MoneyINC Logo
25+
Years of
Trust
13,000+
Articles
Written 
10M+
Annual 
Readers
300+
Global
Mentions

How Dr. Dre Accumulated A Net Worth Of $850 Million

Andre Romelle Young, famously known as Dr. Dre, is one of the most famous and iconic American rappers and entrepreneurs, with a net worth of more than $800 million. He has left multiple fronts of his footprint in the music industry, creating colossal production brands, including Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics.

He has also worked with renowned rappers, including Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dog, and Eminem, and introduced many others to the rap industry. Read on to learn more about Dr. Dre net worth details and million-dollar deals.

Where Did Dr. Dre Grow Up?

Dr. Dre was born on 18 February 1965 in Central Los Angeles, where he grew up. He was brought up in a family of three siblings by his dad, Theodore Young and his mother Verna Young. His parents later divorced, and his mother remarried, leaving Dre and his three siblings under the care of their grandmother, who raised them.

He schooled at Vanguard Junior high school in Compton, but due to gang violence in its environs, he later moved to Roosevelt Junior high, which was in a safer district. After completing his high school education, he enrolled at a radio broadcasting school.

Dr. Dre’s Family Life

At 16, in 1981, Dre had a son with his then-girlfriend Cassandra Joy Green, who was 15 years old. Their son Curtis is a rapper performing under the name Hood Surgeon. Dre had another child, a daughter, in 1983 named La Tanya Danielle Young.

The rapper had another son in 1988 with his girlfriend Jenita Porter, who had his father's name Andre Young Jr. He died tragically in 2008 due to a drug overdose. Dre also had a son with singer Michelle in 1990.

In 1996, Dre married Nicole Young, who was his wife for 24 years, until she filed for divorce in 2020 in an expensive settlement. The two had two children; a son named Truice and a daughter named Truly.

Dr Dre's Profile

Real Name Andre Romelle Young
Nick Name Dr. Dre
Birth Place Compton, California, U.S.A.
Date Of Birth 18 February 1965
Eye Color Brown
Hair Color Black
Nationality American
Profession Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur
Marital status Divorced
Wife Name Nicole Plotzer
Kids 8
Net Worth $850 million

 

Dr. Dre’s Music Career

Dr. Dre joined an electro-hop group ‘World Class Wreckin' Cru' in 1984 after years of learning and practicing to D.J. in night clubs. Later he met his fellow rapper Ice Cube and joined the N.W.A. rap project managed by rapper Eazy-E. The group released their debut album, ‘Straight Outta Compton’ in 1988. It would later get certified double-platinum and be recognized as one of the most monumental albums in hip-hop history.

Dr. Dre left the group in 1991 after disagreements and falling out with Eazy-E and founded his own record label, Death Row Records. He released his first solo album ‘The Chronic’ in 1992 which was a significant stepping stone to the virality of his rapping career. The album had over 6 million sales worldwide and is considered one of the most well-produced albums of all time and later became a multi-platinum within a year.

The album ranked third on the Billboard 200 and earned Dr. Dre a Grammy for Best Rap Performance for the hit song ‘Let Me Ride.’ In Death Row Records, Dr. Dre was the core producer for his label mates—Snoop Dog, Tupac, and Warren G (step-brother).

Lawsuits

In 1996, Dr. Dre got fed up with the multiple loyalty infringement lawsuits and disputes, painting a controversial image for the brand. He gave up his company ownership stake and back catalog rights, which he later quantified as worth more than $50 million. However, he maintained links with the production.

He founded Aftermath Entertainment, which would later become home to some of the most viral and legendary talents, including 50 Cent, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. He sold his Aftermath Entertainment share in 2001 in a deal worth $52 million.

How Did Dr. Dre Accumulate His Enormous Wealth?

Dr. Dre has numerous investments, contributing to his growth and wealth accumulation over the last three decades, including:

Death Row Records

In his brief partnership with the N.W.A, Dr. Dre founded Death Row Records, contributing to the rise of big names like Tupac Shakur. He shook the ground with ‘The Chronic album’, which became a multi-platinum less than a year after its release. The album was re-released three times, with several singles featuring in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which continues to add to Dre's income today.

