Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80, was worth $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which tracks the wealth and finances of the rich and famous.
Watts, often referred to as one of the best drummers of all time, amassed most of his fortune through ownership of shares in corporate entities of The Rolling Stones, which include royalties, album sales and tours, as well as other business ventures, Celebrity Net Worth said.
He explored other business ventures – including a successful Arabian horse stud farm that he ran with his wife in rural England, it said.
Combined, the four band members of The Rolling Stones are worth an estimated $1.45 billion, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards earning the most at $500m each, followed by Watts and Ronnie Wood at $200m, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Watts was one of the 10 richest drummers in the world before his death, according to Wealthy Celebrity. The list is topped by Ringo Star of The Beatles and Metallica's Lars Ulrich with $350m, followed by Dave Grohl of Nirvana/Foo Fighter fame at $320m and U2's Larry Mullen Jr with $300m. Watts is equal sixth with the Eagles' Don Henley at $250m.
Originally trained as a graphic artist, Watts joined The Rolling Stones in January 1963 but also toured the world with his jazz band, The Charlie Watts Orchestra, which released 10 albums.
Watts and his wife, Shirley, bought the 242-hectare Halsdon Arabians stud farm at Dalton, Devon, in the early 1980s, where Polish Arabian horses are bred.
The couple regularly attended the annual Pride of Poland horse auction at Janow Podlaski and, in 2009, paid the highest price for a lot at the time – €500,000 ($587,154) for a mare named Pinta – according to website HorseTalk.
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A stylish Charles Robert Watts, aged 2, with his mother Lillian and father Charles in Piccadilly Circus in 1943. Charlie was known as Charlie Boy, while his dad was called Charlie. Getty Images -
Charlie Watts, drummer for The Rolling Stones poses for a picture in December 1963, the same year he joined the band. Getty Images -
This photo taken on July 22, 1965 in London shows The Rolling Stones, (from L to R) drummer Charlie Watts, guitarist Brian Jones, guitarist Keith Richards, singer Mick Jagger and bass guitarist Bill Wyman. AFP -
English drummer Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones, circa 1965. Getty Images -
The Rolling Stones performing 'She Smiled Sweetly' on the Eamonn Andrews show, on February 5, 1967. From left to right Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Getty Images -
A portrait of The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, taken on December 10, 1968. Getty Images -
English drummer Charlie Watts of the rock group The Rolling Stones at Heathrow Airport in London, along with his wife Shirley (left) and their daughter Seraphina, in 1972. Getty -
Charlie Watts, drummer of The Rolling Stones, in 1976. Getty Images -
Drummer Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones, at a British concert and sporting a new David Bowie style feather cut. Getty Images -
British drummer Charlie Watts as The Rolling Stones perform at Earl's Court, as part of their Tour of Europe '76, London, England, in May 1976. Getty Images -
The Rolling Stones, 1977. (L-R) Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Mick Jagger. Getty Images -
From left: The Rolling Stones's Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts arrive by yacht at Chelsea Piers on May 3, 1994 in New York to kick-off their 'Voodoo Lounge' world tour. It is also the first time the Stones have toured without their bass player Bill Wyman, who left the group the previous year. AFP -
Drummer Charlie Watts performs at the opening night of the European leg of The Rolling Stones's Forty Licks Tour at the Olimpiahalle Spiridon on June 4, 2003 in Munich, Germany. Getty Images -
Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones and his wife Shirley attend the 41st 'Pride of Poland' Arabian Horse Auction in Janow Podlaski, south-east Poland, in 2010. EPA -
Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones poses for a portrait on November 14, 2016, in New York. AP -
Ronnie Wood, from left, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform on July 15, 2019, in New Orleans. AP
His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his publicist, Bernard Doherty, who said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.
“Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also, as a member of The Rolling Stones, one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
“We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.’’
Watts is survived by his wife, daughter Seraphina and granddaughter Charlotte.
