How late singer and billionaire Jimmy Buffett made and spent his fortune
Late singer and billionaire Jimmy Buffett lived life king-size
Billionaire musician and multifaceted artist Jimmy Buffett died aged 76 on Friday, September 1. In his four-decade-long musical career, Buffett accumulated significant wealth from his various ventures. In 2023, Forbes declared Buffett to be a billionaire. Here's a look at the different ways Jimmy Buffett gained and spent his wealth.
Jimmy Buffett's 31 albums
Jimmy Buffett released 31 albums in his life, with the first one, 'Down to Earth', coming in 1970. The musician's last album was released in 2020, titled 'Life on the Flip Side'.
Jimmy Buffett did 45 tours
Per Pollstar, till 2022, Jimmy Buffett sold 13,297,669 tickets in 45 tours and earned well over $570 million. Buffett and his The Colar Reefer Band last performed on May 6 in San Diego as part of his Second Wind Tour.
Jimmy Buffett was a New York Times bestselling author
Besides being a prolific musician, Jimmy Buffett was also an accomplished writer. He has topped the New York Times Bestselling authors' list for both fiction and non-fiction. In 1992, he topped the fiction list with his 'Where Is Joe Merchant?' and in 1998 with 'A Pirate Looks at Fifty'.
Jimmy Buffett's restaurant chain
Jimmy Buffett also successfully ventured into the food-and-beverages business, with his restaurant chain Margaritaville present at least at 23 locations. Margaritaville was founded in 1985 after he opened an establishment in Key West, Florida.
Jimmy Buffett dabbled in the resort business
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville hotels and resort chains have more than thirty properties scattered in exotic locations including the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and the US.
Jimmy Buffett also owned a cruise ship
Margaritaville also operates a cruise ship named Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which is based out of the Port of Palm Beach and operates two-night/three-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island. The ship has 658 cabins, eight dining venues, and five bars/lounges.
Jimmy Buffett owned Margaritaville retirement communities and RV parks
Jimmy Buffett dipped his toes in the real estate business with investments in retirement communities and RV parks. There are over five Camp Margaritavilles, and three 55-and-older communities called Latitude Margaritaville. Buffett once said in an interview with The New Yorker, "Who knew people wanted to live in Margaritaville?" before adding, "I thought for a while it was a myth."
Jimmy Buffett owned Landshark restaurant chain
Jimmy Buffett owned another line of restaurants named Landshark Bar and Grill with branches in places including Atlantic City and Times Square. Under the same brand name, they also opened a line of beer named the Landshark Beer. The name refers to his famous song 'Fins'.
Jimmy Buffett's luxurious houses
Jimmy Buffett owned multiple properties including in places like Sag Harbor, New York; Palm Beach, Florida; Beverly Hills, California; and the Caribbean island St Barts. In 2014, he bought an $8.25 million mansion in Beverly Hills, California.
Jimmy Buffett and Air Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett allegedly owned six planes along with a seaplane from the '50s. His company was registered under the name Strange Bird Inc, after his 1989 song. His company also runs several locations named Air Margaritaville in seven airports.