What is Vanilla Ice’s net worth?
Vanilla Ice, an American rapper, actor, and television host, has a net worth estimated at $20 million. Born Robert Van Winkle, he gained fame in the early 1990s with his hit single “Ice Ice Baby,” which became the first hip-hop song to reach the top of the Billboard charts. His debut album, “To the Extreme,” pushed him into the spotlight, selling over 15 million copies and establishing him as an iconic figure in the music world. However, his rapid ascent was met with criticism and debate regarding his authenticity and role within hip-hop culture.
Following his initial triumph, Vanilla Ice’s fame declined, yet he continued to produce music, experimenting with various genres such as hard rock and nu-metal in albums like “Hard to Swallow.” In addition to his music career, he took a turn into reality TV with “The Vanilla Ice Project,” which highlighted his abilities in home renovation and real estate, presenting a different side of him to the audience and garnering a new wave of recognition.
Ice Ice Baby Royalties
During his 2018 divorce proceedings, Vanilla’s ex-wife Laura disclosed that he was still earning about $400,000 annually in royalties from “Ice Ice Baby” at that time.
2018 Divorce and Finances
In November 2018, Laura filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage, revealing intriguing details regarding Ice’s finances. According to the documents, his net worth was at least $10 million, with an average monthly income of $68,000 (approximately $800,000 per year). Interestingly, about half of his earnings stemmed from “Ice Ice Baby” royalties, amounting to around $400k annually. It was also disclosed that Ice possessed $3 million in liquid assets and owned 15 properties, eight cars, and a boat collectively valued at about $5 million. His real estate holdings could potentially be worth significantly more, based on market fluctuations and valuations. Subsequently, a judge mandated Ice to pay $121,000 in overdue support payments, in addition to $10,000 monthly until a final agreement was reached.
Early Life
Robert Matthew Van Winkle, known as Vanilla Ice, was born on October 31, 1967, in Dallas, Texas. His surname comes from his mother’s first husband, whom she divorced when Van Winkle was four years old. He did not have a relationship with his biological father. Afterward, his mother married a car salesman, prompting them to move frequently between Dallas and Miami, where his stepfather worked. At 13, he was introduced to breakdancing and began immersing himself in the emerging hip-hop scene. His friends dubbed him Vanilla Ice, a nickname he disliked but ultimately accepted. He soon began engaging in rap battles at parties, performing under the name MC Vanilla. At the age of 16, he wrote “Ice Ice Baby.”
(Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
In 1985, after graduating high school, Ice engaged in motocross competitions. He won three championships and was contemplating a career in the sport until an ankle injury caused by a race accident led him to lose interest. During his recovery, he focused on refining his dance skills. He began beatboxing and breakdancing as a street performer in malls. One evening, at a nightclub named City Lights, a friend encouraged him to participate in the open-mic night. The audience loved his performance, prompting the club’s manager to offer him a regular spot. Ice accepted the offer and opened for notable acts like N.W.A., Public Enemy, 2 Live Crew, Tone Loc, and Paula Abdul while working at City Lights.
In early 1987, Ice was involved in a fight outside the nightclub, resulting in five stab wounds that led to a ten-day hospital stay. Two years later, he opened for Ice-T, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and others as part of the Stop the Violence Tour.
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Career
His potential was recognized by his manager during the Stop the Violence Tour, leading them to work on Ice’s demo tape. In 1989, Ichiban Records released “Play that Funky Music” as the A-side and “Ice Ice Baby” as the B-side of the single. A DJ at a Georgia radio station mistakenly played “Ice Ice Baby” instead of “Play That Funky Music,” and the audience reacted wildly to it.
The track “Ice Ice Baby” skyrocketed to fame. One night in a West Hollywood restaurant, rapper Suge Knight and his bodyguards chose to sit at Ice’s table. Later, Knight visited Van Winkle’s hotel room on the 15th floor of the former Bel Age Hotel (now the London Hotel) on Sunset Boulevard. Ice recalls that Knight dragged him onto the balcony and threatened to throw him off unless he signed over the rights to “Ice, Ice Baby.” Van Winkle complied, and Knight utilized that money to establish Death Row Records.
