Lenny Kravitz, an American musician, actor, and producer, has amassed a substantial net worth of $90 million. He is widely recognized for his Grammy-winning contributions to music, spanning multiple decades. Throughout his career, Kravitz has released 11 studio albums, selling over 40 million copies worldwide. His debut album, Let Love Rule (1989), went Gold in numerous countries, including the U.S., while his subsequent albums achieved great commercial success. Both Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) and 5 (1998) were certified 2x Platinum. The 1991 hit single It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Aside from music, Kravitz has ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Precious (2009), The Hunger Games (2012), and in the FX series Better Things (2016). His career was further honored in 2011 when he was named an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France’s highest cultural distinction.
Early Life and Background
Born Leonard Albert Kravitz on May 26, 1964, in New York City, Lenny was raised in a family with artistic roots. His mother, Roxie Roker, was a renowned actress best known for her role on the TV series The Jeffersons, while his father, Sy Kravitz, worked as an NBC news producer. Lenny is also related to TV weatherman Al Roker as his second cousin.
Lenny’s upbringing was influenced by both Christian and Jewish backgrounds, though he later embraced Christianity at age 13 and later identified as a non-denominational Christian. His musical journey began early when, at just three years old, he used pots and pans as makeshift drums. By the age of five, Kravitz was already certain that music would define his life.
After spending part of his childhood in New York, the Kravitz family moved to Los Angeles, where Lenny attended P.S. 6 elementary school. While there, he joined the California Boys Choir and performed with the Metropolitan Opera. Kravitz also developed an interest in rock music, listening to bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd. He attended Beverly Hills High School, where he became friends with future stars like Slash and Nicolas Cage. After graduating in 1982, he adopted the stage name Romeo Blue and began performing live.
Rise to Musical Fame
Lenny Kravitz’s musical career took off in the mid-1980s with the financial backing of his father. In collaboration with musician and producer Henry Hirsch and saxophonist Karl Denson, Kravitz began recording his debut album. His friend Stephen Elvis Smith became his manager, and soon enough, five record labels were vying for his attention. In 1989, Kravitz signed with Virgin Records, and his debut album, Let Love Rule, was released that September.
In addition to his solo work, Kravitz co-wrote and produced Madonna’s hit song Justify My Love in 1990. His second album, Mama Said (1991), achieved Platinum certification in five countries. The following year, Kravitz released Are You Gonna Go My Way, which topped the charts in several countries. The album’s title track, in particular, gained immense popularity.
Kravitz continued his success in the 1990s, with the release of albums such as Circus (1995) and 5 (1998). The latter produced the hit single Fly Away, which earned Kravitz his first Grammy in 1999. He won another Grammy the following year for his cover of American Woman, recorded for the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack.
Expanding His Musical Legacy
In the 2000s, Kravitz’s career continued to flourish with the release of several successful albums. Lenny (2001), Baptism (2004), It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008), and Black and White America (2011) all garnered attention from fans and critics alike. His 2014 album Strut and his 2018 release Raise Vibration added to his long list of achievements.
In addition to his albums, Kravitz has produced over 50 music videos and directed his own video for the song Here To Love in 2019. He has also co-directed several other videos, such as Where Are We Runnin’ and Calling All Angels in 2004. Several of his singles, including Let Love Rule, Are You Gonna Go My Way, and Fly Away, have reached the top 10 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.
Diversifying His Career
Aside from music, Kravitz has shown a deep interest in design. In 2003, he founded Kravitz Design Inc., a company specializing in residential and commercial design. His creative touch extended to a Hollywood Hills property, which he designed and listed for $38 million in 2017. Additionally, he has designed cameras for Leica, and in 2019, Kravitz exhibited his photography at the Leica Gallery in Germany.
Kravitz has also achieved success in acting. His performances in Precious and The Hunger Games earned him several award nominations. He returned to the Hunger Games franchise for its sequel, Catching Fire (2013), and appeared in The Butler (2013). Kravitz made several cameo appearances, including roles as himself in films like Zoolander (2001) and Zoolander 2 (2016), and a role in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007). In 2016, he played Roland Crane in the Fox TV series Star.
Personal Life and Relationships
Lenny Kravitz’s personal life has been the subject of much public interest. In 1985, he met actress Lisa Bonet at a New Edition concert. The two began dating after two years of friendship and married in Las Vegas in November 1987. They welcomed a daughter, Zoë Kravitz, on December 1, 1988. The couple divorced in 1993 but have remained close friends.
Over the years, Kravitz has been romantically linked to several famous women, including singer Vanessa Paradis. In the early 2000s, he was engaged to model Adriana Lima and actress Nicole Kidman. Kravitz and Kidman would later work together in the TV series Big Little Lies alongside Zoë Kravitz.
Kravitz has lived by various diets throughout his life, from vegetarianism to veganism and raw food. His philanthropic efforts are also notable; he is a member of Artists Against Racism and has supported organizations such as Amnesty International, Rock the Vote, and Zero Hunger. Additionally, he founded the Let Love Rule Foundation to support humanitarian causes.
Recognition and Accolades
Lenny Kravitz has been recognized throughout his career with numerous accolades. He has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning four times for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance between 1999 and 2002. In 1993, Kravitz received an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video for Are You Gonna Go My Way? The following year, he won a Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist.
Kravitz has also earned several honors, including awards from the Billboard Music Video Awards, Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, and American Music Awards. In 1998, he was named the Most Fashionable Artist, Male, at the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards. His acting talent was recognized when he shared a Boston Society of Film Critics Award and a Black Reel Award with his Precious castmates in 2009.
Real Estate Ventures
In 2001, Kravitz made a notable real estate investment, purchasing a luxurious 6-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion in Miami for nearly $9 million. He sold the property in 2005 for $14.5 million. Throughout the years, Kravitz has owned properties in Paris, Brazil, the Bahamas, and New Orleans. In 2010, he sold his Manhattan duplex penthouse to Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz for $14.995 million.
Through strategic investments, real estate dealings, and his expansive career, Lenny Kravitz has built not only a significant net worth but also a lasting legacy across various creative fields.
