Pharrell Williams is a music producer, a singer, and a fashion designer. He is one of the richest musicians in America with a net worth estimated to be $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The recording artiste made his money from music and various business ventures.
Williams was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Pharaoh, a handyman, and Carolyn Williams, a teacher. He is the oldest of three children. Music was quite instrumental for young Williams. It was therefore not surprising that while at Princess Anne High School, he played the snare drum in the marching band.
He proceeded to the Northwestern University but dropped out after two years to pursue music with his childhood friend Chad Hugo. They formed an R&B group, The Neptunes, and were eventually discovered by Teddy Riley while performing at a high school.
The Neptunes produced a song for rapper Jay-Z, which featured a chorus by Williams, “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)” in 2000. They also produced “I’m a Slave 4 U”, the lead single for Britney Spears’s third album.
The Neptunes produced their first album under the name N.E.R.D. which became a hit in America. The band released their first studio album, “The Neptunes Present…Clones” in 2003 and the second album in 2004.
Williams launched his solo career in 2013 with his debut single “Frontin'” and a debut album, “In My Mind.” In 2014, he launched his second album, reaching No.1 on the US R&B chart as well as in Australia, Denmark, Switzerland, and the UK.
Worldwide, his album was number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Soon afterward, he released another single, “Happy” which reached number one in 10 countries and was certified 7x platinum.
Like many musicians, Williams is also an entrepreneur. In 2008, he reportedly co-designed glasses and jewelry for Louis Vuitton. He also founded two two clothing lines, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear. In 2013, he created a line of sunglasses for Moncler before serving as the executive producer for the 2015 film “Dope.”
In 2016, he entered into a collaboration with Adidas and released his “human race” collection. Aside from engaging in ventures that bring in money, he also donates substantially to charity. He founded a non-profit organization, From One Hand to Another (FOHTA), to empower underserved children by giving them access to new technology, media, and art.
His other partnership includes collaborating with Chanel and Adidas on a €1,000 (now $1,200) sneaker in 2017 and partnering with Verizon to launch a music curriculum for Verizon Foundation Learning schools.
Williams also spends big on luxurious stuff. He bought a 9,000 square-foot waterfront home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for $1.85 million in 2001. He reportedly sold his Miami Beach penthouse apartment for $8.5 million in 2007.
He upgraded to a triplex penthouse, also in Miami, at the cost of $12.5 million. He eventually sold the facility for $9.35 million in 2015 after listing for $17 million. He acquired a 17,000 square-foot home in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, which was previously owned by billionaire Tyler Perry.
He listed the property for sale in March 2020, pricing it at $17 million. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he moved in April 2020 to Coral Gables, Florida, where he paid $30 million for a home.
The “Happy” singer has won several awards. He received two Grammys in 2004, one for Producer of the Year and another for Best Pop Vocal Album for his collaboration with Justin Timberlake on “Justified.
In 2014, he won four Grammys out of eight nominations. He won the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Group Performance.
Last month, the singer opened The Goodtime Hotel in Miami with restaurant and nightlife industry veteran David Grutman. The 266-room Art Deco-style property in South Beach, which features Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay views, opened on April 15 with stars like David and Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, and Future present.
“We want The Goodtime Hotel to impart a feeling of both revitalization and that rare, exciting thrill that takes over when you discover something special,” Williams said in a press release. “It’s that adrenaline-fueled sensation of entering a whole new setting and a whole new mindset. This place will provide a natural good time, for all who come through.”