Aftermath Entertainment

After leaving Death Row Records, Dre started Aftermath Entertainment, signing big names like Eminem—crucial to the label's rise. Interscope later offered Dr. Dre $35 million to acquire a 30% share of the label, contributing significantly to Dre's wealth.

Beats By Dre (Beats Electronics)

Dre founded ‘Beat Electronics’ in 2008 in partnership with Jimmy Lovine. Later, HTC paid $300 million for a 51% share of the company, contributing excesses of $100 million to Dre's accounts. The deal earned Dre the top spot in Forbes's highest-paid musicians in 2012.

Dr. Dre later repurchased HTC's stake in the company, and shortly after, Apple bought Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion, bringing Dre much closer to the billionaire's table.

How Does Dr. Dre Spend His Millions?

Dr. Dre, one of the wealthiest rappers ever, reaping a lot from his musical talents and entrepreneurial mindset, seems to take the same pride in spending his money as in making it. According to AllHipHop reports, the rapper and famous entrepreneur spends over $17 million per year. His mortgages cost him $3.2 million annually, and he spends around $2.3 million on entertainment.

His auto-related payments cost him over $104,000, and his annual cell phone bills average over $21,000. As much as he likes splurging himself, Dre is also a philanthropist, making huge donations to give back to the community.

He donated $70 million to the University of Southern California in 2013 in partnership with his producer Jimmy Lovine. He also made a $10 million donation to Campton High School in 2017 to help construct a new performing arts center.

Besides his well-deserved expensive lifestyle, Dre has had several financial setbacks, having to undergo costly lawsuits and disputes. The most significant one seems to be his divorce case, which saw him pay his ex-wife Nicole Young $100 million as a divorce settlement.

Dr. Dre’s Real Estate Investments

Dr. Dre has a real estate portfolio worth more than $80 million, including:

Woodland Hills mansion: He acquired a mansion in Woodland Hills, California, in a $2.4 million deal in the 1990s. He later sold it for $4.5 million in July 2019.

Hollywood Hills mansion: Dr bought this mansion for $15.4 back in 2001 and later sold it for $32.5 million in January 2013

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Mansion: Dre also acquired a brand-new giant mansion, Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen in 2014, located in Brentwood, spending $50 million on the acquisition.

Malibu Beachfront Mansion: Dre spent $4.8 million acquiring this luxurious mansion, with 8,800 living space, seven bathrooms, and six bedrooms, standing on an admirable Carbon Beach.

Calabasas: The renowned rapper also has a mansion in Calabasas, California, which he acquired in 2018 in a $4.9 million transaction.

Pacific Palisades: He acquired a modest home with an ocean view in the Pacific Palisades. He spent $2.25 million in its purchase.

Dr. Dre’s Car Collection

  • Dre has an impressive collection of flashy high-end cars, including:
  • A Ferrari Testarossa worth $134,050
  • Custom Cadillac Escalade worth $230,000
  • Hummer H2 signature black S.U.V. worth $65,000
  • Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe 2015 worth $553,000
  • Chrysler 300S worth $34,000
  • Bentley Continental G.T. worth $288,990

Dr. Dre’s Major Awards

  • Here are some of the major highlights of Dr. Dre's music career:
  • Grammy Awards 1994 – Best Rap Performance for the single 'Let Me Ride.'
  • MTV Music Video Awards 1995 – Best Rap Video for the song ‘Keep Their Heads Ringin’
  • MTV Music Awards 2001 – Best Rap Video for the song 'Forgot About Dre'
  • Grammy Awards 2001 – Best Rap Performance (Duo or Group) for the hit song 'Forgot About Dre'
  • B.E.T. Hip Hop Awards 2014 – Hustler of the Year

You can also read:

Garrett Parker

Written by Garrett Parker

Garrett by trade is a personal finance freelance writer and journalist. With over 10 years experience he's covered businesses, CEOs, and investments. However he does like to take on other topics involving some of his personal interests like automobiles, future technologies, and anything else that could change the world.

Read more posts by Garrett Parker

Related Articles

Stay ahead of the curve with our most recent guides and articles on , freshly curated by our diligent editorial team for your immediate perusal.
As featured on:

Wealth Insight!
Subscribe to our Exclusive Newsletter

Dive into the world of wealth and extravagance with Money Inc! Discover stock tips, businesses, luxury items, and travel experiences curated for the affluent observer.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram