The Weeknd

The Weeknd

Singers

Personal Stats

NameThe Weeknd
RoleSinger, Song Writer, Record Producer, Actor
IndustryEntertainment
Net Worth$300 Million
Real NameAbel Makkonen Tesfaye
AliasesThe Noise, Kin Kane
Date of Birth and AgeFebruary 16, 1990 (34 years old)
Father’s nameMakkonen Tesfaye
Mother’s nameSamrawit Hailu
SiblingsSam and Bella Tesfaye
High SchoolFrench immersion school, West Hill Collegiate Institute, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute
MixtapesHouse of Balloons (2011), Thursday (2011), Echoes of Silence (2011)
AlbumsKiss Land (2013), Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Starboy (2016), After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022)
Other FamilyTwo half-siblings Matthew and Lily from his father’s side


Table of Contents

  • About The Weeknd
  • Businesses Owned
  • Early Life
  • Family
  • What Is The Weeknd’s Net Worth?
  • What Is The Weeknd’s Claim To Fame?

About The Weeknd

Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, is a Canadian music wizard who started dropping mysterious beats back in 2009, uploading tracks to YouTube. The singer quickly gained popularity due to his unique voice and mysterious aura. With his three classic mixtapes, Thursday, Echoes of Silence, and House of Balloons, many were left wondering, “Who is this guy?”

By 2013, the R&B star became popular with his debut album, Kiss Land. However, it was pop hits like "Can't Feel My Face" and "Starboy" that really put him in prominence. Since then, he has broken numerous records. Songs like "Blinding Lights" have been topping charts and establishing records for Spotify streaming.

With a net worth of $300 million, four Grammys, and countless other accolades, this former American Apparel worker has gone from uploading songs anonymously to being one of the biggest global icons in music. Safe to say, The Weeknd has a total vibe.


Businesses Owned

  • XO

  • Black HXOUSE

    Aug 30, 2020 - Present

Early Life

Adopting the name “The Weeknd,” Tesfaye spiraled into drugs, wild nights, and even spent time homeless and behind bars. Yet, out of that chaos, his music was born. 

  • Before settling with the current name The Weeknd operated as “Kin Kane” for some time while he was part of the production team “The Noise”. He was also one of the hip-hop duo “Bulleez n Nerdz”.
  • Tesfaye left his home to live with his friend at the age of 17. It was a weekend when he left which worked as an inspiration behind his current stage name. However, he dropped the last ‘e’ from his name to avoid any trademark issues since there is a Canadian pop-rock band called “The Weekend”. 
  • Weeknd's enigmatic charm originally caught the attention in 2009, and shortly after, Drake acknowledged his eerie music. 
  • Tesfaye made his stage debut at Toronto's Mod Club Theatre in July 2011. 
  • Released his mixtape House of Balloons in 2011, which quickly gained him popularity.  
  • Released his album Trilogy in 2013, that featured at no. 4 on Billboard 200 with 86K copies sold in just one week. 
  • His career reached its peak with the release of Beauty Behind the Madness, his second studio album, in 2015. 

Family

Born in the chilly yet vibrant city of Toronto, this musical powerhouse comes from Ethiopian Amhara roots. 

  • Makkonen Tesfaye and Samrawit Hailu, separated shortly after his birth, and young Abel was raised in Scarborough by his mom and grandma.
  • His middle name might have a curious twist. Makkonen, which might have come from his grandfather
  • He was from an orthodox family and raised by Makkonen and Samrawit, and when asked about his faith in 2020, he gave a classic mysterious response: "I dunno...everything is a test".
  • On the romance front, his relationships have fueled enough tabloid headlines to fill a library. From his whirlwind affair with Bella Hadid to his much-talked-about romance with Selena Gomez, Abel’s love life kept the rumor mills spinning.

Abel aka The Weeknd has carved out a unique space in the music industry with his signature mix of R&B, pop, and electronic influences. His captivating stage presence matches his impressive $300 million net worth, placing him among the wealthiest and most influential artists today.

