#57: James Brown

Known as: Singer

Net Worth: $100 million

Children: 9-13

James Brown, the iconic singer renowned as the “Godfather of Soul” and often hailed as the “King of Soul,” left an indelible mark on the world of music. Born in 1933 and passing away in 2006, his unparalleled contributions to funk and R&B have left an enduring legacy. Among the intriguing aspects of his life were his family ties, with records indicating he fathered between nine and thirteen children.

When it came to divvying up his wealth, Brown adopted a selective approach. While he bequeathed a substantial sum of two million dollars to his offspring, not all of his children were included in the inheritance. A total of seven out of the thirteen were disinherited, a decision that extended to his youngest son, five-year-old James Jr. Furthermore, even James Jr.’s mother, Hynie, who had served as a backup singer for the iconic musician, found herself excluded from Brown’s will.