What Is Gene Simmons Net Worth and Who Are His Family Members?

Gene Simmons is a multifaceted entertainer – a musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, television personality, author and entrepreneur. The frontman of KISS, a rock band that has sold over 100 million albums, Gene Simmons alongside other lucrative endeavors, has been able to build an impressive net worth estimated at $400 million as of 2020.

The Genesis of Gene Simmons’ Music Career

Born on August 25, 1949 as Chaim Witz, Gene Simmons developed interest in music  as a teenager. That was after watching a video of the boy band ‘The Beatles’ where the girls screamed joyously at them. Thrilled by the skinny boys’ ability to make such highly patronized music, Simmons decided he must become part of a trending brand.

A student of Joseph Pulitzer Middle School in Jackson Heights then, he formed a band named ‘The Missing Links’. After The Missing Links disbanded, Gene joined another band named ‘The Long Island Sounds’. Simmons combined music and education and also worked a number of odd jobs to earn some money. He studied education at Sullivan County Community College. He however, transferred two years later to Richmond College where he graduated with a degree in education.

Gene then formed yet another rock band named ‘Wicked Lester’ with his childhood friend. They were soon joined by guitarist Paul Stanley who at the time went by the name Stanley Eisen. It was also during this time that he changed his own name to Gene Simmons.

After landing a demo tape collaboration with Ron Johnson, Wicked Lester earned a record deal with Epic Records. But unfortunately, they lost the Epic contract due to bandmate conflicts that caused them to be unproductive over a year. Undeterred, Simmons and Stanley reshuffled the band to include drummer Peter Criss after which they renamed it KISS in 1973.

A Breakdown of His Current Net Worth 

A.k.a The Demon, Gene Simmons is a multitalented entertainer and his wealth which is estimated at $400 million as at 2020 is enough proof of the stuff he’s made of. The sources from which Gene cashed his millions include:

• Music (album sales and tours with KISS)
• Film and Television (acting and reality tv)
• Business Ventures

Career and Financial Breakthrough with KISS

KISS soon found fame and built a following known as KISS Army, thanks to their comic book style appearances – all-black outfit, signature face paints, and wild live performances. Working as the rock band’s bassist and co-lead singer, Gene Simmons who adopted “The Demon” persona also gained a cult following for often doing bizarre things like spitting blood and breathing fire during performances.

Massive Record Sales

KISS hit her major breakthrough  with the release of their live album, Alive! in 1975 which spawned the hit single, “Rock and Roll All Nite”. So far, the album has received quadruple platinum. Their subsequent albums Destroyer (1976), Rock and Roll Over (1976), and Love Gun (1977) were all certified multi-platinum. Kiss closed 1977 with an annual income of $10.2 million. Among other live album projects, the band’s Kissology album series remains one of the most commercially successful, with the first three volumes receiving a minimum of 5x platinum each.

After a revamp in 1983, KISS went on to break commercial records set by The Beatles and Elvis by selling over 100 million albums worldwide, 40 million of which is in the US alone. In all, the band has 14 platinum albums, alongside 30 Gold albums which earned them the No.1 American Gold Record band of all time.

High-grossing Tours

With KISS, Simmons has embarked on a plethora of tours, grossing millions across continents. In 1996, they were named the Top Concert Act of the Year having grossed $43.6 million. Following this feat, their “Alive/World Tour” (1996-1997) grossed a whopping $143.7 million and remains the band’s most commercially successful to date.

In 2003, KISS grossed $64 million from their World Domination Tour with Aerosmith which saw the band sell “platinum” tickets as much as $1000. During their 2008 Kiss Alive/35 Tour, KISS received an audience of up to 400,000 per concert. We can imagine what this means to Gene Simmons’ bank account, being a founding and permanent member of the band.

Is Gene Simmons Still with KISS?

Alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons remains the only KISS member that has made it to every of the band’s lineup since its inception in 1973 to date. Together with KISS, Gene has continued to perform and tour lucratively after almost five decades in the industry, thus progressively boosting his net worth.

The band is however, embarking on their final tour – the 2019-2021 ‘End of the Road World Tour’ which holds the prospects grossing up to $200 million, per Simmons. Despite being on the verge of calling it a day, KISS remains one of the best-selling bands of all time.

Acting and Reality TV

In the mid 80’s, Gene branched out into Hollywood and took up starring roles in movies such as Runaway (1984) and Never Too Young to Die (1986). He also began making cameo appearances in numerous TV shows.

In 2003, Gene Simmons released an animated series titled My Dad the Rock Star to positive reviews. He later launched his own reality TV show titled Gene Simmons Family Jewels which chronicled his personal and family life on August 7, 2006 on A&E. The series ran successfully for 7 seasons ending on July 14, 2012 and earning Gene $125,000 per episode.

