50 Cent Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is 50 Cent’s net worth?

With a net worth estimated at $40 million, 50 Cent is an American entrepreneur, producer, actor, and rapper. He gained fame in the early 2000s with the release of his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” which achieved multiple platinum statuses and produced chart-topping hits like “In Da Club.” Subsequent albums such as “The Massacre” also contributed to his success. Renowned for his unique style characterized by compelling hooks and aggressive lyrics, 50 Cent has sold millions of albums globally. Beyond music, his business ventures have made a significant impact, particularly through his investment in Vitamin Water, which resulted in a considerable payout following the company’s sale to Coca-Cola. Additionally, 50 Cent has successfully transitioned into film and television as both an actor and producer, with his semi-autobiographical series “Power” enjoying great success and spawning several spin-offs.

Throughout his career, it is reported that 50 Cent has amassed at least $200-300 million from diverse ventures such as record sales, touring, and various brand partnerships. Unfortunately, his extravagant spending on things like real estate, cars, and legal matters led to him filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2015. More details on this filing will be provided later in this piece. At his highest point prior to the bankruptcy, 50 Cent’s wealth had reached upwards of $100 million.

Early Life

Born Curtis James Jackson III on July 6, 1975, in Queens, New York City, 50 Cent experienced his upbringing in the South Jamaica area, raised by his mother, Sabrina, a drug dealer who passed away when he was eight. Following her death, his grandmother took over his guardianship. At the age of 12, he started dealing drugs after school. During his 10th-grade year, he was apprehended by metal detectors while attempting to bring firearms and drug money into his high school. In 1994, he faced another arrest for selling cocaine to an undercover officer. An additional arrest ensued when police found heroin, crack cocaine, and a firearm during a home search. He spent six months in a boot camp and completed his GED.

Early Career and Shooting

Jackson rose to prominence with the release of his provocative underground rap track, “How To Rob.” In May 2000, he was preparing to launch “Thug Love,” a collaboration with Destiny’s Child, when a gunman shot him outside of his grandmother’s home in Queens. The assailant, identified as Darryl Baum (a bodyguard for Mike Tyson), fired nine rounds, resulting in 50 Cent being shot multiple times: in the hand, arm, hip, both legs, chest, and left cheek. The shooter was killed three weeks later. Following a 13-day hospitalization, he secured a publishing deal with Columbia Records. However, after attempting to release the track “Ghetto Qu’ran,” he was dropped by the label and placed on the blacklist of the U.S. recording industry. To regain his popularity, he traveled to Canada to produce songs for mixtapes. In 2002, he launched the mixtape “Guess Who’s Back?”.

Rise to Fame

In 2002, Eminem discovered Jackson. Impressed by the mixtape “Guess Who’s Back?”, Eminem invited Jackson to Los Angeles.
“`meeting Dr. Dre. After signing a $1 million record deal, 50 Cent released “No Mercy, No Fear.” His song featured in Eminem’s film “8 Mile,” which contributed to his rising fame. In 2003, he exploded onto the scene with his debut album “Get Rich or Die Trying,” which not only debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts but also sold nearly a million copies within its first four days. The lead single, “In Da Club,” broke records, becoming the most-listened-to song in radio history within just one week. Interscope soon granted 50 his own label, G-Unit Records, following his rapid success.

He released his second album, “The Massacre,” in March 2005, which also achieved significant success, selling 1.14 million copies during its first four days and remaining at the number-one position on the Billboard charts for six weeks. His third album, “Curtis,” was released in 2007, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The fourth album, “Before I Self Destruct,” came out in November 2009. Unfortunately, disagreements with his record label held up his fifth album, “Street King Immortal,” which eventually released in November 2012. Overall, his studio albums have amassed sales of over 21 million units.

Other pursuits

During his brief yet impactful career, 50 Cent established the G-Unit Records label, launched a clothing line, and even took on acting roles alongside renowned figures such as Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. In 2012, he created a boxing promotion company called The Money Team.

Bankruptcy Filing

On July 13, 2015, it was reported by the Wall Street Journal that 50 Cent had filed for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy protection. This filing occurred in the US bankruptcy court situated in Hartford, Connecticut, as he was a Connecticut resident at that time.

At the time of the bankruptcy filing, 50 was residing in the former mansion of Mike Tyson at 50 Poplar Hill Dr, Farmington, CT 06032. His reported assets were estimated to be between $10 million and $50 million, with debts claimed to be in a similar range.

Days before the filing, a jury mandated that 50 Cent pay Rick Ross’ ex-girlfriend, Lavonia Leviston, a judgment of $5 million due to the intentional release of a sex tape in which she appeared. The compensation included $2.5 million for unauthorized use of her image and another $2.5 million for emotional distress. Additionally, the presiding judge required Mr. Jackson to provide proof of income and worth so the jury could assess potential further punitive damages.

