Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Nelly’s net worth?

Nelly, the American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, possesses a net worth of $70 million. He made his debut in the music industry with the album “Country Grammar” in 2000. This album has sold over 10 million copies globally and remains his best-selling project. Featuring hit singles like “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me,” the album was a significant success.

The follow-up album, “Nellyville” (2002), solidified his reputation as a hip-hop icon. It included chart-topping hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” which featured Kelly Rowland and won a Grammy Award in 2003. Presently, Nelly has released eight studio albums, amassing over 21 million record sales in the United States and 40 million worldwide, establishing him as one of the top-selling rap artists.

Apart from his music career, Nelly has ventured into acting with roles in movies like “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He launched the alcohol brand MoShine and established a non-profit organization called Jes Us 4 Jackie aimed at increasing awareness about the need for bone marrow donors in the African American community.

Catalog Sale

In July 2023, Nelly entered into an agreement to sell a 50% ownership stake in his music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for $50 million, which placed the total value of his catalog at $100 million.

Tax Problems

In August 2016, a federal tax lien against Nelly was filed, indicating he owed $2,412,283 in back taxes and penalties to the IRS alongside approximately $150,000 in state taxes. This substantial debt provided the government with the option to seize his assets; ultimately, the debts were settled.

Early Life

Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., came into the world on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas. At the time of his birth, his father was serving in the Air Force. After his parents divorced when he was seven, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. As a teenager, Nelly formed his initial band, the St. Lunatics, with friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, Slo’Down, and his half-brother City Spud. The group achieved localized success in 1997 with the single “Gimme What Ya Got.” Following the inability of the St. Lunatics to secure a record deal, Nelly chose to embark on his solo career.

Career

Nelly signed a record deal with Universal Music in 1999. The following year, he released his debut album, “Country Grammar,” which remains his top-selling work. Singles promoting the album included “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar,” both of which reached the Top 10. His second album, “Nellyville,” debuted in June 2002 and featured the number-one hits “Dilemma” and “Hot in Here.” Nelly released “Sweat and Suit” in 2004 and followed with “Sweatsuit” in 2005. The fifth studio album, “Brass Knuckles,” launched in September 2008. Nelly’s 2010 release, “5.0,” was succeeded by “M.O.” in 2013 and “Heartland” in 2021. “Heartland” introduced a country influence, highlighted by the collaboration with Florida Georgia Line on the single “Lil Bit.” Nelly also joined forces with…with country artists Kane Brown and Brett Kissel collaborating on remixes of their tracks “Cool Again” and “She Drives Me Crazy,” respectively.

Nelly earned Grammy Awards in both 2003 and 2004 and played a supporting role in the 2005 remake of “The Longest Yard,” featuring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. During 2008-2009, he had appearances in four episodes of “CSI: NY.” From 2013 to 2016, he participated in 39 episodes of the parody reality show “Real Husbands of Hollywood” aired on BET.

In the fall of 2010, Nelly launched “Celebrity Sweat,” a fitness DVD, and he also owns two clothing brands: Vokal and Apple Bottoms.

In 2021, Nelly partnered with Burger King to promote their “Keep It Real Meals,” featuring the “Cornell Haynes, Jr. Meal.” This initiative recognized the fast food chain’s decision to eliminate 120 artificial ingredients from its menu. The meal included a Whopper, small fries, and a small Sprite.

Legal Issues

In April 2015, Nelly’s tour bus was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. An officer reported smelling marijuana on the bus, leading to a search that uncovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia, numerous handguns, and suspected meth. Nelly was arrested and taken to county jail before being released on bail. He faced charges for felony drug possession along with other lesser charges; however, the felony was dropped after confirming the substance was not meth. In December 2015, Nelly pled guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

In 2016, a $2.4 million tax lien for unpaid taxes was filed against Nelly by the IRS.

In the fall of 2017, Nelly was arrested in Washington near Seattle on rape suspicion after a woman claimed he invited her onto his tour bus and assaulted her. Following his arrest and a stint in jail, he was released, and the charges were subsequently dropped.

Personal Life

Began dating actress and model Shantel Jackson, who is also Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s ex, in 2014. It was disclosed in 2021 that their relationship had ended amicably. In February 2023, speculation about a renewed romance surfaced between Nelly and Ashanti, an R&B singer from Long Island, with whom he had previously been linked, after they were spotted wearing matching Cuban link chains. In November 2023, both Ashanti and Nelly confirmed their reunion.

The couple was looking forward to welcoming a baby.

Philanthropy

A philanthropist as well, Nelly runs the 4Sho4Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization. In March 2003, he initiated a campaign to raise awareness among African Americans and other minorities regarding the importance of bone marrow transplants. His sister Jackie, who was diagnosed with leukemia, inspired him to encourage more individuals to register as bone marrow donors. Sadly, she passed away in March 2005.

Nelly has been hosting the White and Black Ball in St. Louis since 2006 to gather funds for scholarships.

A scholarship was set up by Nelly in memory of Michael Brown, who tragically lost his life to police violence in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014.

In 2010, Nelly participated in a public service announcement for the Tackle Hunger campaign organized by the nonprofit Do Something. In this PSA, he urged teens to combat hunger by collecting one million pounds of food for underprivileged families during the holiday season.

In collaboration with Vatterott College in 2011, Nelly co-founded the Ex’treme Institute By Nelly, a music production school located in the core of St. Louis.

Real Estate

In 2002, Nelly acquired a partially finished 11,000-square-foot mansion in a gated community for $1.925 million, situated near the Hidden Valley Country Club in Eureka, Missouri. This 12-acre estate includes features like a large sports court, basketball court, swimming pool, hot tub, and more. For several years, Nelly faced challenges in selling this property and ultimately took a significant loss, selling it for $599,000 in October 2021. Below is a video showing the condition of the home in mid-2021 when it was uninhabited and in disrepair:

Additionally, in 2002, he acquired a 2,679-square-foot ranch-style lake house that was showcased on MTV Cribs. He sold this property in June 2010 for $740,158. Take a look at the “Cribs” episode here: