Nelly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Curious About Nelly’s Riches?

Discover Nelly, the American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur with an impressive net worth of $70 million. Nelly made a prominent entrance into the music scene with the release of his album “Country Grammar” in the year 2000. The album’s global success saw over 10 million copies sold worldwide, making it his top-selling album to date. It featured hit singles like “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me.”

His second album, “Nellyville” (2002), solidified his status as a hip-hop icon, boasting chart-topping hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, which earned a Grammy Award in 2003. To date, Nelly has released a total of eight studio albums, selling over 21 million records in the United States and an impressive 40 million records globally, establishing him as one of the top-selling rap artists.

Outside the realm of music, Nelly has explored various ventures, including acting in films such as “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He is also the mastermind behind the alcohol brand MoShine and the founder of Jes Us 4 Jackie, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of bone marrow donors within the African American community.

A Lucrative Transaction

In July 2023, Nelly concluded a significant business deal by selling a 50% stake in his music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for a hefty sum of $50 million. The total valuation of his catalog reached an impressive $100 million.

Bumps in the Financial Road

Back in August 2016, Nelly encountered a hiccup with a federal tax lien reporting an outstanding amount of $2,412,283 in back taxes and penalties owed to the IRS, alongside approximately $150,000 in state taxes. While this debt posed the risk of asset seizure by the government, the outstanding taxes were eventually settled.

Formative Years

Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., better known as Nelly, was born on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas. His early years were shaped by his father’s service in the Air Force. After his parents’ separation at age seven, Nelly relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. During his teenage years, he co-founded his first musical group, the St. Lunatics, alongside friends Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and Slo’Down, as well as his half-brother City Spud. The group achieved local recognition in 1997 with the single “Gimme What Ya Got.” Following the group’s failure to secure a record deal, Nelly made the decision to pursue a solo career.

Pinnacle of Success

In 1999, Nelly inked a record deal with Universal Music, paving the way for the release of his debut album “Country Grammar” the subsequent year. This album remains his most successful to date, featuring chart-topping singles like “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar,” both achieving Top 10 chart positions. His sophomore effort, “Nellyville,” hit the shelves in June 2002, with hits “Dilemma” and “Hot in Here” topping the charts. Subsequently, Nelly continued to deliver successful albums, including “Sweat” and “Suit” in 2004, “Brass Knuckles” in 2008, “5.0” in 2010, “M.O.” in 2013, and “Heartland” in 2021.

Noteworthy accolades in Nelly’s career include Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004, as well as acting roles in prominent productions such as the 2005 film “The Longest Yard” alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Additionally, his television appearances include a stint in four episodes of “CSI: NY” (2008-2009) and a recurring role in the BET show “Real Husbands of Hollywood” from 2013 to 2016.

Expanding his entrepreneurial endeavors, Nelly launched “Celebrity Sweat,” a fitness DVD, in the fall of 2010, in addition to establishing fashion lines Vokal and Apple Bottoms. His collaboration with Burger King in 2021 to endorse the “Keep It Real Meals” campaign, featuring the “Cornell Haynes, Jr. Meal,” highlighted Burger King’s commitment to removing 120 artificial ingredients from its menu, comprising a Whopper, small fries, and a small Sprite.

Troubles and Resolutions

In April 2015, Nelly’s tour bus encountered legal scrutiny by the Tennessee Highway Patrol due to suspicions of illicit substances onboard. The resulting search led to the discovery of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and suspected drugs. Nelly was apprehended, arrested, and later released on bail. While initially charged with felony drug possession, this charge was dropped upon clarification that the substance in question was not methamphetamine. Nelly eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in December 2015.

In 2016, Nelly faced a $2.4 million tax lien from the IRS concerning unpaid taxes.

Subsequently, in the fall of 2017 near Seattle, Nelly was embroiled in a legal issue involving a rape allegation. Following an accusation by a woman who claimed Nelly assaulted her on his tour bus, resulting in his arrest, Nelly was subsequently released, and all charges against him were dismissed.

Intimate Insights

In 2014, Nelly began a romantic relationship with actress, model, and former partner of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shantel Jackson. However, their paths diverged amicably in 2021. Speculation surrounding a revived romance between Nelly and Long Island R&B vocalist Ashanti, his ex prior to Jackson, emerged in February 2023 when the duo was spotted donning matching Cuban link chains. Subsequently, in November 2023, Ashanti and Nelly announced the impending arrival of their child.

Commitment to Giving Back

Not just about the riches, Nelly is also dedicated to philanthropy through his nonprofit foundation, 4Sho4Kids. In March 2003, he launched an initiative to raise awareness among African Americans and minorities about the critical need for bone marrow transplants. Striving to boost the registry of bone marrow donors, Nelly initiated these efforts after his sister Jackie was diagnosed with a condition requiring such a transplant.

In March 2005, Nelly lost his sister to leukemia.

Hosting St. Louis’ White and Black Ball since 2006, Nelly aims to raise funds for scholarships.

Nelly honored Michael Brown, establishing a scholarship in his name after Brown’s tragic death in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014.

For the Tackle Hunger campaign sponsored by Do Something in 2010, Nelly filmed a public service announcement urging teens to collect one million pounds of food for needy families during the holiday season.

Working with Vatterott College in 2011, Nelly co-founded the Ex’treme Institute By Nelly, a music production school in St. Louis.

Real Estate

Nelly purchased a 11,000-square-foot mansion near the Hidden Valley Country Club in Eureka, Missouri, in 2002 for $1.925 million. The property, set on 12 acres, included a sports court, basketball court, pool, and hot tub. After struggling to sell the home, Nelly accepted a significant loss when he sold it for $599,000 in October 2021. Watch how the home looked in mid-2021 when it was abandoned and deteriorating:

In 2002, Nelly also bought a ranch-style lake house that was featured on MTV Cribs. He sold this property in June 2010 for $740,158. Watch the “Cribs” episode:

 

---

* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:

Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.

Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.

Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.

Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.

Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.

Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.

Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.

Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.

Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.

Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.