What Was Patsy Cline's Net Worth?
Patsy Cline, an iconic American country music singer, had an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time of her tragic death in 1963, adjusted for inflation. Renowned for her rich tone and contralto voice, Cline was one of the most successful and influential vocalists of the 20th century. She played a significant role in paving the way for women in the country music industry.
Cline was the first solo female performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She appeared on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll," Country Music Television's "40 Greatest Women of Country Music," and Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers of All-Time" and "100 Greatest Country Artists of All-Time." She released three studio albums during her life: "Patsy Cline" (1957), "Showcase" (1961), and "Sentimentally Yours" (1962). Posthumously, "A Portrait of Patsy Cline" (1964), "That's How a Heartache Begins" (1964), and "Always" (1980) were released. Patsy had 24 singles, with top 10 hits like "Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces," "Crazy," "She's Got You," "When I Get Thru with You," and "Leavin' on Your Mind." Cline passed away in a plane crash on March 5, 1963, at the age of 30.
Early Life
Patsy Cline, born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia, was the daughter of Hilda Patterson and Samuel Hensley. The family moved frequently as Samuel sought employment as a blacksmith. Patsy endured a challenging childhood, revealing later in life that her father had sexually abused her.
At 13, Cline was hospitalized with severe rheumatic fever and a throat infection, an experience she credited with giving her a powerful voice. She began singing in a local church choir and performing on the Winchester radio station WINC. As a teenager, she performed in a nightclub cabaret act and on the radio. She attended John Handley High School but dropped out to support her family, working as a soda jerk and clerk.
Success
At 15, Cline sought an audition with the Grand Ole Opry but did not receive a timely response. In 1952, she auditioned for local bandleader Bill Peer and began performing with his band. She adopted the stage name "Patsy Cline." In 1953, she won a local country music contest, which led to regular performances on "Connie B. Gay's Town and Country Time."
In 1954, Cline signed with Four Star Records, which leased her songs to Decca Records. Her first single, "A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye," was released in 1955. Cline's performance of "Walkin' After Midnight" on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" in 1957 propelled her to fame. Her debut album, "Patsy Cline," was released the same year, followed by "Showcase" in 1961 and "Sentimentally Yours" in 1962. Cline achieved several top 10 hits, including "Crazy," written by Willie Nelson.
Getty
In 1961, Cline signed with Decca Records and was named "Favorite Female Vocalist" by "Billboard" magazine. She became the first female country artist to headline a show in Las Vegas. Her last single, "Leavin' on Your Mind," was released shortly before her death.
Personal Life
Patsy married Gerald Edward Cline in 1953, but they divorced four years later. She then married Charlie Dick in 1957, with whom she had two children, Julie and Randy. Despite a tumultuous marriage, Patsy and Charlie remained together until her death. In June 1961, Cline survived a near-fatal car accident, sustaining extensive injuries but making a remarkable recovery.
Death
On March 3, 1963, Patsy performed at a benefit for disc jockey "Cactus" Jack Call's family in Kansas. She opted to fly back to Nashville on March 5, 1963, in a Piper PA-24 Comanche plane piloted by her manager, Randy Hughes. Unfortunately, the plane crashed due to inclement weather, killing everyone on board. Patsy's funeral drew thousands of mourners, and she was buried in Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester, Virginia.
Awards and Honors
Posthumously, Patsy was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999, and her songs "Crazy" and "I Fall to Pieces" were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1993, Cline was featured on a U.S. Postal Service stamp. Her childhood home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and is now a museum.
Real Estate
In early 1962, Cline purchased a 2,770 square foot home near Nashville with a $22,000 royalty check. Sadly, she lived there for less than a year before her death. The home was later sold to singer Wilma Burgess, who believed it was haunted. The house sold for $540,000 in April 2022.
