Jimmy Barnes, the Scottish-born Australian rock icon, has amassed an estimated net worth of $20 million. Widely celebrated for his raw vocals and enduring presence on the music scene, Barnes carved his legacy both as a frontman for the legendary band Cold Chisel and as a wildly successful solo artist. His financial journey is not just tied to record sales and tours, but also to his ventures in writing and real estate.
| Jimmy Barnes Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Date of Birth | April 28, 1956 |
| Place of Birth | Glasgow |
Early Life
Born James Dixon Swan on April 28, 1956, in Glasgow, Scotland, Jimmy moved with his family to Australia in the early 1960s, settling in Adelaide. He took the surname Barnes from his stepfather, and by 1974, had joined the band Cold Chisel. The group quickly became a defining voice of Australian rock, releasing albums like East (1980) and Circus Animals (1982). Their break-up in 1983 was followed by a farewell tour that remains the highest-grossing in Australian music history.
Cold Chisel has reunited multiple times, releasing a string of studio albums, including The Last Wave of Summer (1998), No Plans (2012), and Blood Moon (2019). The band’s continued popularity helped solidify Barnes’ place in Australian rock royalty—and added substantially to his net worth.
Solo Career
Barnes’ solo career took off in 1984 with the chart-topping album Bodyswerve. His follow-up albums—For the Working Class Man (1985), Freight Train Heart (1987), and Soul Deep (1991)—cemented his dominance on the Australian charts. Soul Deep, a collection of soul covers, achieved 10× Platinum status in Australia and 3× Platinum in New Zealand.
He holds the record for the most number-one albums in Australian chart history by an individual artist, with more than a dozen to his name, including Double Happiness (2005), My Criminal Record (2019), and Blue Christmas (2022).
Literary Ventures
In addition to his music, Barnes has found success as a writer. His memoirs Working Class Boy (2016) and Working Class Man (2017) both won Biography of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards. He has also authored children’s books such as Och Aye the G’nu (2017) and Rosie the Rhinoceros (2021), as well as a cookbook co-written with his wife Jane: Where the River Bends (2021).
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Working Class Boy was adapted into a critically acclaimed documentary in 2018, further increasing his cultural footprint—and earnings.
Awards
Barnes has received multiple accolades, including:
- Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2017 for services to music and charity.
- ARIA Awards for Best Male Artist and Highest Selling Album.
- APRA Awards for Most Performed Rock Work and Outstanding Service to Australian Music.
- Astra and Helpmann Awards nominations and wins.
- Inductions into the ARIA Hall of Fame, both as a member of Cold Chisel and as a solo artist.
Real Estate and Investments
In 2014, Jimmy purchased a four-bedroom warehouse in Botany, New South Wales, for AUD$1.6 million. Featuring a caterer’s kitchen, lounge space, and two recording studios, the property reflected his creative lifestyle. He later listed it for AUD$4 million in 2021, highlighting his savvy in real estate investment.
Personal Life
Jimmy has been married to Jane Mahoney since 1981. Together, they have four children, several of whom—like Mahalia Barnes—have pursued music careers. Jimmy also has three other children from previous relationships.
Despite his global fame, Barnes remains deeply connected to his roots. He is a practicing Buddhist, an ardent Port Adelaide Football Club supporter, and a vocal backer of the Australian Labor Party.
In late 2022, Barnes announced he would undergo hip and back surgery due to years of performing on stage, but he remained optimistic about returning to music:
“As much as it kills me to inconvenience everyone, I have to get this fixed so I can jump around onstage for another 50 years.”
Jimmy Barnes Net Worth
Jimmy Barnes net worth is $20 million.