Net Worth$300 million
Salary$30 million per year (Varies Every Year)
Date of BirthFebruary 16, 1990
Place of BirthToronto, Canada
GenderMale
Height5’ 8”
ProfessionSinger, Songwriter, Record Producer, Businessman, Actor
NationalityCanadian
MarriedNo
No. of Houses3+
No. of Cars4+

What Is The Weeknd’s Net Worth?

The Weeknd’s Net Worth

As of 2024, The Weeknd has a net worth of $300 million.

Abel's success seamlessly blends his thriving music career with lucrative business ventures, endorsements, and world tours.

From mixtapes to chart-topping albums like Kiss Land, Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, After Hours, and Dawn FM, his financial success soared, raking in approximately $92M from 2016-2017 and another $40M in 2018. These earnings helped him become the 6th highest-earning celebrity. He had a net worth of $200 million in 2021 and increased the figure by 50% in the last few years.

In addition to music, Tesfaye brings in significant earnings from live shows, performing both solo and as a guest artist. His 2017 Starboy: Legend of the Fall tour alone grossed over $100 million worldwide. He then raised the bar with his After Hours Till Dawn tour, which earned over $350 million, setting a record as the highest-grossing tour by a Black artist.

Another part of his music career that brings in the money is streaming. He is currently the 4th highest-streamed artist on Spotify and has an impressive 68 billion streams, which in turn has brought in an estimated $273 million. Although he doesn’t keep all that revenue, his performances still bring in substantial earnings. 


What Is The Weeknd’s Claim To Fame?

The Weeknd’s Claim To Fame

The Noise’s breakthrough came in 2010 when he connected with producer Jeremy Rose, transforming humble beginnings into a flourishing career. 

  • OVO blog: Influenced by Canadian superstar Drake, who showcased The Weeknd’s work on his OVO blog, he gained traction. Their partnerships, which began with Drake's Take Care album in 2011, launched The Weeknd into the global limelight. 
  • Trilogy: This is Weeknd’s debut compilation album, released on November 13, 2012, via XO and Republic Records. Despite some critics finding it indulgent, Trilogy earned positive reviews and charted at number four in the U.S. and five in Canada. In 2022, he mentioned possibly removing this album due to his preference for the original mixes, urging fans to listen to the mixtapes individually. 
  • Beauty Behind the Madness: This is his second studio album, dropped on August 28, 2015. Featuring collaborations with Labrinth, Ed Sheeran, and Lana Del Rey, the album was co-produced by The Weeknd, DaHeala, and Illangelo, along with contributions from Kanye West and Max Martin, among others. The album earned critical acclaim, winning Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2016 Grammys while being nominated for Album of the Year. 
  • The Idol: The HBO drama The Idol, which follows a rising pop star and her relationship with a mysterious club owner played by The Weeknd, marked his first major acting role. Co-created and co-written by The Weeknd alongside Sam Levinson, the series gained controversy due to its graphic content, which was labeled "torture porn" by critics. The show also faced allegations of a toxic work environment.

What Are The Weeknd’s Notable Businesses And Investments? 

The Weeknd’s Notable Businesses And Investments

Tesfaye has also diversified his income through various businesses and investments. Just have a quick look at his investment profile. 

  • XO: Xo is a record label started by the Weeknd, his managers Wassim Slaiby and Amir "Cash" Esmailian, and his creative director La Mar Taylor in 2011. It is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and the music produced is distributed through Republic Records. Currently, the label has three artists, Belly, Nav, and Chxrry22, besides The Weeknd.
  • Black HXOUSE: The musician and TD Bank collaborated to introduce Black HXOUSE in 2020, a project that supports Black Canadian business owners. This project, backed by a $221 million joint venture with the Canadian government, demonstrated his commitment to empowering underrepresented communities.
  • Investments: In 2022, The Weeknd expanded his investments across diverse sectors, starting with Koia, a plant-based beverage brand. After that, he made waves in the music industry with a $2 million investment in startup Songfinch, alongside notable figures like Craig Kallman, Rob Price, and Michael Keiser. 

Abel didn't stop there. He ventured into the digital sphere by investing in Everyrealm, a metaverse-focused business, putting himself at the front of the metaverse revolution with support from a recent multi-million dollar fundraising boost and over 3,000 NFTs.


