Sufjan Stevens Net Worth

What is Sufjan Stevens's Net Worth?

Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has a net worth of $5 million. Since releasing his debut album, "A Sun Came," in 2000, Sufjan Stevens has released such acclaimed albums as "Michigan" (2003), "Illinois" (2005), "Carrie & Lowell" (2015), "Convocations" (2021), and "Javelin" (2023). He has also released multiple collaborative albums, and wrote two songs for the 2017 film "Call Me by Your Name," one of which earned an Academy Award nomination.

Early Life and Education

Sufjan Stevens was born on July 1, 1975 in Detroit, Michigan. When he was nine, he moved with his family to Alanson, Michigan. Stevens was raised by his father Rasjid and his stepmother Pat; he is of Greek and Lithuanian descent. As a youth, he was educated at the Detroit Waldorf School, Alanson Public Schools, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Harbor Light Christian School. Stevens went on to attend Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and then the New School for Social Research in New York City, where he earned his MFA in creative writing.

Career Beginnings

Stevens began his music career with the folk-rock band Marzuki and the garage band Con Los Dudes. He also performed with the rock band Danielson Famile.

Solo Albums

During his last semester at Hope College, Stevens wrote and recorded what would become his debut album, "A Sun Came." It was released in 2000 on the Asthmatic Kitty Records label, which Stevens had recently co-founded. He released his next album, "Enjoy Your Rabbit," in 2001. Stevens's third album, "Michigan," came out in 2003; it pays tribute to various places in his home state of Michigan. Starting with this album, Stevens announced his plan to write an album for each of the 50 US states; however, his project didn't ultimately pan out. After releasing "Seven Swans" in 2004, he released just one more album in his 50 States project, "Illinois" (2005), which became his highest-rated album and spawned the successful single "Chicago."

After "Illinois," Stevens didn't release another solo album until 2010, with "The Age of Adz." He preceded it with the EP "All Delighted People." Both releases were critical and commercial hits, with "The Age of Adz" debuting at number seven on the Billboard 200. Stevens's next solo album, "Carrie & Lowell," came out in 2015; it serves as an exploration of the lives of his biological mother Carrie and his stepfather Lowell Brams. He released his eighth solo studio album, "The Ascension," in 2020. Stevens followed that in 2021 with "Convocations," a five-volume album of meditation music recording during the COVID-19 pandemic in the wake of his father's death. His next solo album was "Javelin," which came out in 2023 to critical acclaim.

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Collaborative Albums

Stevens has released a number of collaborative albums with other artists. With Son Lux and Serengeti, he formed the collaboration Sisyphus, with the group releasing a self-titled album in 2014. In 2017, Stevens collaborated with Bryce Dessner, James McAlister, and Nico Muhly on the album "Planetarium." Three years later, he partnered with his stepfather Lowell Brams on the album "Aporia." Stevens subsequently collaborated with Angelo De Augustine on the 2021 album "A Beginner's Mind."

Soundtrack Albums

In 2017, Stevens wrote two songs for the gay coming-of-age romantic film "Call Me by Your Name," based on the book of the same name. Both songs, "Mystery of Love" and "Visions of Gideon," were praised by critics. The former song went on to earn both Oscar and Grammy nominations. Also in 2017, Stevens created the soundtrack to Justin Peck's ballet "The Decalogue," which debuted at the New York City Ballet. He contributed to another ballet soundtrack, "Reflections," in 2023.

Other Projects

Among his many other projects, Stevens recorded a series of Christmas-themed EPs. He released these EPs as part of the compilation albums "Songs for Christmas" (2006) and "Silver & Gold" (2012). Meanwhile, in 2007, Stevens produced a mixed-media project entitled "The BQE," which consisted of a film he wrote and directed set to his music performed by a live orchestra. The show was released as an album in 2009.

In 2023, Stevens's album "Illinois" was adapted into a dance revue musical. Stevens contributed new music and lyrics to the show, with Justin Peck serving as the director and choreographer. After premiering at Bard College, the show, renamed "Illinoise," was staged at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in early 2024. It quickly moved to off-Broadway, and then to Broadway. "Illinoise" went on to receive four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.

Personal Life

After living in New York City for two decades, Stevens moved to Upstate New York in 2019.

In 2023, Stevens dedicated his album "Javelin" to his recently deceased boyfriend Evans Richardson. This marked the first time he had publicly mentioned either his boyfriend or his own sexuality.

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