Ace Frehley Net Worth

What was Ace Frehley's Net Worth?

Ace Frehley was an American rock musician who had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death. Unfortunately, Ace died on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74, after reportedly suffering a fall at his home in Morristown, New Jersey.

Best known as "The Spaceman," Frehley was the original lead guitarist and a co-founding member of Kiss, the iconic rock band formed in 1973. His explosive guitar solos, space-themed persona, and distinctive stage presence helped define Kiss's sound and image through the 1970s and beyond. Frehley wrote or co-wrote many of the band's most beloved songs, including "Cold Gin," "Shock Me," "Parasite," and "Talk to Me." His blend of bluesy riffs, swagger, and showmanship made him one of the most influential hard rock guitarists of his generation.

Although Frehley's time in Kiss was turbulent—marked by substance abuse, creative disagreements, and multiple departures—his solo work and reunion tours with the band solidified his legacy as a rock pioneer. His 1978 self-titled solo album produced the hit "New York Groove," which remains one of the most recognizable songs from the Kiss era.

Early Life

Paul Daniel Frehley was born on April 27, 1951, in The Bronx, New York City. He was raised in a working-class, musically inclined family with two siblings. His father played piano, and his mother encouraged creativity, giving young Ace his first guitar as a Christmas gift when he was a teenager.

Frehley became obsessed with the instrument, teaching himself to play by ear and practicing for hours every day. Influenced by guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and Jimmy Page, he began performing with local bands while attending DeWitt Clinton High School. His friends nicknamed him "Ace" because of his knack for charming women and helping others get dates.

Although he briefly fell into street gang culture during his teenage years, music ultimately steered him in a different direction. Frehley later credited joining Kiss with "saving his life."

(Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Kiss

In 1972, Frehley answered a Village Voice ad that read: "Lead guitarist wanted with Flash and Ability. Album Out Shortly. No time wasters please." Unable to afford a taxi, he had his mother drive him to the audition. Despite his eccentric outfit—bell-bottoms and mismatched shoes—his playing stunned Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Paul Stanley. They invited him to join what would soon become Kiss.

With his background in graphic design, Frehley created the band's famous lightning-bolt logo and developed his stage character, "The Spaceman," inspired by his love of science fiction. Kiss's early years were financially lean, and Ace supplemented his income by driving a cab, but the group's theatrical performances and pyrotechnic shows quickly earned a following.

Their 1975 live album "Alive!" propelled Kiss to stardom, cementing them as one of the decade's most flamboyant and successful rock acts. Frehley became a fan favorite, known for his wild solos and custom guitars that emitted smoke, light, and even fireworks.

He initially avoided lead vocals, but in 1977, he took the mic for "Shock Me," inspired by an onstage electrocution incident. The song became one of the band's classics and boosted Frehley's confidence as both a singer and songwriter.

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Solo Work and Departure from Kiss

In 1978, all four Kiss members released self-titled solo albums simultaneously. Frehley's record—featuring the hit "New York Groove"—was the best-selling of the four and reached the Top 20 on the U.S. charts. His growing confidence and popularity, however, coincided with internal turmoil.

By the early 1980s, Frehley was increasingly frustrated by creative disagreements and disillusioned with the band's turn toward a younger, more commercial audience. He also struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, which worsened during the recording of albums like "The Elder." Frehley later revealed that in 1982, he walked away from a $15 million contract rather than remaining in Kiss:

"I was mixed up. I believed that if I stayed in that group I would have committed suicide. I'd be driving home from the studio, and I'd want to drive my car into a tree. I mean, I walked out on a $15 million contract. That would be like $100 million today. And my attorney was looking at me like, 'What are you, crazy?'"

Although he left Kiss in 1982, he retained a 25% share in the group's partnership until 1985, earning royalties from albums like "Lick It Up" and "Animalize."

Frehley's Comet and Later Career

Frehley formed Frehley's Comet in 1984, signing with Megaforce Records and releasing a self-titled album in 1987 that sold nearly half a million copies. The band followed with "Second Sighting" and "Trouble Walkin'," earning praise from fans but never achieving mainstream success.

A 1995 MTV Unplugged reunion with Kiss sparked a massive world tour in 1996 featuring the original lineup in full makeup. The tour was one of the highest-grossing of the decade, reintroducing Kiss to a new generation. Frehley appeared on the 1998 album "Psycho Circus," though he later claimed he played on only one track.

He left Kiss again in 2002, and while Tommy Thayer began performing in his makeup and costume, Frehley continued to tour as a solo artist. He released albums including "Anomaly" (2009), "Space Invader" (2014), and "Spaceman" (2018). Until shortly before his death, Frehley continued to perform live, closing most shows with Kiss's anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite."

Real Estate and Financial Issues

In February 2013, Frehley lost his Yorktown, New York, home to foreclosure after failing to pay $735,000 in mortgage debt and two years of property taxes on the 3-acre estate. The bank cited unpaid interest and late fees, reflecting Frehley's long-documented financial instability and struggles with addiction.

Despite these challenges, Frehley remained beloved by fans and respected by peers for his authenticity and influence. His riffs, tone, and larger-than-life style inspired generations of guitarists, from Slash to Dave Grohl, ensuring that "The Spaceman" remains an enduring figure in rock history.

Personal Life & Death

Ace Frehley was married once, to Jeanette Trerotola, from 1976 until their divorce in the early 1980s. The couple had one daughter, Monique. Frehley later had long-term relationships but never remarried. Throughout his life, he was candid about his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, admitting that his substance use nearly derailed his career on multiple occasions. After several relapses, Frehley became sober in the mid-2000s and often spoke about recovery and gratitude for the fans who stuck by him.

Away from music, he was known for his love of science fiction, cars, and visual art, often sketching designs for guitars and stage concepts. Despite his reputation for wild behavior, friends described him as shy, funny, and generous once offstage.

Frehley died on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74, following a fall at his home in Morristown, New Jersey. His family said he was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments and remembered him as "a loving, caring, peaceful soul whose memory will live on forever."

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