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Mariah Carey is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, and actress who has made a tremendous impact in the music industry. She is known for her powerful vocals, catchy pop songs, and incredible range, which has earned her countless awards and accolades throughout her career.
With over 200 million records sold worldwide, she is considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In this essay, we will delve into the life and career of Mariah Carey, discussing her early life, education, career achievements, personal life, and net worth.
Early Life and Education
Mariah Carey was born on March 27, 1969, in Huntington, New York, to Alfred Roy Carey, a Venezuelan aeronautical engineer, and Patricia Carey, an Irish-American voice coach and opera singer. She grew up with her two older siblings, brother Morgan and sister Alison, in a racially diverse neighborhood in Long Island. Her parents’ marriage was troubled, and they eventually divorced when Mariah was three years old. Mariah’s childhood was not easy, as she faced various difficulties, including poverty, racism, and her parent’s divorce.
Despite the challenges, Mariah found solace in music, and she began singing at a young age. She performed in talent shows and started writing her own songs when she was just 12 years old. Mariah attended Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, New York, where she excelled academically and was a member of the school’s marching band, the flag corps, and the drama club. She continued to pursue her passion for music, performing at local clubs and bars in Manhattan.
After graduating from high school in 1987, Mariah moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. She attended Manhattan’s Music School, where she studied music theory, composition, and vocal training. Mariah also worked as a waitress and coat check girl to support herself while pursuing her dreams.
Career and Achievements
Mariah’s career began to take off when she met Tommy Mottola, the president of Columbia Records, at a party in 1988. He was impressed with her singing abilities and signed her to a recording contract. Mariah’s self-titled debut album was released in 1990, and it quickly became a huge success. The album spawned four number-one singles and sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Mariah continued to release hit albums throughout the 1990s, including “Emotions” (1991), “Music Box” (1993), and “Daydream” (1995). Her singles “Hero,” “Fantasy,” and “One Sweet Day” became instant classics, and she solidified her place as one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
In addition to her music career, Mariah has also dabbled in acting, appearing in films such as “The Bachelor” (1999), “Glitter” (2001), and “Precious” (2009). She has also made guest appearances on television shows, including “Ally McBeal” and “Empire.”
Mariah has won numerous awards throughout her career, including five Grammy Awards, 19 World Music Awards, and 10 American Music Awards. She has also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life and Relationships
Mariah’s personal life has been a topic of much discussion and speculation throughout her career. She has been married twice, first to music executive Tommy Mottola from 1993 to 1998 and then to actor and comedian Nick Cannon from 2008 to 2016. Mariah has two children, twins Moroccan and Monroe, with Nick Cannon.
In addition to her marriages, Mariah has also had several high-profile relationships throughout her career. She was in a long-term relationship with singer Luis Miguel in the late 1990s, and she also dated music producer Mark Sudack, singer Eric Benét, and rapper Eminem.
Mariah has been open about her struggles with mental health, including bipolar disorder. She has also been candid about her experiences with racism and discrimination throughout her life, both in her personal and professional life.
Net Worth
Mariah Carey’s net worth is estimated to be around $320 million, making her one of the wealthiest musicians in the world. Much of her wealth comes from her music career, including album sales, tours, and merchandise. Mariah has also been a successful entrepreneur, launching her own fragrance line and serving as a judge on the television show “American Idol.”
In addition to her music and business ventures, Mariah has also invested in real estate, owning multiple properties in New York and Los Angeles. She has also been involved in various charitable causes, including the Fresh Air Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Early Career Revenue
Mariah Carey’s early career was marked by tremendous commercial success. Her debut album, “Mariah Carey,” released in 1990, sold over 15 million copies worldwide and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned four number-one singles, including “Vision of Love” and “Love Takes Time.” In 1991, Mariah released her second album, “Emotions,” which also reached number one on the charts and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. The album’s title track became another number-one hit for Mariah.
In 1993, Mariah released her third studio album, “Music Box,” which included the hit single “Hero.” The album sold over 28 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. Mariah’s success continued throughout the 1990s, with her albums “Daydream” and “Butterfly” also achieving commercial success. Her single “One Sweet Day,” a collaboration with Boyz II Men, spent a record-breaking 16 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
During this time, Mariah was one of the highest-paid musicians in the world. In 1993, she signed a record-breaking $100 million contract with Sony Music, which included a five-album deal and a joint venture for her own record label, Crave Records. Mariah’s early career revenue is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, thanks to her record sales, tours, and endorsement deals.
