Introduction:
John Perry Barlow was a true American maverick, an influential poet, and also, a renowned internet activist. He was the founding member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which is known for its advocacy of internet freedoms. John Perry Barlow was known as an author, lyricist, and an activist. He was also an heir to a considerable fortune that most people didn’t know. However, after his sudden death in 2018, the veil was lifted from his immense wealth. This post aims to uncover John Perry Barlow’s untold wealth and estimate his net worth.
The Origins of John Perry Barlow’s Wealth:
John Perry Barlow’s family became wealthy through their ownership of vast amounts of land in Wyoming, which had substantial oil reserves. Barlow was the child of a wealthy family, the Barlow family, who traced their ancestry to the early colonial period in America. After the death of his father in 1954, Barlow became the sole beneficiary of his father’s estate, which was estimated to be worth $5 million at the time. His father’s estate also included land rights and coal reserves.
John Perry Barlow’s Work Life:
Barlow worked in Hollywood in his early twenties before moving into music full-time. He was a songwriter, and his most famous work was co-writing lyrics for the Grateful Dead’s most well-known songs. He also undertook various other writing projects, such as being a contributing editor for Wired Magazine and the co-founder of the EFF. These works were significant sources of income for him and allowed him to fund his activism and travels.
Barlow’s Legal Troubles:
Despite being a vocal Internet activist, Barlow still experienced legal issues due to his wealth. He went through a publicized divorce in the 90s, in which his spouse Linda withdrew $17,500 a month from his income. The divorce was finalized in 2015, which was two years before his death. This financial issue, coupled with his other expenses, may have had an impact on his net worth.
Barlow’s Investments:
John Perry Barlow made various investments throughout his life, one of which was in the digital currency Bitcoin. This investment was done about five years before his death when Bitcoin’s price was relatively small. However, over time, this investment grew and turned into a considerable investment asset. It is estimated that this investment alone would have been worth millions at the time of his death.
Barlow’s Real Estate:
John Perry Barlow owned a vast amount of real estate. His ranch was located in Wyoming, situated on a 70-acre property that was worth more than $4 million in 2018. Barlow had previously said that his ranch was his sanctuary and an essential place to visit to reflect and write.
Other Sources of Income:
Barlow’s various business ventures, such as his writing projects, shares in tech firms, and his investing in startups, contributed to his substantial wealth. He had shares in Flicker, an online photo-sharing platform, and AboveNet, a fiber-optic network company. These shares may not have been the bigger sources of his income, but they still added to his net worth.
Barlow’s Lifestyle:
Barlow was known to lead a lavish lifestyle, which may have contributed to the depletion of his wealth over time. He was an avid collector of jewelry, which he purchased from high-end stores, a connoisseur of rare books, and enjoyed collecting guitars. His travels and activism may have also been a source of many expenses.
John Perry Barlow’s Net Worth:
Based on the previously mentioned factors, John Perry Barlow’s net worth at the time of his death in 2018 is estimated to have been between $20 million to $50 million.
Conclusion:
Despite his role as an internet freedom activist, John Perry Barlow was known to be a wealthy individual during his lifetime. His inheritance, investments, and other ventures contributed to his wealth, and he lived a lavish lifestyle. His sudden death in 2018 revealed his immense wealth and created a stir in the media, prompting the estimation of his net worth. In conclusion, John Perry Barlow was a complex and influential figure whose legacy is still celebrated today.
FAQs:
Q1) What made John Perry Barlow wealthy?
John Perry Barlow inherited wealth through the ownership of vast tracts of land in Wyoming that had oil reserves.
Q2) Did John Perry Barlow work outside of music and writing?
Yes, John Perry Barlow co-founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is an advocate for internet freedom.
Q3) What issues did Barlow experience in court?
Barlow experienced divorce proceedings in the ’90s, resulting in large sums of money being paid to his ex-wife monthly.
Q4) Where was John Perry Barlow’s ranch located?
John Perry Barlow’s 70-acre ranch was located in Wyoming.
Q5) How much was John Perry Barlow’s wealth estimated to be worth when he died?
John Perry Barlow’s wealth was estimated to be worth between $20 million to $50 million when he died.