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Richard Wilkins has built up a net worth of $7 million (£5.9 million) by 2022, based on recent financial reports. The Australian media veteran's impressive wealth comes from his decades-long successful career in entertainment. He still holds his role as Entertainment editor at Channel Nine, bouncing back strong after a tough battle with Covid-19 last year.
His wealth goes beyond his Nine job salary, which reached $400,000 in 2019, though some say it dropped to about $200,000. Smart property investments have boosted his financial status by a lot. Wilkins lives in a stunning Cremorne home in Sydney.
He bought this four-bedroom, three-bathroom house with two swimming pools for $2 million in 2004. The property's value has soared to around $5 million after upgrades. His dedication to entertainment and charity work earned him a prestigious Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award, adding another crown to his remarkable career and financial success.
Richard Wilkins’ Net Worth Revealed
The Richard Wilkins' net worth remains a hot topic that fascinates fans and financial analysts. While we touched on his estimated wealth earlier, let's take a closer look at the details and see how his finances have changed over the last several years.
How much is Richard Wilkins worth in 2024?
Richard Wilkins' bank balance looks pretty healthy in 2024, even with all the ups and downs in show business. Recent money experts put his net worth somewhere between $7-8 million.
This impressive sum shows just how well he's done in Australian media through multiple income streams. His role as Entertainment Editor at Channel Nine has helped keep his finances strong, even as traditional media faces tough times.
He's made some smart moves in real estate too. His Cremorne home, which he bought for $2 million in 2004, has turned out to be a brilliant investment. After some renovations, it's now worth about $5 million. This property boost makes up much of his wealth today.
Comparing net worth from 2021 to 2023
Richard's net worth stayed pretty steady from 2021 to 2023, with just a few small changes along the way. Money watchers estimated his worth at about $6.5-7 million in 2021, and that number grew a bit as we moved into 2022-2023. This stability says a lot, especially given how shaky the economy was during this time.
Here's what shaped these changes:
- Word got around that his Channel Nine salary dropped from about $400,000 to $200,000
- Sydney's fancy suburbs saw property values climb
- Extra cash came in from his Smooth FM radio gig
- He likely earned more from speaking at events and making public appearances
Sources that estimate his net worth
Money magazines and celebrity wealth websites often come up with different numbers when they look at Wilkins' wealth. Yes, it is tricky to figure out exactly how much a public figure is worth. Some numbers come from public salary records, while others are educated guesses about what he owns and has invested in.
Getting the real picture becomes extra tough because many investments stay private, and unique properties like his Cremorne home are hard to value accurately. His personal brand value and possible endorsement deals add another twist to these calculations.
From Music to Media: His Career Journey
Richard Wilkins built an amazing career across music, television, and radio before building his current wealth. His path from aspiring musician to entertainment icon shows how he created multiple income streams that add to his net worth today.
Early life and music career as Richard Wilde
Richard Wilkins graduated from teacher's college in New Zealand with majors in English and Music. His life changed forever after hearing The Beatles' "Love Me Do," despite showing promise as a classical violinist.
He took the stage name "Richard Wilde" and rose to become one of New Zealand's top musicians. His talent earned him a worldwide deal with PolyGram records.
Wilkins made a life-changing move to Australia in 1980 with his band "Wilde and Reckless". He released singles and a six-track EP during this time and toured with international superstar Grace Jones. The birth of his first daughter Rebecca made him decide to step away from his music career.
Transition to television and MTV Australia
The next chapter of Wilkins' career saw him working as Promotions and Marketing Manager for Sydney radio stations 2Day FM and 2UW. His career took off in 1987 when he became the host of MTV Australia. This role was perfect as it combined his musical knowledge with his natural camera presence.
Longstanding role at Channel Nine and Smooth FM
Wilkins became a fixture in Australia's entertainment industry after joining Nine Network in 1987. His role as Entertainment Editor lets him present daily features and interview major celebrities from Billy Connolly and Bruce Springsteen to Barbara Streisand and Britney Spears.
Wilkins expanded his media footprint by joining Smooth FM in 2012, where he hosts weekend mornings from 10am to 1pm. Radio turned out to be "almost the perfect thing" given his deep music background. His remarkable 38-year television career shows his loyalty to his employers. He turned down other media opportunities because he's "very happy" in Sydney.
Where the Money Comes From
Richard Wilkins' multi-million dollar net worth comes from several different money-making ventures. His financial success story spans television, radio, and smart property investments that showcase his knack for building wealth.
Salary from Channel Nine and Smooth FM
His 30-year old position at Channel Nine remains the life-blood of Richard Wilkins' income. While his exact salary stays private, reports from 2019 showed he earned around $400,000 from his Nine role.
Rumors surfaced that his pay dropped to about $200,000. Wilkins shot down these claims in 2024, telling fans that his "famed mullet had not been reduced to a tidy pompadour crop in the interests of helping Nine's beancounters save money".
