Bing Crosby’s Net Worth: The Legendary Crooner’s Wealth
Bing Crosby’s Career and Legacy
Bing Crosby was a legendary icon of music and film in the 20th century. Known for his distinct voice and lovable personality, he captured the hearts of audiences across America. His soothing voice filled homes during the Christmas season and provided year-round entertainment.
Throughout his 54-year career, Crosby amassed substantial wealth with more than 70 feature films and over 1,600 recorded songs. His talent and popularity brought in significant revenue.
Bing Crosby’s Net Worth
At the time of his death, Bing Crosby had an estimated net worth of $50 million. This substantial fortune was a result of his successful career in music and film.
Who Did Bing Crosby Leave His Money To?
After his death in 1977, Bing Crosby left behind a significant amount of wealth. His net worth allowed him to leave an inheritance of more than $200 million to his second wife, Kathryn Crosby. Kathryn, who is now 89 years old, continues to reside in California. Although details about her current residence are uncertain, her inheritance ensures a comfortable lifestyle. Additionally, Kathryn had her own successful acting career, which likely contributed to her income.
Did Bing Crosby Get Royalties for “White Christmas”?
During his lifetime, Bing Crosby received artist royalties for his iconic song “White Christmas.” However, after his passing, the royalties for the song now belong to HLC Properties and Primary Wave Music.
Who Owns Bing Crosby Songs?
A significant portion of Bing Crosby’s net worth was derived from the value of his songs. Currently, Bing Crosby’s songs are owned by HLC Properties, which is under the ownership of the Crosby Family. In 2021, HLC announced a partnership with Primary Wave Music, giving the latter a financial claim in the assets owned by the former. This includes the Bing Crosby Archives, which contain Crosby’s complete music catalog and movie interests, including the iconic song “White Christmas.”
Was Bing Crosby in the Military?
Although Bing Crosby never served as a soldier himself, he played a significant role during World War II through his involvement with the Armed Forces Radio Service. This service provided entertainment for service members stationed overseas. Crosby volunteered early on and recorded over 70 spots for the radio service, bringing joy and comfort to the troops.
Bing Crosby’s Early Career
Before becoming the legendary solo crooner, Bing Crosby was part of several music groups in the early 1920s. He began his musical journey as the drummer for his high school band, the Musicaladers. Later, he joined the vocal trio known as The Three Harmony Aces. However, Crosby’s breakthrough came when he teamed up with Al Rinker and pianist Harry Barris to form The Rhythm Boys in 1927. Although the group only performed together for three years, they made significant strides in the music industry, establishing the foundation for Bing Crosby’s future success.
Bing Crosby, the Crooner
Bing Crosby earned his reputation as a legendary crooner, known for his unique phrasing of songs. His ability to balance the lyrics and melody made his performances captivating. He made his solo radio debut in the early 1930s on the show “15 Minutes with Bing Crosby,” which aired weekly. The success of the radio show led to his signing with Brunswick Records and CBS Radio. Some of his notable hits include “Out of Nowhere,” “At Your Command,” and “I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store).” Crosby’s talent and popularity made him one of the first global cultural icons. Hits like “Love in Bloom” and “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” contributed to his financial success.
Bing Crosby, the Actor
In addition to his crooning career, Bing Crosby was a highly respected actor and entertainer. He starred in several classic movies that are still beloved today. One of his most memorable performances was as Father Chuck O’Malley in “Going My Way” (1944) and “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945). His portrayal of Father O’Malley earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, making him the first actor in history to be nominated for portraying the same character. Although he won the award for “Going My Way,” he lost out to Ray Milland’s performance in “The Lost Weekend” in 1946. Crosby also appeared in the popular Road To musical comedy series alongside Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Other notable film projects include his role in the Disney-animated film “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” and “High Time.” Bing Crosby’s acting career significantly contributed to his overall net worth.
Did David Bowie Sing with Bing Crosby?
In an unexpected collaboration, rock legend David Bowie and Bing Crosby performed together in 1977 for Bing Crosby’s Christmas television special. The duo sang a medley of “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Peace on Earth.” Bowie initially had reservations about singing “Little Drummer Boy,” but he agreed to the performance after a countermelody and a new bridge were added to the song. The classic performance between these two music legends remains memorable to this day.
What was Bing Crosby’s Best Seller?
Bing Crosby is known for delivering timeless classics with his distinctive vocal style. One song, in particular, stands out as his most beloved: “White Christmas.” Written by Irving Berlin for Crosby’s film “Holiday Inn,” the song unofficially debuted on the radio on Christmas Day in 1941. It officially hit the charts on October 3, 1942, and quickly claimed the number-one spot, remaining there well into the New Year. Bing Crosby’s rendition of “White Christmas” has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. When combined with other notable performances, such as those by Michael Bublé and Gwen Stefani, the song’s total sales exceed 100 million copies. This astounding success has made “White Christmas” the best-selling Christmas song of all time. The popularity of the song even inspired a film of the same name in 1954, in which Crosby starred. Interestingly, Crosby was already in his 50s when he filmed “White Christmas,” while his leading lady, Rosemary Clooney, was only 26.
Bing Crosby’s Personal Life and Early Years
Bing Crosby was born on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington. His birth name was Harry Lillis Crosby Jr, but he acquired the nickname “Bing” at a young age. When his family moved to Spokane, Washington, Crosby discovered a comic strip called The Bingville Bugle, which he enjoyed. His enthusiastic laughter while reading the strip earned him the nickname “Bingo from Bingville.” Eventually, the “o” was dropped, and he became known as Bing Crosby.
Crosby’s parents were Harry Lowe Crosby, a bookkeeper, and Catherine “Kate” Helen, a second-generation Irish-American. The family lived at 508 E. Sharp Avenue in Spokane, a house built by Crosby’s father. This house now serves as a museum on the campus of Gonzaga University, where Crosby attended. The museum displays over 200 artifacts from Bing Crosby’s life and career, including his Oscar.
Bing Crosby’s passion for music was ignited during his summer job as a property boy at Spokane’s Auditorium when he was just 11 years old. Through this job, he had the opportunity to watch performances by renowned acts of the time, including the self-billed “The World’s Greatest Entertainer,” Al Johnson. Johnson’s electric performances left a lasting impression on Crosby and inspired his own musical aspirations.
Bing Crosby’s Marriages and Children
Bing Crosby was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Wilma Crosby, professionally known as Dixie Lee, in 1930. They remained married until her death in 1952 due to ovarian cancer. Together, they had four sons: Gary, Dennis, Phillip (twins), and Lindsay.
Five years after Dixie Lee’s passing, Bing Crosby married actress Kathryn Grant in 1957. They stayed married until Crosby’s death in 1977. Bing and Kathryn had three children together: Harry Lillis III, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel. Through his two marriages, Bing Crosby had a total of seven children.
Bing Crosby’s Awards and Honors
In addition to his commercial success, Bing Crosby received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was awarded three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for his contributions to radio, recording, and motion pictures. In 1963, he was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. These accolades recognize his significant impact on the entertainment industry and his enduring legacy.
Bing Crosby’s talent, charisma, and contributions to music and film solidified his status as a cultural icon. His wealth, derived from his successful career, allowed him to leave a substantial inheritance to his loved ones. Bing Crosby’s timeless music and iconic performances continue to inspire and entertain audiences to this day.