What Is Billy Corgan's Net Worth?
Billy Corgan is an American musician, producer, lyricist, writer, and poet with a net worth of $60 million. He is best known as the lead singer and primary songwriter for the influential alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan's unique blend of alternative rock, dream pop, and heavy metal, along with his emotive voice and introspective lyrics, created a sound that defined a generation in the 1990s. His band's seminal albums like "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" achieved multi-platinum status and are listed among the greatest albums of their era. Corgan's contributions to music have earned him Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1997 and 1998. Beyond The Smashing Pumpkins, he has also been involved in solo work and projects such as Zwan. Outside of music, Billy is known for his outspoken nature and involvement in professional wrestling.
Early Life
Billy Corgan was born William Patrick Corgan, Jr. on March 17, 1967, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. He attended Glenbard North High School and began playing guitar after seeing a Flying V at a friend's house. Corgan then gave his savings to his father, who bought him a used Les Paul knock-off, which Billy taught himself to play. His musical influences included John Cale, Black Sabbath, Queen, Bauhaus, and The Cure. Despite offers of grants and scholarships, Corgan decided to pursue a career in music after high school.
Early Career
In 1985, Corgan moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, with his first band, The Marked, which disbanded after failing to gain success. He returned to Chicago, where he joined the band Deep Blue Dream from 1987 to 1988 before leaving to start The Smashing Pumpkins.
Music Career
Corgan met guitarist James Iha while working in a record store, and began recording demos with him. After a concert, Corgan met bassist D'arcy Wretzky. The trio formed The Smashing Pumpkins and started performing at local clubs using a drum machine. They later recruited Jimmy Chamberlin, which drove the band in a heavier direction. Their debut album "Gish" (1991) surpassed expectations, but it was their second album, "Siamese Dream" (1993), that became a multi-platinum hit. The album featured hits such as "Today," "Cherub Rock," and "Disarm." Under Corgan's leadership, The Smashing Pumpkins transformed into a major label success within three years.
Their 1995 album "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" was an even bigger hit, spawning multiple #1 singles and earning seven Grammy nominations. The album was certified 10x platinum, with "1979" being one of their biggest hits.
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In July 1996, the band's touring keyboardist, Jonathan Melvoin, died of a heroin overdose. Chamberlin was arrested for misdemeanor possession, leading to his firing. Affected by personal struggles and depression, Corgan's 1998 album "Adore" had a somber tone and received mixed reviews. Chamberlin rejoined in 1999, and they released "Machina/The Machines of God." During its recording, Wretzky quit, and the album faced low sales and mixed critiques. The Smashing Pumpkins temporarily disbanded after a final show on December 2, 2000.
Corgan and Chamberlin formed Zwan in late 2001, releasing "Mary Star of the Sea" in 2003 to positive reviews before disbanding. Corgan's solo album "TheFutureEmbrace" (2005) received mixed reviews and low sales.
In 2005, Corgan placed an ad in Chicago newspapers to reform The Smashing Pumpkins, and Chamberlin rejoined soon after. The band officially reunited in 2006. Their subsequent albums included "Zeitgeist" (2007), "Oceania" (2012), "Monuments to an Elegy" (2014), "Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1" (2018), "Cyr" (2020), and "Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts" (2023). To date, The Smashing Pumpkins have released 12 studio albums, selling over 30 million records worldwide, and earning numerous accolades.
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Professional Wrestling
In 2011, Corgan formed the Chicago-based wrestling promotion, Resistance Pro. He became the Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development for Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling in April 2015, and later its president in August 2016 before leaving in November 2016. In May 2017, Corgan purchased the National Wrestling Alliance, taking control in October 2017.
Personal Life
Corgan has struggled with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, attributing these to childhood abuse from his stepmother. He married Chris Fabian in 1993, separating in 1995 and divorcing in 1997. He dated Yelena Yemchuk from 1995 to 2004, and briefly lived with Courtney Love in early 2006. He dated Australian singer Jessica Origliasso from 2010 to 2012. Since 2013, he has been in a relationship with fashion designer Chloe Mendel, with whom he has two children.
Real Estate
In 2003, Corgan purchased a 9,600-square-foot lakefront mansion near Chicago for $6.8 million and later acquired the neighboring property to create an 8-acre compound. In 2009, he bought a Beverly Hills home for $3.85 million, which he sold in 2017 for $3 million, after initially listing it for $5 million in 2015.
