Johnny Mathis Net Worth, Early Life, And Music Career
Johnny Mathis is a renowned American singer with an impressive net worth of $400 million. He is celebrated for his extensive catalog of hit songs and albums. Throughout his illustrious career, Mathis has released more than 70 studio albums and sold over 350 million records, positioning him as the third-best-selling artist of the 20th century. Notably, twelve of his studio albums have reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, with many receiving Gold or Platinum certifications.
Early Life
Johnny Mathis was born John Royce Mathis on September 30, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas. He was the fourth of seven children born to Clem Mathis and Mildred Boyd. The family relocated to San Francisco, where Mathis grew up in the Richmond District. His father, a former vaudeville performer, recognized Johnny’s musical talent early on and purchased an old upright piano to encourage him. Johnny’s first song was “My Blue Heaven,” which he learned from his father and performed for guests at home, school, and church events.
At the age of 13, Johnny began studying with voice coach Connie Cox, who trained him for six years in vocal scales, exercises, and voice production, including classical and operatic singing. A star athlete at George Washington High School, he enrolled at San Francisco State College in 1952 on an athletic scholarship, aiming to become either an English or Physical Education teacher.
Career
Johnny Mathis’s music career began at age 19 when he was discovered during an impromptu jam session by Helen Noga, a nightclub owner who became his manager. This partnership led to numerous gigs and a record deal with Columbia Records. His debut LP was released in 1956, followed by “Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Song,” which initially saw slow sales. However, he remained in New York City to perform in nightclubs, where he recorded iconic songs like “Wonderful! Wonderful!” and “It’s Not for Me to Say.”
His appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in June 1957 significantly boosted his popularity. Later that year, he released “Chances Are,” which became his second million-selling single. In November 1957, he performed “Wild is the Wind,” featured in the film of the same name; this song earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Mathis’s album “Johnny’s Greatest Hits” made history by spending a remarkable 490 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, including three weeks at #1. This record stood for 15 years until it was surpassed by Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.”
In 1958, he made a second film appearance singing “A Certain Smile,” which also received an Oscar nomination. In 1958, Mathis moved to Beverly Hills with the Nogas and continued to build his career. His biggest hits during the early ’60s included “Gina” and “What Will Mary Say.” By 1964, he established Jon Mat Records to produce his recordings after parting ways with the Nogas. Despite facing challenges due to changing musical trends in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Mathis experienced a resurgence in popularity starting with the Christmas single “When a Child is Born,” which topped the UK charts.
In 1978, his duet with Deniece Williams, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—his first since 1957. Mathis continues to perform live today but has limited his annual concerts to fifty since 2000. He remains one of the last pop singers who toured with a full orchestra rather than a band. Notably, he shares a long tenure with Columbia Records alongside other legends like Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand.
Personal Life
Beyond music, Johnny Mathis is passionate about sports and has demonstrated remarkable athletic talent throughout his life. Although he could have pursued a career as an Olympic athlete in the high jump, he missed tryouts but remains an enthusiastic golfer with nine holes-in-one under his belt. He has hosted several golf tournaments for charity since 1985.
Johnny Mathis is also an avid cook; he published a cookbook titled “Cooking for You Alone” in 1982. For many years, he kept his sexual orientation private but publicly confirmed that he was gay in 2017. Throughout his life, he has battled alcohol and prescription drug addictions but has sought rehabilitation. He actively supports various charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the NAACP. In 1964, Johnny purchased a mansion in Hollywood Hills that was originally built by billionaire Howard Hughes in 1946; he continues to reside there today.
