Lin-Manuel Miranda, a versatile American composer, lyricist, actor, rapper, and librettist, boasts an impressive net worth of $90 million. He gained widespread fame for his contributions to Broadway, most notably with Hamilton, which premiered in 2015. Miranda’s career has been marked by numerous accolades and a reputation for excellence both on stage and behind the scenes.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 16, 1980, in New York City, Lin-Manuel Miranda grew up with his sister in a family of Puerto Rican descent. He visited Puerto Rico regularly during his youth, fostering a deep connection with his heritage. Miranda’s passion for musical theater ignited during high school, where he began writing his own musicals. After graduating, he attended Wesleyan University, where he wrote the early version of In the Heights, which premiered at his college in 1999.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Miranda’s professional breakthrough came in 2002 when he teamed up with director Thomas Kail to bring In the Heights to the stage. After successful off-Broadway performances, the musical debuted on Broadway in 2008. The production earned 13 Tony Award nominations and won four, including Best Musical and Best Score. Miranda also starred as Usnavi, receiving critical acclaim for his performance.
During this time, Miranda expanded his career, performing in other plays and contributing music to various productions. He also appeared on television in shows such as The Sopranos, House, and Sesame Street. Miranda continued working as an English teacher and composing music for commercials, even as his fame grew.
Venturing Into Hip-Hop and Theater
In 2003, Miranda co-founded the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme, which toured worldwide during the 2000s. The group eventually became the subject of a TV show and a Broadway musical. Miranda’s musical versatility continued with Bring it On: The Musical (2011), for which he wrote the music and lyrics, and 21 Chump Street (2014), a musical he also composed. His television roles continued in shows like Modern Family and How I Met Your Mother.
The Success of Hamilton and Other Projects
The defining moment of Miranda’s career came in 2015 with Hamilton: An American Musical, a show he created, wrote, and starred in. Based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton became an unparalleled success, earning multiple Tony Awards and immense critical acclaim. The production grossed over $800 million, with Miranda earning a 7% cut from the box office, amounting to millions in royalties.
Miranda’s relationship with Disney further solidified his influence in entertainment. He contributed to the music of Moana (2016) and appeared in various Disney projects, including Mary Poppins Returns (2018) and The Little Mermaid (2023). In addition, Miranda directed the film Tick, Tick… Boom! in 2021, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Earnings from Hamilton and Movie Rights
By 2018, Hamilton had grossed $365 million, with Miranda entitled to a 7% royalty from the show’s box office revenue. This arrangement resulted in Miranda earning around $105,000 weekly while the show toured. In February 2020, Disney paid $70 million for the movie rights to Hamilton, further bolstering Miranda’s wealth.
Real Estate Investments
Lin-Manuel Miranda has also made significant investments in real estate. In 2008, he bought an apartment for his parents in the Inwood neighborhood of North Manhattan. After his parents moved out, the property was listed for just under $1 million. In 2019, Miranda purchased the Drama Book Shop in New York City, a place where he had once written the original draft of In the Heights.
Miranda married Vanessa Nadal, a high school friend, in 2010. The couple has two sons. Miranda is also the cousin of professional baseball player José Miranda, connecting him to the sports world as well