What Brands Has The Weeknd Endorsed?

The Weeknd's brand endrosements

The Weeknd’s collaborations set the tone for his growing influence beyond the music industry.

  • ONE: In 2013, The Weeknd teamed up with condom company ONE to offer limited-edition condoms at his Kiss Land Fall Tour. 
  • Pax Labs: In November 2015, he partnered with Pax Labs to release a limited-edition vaporizer. 
  • Alexander Wang: Combining his music with high fashion, Weeknd collaborated with fashion designer Alexander Wang to produce an exclusive clothing line, which included sneakers, hoodies, t-shirts and bandanas.
  • Puma: 2016 saw Abel reach new heights in his passion for fashion as he joined Puma as a worldwide brand ambassador and creative partner. This partnership saw the launch of multiple capsule collections, along with several pop-up retail stores. He also collaborated with the brand for their Run the Streets campaign, focusing on the brand’s Sportstyle range.
  • Apple: The Weeknd was featured in an Apple Music commercial, which featured at the 2015 MTV VMAs.
  • Grey Goose: This collaboration is seen as the rapper’s first major alignment with a spirit brand. Grey Goose sponsored The Weeknd’s North American tour, offering exclusive cocktails like the Starboy and Sidewalk at each stop.
  • H&M: He collaborated with H&M on their men's line in 2017, but after a controversial event in 2018, he severed his relationship with the clothing brand.  
  • Marvel Comics: Inspired by his Starboy record, the rapper and Marvel Comics launched a comic book together. 
  • A Bathing Ape: He first collaborated with this brand in 2018 by launching their apparel collection. He was also featured in their second collection launch ad in 2020. 
    OverActive Media: In 2019, Weeknd became an owner and global ambassador of OverActive Media, which owns the Overwatch League team Toronto Defiant and the Splyce organization. 
  • Blue Bottle Coffee: Weeknd has teamed up with this coffee brand to launch Samra Origins, a coffee line celebrating his Ethiopian heritage. Named after his mother, Samra, this project is a personal passion for the artist, who was deeply involved in selecting flavors alongside Blue Bottle’s innovation head, Benjamin Brewer. The limited edition Exceedingly Rare Ethiopia Wolde Faye Koricha COE #7 launched on May 9 for $65 per tin, exclusively online. The proceeds support his XO Humanitarian Fund. 

How Does The Weeknd Spend His Millions? 

The Weeknd, with a net worth exceeding $300 million, indulges in luxury real estate, exotic cars, and high fashion. Beyond luxury, he is known for charitable efforts, donating millions to various causes. The artist also has a passion for art and culture, thus, he has acquired works by renowned artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. 


How Many Real Estate Properties Does The Weeknd Own?

The Weeknd's houses

The Grammy-winning superstar reflects in his impressive real estate portfolio, transitioning from a Toronto bachelor pad to a stunning $70 million mansion in Bel Air.

  • Bel-Air mansion: In 2021, this mansion became one of his biggest real estate deals. He purchased this house for around $70 million. The massive 33,000-square-foot estate adds to the luxurious portfolio of this prominent music industry figure. 
  • Hidden Hills estate: The Weeknd bought this three-acre estate for around $18.2 million in 2017. The 12,000-square-foot modern farmhouse features a guest house, saltwater pool, and full basketball court. After enjoying the luxury, he flipped the property in 2021 to none other than Madonna for $19.3 million.
  • Beverly Hills penthouse: In late 2019, “Staryboy” paid $21M for an 18th-floor apartment in Beverly Hills. Despite its luxurious 8,215 sq. ft. layout, he sold his house for $19 million in August 2023, having initially listed it for $22 million in January 2022.  

During his brief romance with Selena Gomez, he also rented a stylish Greenwich Village apartment for $60,000 a month. 


How Big Is The Weeknd's Car Collection?

The Weeknd's car collection

In his hit single Starboy, The Weeknd says “We don’t pray for love, we just pray for cars.” His garage reflects the true meaning of these lines as it’s filled with exotic cars. 

