In Case You Didn’t Know
- Prince’s passing in 2016 had a significant financial impact on Tyka.
- Her debut album, “Royal Blue,” was released in 1988 under Cooltempo Records.
- She retired from the music industry in June 2024.
Tyka Nelson, an American singer and the only biological sister of the legendary musician Prince had an estimated net worth of between $3 million and $5 million at the time of her passing on November 4, 2024.
Her wealth reflects various sources of income, including her inheritance from Prince, music royalties, and earnings from a decades-long music career.
Born to a musically gifted family, Tyka grew up influenced by her father, jazz musician John L. Nelson, and mother, jazz singer Mattie Della Shaw.
She started writing songs at 10 and launched her music career with her debut album, “Royal Blue,” in 1988 under Cooltempo Records.
The album’s single, “Marc Anthony’s Tune,” gained popularity, reaching No. 33 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1988.
Throughout her career, Tyka released six albums, including “Yellow Moon, Red Sky (1992),” “A Brand New Me (2008),” and “Hustler (2011),” producing over 25 songs that generated royalties and boosted her overall net worth.
However, Tyka’s financial journey wasn’t without hardship. In the early 2000s, she faced addiction and financial instability, resorting to various means to support her children.
During this time, she once lived in a crack house, a brutal period she later overcame with the support of her family, especially her brother Prince.
Tyka ultimately overcame her struggles with addiction and resumed her music career in 2008, providing her with enhanced financial stability and increasing her income through music sales and royalties.
Prince’s sudden passing in 2016 significantly impacted Tyka’s financial status.
With his $156.4 million estate divided among Tyka and other family members, Tyka initially inherited a considerable portion of the fortune.
To secure her financial future, she later sold 90% of her share in Prince’s estate to Primary Wave, a music publishing company, retaining a 1.65% stake valued at approximately $2.6 million.
This strategic decision provided her with a reliable income stream while allowing her to focus on personal projects in her later years.
In her later years, Tyka turned her focus toward writing a memoir and retired from music in June 2024.
Despite facing financial ups and downs, her career earnings, royalties, and inheritance allowed her to leave a financial legacy that reflects her contributions to the music industry.
Tyka Nelson’s life, marked by resilience and dedication, leaves a lasting impact, both musically and financially, preserving the legacy of her family and her celebrated brother, Prince.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tyka Nelson, born on May 18, 1960, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spent her early years with eight siblings, including Prince, her biological brother, and seven half-siblings: John, Norrine, Sharon, Alfred, Omarr, Lorna, and Duane.
- Honouring her brother’s memory, she accepted the posthumous top album award for “Purple Rain” at the 2016 American Music Awards.
- Married to Maurice Phillips, she is the mother of two sons, Sir and Prez, and stepmother to four children: Chelsea, Rachard, Crystal, and Danielle.
