What is Belinda Carlisle's net worth?
Belinda Carlisle, an American singer, boasts a net worth of $14 million. Rising to fame as the lead singer of the iconic rock band the Go-Go's, Carlisle has not only enjoyed success with the band but also as a celebrated solo artist. Some of her hit solo songs include "Mad About You," "Leave a Light On," and "Heaven is a Place on Earth."
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1958, to Joanne, a homemaker, and Harold, a gas station worker, Carlisle is the eldest of seven siblings. Her early life was marked by financial hardship, especially after her father left the family when she was just five. Her mother's subsequent marriage to Walt Kurczeski, an alcoholic, led to a turbulent family environment. The family moved several times before settling in Burbank. By age ten, Carlisle's passion for music began to surface.
During her teenage years, she attended Colina Junior High School and Newbury Park High School, where she was a cheerleader. Post-graduation, she had brief stints working in a fabric store, as a photocopier at Hilton Hotels, and briefly attended beauty college before deciding to leave.
In 1977, Carlisle embarked on her musical journey as a drummer for the punk rock band the Germs. Her time with the band was cut short due to contracting mononucleosis.
The Go-Go's
Following her stint with the Germs, Carlisle co-founded the Go-Go's, originally named the Misfits. The band solidified with members Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock, despite their minimal musical training. The Go-Go's climbed the charts in the '80s, championing the new wave genre. Notably, they became the first all-female band to play their instruments and write their music to have a number one album with their 1981 debut, "Beauty and the Beat." The album, which went double platinum, featured hits like "We Got the Beat" and "Our Lips Are Sealed." Subsequent albums like "Vacation" and "Talk Show" further cemented their legacy.
Start of Solo Career
When the Go-Go's disbanded in 1985, Carlisle carved out a successful solo career. Her debut solo album, "Belinda" (1986), went gold in the US with singles like "Mad About You" reaching number three domestically and topping the Canadian charts. Her follow-up album, "Heaven on Earth" (1987), included smash hits such as "Heaven is a Place on Earth," "I Get Weak," and "Circle in the Sand."
Her third solo effort, "Runaway Horses" (1989), was a hit in the UK and Australia, with notable singles like "Leave a Light On," "Summer Rain," and "(We Want) the Same Thing."
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Further Solo Career
In 1991, Carlisle released "Live Your Life Be Free," featuring singles such as the title track, "Do You Feel Like I Feel?," and "Little Black Book." This was followed by "Real" in 1993 and "A Woman and a Man" in 1996. The latter revitalized her career in Europe, producing hits like "In Too Deep" and "Always Breaking My Heart." The album earned a gold certification in the UK.
Her 1999 compilation album, "A Place on Earth: The Greatest Hits," included new tracks like "All God's Children" and "Feels Like I've Known You Forever." Later works include albums like "Voila" and "Wilder Shores," the latter featuring a selection of Sikh chants.
Go-Go's Reunion
The Go-Go's reunited in 2001 for the album "God Bless the Go-Go's," which included the single "Unforgiven." Despite mixed reviews, the album charted at number 57 on the US Billboard 200. The band toured the US from 2011 to 2012, performing at iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre.
Personal Life and Health
Carlisle's personal life has seen its ups and downs. In the early '80s, she dated drummer Bill Bateman before her relationship with baseball player Mike Marshall. In 1986, she married politician and producer Morgan Mason, with whom she has a son named Duke. Following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, they relocated to France, and in 2017, they moved to Bangkok, Thailand.
During her early years with the Go-Go's, Carlisle struggled with addiction to cocaine and alcohol, paralleled by an eating disorder. In 2005, she committed to sobriety and has maintained it since.
Activism
Inspired by her son coming out at 14, Carlisle has been an ardent supporter of LGBTQ rights. She co-founded the Animal People Alliance in 2014, a nonprofit based in Kolkata, India, which helps train impoverished women to care for street animals.
