How Chaka Khan Achieved a Net Worth of $30 Million

If you are familiar with soul music and R&B music, then the name Chaka Khan does not need an introduction. She is a legend — an icon. What is interesting is that in a world in which singers and entertainers come and go, almost always leaving their fortune behind, Chaka Khan has managed to sustain a net worth of $30 million dollars. This is despite some significant hiccups along the way.

Chaka was born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23, 1953, and she has enjoyed a marvelous career that has spanned more than five decades starting in the early 70s with group Rufus, and then on to her solo career. She has won 10 Grammy awards and toured the world, but how did she amass a net worth of $30 million?

Being the eldest of five siblings meant that Chaka had to grow up fast. Believe it or not, her first major decision in life was not to pursue a music career, it was to join forces with the Black Panther Party. While she did not remain with the organization for long, she did gain something that was immensely important to her career during this time — her name.

Chaka being earning money as an entertainer as far back as 1973, when she recorded an album as the lead singer for the group Rufus. They would release their first album, Rags to Rufus, which was critically acclaimed and loved by fans. It was the single on the second album, Rufus & Chaka Khan that would make her name a staple. The year was 1974, and the single was Tell Me Something Good. She and the group are still earning royalties for that song. The group would go on to record a number of hits that still enjoy popularity, including Ain’t Nobody, Do You Love What You Fee, Through the Fire, Once You Get Started and a list of others.

Chaka would launch an immensely successful solo career as well. The song that has become her theme song is I’m Every Woman, another song that is still earning her significant royalties. While Chaka has dabbled in numerous business ventures over the years, the preponderance of her wealth has been generated through multiple mechanisms associated with the music and entertainment industry.

What is surprising to some is that Chaka was able to protect her brand and her fortune while taking a wild ride in the world of illicit drug use. According to a number of reputable sources, Chaka and friend Miki Howard took a tumble into that dark world and while Chaka was able to regain her footing, Miki never fully recovered. It is no secret that the music world presents a lot of obstacles and pitfalls, and far too many find themselves at the bottom of the pit with no way to climb out. Fortunately, Chaka had friends who were there for and helped support her.

Even at the age of 65, Chaka Khan is still a respected performer and artist that tours around the world performing her classics to sold-out arenas. What is amazing is the number of generations that have been impacted by the music that this icon has created over the course of her career. It is amazing to see teenagers and young adults singing songs that she recorded throughout the 70s and 80s. One thing you can definitely expect to see at a Chaka Khan concert is age and cultural diversity. She has an energy that is built to bring people together.

This superstar has won 10 Grammy awards and had multiple songs go platinum and she is still moving along and it does not appear that she has missed a beat. As it turns out, the music industry has done a lot for the financial welfare of Chaka Khan and to be sitting on $30 million this deep into the game, with all things being considered, it quite an accomplishment. There are so many artists who are from her era that are either dead or flat broke. The question that rises to the top of the list now is not how did she earn the money but what will she do next. Will she record another album before she retires? Will she ever retire? No one knows for certain, but by the looks of it, she will not be retiring any time soon.