Fans crowned Harry Belafonte the “King of Calypso,” and his music propelled him to the highest echelons of the music industry. Ken Sunshine, the iconic performer’s spokesman, reported his death to The New York Times on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96, from congestive heart failure.
The activist’s wealth and legacy are truly remarkable. Below, you’ll find additional information on his wealth and stellar career.
Harry Belafonte Net Worth
At the time of his death, American singer, actor, and social crusader Harry Belafonte was worth $30 million. On April 25, 2023, at the age of 96, Harry Belafonte passed away. With his recordings of songs like “Day-O (Banana Boat Song)” and “Matilda,” Belafonte helped spread the popularity of calypso.
Harry’s 1956 album “Calypso,” which featured the singles “Day-O” and “Jamaica Farewell, ” was the first album by a single artist to sell over 1 million copies, and it stayed at the top of the Billboard album chart for 31 consecutive weeks. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Belafonte was the highest-paid black singer in history thanks to the success of this album, which catapulted him to traveling superstardom.
Harry’s cinematic roles included Carmen Jones and Odds Against Tomorrow, and he made a noteworthy cameo in Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” in 2018. Belafonte was a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa and the civil rights movement in the United States. He was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and following Dr. King’s killing, he used his own money to bail out civil rights protesters.
The Co-op That Hosted Civil Rights: Harry Belafonte’s Building Journey
Harry and his investors purchased out the entire complex under the guise of a shadowy corporation.
Harry then turned the property into a co-op that welcomed anyone who wanted to live there. Lena Horne, the famous singer, moved in shortly after. Belafonte gave himself the entire fifth story of the structure, which is 21 rooms and spans 7,000 square feet and includes eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a library, a pool area, and a sauna. Artwork by Marc Chagall, Deigo Rivera, and others adorned his walls.
Harry used his New York City apartment as a hub for the civil rights movement, hosting regular get-togethers with luminaries like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President John F. Kennedy.
Harry stayed in the building for the following half-century, eventually selling apartments to famous people like Tina Fey.
In 2005, Harry put his condo on the market for $15 million. He finally parted ways with it in 2009, when he accepted $10.75 million from Abigail Disney.
Harry purchased a 3.3-acre plot of land in St. Martin, the Caribbean, in 1982. In September of 2005, he got $2.2 million for this house.
Did Harry Belafonte Have Any Children?
Belafonte was a devoted father and grandfather to his four children. During his marriage to Marguerite Byrd, he had his first two daughters, Adrienne and Shari. After divorcing in 1957, Belafonte married Julie Robinson and had children Gina and David with her.
The “Jump in the Line” singer divorced his second wife in 2004, and in 2008 he wed Pamela Frank. They stayed together till Belafonte’s passing.
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