Queen’s iconic guitarist Brian May is famous not just for his musical talent but also for his accomplishments beyond music. Having spent decades in the limelight, May has earned quite a fortune thanks to his music, as well as his scientific career and other side projects. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at Brian May’s net worth, his early life, Queen’s impact, scientific work, side projects, real estate portfolio, and much more.
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What Is Brian May’s Net Worth?
As of 2024, Brian May is estimated to have a net worth of around $260 million. This wealth has been amassed over his long and successful career as the guitarist for Queen and also as a songwriter, author, and astrophysicist. May’s ability to diversify into different areas has played a big part in him accumulating such wealth.
Early Life of Brian May
Brian Harold May was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, London, England. He grew up in a working-class family and was interested in music and science from an early age. May’s father, Harold May, was a musician, so it’s not surprising that his son developed a love of music too. However, the young May also had a fascination with science that would later go on to define his career.
Brian attended the independent school, Ruthin School, in North Wales, and it quickly became apparent that he was a child prodigy. He later trained as a mathematician and physicist at Imperial College London, graduating with honours before obtaining a PhD in astrophysics. However, it was music that really caught his attention when he decided to create one of the best rock bands ever.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Brian Harold May |
| Date of Birth | July 19, 1947 |
| Place of Birth | Hampton, London, England |
| Profession | Musician (Lead Guitarist), astronomist, Songwriter, Author, and activist |
| Genres | Rock, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock |
| Net Worth (2024) | $260 Million |
| Most Famous For | Lead Guitarist of Queen, Signature Sound (Red Special Guitar), Iconic Songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” |
| Education | PhD in Astrophysics (Imperial College London) |
| Early Career | Started playing guitar at a young age, formed Queen in 1970 |
| Queen Formation Year | 1970 |
| Instrument | Guitar (Red Special), Vocals, Keyboard |
| Famous Songs with Queen | “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody to Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions” |
| Solo Career | Back to the Light (1992), Another World (1998), “Driven by You” |
| Side Projects | Collaborated with Paul Rodgers, Black Sabbath, The Cross, and other artists |
| Scientific Career | PhD in Astrophysics, Involved in NASA’s New Horizons Mission, Published Books on Astrophysics |
| Personal Life | Married to Anita Dobson (2000-present), Divorced from Christine Mullen (1st wife) |
| Children | Three children from first marriage |
| Animal Rights Activism | Active in the Save Me Trust, campaigns for animal welfare |
| Real Estate | Several properties in London and the countryside |
| Books Written | Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, Astrophysics: The Science of the Stars |
| Awards and Honors | Several awards with Queen, including Ivor Novello Award and Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Social Media Presence | Active on Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms |
| Notable Collaborations | David Bowie, Paul Rodgers, Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Elton John |
Brian May and Queen
Formed in 1970, Queen went on to become one of the world’s most successful and influential bands and joined by Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon as lead guitarist and co-songwriter with Mercury Brian May penned some of Queen’s biggest hits, including ‘We Will Rock You,’ ‘Somebody to Love,’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ May’s unique guitar sound: he played a homemade guitar; the Red Special is synonymous with Queen.
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Over the years, Queen has sold over 300 million records worldwide, and their music still strikes a chord with listeners of all generations. Following Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, Queen’s legacy lived on and currently frontlines the band Queen + Adam Lambert with Adam Lambert. May still tours, performs, and introduces new listeners to the magical music of Queen.
Side Projects and Solo Career
Brian May has pursued numerous side projects throughout his career, including a solo music career. In 1992, he released his first solo album called Back to the Light. Since then, he has released several other albums featuring his own songwriting and guitar work. Some of his most popular solo songs include “Driven by You” and Why Don’t We Try Again.
May has also been a featured guest on many recordings by other artists and has contributed to the musical works of several performers and groups outside the world of Queen. In 2002, he began working with Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company fame as guitarist in the newly reformed band Queen + Paul Rodgers.
His most recent collaboration was an EP (Another World) released in 1998, which features his long-term friend Cozy Powell on drums for three of the four tracks, plus a mini tour with them both. May also collaborated in composing the soundtrack music for 2010’s Furry Vengeance.
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Brian May’s Scientific Career
Most people associate Brian May with rock music, but not many know that he has a PhD in astrophysics. He first abandoned his scientific career to become a musician but returned to finish his degree in 2007, after years of sending his thesis off and having it rejected because he was famous. His doctoral work was entitled “A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud” and entailed exploring the movement of dust particles in outer space.
Aside from his PhD, May is an outspoken advocate for space research, contributing to NASA’s New Horizons mission and penning multiple astrophysics books such as Bang!: The Complete History of the Universe.
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Personal Life of Brian May
Brian May got married twice. His first marriage was with Christine Mullen in 1976, and the couple had three children together. However, they got divorced in 1988. In 2000, May tied the knot with Anita Dobson, an actress known for her role in the British soap opera EastEnders. He shares a beautiful relationship with his wife, and both of them share a common love for music as well as science.
May is also an animal rights activist, and he founded the Save Me Trust in 2009, which works to promote all aspects of animal welfare and particularly aims to encourage tolerance and understanding towards the UK’s natural wildlife, especially foxes, for which May has a particular fondness.
Brian May’s Real Estate
Throughout the years, Brian May has purchased quite a few luxury homes. One of his most famous residences is located in London, where he resides with his wife Anita Dobson. In addition to that, he reportedly owns a couple of other countryside estates and has been quite active in using his celebrity voice to protect wildlife and natural habitats.
His homes, reflecting his eclectic interests, feature collections of musical instruments, scientific equipment, and art.
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FAQs
1. How much is Brian May worth?
Starting around 2024, Brian Might’s total assets are assessed at $200 million.
2. Is Brian May married?
Brian May is hitched to Anita Dobson, an entertainer known for her job in EastEnders.
