a staggering $200 million.
Sadly, the now 81-year-old has suffered a few health setbacks in recent times, with his most recent being suddenly and inexplicably losing hearing in his left ear. Here’s how this unexpected development has affected the Rock and Roll legend's ability to make music and grow his net worth as a musician.
What Is Paul Simon’s Net Worth?
With a career spanning six decades, Paul Simon stands out as one of the most celebrated musicians of his generation. Starting out as one half of the folk-rock band Simon & Garfunkel, Simon went on to craft multiple iconic hits, including ‘The Sound of Silence,’ 'Bridge over Troubled Water,’ and ‘Mrs. Robinson.’
The now 81-year-old's career continued on an upward trajectory even after Simon & Garfunkel’s definitive split in 1970. His solo discography includes hits like 1975's ‘Still Crazy After All These Years’ and the groundbreaking, albeit highly controversial 1986 album ‘Graceland,’ which masterfully merged folk with African music influences.
Aside from earning him multiple accolades, Simon’s career has also been quite lucrative. The ‘Mrs Robinson’ singer has sold over 27 million albums worldwide, owing primarily to his best-selling album, ‘Graceland,’ which has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. Simon has also enjoyed considerable success with his tours, some of which have drawn crowds of over 700,000 people.
Beyond record sales and tours, Simon has leveraged his extensive musical repertoire to secure lucrative deals. In 2021, he made headlines by selling a massive portion of his song catalog for approximately $250 million, marking one of the most significant music deals of the past decade.
The rock and roll legend is currently worth a whopping $200 million, most of which he’s accrued from his illustrious music career.
Paul Simon Lost Hearing In His Left Ear
Though impressive, Paul Simon’s music career has not been without its setbacks. Back in May 2023, the ‘Graceland’ singer announced that he’d suddenly lost hearing in his left ear while on the cusp of completing his latest album, ‘Seven Psalms.’
“Quite suddenly I lost most of the hearing in my left ear, and nobody has an explanation for it,” he shared with The Times. “So everything became more difficult. My reaction to that was frustration and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself.”
Months down the road, Simon's hearing still hasn't returned, leaving him struggling to come to terms with his new impairment. “I haven’t fully digested it,” he shared during a Q&A session at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. “I haven’t accepted it completely, but I’m beginning to.”
Fortunately, the ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ singer's frustration over the unexpected impairment has somewhat abated.
“Something that happens to you, when you have some sort of disability that changes your awareness, that changes your interaction with facts of life,” he shared at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. “You just see things with a different perspective, and you’re surprised by the change. I’m not sure, at this point, that I can say what it is I’ve learned, but I’m getting new information in a way that is new to me.”
Has Paul Simon’s Hearing Loss Affected His Ability To Grow His Net Worth As A Musician?
Back in 2018, Paul Simon announced his retirement from touring, claiming that his hectic touring schedule had taken a significant toll on his family life. Nonetheless, the now 81-year-old continued to perform live, albeit not as frequently as he'd done throughout his career.
However, with his hearing still showing no signs of improvement, the ‘Graceland’ singer has had to make some concessions on this front. “I probably won’t be able to perform again because when there are drums or electric guitars, I can’t hear enough of myself to feel that I’m making music,” he shared during a Q&A session in London according to RollingStone.
Aside from album sales, Simon’s net worth has benefited extensively from live performances. The now 81-year-old has had some pretty successful concerts in his decades-long career, with some drawing crowds of over 750,000 people. With live performances no longer a viable option, the Simon & Garfunkel luminary might witness a significant decline in touring revenue.
That said, Simon’s hearing impairment hasn’t stopped him from creating new music, which holds the potential to generate additional income in the years to come.
“I have three songs in motion. One of them is finished. It feels like a half-step beyond what ‘Seven Psalms’ is, evolving into something else,” he revealed to Mojo in July according to NME. “And that’s literally a lifesaver because I haven’t figured out how to perform with the hearing loss. I’ve tried to rehearse with the guys in my touring band, to see if I could manage it. I can’t so far. This is at least an outlet for thinking musically.”
Fortunately, Simon is taking his inability to perform live in stride, sharing with The Times that not having the option to perform live might not necessarily be a terrible thing, as some of his songs aren't meant to be performed live.
“The songs of mine that I don’t want to sing live, I don’t sing them,” he said. “Sometimes there are songs that I like and then at a certain point in a tour, I’ll say, ‘What the f*** are you doing, Paul?’ Quite often that would come during ‘You Can Call Me Al.’ I’d think, ‘What are you doing? You’re like a Paul Simon cover band. You should get off the road, go home.’”
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