Melissa Etheridge Net Worth- Melissa Etheridge has a net worth of $25 million as an American rock singer-songwriter and activist. Melissa Etheridge is a singer-songwriter, musician, and outspoken LGBT campaigner who rose to prominence after releasing her self-titled debut album in 1988. “Bring Me Some Water,” “Ain’t It Heavy,” “I’m the Only One,” and “Come to My Window” are among her successful tracks. Throughout her career, Etheridge has received multiple Grammy Award nominations and has won an Academy Award for her song “I Need to Wake Up,” which was featured in the 2006 documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Childhood and Education
Melissa Etheridge was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 29, 1961, to computer consultant Elizabeth and high school teacher John. At age eight, she began taking guitar lessons after demonstrating an early interest in music. Etheridge played in local country music ensembles as a teenager.
She attended Leavenworth High School before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she played the club circuit. Etheridge ultimately decided to quit Berklee after three semesters to pursue a career in music in Los Angeles.
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Personal Life
At the Triangle Ball celebration of Bill Clinton’s first presidential inauguration in 1993, Etheridge came out as a lesbian. From 1990 through 2000, she was in a long-term relationship with actress Julie Cypher. Cypher gave birth to daughter Bailey and son Beckett via artificial insemination during their relationship.
Beckett passed away at the age of 21 as a result of an opioid dependency. In 2002, Etheridge began dating actress Tammy Lynn Michaels; the couple married in 2003 and produced Johnnie and Miller via an unidentified sperm donor. The couple separated in 2012. Two years later, Etheridge wed actress and author Linda Wallem, who, coincidentally, has her identical date of birth.
Notably, Etheridge received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2004. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and in 2005 she returned to the Grammy Awards stage to perform “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin. Etheridge appeared on “Dateline NBC” in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Career Beginnings
Etheridge’s big break came in Pasadena, California, when she played at Vermie’s bar. She was introduced to Leopold’s husband, Bill, a music industry manager, after being spotted by soccer player Karla Leopold. With this relationship and her performances in Los Angeles lesbian clubs, Island Records head Chris Blackwell quickly discovered Etheridge. Subsequently, she acquired a publishing contract to compose songs for films, including the drama “Weeds.”
Pioneering Albums
1988 saw the release of Etheridge’s self-titled first album, which peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200 and produced the Grammy-nominated single “Bring Me Some Water.” In 1989, Etheridge released her second studio album, “Brave and Crazy,” which peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy. The tune “Ain’t It Heavy” from her 1992 album “Never Enough” earned Etheridge her first Grammy Award.
In 1993, eight months after she came out as a lesbian, Etheridge released her most popular album to date, “Yes I Am.” It spent 138 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaked at number 15, and produced the hit songs “Come to My Window,” “If I wanted to,” and “I’m the Only One.” For her debut single, Etheridge received her second Grammy Award.
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Further Albums
Following the success of “Yes I Am,” Etheridge released “Your Little Secret,” which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and became her highest-charting album to date. Additionally, the album produced the top 40 songs “I Want to Come Over” and “Nowhere to Go.” After a four-year break from recording,
Etheridge returned in 1999 with “Breakdown,” which reached number 12 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for four Grammys. Following “Skin” was the albums “Lucky,” “The Awakening,” and “Fearless Love.” Etheridge also released “Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled” and “A New Thought for Christmas.” Among her subsequent albums are “4th Street Feeling,” “This is M.E.,” “The Medicine Show,” and “One Way Out.”
I Have to Awaken”
Etheridge penned the original song “I Need to Wake Up” for the 2006 climate change documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” starring Al Gore. This song went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song, earning Etheridge an Oscar.
Awards & Achievements
Due to her brilliance and the range of albums she has released, Mellissa has been nominated and granted numerous honors, and she has also won several of them. As a result, she is currently regarded as one of the most brilliant musicians in the area. Her accolades consist of the following:
- Grammy-winning female rock performer, winner in 1994
- A winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2006 and a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Song in 2007
- In 1992, the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance Grammy Award was presented.
What Is Melissa Etheridge’s Most Famous Song?
Now that we’ve reached the top spot on our list of the top 10 songs by Melissa Etheridge, we’ll move on to the composition that has become her most well-known. It is safe to argue that “Come to My Window” is one of the best audience-singalong songs ever composed. Please Visit Me At My Window.
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Activism
Etheridge’s dedication to advocacy has been recognized throughout her career. She has been highly interested in LGBT causes, including promoting awareness of HIV/AIDS through her work with the L.A. Shanti organization. Etheridge also recorded a song for the Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin AIDS fundraising CD. GLAAD presented her with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her LGBT advocacy.
Etheridge supports many issues outside of the LGBT community. She participated in the 2005 ReAct Now: Music & Relief telethon to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. Additionally, Etheridge fights for environmental consciousness.
Melissa Etheridge’s Net Worth
Melissa Etheridge, a rock singer, songwriter, and activist from the United States of America, is worth $25 million. Melissa Etheridge’s 1988 self-titled debut album was the album that catapulted her to fame as a singer-songwriter, musician, and well-known LGBT activist.
Her number one hits include “Come to My Window,” “I’m the Only One,” “Bring Me Some Water,” and “Ain’t It Heavy?” Throughout her career, Etheridge has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, and she won an Academy Award for the song “I Need to Wake Up,” which was featured in the 2006 documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Facts & Trivia
Top rock singer. Also on the elite list of well-known Americans, She was born on May 29.
Etheridge was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, to computer consultant Elizabeth (Williamson) and teacher John Etheridge. In 1991, he died.
Never Enough was the third album by Etheridge. Never Enough did not top the charts, peaking at #21; nonetheless, “Ain’t It Heavy” earned Etheridge her first Grammy. Never Enough was Etheridge’s first personal, mature album. The album appeared to address sexual suspicions (Etheridge had not yet been released).
In January 1993, Etheridge came out as a lesbian at the Triangle Ball. Since coming out, Etheridge has become an advocate for LGBT rights. In 2006, she used biodiesel to travel to the United States and Canada.
Real Estate
In 2008, Melissa paid $5 million for a property in the Los Angeles suburb of Hidden Hills, California. Today, the 7,000-square-foot property is likely worth between $7 million and $9 million.