What is Tori Amos's Net Worth?
Tori Amos is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and musician with a notable net worth of $60 million. Starting as the lead singer of the 80s pop group Y Kant Tori Read, she later carved out a successful solo career in the early 90s with hits like "Crucify," "Silent All These Years," and "God." Amos's remarkable talents have earned her multiple Grammy and MTV VMA nominations.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 22, 1963, in Newton, North Carolina, Tori Amos is the third child of Edison and Mary. At age two, her family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. While Amos never took formal piano lessons, she was a musical prodigy, teaching herself to play the piano by age three and composing her own songs soon after. At just five years old, she became the youngest student admitted to the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University but left at age 11 due to "insubordination."
By 13, Amos was performing in piano and gay bars, and at 17, she had already compiled numerous demo tapes that her father actively sent to record producers. This effort paid off when Atlantic Records signed her, prompting her move to Los Angeles in 1984 to further her music career.
Y Kant Tori Read
In 1986, Tori Amos formed the band Y Kant Tori Read, which included Steve Caton, Matt Sorum, Brad Cobb, and Jim Tauber. The group released a self-titled album in 1988, but it failed commercially, leading to their breakup. Amos then worked as a backup vocalist for artists like Stan Ridgway, Al Stewart, and Sandra Bernhard.
Solo Career in the 90s
Tori Amos's solo career took off with her debut album "Little Earthquakes" in 1992, covering themes like religious upbringing and sexual awakening. It became a significant success, reaching number 15 on the UK charts and peaking in the top 60 in the US, with notable singles like "Crucify," "Silent All These Years," "China," and "Winter." Her second album, "Under the Pink" (1994), debuted at number one in the UK and at number 12 on the Billboard 200.
By 1996, Amos released "Boys for Pele," recorded using unique instruments like the harpsichord. Despite mixed reviews, it achieved commercial success, hitting number two in both the US and UK. Her 1998 album "From the Choirgirl Hotel," recorded in her Cornwall studio, brought hit singles like "Spark," "Jackie's Strength," and "Raspberry Swirl." In 1999, Amos released "To Venus and Back," a two-disc set featuring studio and live recordings, with singles "Bliss," "1000 Oceans," and "Concertina."
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Solo Career in the 00s
In 2001, Amos released her first concept album, "Strange Little Girls," featuring songs written by men reinterpreted from a female perspective. She followed this with "Scarlet's Walk" in 2002, a concept album focusing on themes like masochism, misogyny, and Native American history. The album was a success, debuting at number seven on the Billboard 200. Subsequent albums "The Beekeeper" (2005) and "American Doll Posse" (2007) both debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.
After parting ways with Epic Records due to creative differences, Amos signed with Universal Republic Records and released "Abnormally Attracted to Sin" in 2009, followed by her first seasonal album, "Midwinter Graces," later that year.
Further Solo Career
In 2011, Amos explored classical music with "Night of Hunters," paying homage to composers like Bach and Debussy. She continued to release albums like "Gold Dust" (2012), "Unrepentant Geraldines" (2014), "Native Invader" (2017), and "Ocean to Ocean" (2021), the latter of which was created during the COVID lockdown and featured contributions from Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans.
Personal Life and Activism
Tori Amos married English sound engineer Mark Hawley in 1998, and they have a daughter. The family splits their time between Sewall's Point, Florida, and Bude, Cornwall. Amos maintains a close friendship with author Neil Gaiman, who is her daughter's godfather.
Amos is also a dedicated activist. After experiencing rape at the age of 22, she became heavily involved with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). In 1994, she launched their toll-free help line and served as the organization's first national spokesperson.