  • Porsche 911 Carrera: Weeknd owns a white 911 Carrera, that is likely from the G Series range produced between 1974 and 1989. It's unclear if he actually owns the vehicle, but it does go nicely with his style. The license plates even said "Star Boy." 
  • McLaren P1: This car adds an exotic flair to his garage. Featured in the Starboy music video. In the music video, the rapper strolls through a garage filled with a number of luxurious cars. Then, he stops in front of this volcano red P1 and gets into it along with a black cat.. 
  • Lamborghini Aventador SVJ: Another standout in his collection is the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. He was often seen posing with the Aventador in front of his LA home. 
  • Bentley Mulsanne: The rapper has a black colored Mulsanne but we have also seen him inside a white Mulsanne. The Bentley was also featured in his “Starboy” music video where Abel mentions – “I’m in the blue Mulsanne, bumpin’ New Edition”. No doubt, this is one of his favorite cars! 

This is just a glimpse of his lavish car collection. To explore more, click here.


What Are The Weeknd's Charitable Contributions?

The Weeknd's Charitable Contributions

On December 15, 2022, Tesfaye received the 2022 Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award for his outstanding social activism. From food aid to education, The Weeknd uses his platform to uplift those in need.

  • COVID-19 relief fund: During the pandemic, Weeknd launched a line of face masks under his XO brand and donated the profits to the people of Scarborough. He matched every dollar raised, contributing $500K to the Scarborough Health Network to aid frontline workers and purchase essential medical equipment. 
  • Black Lives Matter movement: Following George Floyd's tragic murder in 2020, The Weeknd used his Instagram platform to support the movement. He encouraged his audience to get involved and donated $500,000 to organizations such as National Bail Out and Know Your Rights Camp. 
    Support for education: In 2016, The Weeknd donated to the University of Toronto’s Ethiopic Language and Culture program, followed by an additional $30,000 in 2020. He also supported over 1,000 homeless students. 
  • XO Humanitarian Fund: In 2022, he established this organization to combat global hunger, raising $5 million to provide food aid. His first donation targeted nutrition programs in Ethiopia, reflecting his commitment to his roots and the urgent needs of the Tigray region, which faces a severe food crisis.
    Lebanon fund: After the devastating Beirut explosion in 2020, The YouTube sensation donated $300,000 to this organization, supporting the Red Cross and the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon. 
  • Gaza contribution: In 2024, The Weeknd announced a $2 million donation to provide 18 million loaves of bread to families in Gaza through the United Nations World Food Programme. This builds on his earlier commitment of $2.5M in 2023.
  • Goodwill: At a private reception in Los Angeles, Abel was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The Grammy-winning artist joins Kate Hudson and Michael Kors in advocating for the fight against global hunger. He has also donated $1 million to WFP’s Ethiopia relief.

What's Next For The Weeknd?

The Weeknd is set to release his highly anticipated final album in the trilogy that began with After Hours and continued with Dawn FM. This album, titled Hurry Up Tomorrow, promises to go further into his creative mind. The announcement is characterized by dramatic symphonic music, reflective and self-reflective words, and recognizable elements from his past songs. With lines like “Today has felt like an endless spin,” The Weeknd hints at a profound exploration of his journey and emotions. The Weeknd hints at a profound exploration of his journey and emotions. He has just released the lead single “Dancing in the Flames” a week ago and released the unplugged acoustic version as well.


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FAQs

What is The Weeknd's real name?

The Weeknd’s real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye.

How many #1 hits does the Weeknd have?

The Weeknd has a total of 7 songs that have hit the top spot on the Billboard's Hot 100 list. He is one of the very few artists to have more than 100 songs in the Top 100 list out of which 18 have been on the top 10.

What is The Weeknd's biggest hit?

“Blinding Lights” from the album After Hours released in 2020 is such a big hit that it has almost become synonymous with his name. The single has almost 4.5 billion total streams on Spotify.

What is The Weeknd's record label?

The Weeknd's record label is XO and Republic Records.

What is The Weeknd's net worth?

The Weeknd’s net worth is estimated to be around $300 million as of 2024.



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