In the world of gazillionaire pop and rock stars, does it really matter who’s accumulated net fortune is greater?
Probably not, but for the record, the UK publication International Business Times reveals that U2 singer Bono is now the wealthiest of wealthy musicians.
Thanks to an astute financial speculation he made in Facebook during their formative years, Bono now supplants perennial list-topper Sir Paul McCartney, with his FB stock value increasing by almost 1,600% from his ownership of 2.3% of the social media behemoth.
With the bulk of Bono’s wealth now comprised of non-music generated income, it reminds me of a similar scenario with second incarnation of Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar – just on a relatively smaller financial scale.
While Sammy made his first fortune in the music industry, the bulk of his net worth (estimated at $120 million) actually has nothing to do with Van Halen.
Sammy Hagar Enjoying His Company’s Products
In 2007, Sammy sold 80% of the Cabo Wabo tequila company he founded to global beverage industry giant Gruppo Campari for $80 million, and in 2009 he sold the remaining 20% for $15 million more. Cabo Wabo was majority owned by Hagar, which means he personally took home around $95 million from the deals.
In regard to Bono, the gaudy stats show his net wealth at greater than $1.4 billion, whereas Paul McCartney slips to #2, with a net worth of $1.1 – that’s a significant $300 million disparity between the ex-Beatle’s and Bono’s cash stash – or at least on paper.
Who knows? Maybe Bono owes Sir Paul the difference!