Van Winkle’s first album, “To the Extreme,” became the fastest-selling hip-hop album ever. It dominated the charts for 16 weeks. He went on to release five more studio albums: “Mind Blowin'” in 1994, “Hard to Swallow” in 1998, “Bi-Polar” in 2001, “Platinum Underground” in 2005, and “W.T.F. (Wisdom, Tenacity, and Focus)” in 2011. Additionally, he recorded an album of cover songs titled “Vanilla Ice is Back” in 2008.
Vanilla Ice contributed to the soundtrack of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze” with his song “Ninja Rap,” which he performed in the film. In 1991, he received a $1 million payday to star in the critically derided film “Cool As Ice.” Later, he appeared on the second season of the reality show “The Surreal Life.” Since 2010, Ice has been the star of the DIY Network show “The Vanilla Ice Project,” which showcases his home-flipping endeavors in Florida. The show had a total of 105 episodes across nine seasons by its end in 2019.
Personal Life
In 1991-1992, Vanilla Ice had an eight-month relationship with Madonna. In 1997, he married Laura Giaritta, and they are parents to two daughters: Dusti Rain (born 1998) and KeeLee Breeze (born 2000). However, Laura filed for divorce in 2016. Later, in 2018, Vanilla Ice became a father again with a new spouse.
On July 4, 1994, Ice made an attempt on his life through a heroin overdose, but his friends managed to revive him. Following this event, he took a hiatus from his music career in 1995 to participate in motocross and jet skiing while based in Florida. By the summer of that year, he had achieved a ranking of No. 6 worldwide in sit-down jet ski racing, competing nearly every weekend with the support of a Kawasaki sponsorship.
Star Island Mansion
During the height of his popularity in the 1990s, Vanilla Ice resided on the highly exclusive Star Island in Miami, not far from Gloria Estefan’s residence. He acquired his gated 1-acre estate on Star Island for $1.8 million in July 1991. Subsequently, he reportedly invested $1 million into renovating the 9,000-square-foot mansion with nine bedrooms. In later interviews, Vanilla asserted that he hosted the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar at this mansion during his ownership, claiming they engaged in speedboat races and held extravagant parties, with Pablo frequently landing helicopters in his yard. However, considering Pablo’s activities between 1990 and 1993, these assertions may be questionable, as he was on the run from Colombian authorities for a significant portion of 1990 and spent all of 1991 in prison. It was only in 1992 that he escaped and continued to evade capture until his death in December 1993.
In May 1997, Vanilla sold his Star Island property to Venezuelan entrepreneur Claudio Osorio for $2.7 million. Osorio later hosted notable figures like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama for fundraising events there. Unfortunately, he and his wife filed for bankruptcy in 2011, and he was arrested in December 2012 due to involvement in a $40 million fraud scheme. Federal prosecutors alleged that between 2007 and 2010, Osorio and several partners deceived investors regarding their company’s financial state, absconding with millions that facilitated their extravagant lifestyles. He faced a conviction and received a 12.5-year prison sentence in 2013. Meanwhile, the Star Island property was auctioned off in November 2011 for $12.7 million and currently boasts a value exceeding $50 million. Here is a video tour:
Other Real Estate
In 2018, Vanilla Ice listed his waterfront house in Melbourne Beach, Florida, for $4.8 million. This home, which appeared on The Vanilla Ice Project, features four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
He also purchased a home in Wellington, Florida, for $716,000 in April 2004. In October 2019, Vanilla transferred this property to his ex-wife for a nominal $10. She subsequently listed it for sale in August 2020 at $909,000, ultimately accepting a sale price of $770,000 in December 2020.
Car Collection
In December 2023, Vanilla showcased his car collection to YouTuber DJ Vlad. This collection features the original Ford Mustang 5.0 used in the “Ice Ice Baby” music video, with the video suggesting its value at $3 million. View the video tour here: