David Copperfield's Net Worth and Career Earnings
David Copperfield is an acclaimed American illusionist whose net worth is an astounding $1 billion, making him the wealthiest magician globally. He performs approximately 515 shows annually at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, generating between $40 million and $60 million each year. Copperfield is a financial powerhouse, with profits from real estate, restaurants, merchandise, and magic memorabilia supplementing his magical earnings.
He is the most commercially successful magician in history, having sold over 40 million tickets and grossed more than $4 billion in revenue from shows and tours. His theatre in Las Vegas hosts up to three shows daily, seven days a week, 42 weeks a year, generating about $50 million annually from ticket sales alone. Moreover, Copperfield's merchandising adds significantly to his wealth, as he exercises complete control over it.
David holds an impressive record in the entertainment industry, having sold more tickets than any solo performer, including icons like Madonna, Justin Bieber, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson. In 1996, his show 'Dreams and Nightmares' set a record for the most Broadway tickets sold in a week.
David Copperfield has spent over four decades captivating audiences with his legendary magic tricks and TV specials, which include astounding feats such as making the Statue of Liberty disappear and walking through the Great Wall of China. He also founded the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas, dedicated to preserving the art and history of magic, home to the world's largest collection of magical artifacts.
Early Life
David Copperfield, born David Seth Kotkin on September 16, 1956, in Metuchen, New Jersey, grew up in a Jewish household. His mother, Rebecca, was an insurance adjuster, and his father, Hyman, owned a men's haberdashery called Korby's. Copperfield began learning magic and ventriloquism at a young age at Warren's Camp Harmony. By the age of 10, he was performing locally as 'Davino, the Boy Magician.'
At 12, David became the youngest person admitted to the Society of American Magicians and began teaching magic at New York University at 16. He later attended Fordham University but left to pursue performing, starring in 'The Magic Man' in Chicago, using his stage name, David Copperfield.
Career
At 19, David created and performed 'The Magic of David Copperfield' at Honolulu's Pagoda Hotel. In 1977, he hosted the ABC special 'The Magic of ABC,' followed by several 'The Magic of David Copperfield' specials on CBS from 1978 to 2001. In 1980, Copperfield starred as The Magician in 'Terror Train,' and in 1983, he famously made the Statue of Liberty disappear.
David collaborated with prominent figures such as Francis Ford Coppola for his Broadway show 'Dreams & Nightmares' and worked with authors like Dean Koontz for the anthology 'David Copperfield's Tales of the Impossible.'
In 2001, he performed at a UNICEF benefit at the White House, and in 2011, he worked on 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,' developing illusions for the film. David has also appeared in TV series such as 'The Crazy Ones' and 'The Simpsons.'
(Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Personal Life
David Copperfield was engaged to German supermodel Claudia Schiffer from 1993 to 1999. Since 2006, he has been in a relationship with French model Chloe Gosselin, with whom he has a daughter named Sky, born in 2010. Copperfield also reportedly has two children, Dylan and Audrey, with Czech model Marie Petlickova.
In 2007, David faced a sexual assault accusation, but no charges were filed. Again in 2018, accusations emerged about an incident decades earlier. In 1982, Copperfield founded Project Magic, a rehabilitation program using magic as therapy for people with disabilities.
Magic Memorabilia & Art Collection
David Copperfield possesses the world's most extensive collection of magic memorabilia, featuring over 150,000 items and books, including invaluable artifacts from Harry Houdini and Robert Houdin. His 40,000-square-foot warehouse in Las Vegas houses this priceless collection, which is mainly available to magicians, historians, academics, and actors.
The collection began in 1991 with the purchase of the Mulholland Library of Conjuring and the Allied Arts for $2.2 million. Business analysts estimate the collection's value at around $500 million. Notable items include Houdini's Water Torture Cabinet and his original straight jacket.
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
Awards and Achievements
David Copperfield has received 21 Emmy Awards and numerous accolades, including being named Magician of the Century and Magician of the Millennium. He received the U.S. Library of Congress' Living Legend Award and was knighted by the French government as the Chevalier of Arts and Letters. Copperfield holds 11 Guinness World Records, including 'Most magic shows performed in a year' and 'Most tickets sold worldwide by a solo entertainer.'
David Copperfield – Billionaire Magician / Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Real Estate
David Copperfield's real estate portfolio is valued between $200-300 million. In Las Vegas, he lives in a penthouse provided by the MGM, and he also owns a mansion just off the strip. His four-story New York City penthouse spans 10,000 square feet with additional 6,000 square feet of terraces.
Copperfield's most opulent properties are found in the Bahamas, where he owns 11 private islands collectively known as the Islands of Copperfield Bay. The centerpiece, Musha Cay, was purchased for $55 million in 2006. Copperfield transformed the islands into a luxurious resort, accommodating up to 24 guests at $37,000-$50,000 per night. The resort attracts high-profile guests such as Oprah Winfrey and Sergey Brin, who married there in 2007.
his Midtown Manhattan penthouse, valued at over $60 million, includes antique arcade games and life-sized mannequins in its 18 rooms. Copperfield maintains a home furnished with unique artifacts like Harry Houdini's pool table, starkly reflecting his illustrious career and passion for the magical arts.
