Are you curious to know about the wealth earned by a music legend? Ever wondered how much a Grammy-winning country artist might be worth? As we step into 2023, the late Charley Pride net worth, accrued over a phenomenal career spanning decades, is nothing short of astonishing. But how did he amass such wealth?
Let’s dive into the life and earnings of Charley Pride, a figure who forever changed the face of country music.
Table of Contents
What is Charley Pride Net Worth and Salary in 2023?
| Detail | Information |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Date | March 18, 1934 |
| Age | Passed away at 86 |
| Birth Place | Sledge, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Wife/Spouse | Rozene Cohran |
| Net Worth | $40 million |
| Source of Wealth | Music (Singer & Guitarist) |
| Height | 1.85 m |
According to Celebritynetworth, Charley Pride had an estimated net worth of $40 million at the time of his death in December 2020.
He primarily accumulated wealth through his successful country music career, making him the first black country music superstar. Despite his passing, his legacy continues to thrive in 2023.
However, it’s important to note that there are conflicting reports about his net worth, with some sources suggesting a lower figure of $3 million. Pride’s earnings were from his music sales, constant touring, and sold-out shows across the United States and Europe.
Why is Charley Pride Famous?
Charley Pride was not just a name in country music – he was a legend. Pride emerged as one of the few African-American stars in the country music scene, making his achievements even more remarkable.
His rich baritone voice resonated with millions of fans worldwide. He amassed an impressive discography with over 50 albums, contributing significantly to his fame.
His ability to break racial barriers in a mainly white genre set Pride apart. He was the first black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Charley Pride’s Overview
Early Life
Charley Pride was born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Mississippi. He was the fourth of eleven children born to Tessie and Fowler McArthur Pride.
Charley grew up in a shotgun shack in the Mississippi Delta, where hard labor in cotton fields marked his early life, alongside dreams of a different future.
He would listen to the Grand Ole Opry on a Philco radio and dream of a life beyond the cotton fields. His love for music led him to save enough money to buy a Silverstone guitar from Sears and Roebuck. However, baseball first lured him away from home when he left school in the eleventh grade to play the sport professionally in 1953.
Career
His career began in 1952 when he debuted as a professional baseball player at the Iowa State League. He then moved up to pitcher-outfielder for the Memphis Red Sox in the Negro American League and later joined the Yankees’ Class C team in Boise, Idaho.
In 1956, he returned to Memphis and made the All-Star team. However, Pride’s true passion lies in music. He received his first guitar at age 14 and often sang country hits for his teammates during bus trips.
In 1960, he moved to Montana, where he played minor league baseball and amateur baseball while performing music in local nightclubs. His break came in 1965 when Chet Atkins at RCA Records heard a demonstration tape and got Pride a contract.
In 1966, he released his first RCA single, The Snakes Crawl at Night. However, his third single, Just Between You and Me, achieved success on the country charts, reaching number nine on Hot Country Songs in 1967.
Pride’s career peaked in the early to mid-1970s when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records, second only to Elvis Presley. During this time, he had 52 top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 30 of which made it to number one.
He won the Entertainer of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards in 1971 and a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male in 1972. In 1993, Pride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, making him the first black member since DeFord Bailey decades earlier.
In 2016, they chose Charley Pride as one of 30 singers to perform on a special song called Forever Country. This song mixes Take Me Home, Country Roads, On the Road Again, and I Will Always Love You.
The purpose of creating it was to celebrate 50 years of the Country Music Association Awards. After a gap of six years, Pride released a new album called Music in My Heart on July 7, 2017. In 2018, he marked his 25th year as a member with live performances at the Opry.
In 2020, the Country Music Association announced they would give Pride the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was to honor all his contributions to country music.
Awards and Honors
In 1966, he received his first major recognition when the Grammy Award nominated his song Just Between You and Me. Over the years, Pride accumulated many accolades, including three Grammy Awards, one of which was for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1972.
He was also a three-time winner at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, clinching the Entertainer of the Year title in 1971. In addition to these, Pride received the Academy of Country Music’s Pioneer Award in 1994 and won three American Music Awards.
The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Pride in 2000, and the Recording Academy honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. The same year, he also received a nomination for the ACM Award for Vocal Event of the Year for Forever Country.
Country music further recognized Pride’s contributions posthumously by awarding him the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. His son Dion accepted the award on his behalf.
Personal Life
Charley Pride was married to Rozene Cohran. The couple first met while Pride was playing baseball in Memphis, Tennessee. They tied the knot in 1956 during Pride’s Christmas leave from Army basic training.
Together, they had two sons, Kraig and Dion, and a daughter named Angela. The family resided in Dallas, Texas. Pride and Rozene shared a marriage of over 60 years, demonstrating a strong bond of love and companionship.
Their daughter, Angela Pride, is a successful businesswoman who founded and presides over Coach with Pride.
Death
Charley Pride passed away on December 12, 2020. His death, at the age of 86, was due to complications from COVID-19 during the pandemic’s peak in Texas.
FAQs about Charley Pride
How old was Charley Pride?
Charley Pride age was 86 years old.
How tall was Charley Pride?
Charley Pride height was 1,85 m.
What business did Charley Pride own?
He owns the most shares in the First Texas Bank, which is the biggest bank in Texas that people of color own.
Did Charlie Pride have a wife?
Pride and his wife of 50 years, Rozene, live in Dallas.
Conclusion
The net worth Charley Pride is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication to his craft. His journey is a compelling story of triumph over adversity, breaking barriers, and inspiring countless country singers and fans worldwide.
To delve deeper into the world of music, its legends, and their journeys, explore other articles here on Fidlarmusic.
