Latest Update: Brian May in Net Worth 2026: Career Earnings & Assets

As one of the most talked-about figures, Brian May has built a significant fortune. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What Is Brian May's Net Worth?

Several members of Queen explored side projects throughout the '80s. May released a mini-album with Van Halen in April 1983, "Star Fleet Project." In 1988, Brian contributed guitar solos to Black Sabbath's 14th album "Headless Cross." In the aftermath of Mercury's death in November 1991, May threw himself into work and finished his solo album "Back to the Light" and then got to work touring worldwide to promote it. The album featured the single "Too Much Love Will Kill You." In late 1992, he formed the Brian May Band. It was made up of May on vocals and lead guitar, Cozy Powell on drums, and Mike Moran andRick Wakemanon keyboards. Subsequently, Brian made significant changes to the lineup as he never felt like the group quite gelled together. In February 1993, the new line up began its world tour, supporting Guns N' Roses as well as headlining a few dates. After their tour ended, May returned to the studio and finished "Made in Heaven," Queen's final studio album, with Taylor and Deacon. Brian began working on a new solo album of covers in 1995. Since his last solo album, May has been performing as a solo artist, as part of various ensembles, and as part of Queen +Adam Lambert.

Brian May was born Brian Harold May on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, London, England. He is the son of a Scottish mother, Ruth, and an English father, Harold May. He attended Hampton Grammar School on a scholarship and formed his first band, 1984, during this time. A diligent Astronomy student at Imperial College working towards a Ph.D., Brian decided to put his academic studies on hold as Queen's popularity first exploded.

Queen's show at the 1985 Live Aid concert is regarded as the greatest performance in rock history by several publications. After their show, the band composed the song "One Vision." May's contributions to the writing and composing increased with each subsequent Queen album.

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Side Projects and Solo Career

In May 2011, Taylor and May performed a short set with Adam Lambert at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Their performance was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, and they announced a short summer tour as Queen with Adam Lambert in Europe in 2012. They continued to tour in the summer festival circuits in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In September 2018, the group had a residency at the MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas. On March 31, 2020, Queen + Adam Lambert confirmed their planned tour dates for the year were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sir Brian May CBE is an English musician, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and astrophysicist who has a net worth of $260 million. Brian May, world-renowned as the lead guitarist of the iconic rock band Queen, is acclaimed for his distinct musical style and his contribution to some of the greatest hits in rock history, such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "The Show Must Go On." However, his accomplishments extend far beyond the realm of music. With a PhD in Astrophysics from Imperial College London, May has significantly contributed to the scientific community as well. His work in stereoscopy, a technique for creating the illusion of depth, has been noteworthy, leading to the publication of several books on the topic. He also co-founded Asteroid Day along with renowned astrophysicists to spread awareness about asteroids and their impact on Earth. In addition to his musical and scientific contributions, May has been an active advocate for animal rights. He established the "Save Me Trust," a campaign against the hunting of foxes and the culling of badgers in the UK. In 2005, Brian was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), and he was knighted in 2023.

In 1968, May formed the band Smile withTim StaffellandRoger Taylor. The band only lasted for two years. After that, Staffell left, and May and Taylor joined forces withFreddie MercuryandJohn Deaconto form Queen in 1970. May was the lead guitarist and was the lower-range vocalist in the band's three-part harmonies. Queen first charted in the UK with their second album, "Queen II," in 1974. After that, "Sheer Heart Attack" and "A Night at the Opera" brought them international success, particularly with their smash single "Bohemian Rhapsody." The song stayed at #1 in the UK for nine weeks. The band's 1977 album "News of the World" contained the still-famous anthems "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." By the early '80s, Queen was one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the entire world. Using a home-built guitar named "Red Special," May contributed to many compositions, including "Tie Your Mother Down," "I Want It All," "We Will Rock You," "Fat Bottomed Girls," and "Who Wants to Live Forever." May sang the lead vocals on many Queen songs, including "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Sleeping on the Sidewalk."

Just like other band members, May's fortune has constantly swelled even after the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991. Estimates of Queen's record sales range from 170-300 million records. They are undoubtedly one of the world's best-selling music artists. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

In summary, the total wealth of Brian May reflects strategic moves.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.