Brenda Lee Net Worth

May 2024 · 10 minute read

Brenda Lee Meinsenheimer net worth is
$20 Million

Brenda Lee Meinsenheimer Wiki Biography

Brenda Mae Tarpley was born on the 11th December 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia USA, and is a musician and singer, recognized for being one of the best female vocalist of the 1960s, who released such hits as “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (1958), and “I’m Sorry” (1960) among many others. Her musical career has been active since 1955.

So, have you ever wondered how rich Brenda Lee is? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that the total size of Brenda’s net worth is over $20 million, as of late 2016. The main sum of this amount of money has been accumulated through her successful career in the music industry.

Brenda Lee Net Worth $20 Million

Brenda Lee was raised with two siblings in a very poor family, the daughter of Reuben Lindsey Tarpley and Annie Grace. She began to sing as a child, joining the Baptist church choir every Sunday. When she was only six years old, Brenda participated at a local singing contest, finishing first and winning a live appearance in the radio show “Starmaker Revue”. By the time she was 10 years old, she had performed in a number of television and radio shows, such as the music show “TV Ranch”, among others. Unfortunately, her father died, and her mother remarried to Buell “Jay” Rainwater and the whole family moved to Cincinnati Ohio, and he found a job at Jimmy Skinner Music Center. There, Brenda performed on Sundays, and her performance was broadcast through WNOP, a Kentucky radio station. However, the family soon returned to Georgia, and she found a place on The Peach Blossom Special, aired on WJAT-AM in Swainsboro. Although modest, her net worth was established.

Her big break came around when she performed for Red Foley, who was more than impressed by her singing talents, and just two years later, when she was ten, she started appearing on the “Ozark Jubilee”. She was then offered a recording contract by Decca Records, and in 1956 she released her first single, entitled “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”. The following year, she released several more singles, including “One Step At A Time” (1957), “Ring-A-My-Phone” (1958), while in 1959 out came her debut full length studio album “Grandma, What Great Songs You Sang!”, since when she has released 28 studio albums, and 26 compilation albums, all of which increased her net worth by a large margin. She really came to prominence throughout the 1960s, earning the nickname Little Miss Dynamite because of her stature – 4ft 9 in or 145cm – but powerful voice, with albums “All the Way” (1961), “Brenda, That`s All” (1962), “All Alone Am I” (1963), “Bye Bye Blues” (1966), and the early 1970s “Brenda” (1973), “New Sunrise” (1973), among others, which spawned singles that topped the charts, “I’m Sorry”, “I Want To Be Wanted” “Nobody Wins”, and others that reached high positions, such as “”You Can Depend On Me”, “Dum Dum”, “Break It To me Gently”, “All Alone Am I”, “As Usual”, and many others which boosted the sales of the respective albums, and added substantially to her net worth, especially as she had a record nine consecutive hits reaching Billboard’s top 10.

Through 1970s, her fame and popularity began to decline, however, she switched to country music in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and with singles “Tell Me What It`s Like”, “The Cowgirl and The Dandy” , “Broken Trust”, “A Sweeter Love”, returned to a high place in the music industry she.

However, it didn`t last too long, as her career again hit the downward spiral, and although she has stayed active until the present day, Brenda didn`t have any more major successes. Some of the albums she has released from 1990s until now, includes “Brenda Lee” (1991), “Precious Memories” (1997), and “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends” (2007).

Thanks to her successful career, Brenda received numerous prestigious awards, including three NME Awards in category Best Female Singer, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. Furthermore, Brenda has been inducted into the Rock ‘n; Roll, Country Music and Rockabilly Halls of Fame.

When it comes to speak about her personal life, Brenda Lee has been married to Ronnie Shacklett since 1963; the couple has two daughters together, and three grandchildren. Her current residence is in Nashville, Tennessee.


Full NameBrenda Lee
Net Worth$20 Million
Date Of BirthDecember 11, 1944
Place Of BirthAtlanta, Georgia, United States
Height1.45 m
ProfessionVocalist
EducationMaplewood High School
NationalityAmerican
SpouseRonnie Shacklett
ChildrenJolie Shacklett, Julie Shacklett
ParentsAnnie Grayce Yarbrough, Ruben Tarpley
MySpacehttps://myspace.com/brendaleeofficial
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0496909/
Allmusichttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/brenda-lee-mn0000934069
AwardsGrammy Hall of Fame, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Academy of Country Music Awards Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, NME Award for World Female Singer, Tampa, FL, USA, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, I'm Sorry, All Alone Am I
NominationsGrammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, NME Award for World Musical Personality, Tampa, FL, USA, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, I'm Sorry, All Alone Am I
MoviesSmokey and the Bandit II, Women of Rockabilly: Welcome to the Club, Dolly Parton and Friends: On the Country Train, Brenda Lee: In Concert, Hank Williams: The Man and His Music, Tampa, FL, USA
#Fact
1Recorded the famous Christmas classic, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", with legendary guitar player Hank Garland.
2Her children are named Jolie and Julie.
3Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
4Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
5Her biggest country hits include "Nobody Wins" and "Sunday Sunrise" (1973); "Four Poster Bed" (1974); "Rock On Baby" and "He's My Rock" (1975); "Tell Me What It's Like" (1979); "The Cowboy and the Dandy" and "Broken Trust" (1980); and "Hallelujah, I Love You So" (a 1985 duet with George Jones).
6Until Billy Gilman charted his first hit in 2000, was the youngest person to place a song on Billboard's country singles chart. At age 12, she hit in 1957 with "One Step at a Time."
7Though best known as a country singer, she had a long string of pop hits in the early 1960s, most notably "I'm Sorry," a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit in 1960. "I'm Sorry" never charted on Billboard's country singles chart, though has received heavy airplay in the years since as both a recurrent and a classic oldie.

