Tom Araya's Picture'

Tom Araya Net Worth

$14 Million

Birth Date:

Birth Place:

Gender:

Nationality:

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Jun 6, 1961 (63 years old)

Viña del Mar

Male

United States of America

singer , Musician , Bassist , Songwriter , Actor

What Is Tom Araya's Net Worth?

Tom Araya is a Chilean-American musician with a net worth of $14 million. Tom, who started playing bass at the age of eight, first played music with his older brother Cisco. In the 1980s, Tom became a certified respiratory therapist, later using his earnings to support Slayer's first record, "Show No Mercy," in 1983. His song "Eyes of the Insane" won a Grammy Award, and Slayer has sold over three million copies of their ten studio albums. Despite medical issues that disrupted tours, Tom remains one of the top 100 greatest metal vocalists of all time according to "Hit Parader."

Early Life

Tomás Enrique Araya Diaz was born on June 6, 1961, in Viña del Mar, Chile. His family moved to the U.S. when he was five. Inspired by his older brother, Tom began learning bass at age eight. They played Beatles and Rolling Stones songs to sharpen their skills. After high school, Tom enrolled in a respiratory therapy program, completing it successfully. During this time, he honed his musical talents.

Career

In 1981, Kerry King invited Tom to join Slayer. Tom financed the band's debut album, "Show No Mercy," with his earnings as a respiratory therapist. The success of this album led to Slayer's first European tour in 1984, during which Tom decided to focus solely on music, quitting his hospital job. From 1981 to 2019, Tom remained a consistent member of Slayer. The band's style matured with the release of a darker EP "Haunting the Chapel" in 1984, followed by "Live Undead" recorded in NYC. Slayer's second full-length album, "Haunting of the Chapel," released in 1985, attracted wide acclaim, eventually leading to a contract with Def Jam Records. Their third album, "Reign in Blood," despite a controversial theme, was a breakthrough that charted on "Billboard" 200 and achieved gold status.

Tom Araya

Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Throughout the next decades, Slayer continued to rise in popularity despite inner conflicts and lineup changes. Tom's lyrical contributions, such as "213" and the Grammy-winning "Eyes of the Insane," often drew from his fascination with serial killers. He played a significant role in promoting the band's sound and lyrical content. Tom has endorsed Marshall amplifiers and ESP guitars, with one of the first signature ESP bass series.

Personal Life

Tom Araya resides in Buffalo, Texas, on a ranch with his wife Sandra and their two children, Ariel and Tomas. The family manages a substantial cattle ranch and homeschools their children. Tom is a practicing Roman Catholic and has spoken against misconceptions linking Slayer to Satan worship, stating the imagery was meant to scare. Over the years, Tom faced health challenges such as gallbladder surgery and sleep apnea. In 2010, he underwent neck surgery, impacting his ability to perform aggressively on stage.