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What was Sylvain Sylvain's net worth? How wife Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi raised $79,000 on GoFundMe before death

The musician lived in Atlanta for several years and moved to Nashville in 2015, where he lived until his death

New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain died on Wednesday, January 13, at the age of 69. He was battling cancer for the past two and a half years. The news regarding his death was announced on the musician’s official Facebook page, followed by a tribute for Sylvain penned by fellow band member Arthur Kane.

The post read, "As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer for the past two and 1/2 years. Though he fought it valiantly, yesterday he passed away from this disease. While we grieve his loss, we know that he is finally at peace and out of pain. Please crank up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let’s send this beautiful doll on his way."

Born in Cairo, Sylvain ended up in New York with his family after they fled Cairo. He joined the band New York Dolls in 1972 after becoming friends with the band’s original drummer Billy Murcia in Queens school. Sylvain served as the guitarist, pianist, and vocalist for the rock band’s first two albums titled ‘New York Dolls’ and ‘Too Much Too Soon’. 

What was Sylvain Sylvain’s net worth?

According to Net Worth Post, Sylvain was alleged worth $850,000. The musician reportedly lived in Atlanta for several years and moved to Nashville in 2015 and lived there until his death. 

While not much is known about Sylvain’s properties and wealth, he had sought financial help from fans when he first revealed his cancer diagnosis in 2019. A campaign was started by his wife Wanda O’Kelley Mizrahi on GoFundMe and managed to raise over $79,000, which was used towards Sylvain’s treatment. In April 2019, Sylvain had provided an update on his condition on the same platform, as he thanked all the donators for their support. 

Sylvain on the legacy of his old band 

Even though Sylvain chose to make a solo career for himself in music, he was always proud of Dolls, In an interview with The Quietus, talking about his former band’’s legacy, he had said, “The Dolls were never just a musical band. They gave you a slice of life. Not that they maybe knew that when they were doing it, or had any inkling of what would have happened later on. But we definitely had all those things combined together; that's what gave us our longevity.”

However, he wasn’t hesitant to admit that substance abuse turned out to be destructive to the band. Talking about the extensive use of heroin by the band members, he said, “Terrible. Terrible. We all dabbled with it, but Johnny and Jerry became addicts. I wouldn't change anything. But if I had to do it all over again, I would keep the heroin. Because that's the way it is. You're not gonna change anything.”

Fans share their condolences 

Sylvain’s fans are devastated on learning about the musician’s tragic death after years of battle with the illness. One tweeted, "Got to meet Sylvain Sylvain 10 years ago and he was just the nicest guy. So sad to hear this."

Another added, "The NY Dolls' Sylvain Sylvain is gone. His contribution to the Dolls was a fiery devotion to 50s and 60s rock that shaped their sound and helped them rocket from the Mercer Arts crowd to stages worldwide in a cloud of glitter, lip gloss, & utter chaos." One tweeted, "He was a true original. Along with the rest of The New York Dolls. Glad I got see him live a couple of times. Gonna have to crank up some Dolls all weekend.  Rest In Peace Sylvain Sylvain"

According to Rolling Stone, his wife Wanda said that Mizrahi, who lived in Nashville, will be buried in New York.