Fred Durst Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Fred Durst’s Net Worth?

An American musician and director, Fred Durst has amassed a net worth of $20 million. He is primarily known as the frontman of the Nu-Metal band Limp Bizkit. Alongside bands such as Slipknot and Korn, Limp Bizkit is recognized as one of the early pioneers of the Nu-Metal genre during the 1990s. In addition to music, Durst has made a mark as a filmmaker, with both acting and directing credits to his name.

Founded in 1994 in Jacksonville, Florida, Limp Bizkit includes Fred Durst on vocals, Wes Borland on guitar, Sam Rivers on bass, John Otto on drums, and DJ Lethal on turntables. Their distinct sound quickly drew the attention of fans and the music industry alike. The year 1997 marked the release of their debut album, “Three Dollar Bill, Y’all$,” featuring an energetic cover of George Michael’s “Faith,” which illustrated their talent for turning pop classics into vigorous rock anthems.

However, it was their sophomore album, “Significant Other,” released in 1999, that skyrocketed them to fame. Songs such as “Nookie” and “Break Stuff” became symbols of youthful rebellion, and the band’s thrilling and often provocative performances solidified their status as a highly sought-after live act.

Their subsequent album, “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water,” launched in 2000, further bolstered their success with chart-topping singles like “Rollin'” and “My Way.” Despite their escalating popularity, Limp Bizkit frequently found themselves embroiled in controversy over their lyrics and various incidents at live concerts.

As the mid-2000s approached, the band’s popularity declined, compounded by internal disputes that led to lineup changes and a hiatus. Nevertheless, Limp Bizkit made a triumphant return with “Gold Cobra” in 2011, which reminded fans of their earlier glory days. Today, Limp Bizkit remains a prominent touring act.

Early Life

Born on August 20, 1970, in Jacksonville, Florida, William Frederick Durst’s early years saw his family relocating first to Orlando and later to Cherryville, North Carolina. Fred spent his first years on a farm until fifth grade, after which his family moved to Gastonia, North Carolina, where he attended high school. Throughout his formative years, Durst was raised in a Wiccan household.

By the age of 12, Durst developed a deep fascination with hip-hop culture, mastering breakdancing, rapping, skateboarding, beatboxing, and deejaying. Alongside this, he became deeply drawn to heavy metal and punk rock. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy but left after just two years. After returning to live with his father in Jacksonville, Durst took on jobs as a landscaper and tattoo artist. During this period, he began to cultivate the idea of forming a band that fused hip-hop and rock into a single genre.

Limp Bizkit

In 1994, Fred Durst partnered with Sam Rivers, John Otto, and Wes Borland to establish Limp Bizkit. They opted for this name with the intention of discouraging listeners from engaging with their music. Early tracks like “Straight Up” began to gain traction within the underground scene. As the band

In their hometown, Korn welcomed Limp Bizkit’s invite to Durst’s house, where he introduced them to a selection of the group’s demo tapes. This meeting ultimately led to Korn signing Limp Bizkit with their label.

With DJ Lethal joining Limp Bizkit, Wes Borland departed from the band. In 1997, they secured another record contract and released their debut album, titled “Three Dollar Bill, Y’all.” Although the album was unsuccessful, it paved the way for Durst to become the Senior Vice President of A&R at Interscope Records. Following this, Fred began collaborating with various artists, including Soulfly and Korn. He also ventured into filmmaking during this time, directing music videos for Limp Bizkit.

After the release of “Significant Other” in 1999, Limp Bizkit saw a dramatic increase in popularity. The album reached #1 on the charts and garnered praise from critics for its distinctive sound. However, it was the release of “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water” in 2000 that marked their ascent to fame. “Chocolate Starfish” achieved platinum status within a week and later reached 5x platinum. While critics had mixed opinions, it undeniably became one of the most impactful albums of the late 90s.

Riding the wave of their success, Limp Bizkit undertook extensive touring. There were significant incidents of violence and sexual assault during their performances, particularly noted at Woodstock in 1999. Tragically, during a 2001 concert in Australia, a teenager lost their life to asphyxiation in a mosh pit. Additionally, one of their tours received sponsorship from Napster, reflecting Durst’s strong support for file sharing. The band later produced the underground album “The Unquestionable Truth” as well as a greatest hits compilation.

After Limp Bizkit entered a hiatus, Durst shifted his focus to a career in filmmaking. He appeared in “Population 436” before helming “The Education of Charlie Banks.” In 2008, he released “The Longshots.” The band reunited in 2009, subsequently touring with various groups for the following years. In 2018, Fred embarked on directing “The Fanatic,” featuring John Travolta.

Relationships

Fred Durst’s first marriage was to Rachel Tergesen, with whom he had a child born in 1990. Additionally, he has another child with an ex-girlfriend named Jennifer Thayer. His second marriage was to Esther Nazarov, but they separated just three months after their 2009 wedding. In 2012, Fred tied the knot with Kseniya Beryazina, but they filed for divorce in 2018.

Controversy

Over the years, Durst has found himself at the center of various controversies. In 2015, he initiated steps to acquire a Russian passport and began using affectionate terms for Vladimir Putin, which resulted in him being banned from entering Ukraine. Subsequently, a ban was placed on the sale of all Limp Bizkit music and merchandise in Ukraine.

Durst is vocal about his opinions regarding other musicians as well. As early as 1999, he was making derogatory remarks about artists, having referred to Slipknot fans as “fat” and “ugly.” In response, frontman Corey Taylor noted that Durst was likely insulting his own fans, as many Slipknot fans also enjoyed Limp Bizkit’s music. Fred also instigated a long-standing feud with the band Placebo, at one point urging audience members to chant “Placebo sucks” before the band took the stage.

DurstEminem was also criticized by Fred Durst, who used to be a close friend. After Eminem entered into a feud with Everlast, Fred took the opportunity to attack him. Consequently, Eminem released the diss track “Girls” targeting Fred Durst in 2001. In 2018, during a live performance, Shaggy 2 Dope, a member of the Insane Clown Posse, made an attempt to dropkick Durst. He later asserted that he did not mean to harm Fred and that his actions were the result of a dare. In retaliation, Durst labeled him a “clout chaser.”

Real Estate

In 2015, Durst placed his Hollywood Hills residence on the market with a listing price of $1.645 million. Built in the 1920s, the property boasts over 3,000 square feet of living space as well as a wine cellar. Just one year earlier, Durst had bought the property for $1.5 million.

Later, in 2018, Fred conveyed through social media that his other California house had been destroyed during the wildfires, resulting in the loss of most of his belongings and several pieces of high-value sound recording gear.

In July 2021, Fred acquired a home for $3 million in West Hollywood, California.