Bob Geldof is an Irish singer, songwriter, political activist and philanthropist who has a net worth of $60 million. He is best known for organizing the charity concerts Live Aid in 1985 and subsequent related initiatives, such as Band Aid and Live 8. As well as being a renowned music artist and human rights advocate, he also operates numerous successful business ventures and media companies. In this article, we will explore how Geldof made his fortune, look at some of his major successes and discover what he’s been up to recently.
Early Life & Career Highlights
Geldof was born in 1951 in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. After graduating from high school, he moved to London to pursue a career in music. He began playing with various bands before forming The Boomtown Rats in 1976. This rock band achieved international success and released several top-selling albums over the next few years.
In 1982, after selling more than 15 million records worldwide, Geldof decided to turn his focus to humanitarian work. He quickly emerged as a passionate champion for global poverty relief and became one of the leading figures behind the Live Aid concert that same year.
Organizing Live Aid
Live Aid was a dual-venue benefit concert held on July 13th 1985 simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. It featured performances by some of the biggest names in music including Queen, U2, Elton John and David Bowie, among many others. The goal of the event was to raise funds and awareness for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia. With a total attendance of over 200,000 people, it was watched live by an estimated 1.9 billion people around the world via TV and radio broadcast.
The show raised over £150 million ($245 million) and prompted other notable campaigns like USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” single and Live 8 in 2005. For his tireless efforts organizing these monumental events, Geldof received numerous awards including honorary knighthoods from Britain and Ireland, as well as the Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 1986.
His Financial Success
Geldof’s dedication to raising money for charities has certainly paid off. Since 1985 he has built an impressive personal wealth which currently stands at an estimated $60 million. A large chunk of his income comes from royalties earned from the songs performed at Live Aid as well as from various album sales throughout his career. But Geldof is no stranger to making shrewd investments either; he owns property across Europe and even invested in stocks during the dotcom boom.
Charity Work & Philanthropy
As well as bringing together some of the biggest stars in music for Live Aid, Geldof has personally contributed millions of dollars towards helping those living in poverty around the world. He has worked extensively with the United Nations (UN) and helped launch numerous aid programs aimed at improving conditions for those affected by war or natural disasters. He continues to be involved with numerous charitable organizations today and works closely with UNICEF and Greenpeace, among many others.
Becoming a Media Mogul
Besides using his talents for good causes, Geldof has also dabbled in business ventures throughout his career. He founded a multimedia company called Planet 24 which specialized in producing television shows featuring extreme sports and reality television concepts. The most notable of these was Channel 4’s Big Breakfast – a popular morning program that ran from 1992 until 2002.
In 2008 he co-founded Ten Alps Communications Group which produced content for both broadcast and corporate clients. Other interests include taking stakes in entertainment firms such as IMG Artists, online sports network Perform Group and videogame developer Atomico Ventures.
Other Business Ventures
Geldof is also part owner of an art gallery based in London’s Mayfair district called Haunch of Venison. It represents some of the most influential contemporary artists in the world including Damien Hirst, Grayson Perry and Tracey Emin amongst others.
He has also created a number of documentary films such as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2007), Balkan War Stories (1997) and The Beach Boys: An American Family (2000). Alongside this he set up 7 Music Rights Ltd., a company dedicated to exploiting the rights of performers from independent labels.
Current Projects & Recent Activities
In 2014 Geldof wrote his autobiography Is That It? which delved into his life experiences both as an entertainer and as an activist. More recently he has become involved in projects aiming to increase access to education around the globe through technology. He has established links between students in poor countries and universities located in developed nations to improve educational standards in areas where resources are limited or non-existent.
Personal Life & Legacy
Geldof lives in London with wife Jeanne Marine, who is an actress and model, along with their two daughters Fifi Trixibelle and Peaches Honeyblossom. Away from the public spotlight, he spends much of his free time sailing around Mediterranean islands aboard his luxury yacht named Alfa Zero Four.
The legacy left behind by Geldof can only be described as immense. He gave a voice to some of the world’s poorest people and used his fame to shine a light on issues often overlooked by mainstream media outlets. Through activism, philanthropy and savvy business dealings, he continues to leave a lasting mark upon society today.
Conclusion
Bob Geldof is a remarkable figure who found success not just as a musician but also as a social activist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. From organising groundbreaking benefit concerts to setting up lucrative business deals, he truly embodies what it means to use your celebrity status for positive change. His inspiring story is evidence that anyone can make an impact on the world if they put their mind to it.