Country music wouldn’t be the same without the legendary George Strait. The Texas native has been a staple in the genre for over 30 years and still going strong! With a career spanning decades, it’s no wonder that his net worth is so high.
As of 2022, the King of country music George Strait net worth is estimated to be over $300 million dollars! This includes his earnings from albums, merchandise sales, touring, and more. He has released over 60 studio albums which have sold millions of copies across the world.
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Childhood
George ‘Harvey’ Strait Jr. was born in 1952 on May 18th. He was raised in Poteet, Texas by parents George and Jean. He is one of three children and spent his childhood working alongside his father on the family’s 2,000-acre cattle ranch in Pearsall. From a young age, he loved animals and farm work – something that he credits his time spent on the ranch for developing within him.
At ten years old, his parents got a divorce. While in high school he joined a rock ‘n roll band with some other students. Even though the Beatles were one of the bands that first caught his attention, he quickly started to love country artists such as George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, and Hank Thompson among many others. He used to go see performances by different country artists every chance he had all across Texas.
Afterward, he joined the Army and was posted in Hawaii. While there, he also took part in an Army-approved country band. All told, he spent 4 years in the Army left as a Corporal. After being honorably discharged, he pursued higher education at Southwest Texas State University where eventually graduated with an Agriculture degree.
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Personal Life
He married his high school sweetheart, Norma Voss in 1971, and have been together since. Together, they have two children-a daughters Jennifer and a son, George Jr. The death of their daughter in a car accident in 1986 led George to establish the Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation, a children’s charity.
George Strait is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman who still enjoys life on the ranch when he isn’t busy
Career Beginnings
Strait began his musical journey in college when he joined the band, Stoney Ridge. He later renamed the group The Ace in the Hole Band after becoming the lead singer. They gained popularity quickly in Texas. They even had the chance to open for renowned artists like the Texas Playboys. George and his bandmates recorded multiple singles; however, their career never really succeeded. To make ends meet, he worked on the ranch back home.
After being turned away by what felt like every record label in Nashville, George Strait was close to giving up on his dream of making it in the music industry. He took a job offer designing cattle pens and gave notice to the band he was playing with at the time, Stoney Ridge. His wife Norma persuaded him to give music one more try before throwing in the towel. Her advice paid off when Strait signed a recording contract with MCA Records in February 1981.
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Success With MCA Records
George Strait’s career with MCA Records was extremely successful. His debut single, “Unwound”, topped the charts and set the tone for a fruitful career ahead of him. His album, ‘Strait Country,’ went Platinum and ended up being one of the most successful country albums in history. The album was very successful primarily because it proved that traditional country sounds could still be popular in the modern era. Previously, the genre had been shifting heavily toward pop music.
Strait released a second album, “Strait From the Heart,” in 1982 which had his first number-one single, “Fool Hearted Memory” and “Amarillo By Morning,’ which went to number five. This was also when he began to perform live for audiences. However, after his daughter tragically died, George Strait chose to stop doing media interviews even though he continued writing and producing hits.
Strait released seven more albums in the 1980s and seventeen number-one hits.
In 1990 he appeared in the movie “Pure Country.” While the film was a flop, the soundtrack released by Strait was a chat topper.
George Strait’s Album And Tour Sales
George Strait has more number-one albums and singles, gold albums, platinum albums, and multi-platinum albums than any other country music artist, placing him eleventh for most number-one albums across all genres.
He has gone on to release more than 30 studio albums With over 60 number-one singles. In total, he has sold over 120 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. His most recent album ‘Honky Tonk Time Machine was released in 2019 and debuted at number one on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
He designed a 360-degree theater for his concerts which let more fans experience it live. This approach was also successful enough that George made close to $100 million in three years from Strait Tours. Even though he has fewer tour dates, Strait still manages to earn a significant amount of money per show.
The Cowboy Rides Away tour, in 2012, was a success and set a new record for the highest-earning single show concert with earnings of over $18 million from just one performance in Arlington. It was also George’s last concert in ten years and drew +100,000 fans. On March 20, 2022, George played to nearly 80 000 people at Rodeo Houston.
Sponsors
Wrangler Jeans has partnered with country singer George Strait to help raise money for veterans and their families through the National Patriot program. The initiative’s goal is to provide financial assistance to American heroes who have fallen or been wounded in action.
Strait has also partnered with Resistol (a brand that makes cowboy hats), Justin Boots, Codigo Tequila, and Garia (a Danish manufacturer of luxury golf cars).
Awards And Recognition
Throughout his career, George Strait has been the recipient of numerous awards. He has won twenty-two Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards, CMT Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Grammy Award for the best country album for the album “Troubadour” in 2009.
Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
At the 10th Billboard Touring Award ceremony in November 2013, George Strait was presented with the Legend of Live award.
George Strait Lifestyle
George Strait is known for his laid-back approach to life, both on and off the stage. He’s often seen sporting jeans, a cowboy hat, and boots as part of his signature style. His ranch near San Antonio is one of his favorite places to unwind. He enjoys hunting, fishing, playing golf, and spending time with his family.
George Strait is also an avid horse racer and owns a successful stable of racehorses. He often attends races when he’s not on the road performing.
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George Strait Legacy
At 70 years old, American country music singer George Strait remains one of country music’s biggest stars, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. His iconic sound has left an indelible mark on the genre and will continue to influence generations of fans and country music singers. Whether he’s in the studio, onstage, or at home with his family, George Strait always puts on a show that fans around the world can enjoy.
As of 2022, George Strait’s net worth is at around $300 million. He has won numerous awards and still remains a fan favorite. With his timeless style and sound, George Strait is sure to be remembered for decades to come as one of the greatest musicians in country music history.
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