KISS Brand and other Business Ventures

Alongside making music, Gene Simmons has with KISS created a lifetime business brand. Some of the brand’s enterprises are Kiss Coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach and KISS Golf Course in Las Vegas. The KISS band has also licensed their name to over 3,000 product categories including comic books, condoms, credit cards, fragrances, toys, cosmetics, lunchboxes, numerous games and a plethora of others. The licensing empire has since the 1970s, generated over $1 billion and as a patent co-owner, Simmons pockets a good chunk of the proceeds. Per Simmons, it is the brand, not the music that brings in the real money.

Gene Simmons also has his own label, Simmons Records which alongside his solo projects, has released albums for several popular bands including House of Lords, Kobra and the Lotus, Gypsy Rose and Silent Rage. In 2015, Simmons in partnership with WWE studios launched the film/tv production company, Erebus Pictures. Gene is also in a business partnership with Rock & Brews, a global restaurant chain. In addition, the rock star recently co-founded Cool Springs Life, an estate planning company as well a real-time translation web site, Ortsbo.

A fan of comics and science-fiction, Gene Simmons has authored several fanzines. Among them are Cosmos, Tinderbox, Id, Sci-Fi Showcase, Adventure, and Mantis. Simmons also has his own magazine, the Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine. Apart from his own literature, Gene also makes contributions to other publications. With these lucrative enterprises, it is obvious Simmons won’t be anywhere near broke even when KISS is done touring.

Meet Gene Simmons Wife and Kids

Considering the fiery nature of his music career, one may begin to think that the heavy metal and hard rock star would have one hell of a family life. But that is completely far from what is in place. Gene Simmons who neither drinks alcohol nor does drugs has got a really enviable family. After his relationship with Cher and Diana Ross which both came to naught, Simmons in 1983, began dating the woman he has since share his life with –

Shannon Lee Tweed

• Full Name: Shannon Lee Tweed Simmons
• Date of Birth: March 10, 1959 (in Canada)
• Occupation: Model and actress (since 1981)
• Spouse: Gene Simmons (partner since 1983; m. 2011)
• No. of Children: 2

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In 2011, after 28 years of blissful cohabitation, Simmons finally tied the knot with Tweed. Their wedding came off on October 1 of the said year at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles. Commenting on his longtime unmarried relationship with Shannon, Gene often joked that he is “happily unmarried”, while pointing out that marriage is an institution and that he doesn’t want to live in an institution. The couple in October 2020, celebrated their nine-year wedding anniversary.

Gene Simmons’ wife, Shannon Lee Tweed is a Canadian actress and model. As an actress, Shannon is popular for starring in numerous erotic thrillers and adventure movies. Among other modeling gigs, she worked as a Playboy Playmate in the early 1980s. It was actually at the Playboy mansion that Shannon met Gene.

For over three decades, Gene and Shannon have lived together in their posh Beverly Hills estate which the fire-breathing and blood-spitting rock star bought in October 1986 for $1,337,500. In October 2020, after exactly 36 years, Gene Simmons has placed the massive home on the market for an asking price of $22 million. It was in the exclusive mansion that he and his wife raised their two children – a son and a daughter both born prior to their wedding.

Nick 

• Full Name: Nicholas Adam Tweed-Simmons
• Date of Birth: January 22, 1989
• Occupation: Writer, musician, reality star, voice-over actor (since 2005)

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Nick is Gene Simmons first child and only some whom he had with his partner (and now wife), Shan Lee Tweed in 1989. He earned a degree in English Literature from the Pitzer College in Claremont, California after which he took a similar career path with his dad, working as a comic book creator, writer, musician, and actor. Among his major writing credits are Incarnate, a 2009 comic book series, and contributions to The Huffington Post.

Nick rather seems to prefer a lowkey lifestyle, considering his social media feeds. He only came to media notice when he starred in his dad’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels.

Sophie

• Full Name: Sophie Alexandra Tweed-Simmons
• Date of Birth: July 7, 1992
• Occupation: Singer, model, actress, reality star, advocate

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Sophie is Gene Simmons’ second child and only daughter whom he had with Shannon Tweed in 1992. She studied Computer Engineering and Religion at her brother’s Alma Mata – the Pitzer College.

After ditching her parents’ showbiz career paths – music and modeling to avoid comparisons, Sophie still ended up a singer, model and actress. Alongside vocals, she can play the piano. Her music credits include the singles “Kiss Me”, “Black Mirror” and “Burn Me Down”. Sophie also works as an advocate of children and and positive body image. She launched a body positive clothing line for The Style Club in 2014.