What is Desmond Child's Net Worth?
Desmond Child is an esteemed American musician, songwriter, and producer with a net worth of $200 million. He has been a cornerstone in creating over 80 Top 40 singles, such as Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On A Prayer,' Aerosmith's 'Dude Looks Like A Lady,' and Ricky Martin's 'Livin' La Vida Loca.' Child has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Michael Bolton, Kelly Clarkson, Cher, KISS, Tina Turner, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Roxette, and Alice Cooper. His autobiography, 'Livin' on a Prayer: Big Songs Big Life,' co-written with David Ritz, further details his illustrious career.
'Thong Song' Royalties
Sisqó's 1999 hit 'Thong Song' contains the line 'livin' la vida loca' without prior permission. Consequently, the majority of the song's publishing income is funneled to Desmond Child instead of Sisqó.
Early Life
Born John Charles Barrett on October 28, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida, Desmond is the son of Elena Casals and Joseph Marfy. Raised in Miami and Ponce, Puerto Rico, Desmond's mother, a songwriter, taught him to play piano. He formed his first band during his teenage years. Child attended Miami-Dade College before moving to New York, where he graduated from New York University.
Career
In 1975, Desmond Child formed the band Desmond Child & Rouge with Maria Vidal, Myriam Valle, and Diana Grasselli. They released two albums, 'Desmond Child & Rouge' and 'Runners in the Night,' in 1979 and appeared on 'Saturday Night Live' the same year. Following the band's disbandment in 1980, Child penned hits for KISS, including 'I Was Made for Lovin' You,' and for artists such as Billy Squier and Cher. Throughout the 1980s, he solidified his reputation by writing for Bonnie Tyler, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Ronnie Spector, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Alice Cooper.
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Child's contributions expanded into the 1990s and beyond. He co-wrote six tracks on Ratt's 1990 album 'Detonator' and contributed to works by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Bon Jovi, and Chynna Phillips. His collaborative efforts on Ricky Martin's 1999 album 'Ricky Martin' garnered three Grammy nominations. In subsequent years, he worked with 'American Idol' alums like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Carrie Underwood, as well as artists including LeAnn Rimes, Sebastian Bach, Lindsay Lohan, Katy Perry, Weezer, and Selena Gomez. Notably, he produced and co-wrote tracks for Meat Loaf’s 2006 album 'Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose' and co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Personal Life
Desmond Child began a relationship with Curtis Shaw in 1989. After briefly separating in the late 1990s, they reconciled and decided to start a family. The couple welcomed twin sons, Nyro and Roman, on May 8, 2002, via surrogate. Their experience was documented in 2013's 'Two: The Story of Roman & Nyro.' Child, who holds dual American and Hungarian citizenship, also penned the anthem 'The Steps of Champions' for Hungary's 1956 Revolution commemorations.
Awards and Nominations
Desmond Child has been honored with multiple Grammy nominations, including Best R&B Song for 'Thong Song,' Best Pop Album for 'Ricky Martin,' and both Record of the Year and Song of the Year for 'Livin' La Vida Loca.' He won a Latin Grammy for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album for 'Soy' by Alejandra Guzmán and received El Premio Awards for Song Of The Year. In 2003, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music and Lyrics and an Online Film & Television Association Award nomination in 2002. Child was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and has received numerous other accolades over his career, including the ASCAP Founders Award in 2018.