His radio career at Smooth FM since 2012 adds another healthy stream to his bank account. His weekend show turned into a soaring win by reaching #1 in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Public speaking and brand endorsements
We watched him become "the MC of choice" for elite events like the Australian Record Industry Awards, Australian Fashion Awards, and corporate functions for big names like Qantas and American Express.
These "lucrative side hustles" help him maintain "the rock star style to which he's become accustomed". Industry insiders say these gigs "keep him in the air" and this is a big deal as it means that his media income grows even more.
Real estate investments and property value
Wilkins' property portfolio tells another success story. His Cremorne home, which he bought for just over $2 million in 2004, went through renovations and now sits at roughly $5 million. He sold his Mosman investments – a two-bedroom apartment for $925,000 and another for $1.01 million. Two Cremorne investment apartments he bought in 2013 for $530,000 and $664,000 stay in his portfolio.
Book sales and autobiography revenue
His autobiography "Black Ties, Red Carpets, Green Rooms" hit shelves in 2011. The book climbed to #1 on bestseller lists, without doubt adding another healthy income stream to his diverse money-making ventures.
The Man Behind the Fame
The man behind the substantial richard wilkins net worth has a rich personal life that shaped his public image. His story goes way beyond his financial success and shows a complex individual who faced both victories and setbacks.
Family life and children
Wilkins' family structure might seem unusual at first. He takes pride in being a father to five children from four different mothers. His oldest son Adam, 51, who has Down syndrome, came into his life when he was just 18 years old. Richard describes Adam as "my rock" and "an absolute joy".
His family grew to include Rebecca, 41, Nick, 39, Christian, 29, and Estella, 20. He managed to keep strong bonds with all his children and often says, "We never use the word half, we never use the word step". His son Nick and wife Bree are expecting their first child, as he announced recently.
High-profile relationships and public image
Whatever his relationship history, Wilkins managed to keep a respectable public image. His dating life included television actress Rebecca Gibney in the late 1980s and fashion designer Collette Dinnigan in the early 2000s.
He has been seen with celebrity makeup artist Mia Hawkswell, 47 recently. His relationship with his son Christian got attention, especially after Christian spoke about his father's supportive response when he came out.
Health challenges and COVID-19 recovery
A major turning point came when Wilkins tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020. He spent 18 days in isolation without showing any symptoms. He opened up on 60 Minutes saying, "I felt guilty, I felt ashamed, I felt scared". This experience and losing friends his age changed his perspective on health: "Health is a bit like superannuation – the older you get, the more you think about it".
Awards and recognitions over the years
His contributions earned him remarkable recognition. The Order of Australia came his way in 2014 for "significant service to the community through a range of charities, and to the entertainment industry".
He won two Australian Commercial Radio Awards for Best Music Special for his shows with John Farnham and Michael Bublé. The Variety Club honored him with their "Heart of Variety" Award in 2000 for his humanitarian work.
Conclusion
Richard Wilkins has built a net worth of around $7 million, which shows his remarkable experience in Australian entertainment. His 38-year career reflects smart career choices and investment decisions. He started as a musician in New Zealand and became one of Australia's most recognized entertainment personalities through his talent and business sense.
His wealth mainly comes from his long-running role at Channel Nine. While his salary changed over the years, he stayed relevant in media and maintained financial stability. His weekend radio show on Smooth FM turned into a soaring win by reaching the #1 spot in major Australian markets.
Wilkins showed great judgment with his property investments. The value of his Cremorne home has more than doubled since he bought it for $2 million in 2004. His investment apartments keep growing in value. His autobiography sales and speaking events have added more income streams.
Money isn't everything that defines Wilkins. His commitment to family, especially when you have five children, reveals someone who values both career success and personal life. His battle with COVID-19 in 2020 changed his view on life and wealth.
The Order of Australia recognized his charity work and entertainment contributions. This shows how he used his success to help others. Richard Wilkins represents more than just his net worth – he shows how talent, determination, and flexibility can create both a thriving career and a meaningful life in this dynamic entertainment industry.
FAQs
Q1. What is Richard Wilkins' estimated net worth in 2024?
Richard Wilkins' net worth is estimated to be around $7-8 million as of 2024, reflecting his long-standing career in Australian media and various income streams.
Q2. How did Richard Wilkins start his career in entertainment?
Richard Wilkins began his entertainment career as a musician in New Zealand under the stage name "Richard Wilde," before transitioning to television by hosting MTV Australia in 1987.
Q3. What are Richard Wilkins' main sources of income?
His main income sources include his salary from Channel Nine as Entertainment Editor, his radio show on Smooth FM, public speaking engagements, real estate investments, and book sales from his autobiography.
Q4. How many children does Richard Wilkins have?
Richard Wilkins is a father to five children from four different mothers, ranging in age from early 20s to early 50s.
Q5. Has Richard Wilkins received any notable awards or recognitions?
Yes, Richard Wilkins was awarded the Order of Australia in 2014 for his significant service to the community through charities and his contributions to the entertainment industry. He has also won Australian Commercial Radio Awards for his music specials.