This $5 million judgment followed a previous ruling where another judge had instructed 50 to pay $17.5 million in damages in a trademark infringement case connected to a former partner from a headphone business. With both judgments combined, he faced a total of $22.5 million in potential legal bills before any punitive damages from the sex tape case could be assessed.

The bankruptcy filing seemed to be at least partially strategic for three main reasons:

• #1) To shield his business operations from disruption by the judgment creditor (Lavonia Leviston), preventing liens from being placed on his assets.
• #2) To compel the creditor to negotiate, aiming to reduce the $5 million judgment.
• #3) To avert any potential further financial complications.

the jury in the case involving the sex tape from awarding Ms. Leviston additional punitive damages.

He later clarified:

“When you achieve success, you become a target. I don’t want to be a bullseye. I don’t want to be the person chosen by others to face exorbitant claims and deal with all that. I’m taking the necessary precautions that any prudent businessperson would take in this scenario.“

Following this, his attorney stated:

“This filing allows Mr. Jackson to maintain his engagement in various business ventures and continue his career as an entertainer while he organizes his financial matters methodically.”

Vitamin Water Deal

50 Cent’s most astute financial move occurred when he negotiated a minority share in Vitamin Water in exchange for serving as their celebrity spokesperson and endorsing the “Formula 50” drink.

In 2007, Coca-Cola acquired Glacéau, the manufacturer of Vitamin Water, for $4.1 billion. It is widely believed that 50 Cent profited about tenfold from the Vitamin Water sale compared to his earnings from music up until that time.

Initial reports pegged 50’s equity stake in Vitamin Water at 10%, which would equate to a $410 million pre-tax gain. However, this figure was largely dismissed by investment bankers familiar with the transaction, who hinted that his actual stake was closer to 2.5%. A 2.5% stake would suggest 50 Cent earned between $100 million and $150 million from the sale (pre-tax).

Earnings By Year

2007: $32 million

2008: $150 million

2009: $20 million

2010: $8 million

2011: $6 million

2012: $7 million

2013: $7 million

2014: $8 million

2015: $4 million

2016: $6 million

2017: $5 million

2018: $4 million

2019: $4 million

Total: $261 million

Effen Vodka Deal

In July 2017, reports surfaced (though unconfirmed) that 50 had sold his minority interest in Effen Vodka for $60 million. 50 Cent confirmed the occurrence of the deal via Instagram, but he did not verify the $60 million figure, which originated from DJ Envy during The Breakfast Club radio show. Envy mentioned the amount without citing any source or corroboration. It could be that the figure came from 50 himself, which would make it intriguing and may imply its accuracy, but it might also be an exaggeration. At this point, we await further official confirmation, and hence, this figure is not included in 50’s stated net worth above.

Starz Deal

In October 2018, 50 Cent entered a four-year overall agreement with Starz, the network home to his drama series “Power.” The deal, which encompasses a commitment to three series, could ultimately be valued at $150 million if all conditions are met.

Personal Life

50 Cent shares a son with his former girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins. Marquise Jackson was

Born in October 1996, Tompkins later filed a lawsuit against Jackson for $50 million; however, the case was dismissed. Many times, they have clashed on social media.

In 2005, 50 Cent showed his support for President George W. Bush after fellow rapper Kanye West criticized the president’s sluggish response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Subsequently, Jackson endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. Despite the themes presented in numerous songs, Jackson abstains from drugs and alcohol.

In May 2016, after passing through Cincinnati International Airport, Jackson confronted a janitor, hurling insults when the janitor was accused of being under the influence. It was later revealed that the janitor was a teenager with autism and hearing impairment. The video gained immense traction online, prompting the teenager’s parents to consider a lawsuit against 50 Cent. Ultimately, they agreed to a settlement including a $100,000 donation from 50 Cent to Autism Speaks and an apology.

Connecticut Mansion

In 2003, 50 Cent purchased a 17-acre estate in Connecticut featuring a lavish 50,000-square-foot residence complete with 37 bathrooms, 21 bedrooms, a gym, a casino, and a nightclub. Previously owned by Mike Tyson, this estate came during a turbulent time for Tyson as he was undergoing a divorce and filing for bankruptcy. After being ordered to transfer the mansion to his ex-wife, Monica Turner, she sold it to 50 Cent for $4.1 million. He subsequently invested another $6 million in renovations, which included a private movie theater, an infinity pool, and a helicopter pad.

During his bankruptcy proceedings in 2015, it was revealed by 50 Cent’s lawyers that maintaining and financing the mansion usually costs around $72,000 per month, with utilities amounting to $18,000 alone.

50 Cent initially attempted to sell the property in 2007 for $18.5 million, but the effort was unsuccessful. Ever since, he has been seeking to offload the mansion with no success. In September 2018, he reduced the asking price to $4.995 million but again found no buyers. Eventually, in April 2019, he sold the property for $2.9 million, marking an 84% reduction from his original asking price and resulting in a $1.2 million loss from his initial purchase price.