Rick Astley Net Worth

Rick Astley rose to fame as a pop singer in the 1980s with hit songs like ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and ‘Together Forever.’ After a hiatus from music in the 1990s, he returned to recording and performing in the 2000s. 

Now 57 years old, Astley is still actively making music and touring. With a career spanning over 30 years in the music industry, he has amassed an impressive net worth estimated to be in millions in 2023. 

His continued popularity is evident in the Rickrolling internet meme featuring his 1987 hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up.’ In this article, we take a closer look at how he built his fortune over his decades-long career.

Rick Astley’s net worth and career leading to retirement

At the peak of Astley’s fame in the late 1980s, his hit singles and multi-platinum debut album brought him an estimated net worth of around $16 million. He earned this fortune rapidly during his short-lived pop stardom. 

His career took off in 1987 with his #1 single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, which sold over 15 million copies worldwide. 

More top 10 hits like ‘Together Forever’ and ‘Cry for Help’ solidified Astley’s success over the next few years. However, by the early 1990s, Astley’s popularity declined after conflicts with his producers, Stock Aitken Waterman, and negative press labeled him a “puppet.” 

Rick Astley in his music video “Never Gonna Give You Up” (Source: Insider)

His record sales slowed, and his 1993 album Body and Soul flopped commercially. Disillusioned with the music industry, Astley retired that same year at only 27 years old to focus on raising his daughter. 

Stepping away from music in 1993 meant he left at a time when he still could have built his fortune further with more tours and albums. But he has said he has no regrets about retiring early for family. 

During his years away from the spotlight, Astley lived comfortably off the wealth he had earned during his late 80s stardom. When Astley returned to music full-time in the 2000s, it was out of a genuine love for creating, no longer concerned with fame and chart success. 

Now in his late 50s, he tours and records new music on his terms. Though well past his commercial peak, Astley still maintains an estimated net worth of $12 million from his smash-hit 80s career.

Rick Astley’s return to singing

After stepping away from the music industry in 1993 to focus on raising his daughter, Astley stayed out of the public eye for over a decade. His return to singing and music began gradually in the early 2000s.

In 2001, Astley released the album Keep It Turned On, his first studio album since retiring. It was only released in Europe and had little promotion, but it marked his return to making music. 

His comeback gained momentum when he released a compilation album, Greatest Hits, in 2002. It sold over 100,000 copies in the UK without any promotion from Astley, signaling that there was still an audience and appetite for his music. 

Encouraged, he embarked on his first tour in 14 years in 2004, which led to a new record deal with Sony BMG. In 2005, Astley released the album Portrait, covering classic pop standards.

While it underperformed, Astley was undeterred and put out the career retrospective The Ultimate Collection: Rick Astley in 2008. Propelled by the internet meme Rickrolling, the album reached the UK Top 20.

After being voted “Best Act Ever” at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, Astley fully relaunched his career. He wrote new material, released singles, went on tour, and made radio and TV appearances over the next few years.

More than 20 years after retiring in his prime, he proved he still had an audience and skill for crafting pop hits. Though no longer chasing chart success, Astley continues making music and touring today, recording new albums like 2016’s chart-topping 50.

Rick Astley became an internet sensation through the trend of “rickrolling”

After retiring from music in the 1990s, Astley was thrust back into the spotlight in 2007 through an internet meme known as “rickrolling.” 

This involved tricking someone into clicking on a link that led to Astley’s 1987 music video for ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ instead of the expected content. 

The bait-and-switch prank spread quickly online, with his catchy pop hit becoming the perfect song choice for the meme. At first, Astley was hesitant about this newfound viral fame. 

But he slowly embraced the phenomenon as rickrolling brought his music back into the public consciousness. The meme gained mainstream attention in 2008 when YouTube rickrolled viewers on April Fools’ Day. 

Astley himself even rickrolled the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that year with a surprise live performance. Rickrolling saw a massive resurgence in the early 2020s, being used to prank people in online classes during COVID-19 lockdowns. 

It also exposed Astley’s music video to younger generations. Astley has said the meme played a significant role in revitalizing his career, leading to new opportunities like his 2022 debut at Glastonbury Festival. 

Though initially unwilling, he came to appreciate how rickrolling introduced him to new audiences. The random spread of the “Never Gonna Give You Up” video online brought Astley’s music to people who otherwise may never have discovered it. 

Ultimately, the quirky meme catalyzed Astley’s comeback over 20 years after he first stepped away from the spotlight.

Rick Astley is ready to rock BCC One’s New Year’s eve special

After a triumphant 2022 performance at Glastonbury and other significant events, pop legend Astley is set to welcome 2023 with a headlining performance on BBC One’s New Year’s Eve celebration. 

Astley will be joined on stage by acclaimed guests like Sharleen Spiteri and Rylan to ring in the new year. His energetic set will feature his signature hits like ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ along with modern chart-toppers and classic favorites. 

Rick Astley performing for the very first time at Glastonbury (Source: Sky News)

His recent career resurgence, thanks to the Rickrolling meme, has introduced Astley to new generations of fans hungry for his infectious 80s-pop style. He proved he still has the talent and showmanship to entertain huge crowds.

Now, the 57-year-old singer is ready to bring that energy as the star of BBC’s New Year’s Eve show, broadcast live from the iconic Roundhouse venue. It’s a fitting way to conclude Astley’s big comeback year and kick off an exciting 2023. 

With high production values and a stacked lineup of guest stars, the NYE special will let Astley share his iconic pop catalog with viewers across the UK. Expect an unforgettable party as Astley rocks in the new year on BBC One.