Full Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Birthdate: March 28, 1986
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Height: 5′ 1″ (1.55 m)
Weight: 110 lbs (49.8 kg)
Education: Attended New York University (did not graduate)
Profession: Singer
Net Worth: $320 million
Source of Wealth: Music
Nationality: American
Country: United States
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2019, her total revenue reached $512 million, ranking her 10th on Forbes’ list of Top-Earning Musicians of the Decade. Time magazine also named her one of the world’s most influential people.
In 2020, Forbes recognized Gaga as one of America’s Richest Self-Made Women and one of the World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities. Her earnings were $50 million from June 2017 to June 2018, $39.5 million the following year, and $38 million from June 2019 to June 2020. She owns a $28 million real estate portfolio in California, including a 10,000-square-foot Malibu home bought for $22.5 million and a 6,700-square-foot Hollywood Hills house purchased for $5.25 million. In New York City, she rents an 11,000-square-foot penthouse for $67,000 a month. Gaga’s estimated net worth is $320 million.
Gaga, daughter of Joseph Anthony Germanotta Jr., an entrepreneur, and Cynthia Louise Bissett, a philanthropist, has a younger sister, Natali. She began singing and playing piano at age 4 and attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart School, where she faced bullying. By 14, she was performing at open mic nights and was admitted to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts at 17, though she left at 19 to pursue music. She formed a band and signed with Def Jam Records in 2006 but was dropped three months later. After performing at the 2007 Lollapalooza Festival, she signed with Interscope Records and began writing songs for artists like Britney Spears and The Pussycat Dolls.
In October 2008, Lady Gaga released her debut album, The Fame, drawing inspiration from 1980s music and exploring themes of fame, drugs, love, money, and sex. The album sold 6 million copies in the US by March 2020. Gaga promoted it with The Fame Ball Tour across multiple continents, earning $45 million. It wasn’t until “Just Dance” topped the charts in 2009 that she gained major attention. Three more singles reached number 1, making her the first artist to achieve four top tracks from a debut album on that chart, leading to five Grammy nominations and two wins.
While touring, Gaga wrote The Fame Monster EP, selling 5 million copies in the US by March 2020. Her second tour, The Monster Ball, grossed $193 million, making it a top-grossing debut headlining tour.
In May 2011, she released her second album, Born This Way, incorporating rock and techno influences. Its first single set a Guinness World Record for iTunes sales and topped charts in over 20 countries, selling 4 million US copies by March 2020, and earning three Grammy nominations.
Gaga’s third album, ARTPOP, launched in November 2013, topped the Billboard 200 and sold 4 million US copies by March 2020. A tour in 2014 generated $70 million.
In September 2014, she and Tony Bennett released Cheek to Cheek, chart-topping and Grammy-winning, selling 500,000 US copies by March 2020. Their tour earned $7.5 million.
Gaga’s fifth album, Joanne (2016), was her fourth Billboard 200 number one. Her 2017-2018 tour through North America and Europe followed, and her piano version of the album’s title track won a Grammy.
Her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020), sold 274,000 copies in its first week, continuing her streak of number-one albums in the US. The single “Rain On Me,” featuring Ariana Grande, sold 1 million copies and won a Grammy.
As an actress, Gaga debuted in Machete Kills (2013) and appeared in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014). She also starred in American Horror Story: Hotel (2015-2016), winning a Golden Globe. In 2018, she starred in A Star is Born alongside Bradley Cooper, earning her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She wrote and produced much of the film’s soundtrack, winning four Grammys, with “Shallow” earning an Oscar.
Gaga is set to appear in House of Gucci, directed by Ridley Scott, releasing on November 24, 2021.