Gene Simmons Net Worth

What Is Gene Simmons' Net Worth?

Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American musician, entrepreneur, and television personality who has a net worth of $400 million. Gene Simmons is known for being a co-founder, bassist, and co-lead singer of the band Kiss. Born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel, he immigrated to New York City with his mother at age eight and later adopted the stage name Gene Simmons. In 1973, Simmons teamed up with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss to form Kiss, a band that blended heavy rock with theatrical stagecraft, pyrotechnics, and instantly recognizable makeup.

As the band's self-styled "Demon," Simmons became one of rock's most iconic figures, known for his fire-breathing, blood-spitting performances and tongue-wagging persona. Kiss exploded in popularity with their 1975 live album "Alive!" and hit singles like "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "Detroit Rock City." The group went on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide and became a merchandising powerhouse. Kiss-related logos, icons, and other intellectual property have been licensed for over 5,000 different products ranging from pinball machines, lunch boxes, condoms, board games, lighters, comic books, and even coffins. The brand has generated over $1 billion in licensing fees since the 1970s.

Simmons also became the band's chief businessman, overseeing branding and marketing that helped make Kiss one of the most profitable acts in music history. Outside of Kiss, he launched solo projects, managed bands, and appeared in films such as "Runaway." In the 2000s, he reached a new generation of fans through the reality series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," which showcased his life with longtime partner Shannon Tweed and their children.

A savvy self-promoter, Simmons has cultivated a reputation as both a rock star and a businessman, often saying his goal was to "turn Kiss into the McDonald's of rock." Despite controversy over his outspoken views and relentless commercialization, Simmons remains one of the most recognizable and influential figures in rock music—a performer whose business instincts and theatrical vision helped reshape how entertainment and branding intersect.

Today, Gene and his bandmate Paul Stanley co-own Kiss. Everyone else is a paid performer. Gene has claimed that Kiss grosses over $100 million per year from touring, merchandise, and licensing deals. In April 2024, Gene and Paul sold the rights to the band's song catalog, image, likeness, and name for $300 million. More info on this transaction in the next paragraph.

Catalog and IP Sale

In April 2024, Gene and Paul sold the rights to Kiss's catalog, name, image, and likeness for $300 million. The deal also included the band's publishing rights and master recordings. The buyer was the Swedish music investment company Pophouse. Pophouse first gained prominence for creating a live avatar version of the group ABBA. That show, "ABBA Voyage," reportedly generates over $1 million a week from its London residency alone. Pophouse was co-founded by ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus. It is presumed that Pophouse will create avatar-touring versions of Kiss in the future.

Quote About Money and Wealth

In a February 2019 BBC interview, Gene explained his thoughts on money very succinctly:

"Life is a business, and I approach life the way a shark approaches life – they must keep moving, or else they will drown. I'll never stop hunting more money. I'll never have enough…. I live to make more money. People who say that money is the root of all evil are morons. A lack of money is the root of all evil."

Early Life

Gene Simmons was born Chaim Witz on August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel, to Florence Klein and Ferenc Yehiel Witz, a carpenter. His mother and uncle, Larry Klein, were the only members of their family to survive internment in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. When Gene was eight, he and his mother immigrated to the United States, settling in Jackson Heights, Queens. Once in America, he adopted the name Eugene Klein and became fascinated by rock music after watching The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.

His mother bought him a secondhand guitar, and he quickly taught himself to play. Simmons soon switched to bass guitar, reasoning that it would be easier to stand out in a crowded field of aspiring guitarists. While attending high school, he played in several local bands, including Lynx (later renamed Missing Links) and The Long Island Sounds.

After graduating, Simmons attended Sullivan County Community College and later transferred to Richmond College, where he earned a degree in education. He briefly worked as a sixth-grade teacher in Spanish Harlem and later as a personal assistant to the editor of Vogue and Glamour. Around this time, he adopted the stage name Gene Simmons in tribute to rockabilly performer Jumpin' Gene Simmons. He joined the band Bullfrog Bheer, recording a demo called "Leeta," which was later included in the Kiss box set.

