Elton John

Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, is one of the most commercially successful artists in music history. He began playing piano at age three and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at 11. His career took off in the early 1970s when he partnered with lyricist Bernie Taupin, a collaboration that has produced some of the most iconic songs in pop and rock history, including “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Crocodile Rock,” and “Bennie and the Jets.”

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Elton John has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has earned five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. His contributions to film include the massively successful soundtrack for Disney’s “The Lion King” and the jukebox biographical musical “Rocketman” released in 2019.

Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which began in 2018 and concluded in 2023, became the highest-grossing tour of all time, earning over $939 million across more than 300 shows worldwide. This monumental tour significantly boosted his already substantial fortune. Beyond touring, his catalog of music continues to generate tens of millions annually through streaming, licensing, and royalties.

Outside of music, Elton John has been a dedicated philanthropist. The Elton John AIDS Foundation, established in 1992, has raised over $600 million for HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and treatment programs worldwide. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his music and charitable work, and he received the Companion of Honour from King Charles III in 2023. He lives with his husband David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.