Revealed: Wilson Pickett's Assets & Salary & Career Highlights Net Worth 2026: Career Earnings & Assets

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

What Was Wilson Pickett's Net Worth?

Wilson Pickett was an American singer and songwriter who had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of his death in 2006. Wilson Pickett was an R&B, soul, and rock and roll singer. Wilson joined the gospel music group the Violinaires in 1955 and toured churches across the country. He joined the Falcons in 1959 and co-authored and sang lead vocals on the minor hit "I Found a Love." Pickett's solo debut studio album, "It's Too Late," was released in 1963 on Double L records, and he went on to release several successful albums over his career. More than 50 of Wilson's singles made it onto the "Billboard" R&B charts, and his songs frequently appeared on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart as well. Some of his most popular hits include "In the Midnight Hour," "Mustang Sally," "Funky Broadway," and "Land of 1,000 Dances." His albums were released on Atlantic, Stax, RCA, EMI, and Motown Records. Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. He passed away from a heart attack on January 19, 2006, at the age of 64.

Early Life

Wilson Pickett was born on March 18, 1941, in Prattville, Alabama. He had 10 siblings, and he referred to his mother as "the baddest woman in my book." Wilson told historian Gerri Hirshey, "She used to hit me with anything, skillets, stove wood … [one time I ran away and] cried for a week. Stayed in the woods, me and my little dog." In 1955, Pickett moved to Detroit to live with his father. During his youth, Wilson performed in Baptist church choirs.

Career

Pickett joined the gospel group the Violinaires in 1955 and stayed with them until 1959, when he joined the R&B group the Falcons. His biggest success with the group was the song "I Found a Love," which was a minor hit and paved the way for Wilson to begin a solo career. His first solo recordings were "I'm Gonna Cry" and "If You Need Me," and he sent a demo to Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler, who gave it to the label's biggest star, Solomon Burke. Burke recorded his own version of "If You Need Me," which reached #2 on the "Billboard" R&B chart. Pickett was angry when he found out that Atlantic Records had given his song to another artist, but he denied it when he returned to Wexler's studio with another demo. Later that year, Wilson released his version of the song as his debut solo single, and it reached #30 on the "Billboard" R&B chart. In July 1963, his single "It's Too Late" peaked at #7 on that chart. His debut album of the same name was released later that year on Double L Records, and the success of the single convinced Wexler and Atlantic Records to buy Pickett's recording contract in 1964.

After moving to Atlantic, Wilson released the single "I'm Gonna Cry," which he produced. The record label then paired him with songwritersCynthia WeilandBarry Mannand producer Bert Berns. The team was responsible for the single "Come Home Baby," on which Pickett duetted with Tami Lynn, but it didn't chart. His third single with Atlantic was 1965's "In the Midnight Hour," which topped the "Billboard" R&B chart, was certified Gold, and earned a Grammy nomination. Later in 1965, Wilson released the singles "Don't Fight It," "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)," and "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)," which peaked at #4, #1, and #13, respectively, on the "Billboard" R&B chart. In 1966, he had a hit with "Land of 1000 Dances," which reached #1 on the "Billboard" R&B chart and #6 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart, and "Mustang Sally," which peaked at #6 on the R&B chart. His next #1 hit on the R&B chart was 1967's "Funky Broadway," followed by "Don't Knock My Love – Pt. I" in 1971. Pickett also had top 10 hits on that chart with "I'm in Love" (1967), "She's Lookin' Good" (1968), "I'm a Midnight Mover" (1968), "Sugar, Sugar" (1970), "Engine No. 9" (1970), "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You" (1971), and "Fire and Water" (1971).

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In summary, the total wealth of Wilson Pickett reflects strategic moves.

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