Getty

KISS

After adopting the name Gene Simmons, he met guitarist Stanley Eisen—better known as Paul Stanley—and the two formed the band Wicked Lester. The group played a handful of shows and landed a deal with Epic Records, but their debut album was shelved. Determined to start fresh, Simmons and Stanley envisioned forming "the band that would rule the world." They recruited drummer Peter Criss through an ad in Rolling Stone and later added lead guitarist Ace Frehley.

By early 1973, Kiss was born. The group combined loud, melodic rock with elaborate costumes and face paint inspired by comic-book archetypes. Simmons developed the character of "The Demon," a menacing, fire-breathing alter ego that would become one of rock's most enduring images. Kiss released its self-titled debut album in 1974, followed by Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill. While early record sales were modest, the band's high-energy concerts built a loyal following. Their 1975 live album, "Alive!", became a breakout success, earning quadruple platinum certification and transforming Kiss into global superstars.

Simmons became the driving force behind the band's extensive merchandising empire—everything from lunchboxes to comic books to pinball machines. By the late 1970s, however, tension within the band grew as each member pursued solo projects. In 1978, all four released solo albums on the same day. When the band reunited, some fans began to tire of the makeup and theatrics, prompting Kiss to perform without makeup in 1983. Ironically, the unmasked era reinvigorated their popularity throughout the 1980s.

During that decade, Simmons branched out into Hollywood, appearing in films such as Runaway (1984) and founding Simmons Records. Kiss returned to heavy form with the 1992 album "Revenge", which restored the band's critical standing. A 1995 MTV Unplugged special led to a full reunion tour featuring the original lineup in 1996–1997, followed by the 1998 album "Psycho Circus." In later years, Tommy Thayer replaced Frehley as lead guitarist, and Eric Singer replaced Criss on drums.

Outside of Kiss, Simmons co-produced the 1999 film "Detroit Rock City" and built a television career with reality series like Rock School and Gene Simmons Family Jewels. He has appeared on numerous talk and competition shows and joined Yoshiki Superstar Project X as a judge in 2022.

Getty

Personal Life

Simmons was romantically linked to Cher and Diana Ross before settling down with longtime partner Shannon Tweed, a former Playboy Playmate. After 28 years together, they married in 2011. The couple has two children: son Nick (born 1989) and daughter Sophie (born 1992). They live in Beverly Hills, California.

A devoted fan of science fiction and comic books, Simmons published fanzines in his youth and has remained active in the genre as a writer and collector. Politically outspoken, he supported George W. Bush's foreign policy and later endorsed Mitt Romney in 2012 after expressing regret over voting for Barack Obama in 2008.

Philanthropy has become a major part of Simmons's later life. He is an advocate for ChildFund International, sponsoring over 1,400 children and traveling to Zambia to meet many of them. His family has been honored by Mending Kids International for their humanitarian work, and Simmons co-founded The Children Matter, a charity providing healthcare access to underprivileged children worldwide.

Gene Simmons from Kiss and model-actress Shannon Tweed (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Real Estate

In 1986, Gene paid $1.3 million for a 16,500-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills that sits on nearly 2 acres of the most valuable land in the world. Several years later, he began a 5-year construction project that cost a reported $12 million to build the current 10-bedroom, 16,500-square-foot home that was seen frequently on the family's reality show. In October 2020, Gene and Shannon listed this mansion for sale for $22 million. In September 2021, they accepted $16 million. Here's a video tour from when it was first listed:

Gene and Shannon were looking to sell so they could move full-time to a 24-acre estate near Whistler, British Columbia. They spent $4 million building Shannon's dream house on this property.

In March 2021, Gene and Shannon paid $5.8 million for a hilltop home in Malibu. And a few months later, they paid $10.5 million for a smaller Beverly Hills mansion. In April 2025, Gene and Shannon listed the Beverly Hills home for sale for $14 million.

In May 2021, they paid $8.2 million for an 11,000-square-foot mansion in Henderson, Nevada. Soon after the purchase, he paid around $2 million for the undeveloped lot next door, which he eventually turned into an orchard with over 130 trees of various types. They did not end up spending much time at this house, so in October 2021, Gene and Shannon listed the home for sale for a little under $15 million. It was reported in 2023 that the property sold for $11 million.

Who's Richer?

Gene
Simmons

Compare!

Paul
Stanley