Tom Petty net worth at the time of his death in 2017 was estimated at $95 million. He built this over a more than four-decade career as frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and as a celebrated solo artist.
Tom Petty at Death: Quick Facts
| Net Worth at Death | $95 million (2017) |
| Full Name | Thomas Earl Petty |
| Born | October 20, 1950, Gainesville, Florida |
| Died | October 2, 2017, age 66 |
| Band Formed | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1976 |
| Honor | Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2002 |
Career
Tom Petty formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1976 in Gainesville, Florida, releasing a self-titled debut album featuring “Breakdown” and “American Girl,” before breaking into the mainstream with 1979’s “Damn the Torpedoes,” which included “Refugee” and “Here Comes My Girl.” Across 13 studio albums with the Heartbreakers and a successful solo career, including 1989’s “Full Moon Fever” with hits “Free Fallin'” and “I Won’t Back Down,” Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide, landed 27 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and co-founded the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne in 1988.
He earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Petty battled heroin addiction in the late 1990s but successfully sought treatment before the Heartbreakers’ 1999 tour, and continued performing until shortly before his death.
Death and Legacy
Tom Petty died on October 2, 2017, at age 66, from an accidental drug overdose after being found in cardiac arrest at his Malibu home; he was taken off life support the following day at UCLA Medical Center after showing no brain activity.
He left behind his wife, Dana York Petty, his stepson, and two daughters, Adria and AnnaKim, from his first marriage to Jane Benyo. Estate disputes among family members were eventually resolved with the formation of Tom Petty Legacy LLC, and his catalog has continued generating substantial income through streaming and licensing since his death.
FAQs
What was Tom Petty’s net worth at the time of his death?
Estimated at $95 million, based on his decades-long music career.
How did Tom Petty die?
From an accidental drug overdose on October 2, 2017, at age 66.
What supergroup did Tom Petty co-found?
The Traveling Wilburys, formed in 1988 with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne.
How many records did Tom Petty sell in his career?
More than 80 million worldwide.
