Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, is a renowned English musician, actor, real estate investor, and philanthropist. He boasts a net worth of $550 million. Widely recognized as a member of the iconic band The Police, Sting has also cultivated a successful solo career. The Police’s five studio albums earned Platinum certifications across multiple countries. Their 1983 album Synchronicity went 8x Platinum in the U.S. and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Synchronicity remains one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and “100 Best Albums of the Eighties.”
Sting’s musical impact spans both his time with The Police and as a solo artist. Together with the band, he sold over 100 million records globally. After leaving The Police, Sting enjoyed a distinguished solo career. His debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985), was a commercial success. Subsequent albums like …Nothing Like the Sun (1987), Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993), Mercury Falling (1996), and Brand New Day (1999) all achieved Platinum status in the U.S. and the U.K. His work continues to define popular music.
Catalog Sale to Universal Music Publishing Group
In February 2022, Sting made headlines by selling his songwriting catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group for $300 million. This significant deal included his entire catalog, encompassing both his work with The Police and his solo career, ensuring his musical legacy endures across generations.
Sting was born on October 2, 1951, in Wallsend, Northumberland, England, to Audrey, a hairdresser, and Ernest, an engineer and milkman. Growing up with three siblings, Sting attended St. Cuthbert’s Grammar School and briefly attended the University of Warwick. However, he dropped out to pursue a different path. He worked various jobs, including as a tax officer and bus conductor, before studying primary school teaching at Northern Counties College of Education. Music was his passion; during his college years, he played jazz with bands like the Newcastle Big Band. His nickname “Sting” originated from his penchant for wearing a yellow-and-black striped sweater resembling a bee.
Formation of The PoliceIn
1977 Sting moved to London and formed The Police, initially with Stewart Copeland and Henry Padovani (later replaced by Andy Summers). The band’s debut album, Outlandos d’Amour, released in 1978, was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in the U.K., France, and several other countries. Singles like “Roxanne” and “Can’t Stand Losing You” contributed to their initial popularity. Their next album, Reggatta de Blanc (1979), reached number one in multiple countries and included the chart-topping hit “Message in a Bottle.”
The Police’s success continued through the 1980s with albums like Zenyatta Mondatta (1980), Ghost in the Machine (1981), and Synchronicity (1983). Each album produced iconic songs, such as “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” The band garnered numerous awards, including six Grammys. However, Sting eventually left the band to pursue a solo career. The Police briefly reunited for a world tour in 2007.
Solo Career and Collaborations
Sting’s solo career flourished with his debut album The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). He followed it up with several successful albums, including …Nothing Like the Sun (1987) and Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993). Sting’s collaboration with Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart on “All for Love” for The Three Musketeers soundtrack in 1993 became a global hit. Sting continued collaborating with artists like Julio Iglesias, Tina Turner, and Sheryl Crow over the years, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile and respected musician.
Academy Award Nomination and Other Achievements
In 2000, Sting earned his first Academy Award nomination for the song “My Funny Friend and Me” from the animated film The Emperor’s New Groove. In 2007, he lent his voice to the Bee Movie. Sting continued to expand his reach in entertainment, with appearances in Brüno (2009) and Life’s Too Short (2011). In 2015, he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score for his musical The Last Ship.
One of Sting’s most profitable songs, “Every Breath You Take,” was released in 1983. It became one of the top 10 most profitable songs in terms of royalties. The song experienced a resurgence in 1997 when Puff Daddy (now Diddy) released a tribute song, “I’ll Be Missing You,” using the riff from the original. The track went on to win a Grammy and sold over 7 million copies. Sting earns significant royalties from this song, which still generates around $2,000 a day, totaling roughly $730,000 per year.
Disputes and Royalties from Diddy’s Song
Sting, the sole credited composer of “Every Breath You Take,” was able to secure 100% of the royalties when Diddy’s version was produced without prior permission. Typically, the composer only receives 25-50% of the royalties from a remix. However, Sting demanded and received all the royalties, which was unprecedented. Interestingly, Sting’s bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, were not consulted or compensated for their work on the song.
Sting advocates yoga and even wrote the foreword for Yoga Beyond Belief by Ganga White in 2007. He is also a fan of the Newcastle United football club and wrote the song “Black and White Army (Bringing The Pride Back Home)” to support the team.
Sting has been active in various humanitarian causes. He performed at the Secret Policeman’s Other Ball in 1981 to support Amnesty International and participated in the 1988 Amnesty International Human Rights Now tour. In 1984, he joined Band-Aid and contributed to the recording of Do They Know It’s Christmas? Sting co-founded the Rainforest Foundation Fund with his wife, Trudie Styler, and Kayapo Indian leader Raoni Metuktire. His efforts to save the rainforest led to a species of Colombian tree frog being named after him: Dendropsophus stingi.
Awards and Honors
Sting has been nominated for 45 Grammy Awards and has won 17 times. His contributions to film music earned him several Academy Award nominations. He won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for “Until…” from Kate & Leopold. Additionally, Sting has received numerous other prestigious awards, such as a Primetime Emmy, a World Soundtrack Award, and a Tony Award nomination. His work has earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Sting’s Real Estate Ventures
Sting has made significant investments in real estate. In 2008, he and his wife Trudie purchased a $26.98 million penthouse in New York City’s Central Park West area. The couple later listed the property for $56 million in 2017, ultimately selling it for $50 million. In addition to this, Sting and Trudie have owned homes in England, Italy, and Los Angeles. They own a Malibu beach house with seven bedrooms and ten bathrooms, which they offered for rent in 2017 for $200,000 for the summer.