Touring Revenue
Mariah Carey has embarked on numerous successful tours throughout her career, earning millions of dollars in revenue. Her first tour, the “Music Box Tour,” took place in 1993 and was a commercial success, grossing over $30 million. Mariah’s 1996 “Daydream World Tour” grossed over $75 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of the year.
In 1999, Mariah embarked on the “Rainbow World Tour,” which grossed over $75 million. Her 2006 “The Adventures of Mimi Tour” grossed over $65 million and was one of the highest-grossing tours of the year. Mariah has also performed in numerous residencies in Las Vegas and New York City, earning millions of dollars in revenue.
Endorsement and Business Revenue
In addition to her music career, Mariah has also been a successful entrepreneur, earning millions of dollars from her business ventures. In 2007, she launched her own fragrance line, which has since become one of the best-selling celebrity fragrance lines of all time. She has also launched her own line of jewelry and accessories, as well as a line of Christmas merchandise.
Mariah has also been a highly sought-after celebrity endorser, working with companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Intel. She has also been a judge on the television shows “American Idol” and “The Voice,” earning millions of dollars for her appearances.
Philanthropy and Charitable Contributions
Mariah Carey has been a philanthropist throughout her career, contributing to various causes and organizations. She has been a longtime supporter of the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides summer vacations to children from New York City’s low-income communities. Mariah has also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.
In 2003, Mariah established the Fresh Air Fund Camp Mariah, a summer camp for underprivileged children in Fishkill, New York. The camp provides children with opportunities to participate in various activities, including arts and crafts, music, sports, and team building exercises. Mariah has also worked with the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
In 2016, Mariah donated the proceeds from her single “Infinity” to the Fresh Air Fund. The song, which was released in conjunction with her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, raised over $50,000 for the organization.
In addition to her charitable contributions, Mariah has also been involved in various humanitarian efforts. In 2011, she performed at a benefit concert for earthquake relief in Japan. Mariah has also worked with the United Nations on initiatives to combat hunger and poverty.
Social Media and Online Presence
Mariah Carey is active on social media, with millions of followers on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. She uses her social media accounts to connect with her fans and share updates about her music, business ventures, and personal life.
Mariah also has a strong online presence, with a website that includes a news section, tour dates, and information about her business ventures. She has also launched her own mobile app, “Mariah Carey: The Empire,” which allows users to create their own virtual recording studio and interact with other fans.
Controversies and Criticisms
Despite her tremendous success, Mariah Carey has faced criticism and controversies throughout her career. In 2001, her semi-autobiographical film “Glitter” was a critical and commercial failure, leading to the cancellation of her record contract with Virgin Records.
Mariah has also been criticized for her live performances, with some critics accusing her of lip-syncing and not delivering a strong vocal performance. In 2016, her New Year’s Eve performance in Times Square was marred by technical difficulties, leading to a public dispute between Mariah and the event’s producers.
In addition, Mariah has faced criticism for her personal life, including her high-profile relationships and public feuds with other celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez and Eminem.
Detailed income table
| Year | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1990 | $25 million |
| 1993 | $50 million |
| 1995 | $80 million |
| 1998 | $45 million |
| 2000 | $40 million |
| 2005 | $27 million |
| 2010 | $18 million |
| 2015 | $27 million |
| 2020 | $10 million |
Key Facts
Mariah Carey is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her powerful vocals and impressive range.
She was born on March 27, 1969, in Huntington, New York, to Venezuelan and Irish-American parents.
Mariah began singing at a young age and attended the Manhattan School of Music to further her musical education.
Her debut album, “Mariah Carey,” was released in 1990 and became an instant success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide.
Throughout the 1990s, Mariah released numerous hit albums and singles, solidifying her place as one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
Mariah has won numerous awards throughout her career, including five Grammy Awards, 19 World Music Awards, and 10 American Music Awards.
She has been married twice, first to music executive Tommy Mottola and then to actor and comedian Nick Cannon, with whom she has two children.
Mariah has also been involved in various charitable causes, including the Fresh Air Fund and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Her net worth is estimated to be around $320 million, making her one of the wealthiest musicians in the world.
Despite facing challenges and controversies throughout her career, Mariah has continued to inspire and entertain audiences around the world, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest female artists of all time.
Conclusion
Mariah Carey is a true icon in the music industry, known for her incredible voice, catchy pop songs, and impressive range. Her career has spanned over three decades, and she has won countless awards and accolades for her music. Mariah’s personal life has also been a topic of much discussion, with her marriages, relationships, and struggles with mental health and discrimination in the spotlight.
Despite the challenges she has faced throughout her life and career, Mariah has continued to inspire and entertain audiences around the world. Her legacy as one of the greatest female artists of all time is sure to endure for generations to come.
