Joan Baez, a renowned American folk singer, songwriter, and musician, has a net worth of $5 million.
Her music is known for addressing significant issues such as civil rights and social justice. With a career spanning several decades, Baez has released 25 studio albums, including “Joan Baez” (1960), “Diamonds & Rust” (1975), and “Whistle Down the Wind” (2018).
In recognition of her contribution to the music industry, Baez was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and the California Hall of Fame in 2018.
She has also written two books: “Daybreak – An Intimate Journal” (1968) and “And a Voice to Sing With: A Memoir” (1987).
Besides music and writing, Baez is a talented painter and has exhibited her artwork in shows like “Mischief Makers” (2017) and “Mischief Makers 2” (2021).
Quick Stats
| Name | Joan Baez |
| Birth Date | January 9, 1941 |
| Birth Place | Staten Island, New York City, United States |
| Age | 82 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Divorced (David Harris) |
| Height | 1.63 m (5′ 5″) |
| Weight | 101 lbs (46 kg) |
| Net Worth 2023 | $5 Million |
Joan Baez Career
Joan Baez’s interest in music led her to learn the songs of Pete Seeger and perform them publicly.
She later acquired an acoustic guitar in 1958 and began performing around Boston and Cambridge.
Joan’s first official concert, for a modest audience of eight, was held at Club 47 in Cambridge in 1958, where she eventually became a regular performer for a fee of $25 per show.
Her break came when she was invited to perform with Bob Gibson at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959, leading to a deal with Vanguard Records and the release of her debut self-titled album in 1960.
This was followed by several more successful albums, including “Joan Baez, Vol. 2” (1961), “Joan Baez/5” (1964), “Farewell, Angelina” (1965), and “Noël” (1966).
She also performed at Woodstock in 1969 and subsequently signed with A&M Records, where she released five more studio albums, including the 1975 Gold album “Diamonds & Rust.”
Her 1971 single “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” became a chart-topping hit.
After releasing “Blowin’ Away” (1977) and “Honest Lullaby” (1979) on CBS Records, Joan took a hiatus from releasing albums until 1987’s “Recently,” which was recorded for Gold Castle Records.
During this time, she performed at Live Aid in 1985 and participated in Amnesty International’s tours. In the 1990s, she signed with Virgin Records and released “Play Me Backwards” (1992), then “Gone from Danger” (1997) after EMI bought Virgin.
She released “Dark Chords on a Big Guitar” (2003) on Koch Records and continued performing at Lou Rawls’ funeral in 2006 and the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2008.
In 2018, she released her final studio album, “Whistle Down the Wind,” and retired from active performing after her last concert in Madrid in 2019. Joan Baez has impacted folk music and social activism throughout her long and storied career.
Joan Baez Activism
Joan Baez actively supported the Civil Rights Movement and was a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr.
She joined King in various demonstrations and rallies, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where she performed the iconic protest song “We Shall Overcome.” In 1964, she founded the Institute for the Study of Nonviolence.
During the Vietnam War, Baez was a vocal opponent and participated in many anti-war rallies and marches.
She even traveled to North Vietnam in 1972 as part of a peace delegation, where they experienced the devastating “Christmas bombing” by the United States.
Baez also established Humanitas International, an organization that advocates for human rights, in the late 1970s.
In addition, Baez has supported the LGBTQ+ community and has performed at events such as the Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride March and the Gay and Lesbian Force’s Fight the Right benefit.
Joan Baez Awards & Nominations
In 2007, Baez was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and throughout her career, she has received nine Grammy nominations.
Joan Baez received several awards for her music, including nods for Best Folk Recording for “Joan Baez In Concert” and “There But For Fortune.”
She also won Best Folk Performance for “Any Day Now,” Best Album Notes for “David’s Album,” and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”
Additionally, she was recognized with the Best Contemporary Folk Recording award for “Asimbonanga.”
In later years, Joan Baez received other accolades, such as the Best Contemporary Folk Album for “Play Me Backwards,” the Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for “Day After Tomorrow,” and the Best Folk Album for “Whistle Down the Wind.”
Baez was also named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2020 and was elected to a fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Additionally, she received nominations for two NME Awards for World Female Singer in 1967 and 1971.