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Strictly Come Dancing2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Good Girls Revolt2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Mike & Mike2014-2015TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Krampus2015/Iperformer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Breakfast2014TV Series performer - 1 episode
Call the Midwife2013TV Series performer - 1 episode
American Horror Story2012TV Series performer - 1 episode
Regular Show in Space2012TV Series performer - 1 episode
Moeder, ik wil bij de revue2012TV Series performer - 1 episode
Chuck2011TV Series performer - 1 episode
Pan Am2011TV Series performer - 1 episode
Rock & Chips2010TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Christmas Tree of Might2010TV Short performer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Family Guy2010TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Road to Coronation Street2010TV Movie performer: "Rock the Bop" - uncredited
Bayonetta2009Video Game performer: "Fly Me To The Moon"
Crook & Chase2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
Lokakuun valoa2009TV Movie performer: "I'm Sorry"
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always - Live from Texas2009Video performer: "Siler Threads and Golden Needles"
An Education2009performer: "Sweet Nothin's"
Gavin & Stacey2008TV Series performer - 1 episode
Step Brothers2008performer: "A Marshmallow World"
Cold Case2007-2008TV Series performer - 3 episodes
Damages2007TV Series performer - 1 episode
Expired2007performer: "Emotions"
The Holiday2006performer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" 1958
Deck the Halls2006performer: "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree"
Lost2006TV Series 1 episode
7th Heaven2005TV Series performer - 1 episode
Monk2005TV Series performer - 1 episode
Domino2005performer: "I'm Sorry"
ER2005TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Zodiac2005performer: "Papa Noel"
EastEnders2004TV Series performer - 1 episode
Two and a Half Men2004TV Series performer - 1 episode
Christmas with the Kranks2004performer: "Jingle Bell Rock" 1957
Miracle2004performer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Cheaper by the Dozen2003performer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Dolly Parton & Friends on the Country Train2003Video performer: "Silver Threads and Golden Needles"
Undermind2003performer: "Pretend"
The Wire2003TV Series performer - 1 episode
Reeseville2003performer: "Heart in Hand"
Less Than Perfect2002TV Series performer - 1 episode
Joy Ride2001performer: "Everybody Loves Me But You", "I Wonder"
Tape2001performer: "I'm Sorry"
The Princess and the Warrior2000performer: "I'm Sorry"
Burnt Money2000performer: "Pretend"
Reindeer Games2000performer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
A Texas Funeral1999performer: "Emotions"
La fille sur le pont1999performer: "I'm Sorry"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch1998TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Bright Shining Lie1998TV Movie performer: "I'm Sorry"
Jerry and Tom1998performer: "Call Me Irresponsible"
The Locusts1997performer: "Sweet Nothin's", "As Usual"
Trees Lounge1996performer: "YOU ALWAYS HURT THE ONE YOU LOVE", "BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY"
Casino1995performer: "I'm Sorry"
Tommy Boy1995performer: "I'm Sorry"
C'était le 12 du 12 et Chili avait les blues1994performer: "Losing You"
Florida Lady1994TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Home of Our Own1993performer: "Emotions"
Household Saints1993performer: "Too Many Rivers"
This Boy's Life1993performer: "I'm Sorry"
The Fisher King1991performer: "I'm Sorry"
Home Alone1990performer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Dick Tracy1990performer: "You're In The Doghouse Now"
Dolly1988TV Series performer - 1 episode
Long Gone1987TV Movie performer: "Bigelow 6-200"
Women in Rock1986Video documentary performer: "Sweet Nothin's" - uncredited
UFOria1985performer: "Break It to Me Gently"
Marie1985performer: "Always on My Mind"
The Winning Hand1985TV Movie performer: "Someone Loves You Honey", "What Do You Think About Lovin'", "Help Me Make It Through The Night", "You're Gonna Love Yourself In The Morning", "Bring On The Sunshine", "The Bigger The Fool, The Harder The Fall", "Born To Love Me", "You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago", "Don't Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand Does"
Trading Places1983performer: "JINGLE BELL ROCK"
Missing1982performer: "MY WHOLE WORLD IS FALLING DOWN" 1963
The Loveless1981performer: "I Want To Be Wanted"
Smokey and the Bandit II1980performer: "Again and Again"
WKRP in Cincinnati1979TV Series performer - 1 episode
Good Old Days Part II1978TV Special performer: "I'm Sorry", "Sweet Nothin's", "I Want to be Wanted"
The Johnny Cash Show1970TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Ready, Steady, Go!1963TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Two Little Bears1961performer: "Honey Bear", "Speak To Me Pretty"
Make Room for Daddy1961TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show1961TV Series performer - 1 episode

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Smokey and the Bandit II1980Nice Lady
The Red Skelton Hour1962TV SeriesGuest
The Two Little Bears1961Tina Davis
Make Room for Daddy1961TV SeriesJanine Poloka

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Country: Portraits of an American Sound2015DocumentaryHerself
Mama Mae: The Life and Music of Mae Boren Axton2015DocumentaryHerself
Geraldo at Large2014TV Series documentaryHerself
The Outrageous Sophie Tucker2014DocumentaryHerself
Crook & Chase2009TV SeriesHerself
CMT Insider2009TV SeriesHerself
The 51st Annual Grammy Awards2009TV SpecialHerself - Honoree
Biography2001-2006TV Series documentaryHerself
Strangers in the Night: The Bert Kaempfert Story2003TV Movie documentaryHerself
Wheel of Fortune2003TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
CMT: 40 Greatest Women of Country Music2002TV Movie documentaryHerself
Welcome to the Club: The Women of Rockabilly2001Video documentaryHerself
America's Music: The Roots of Country1996TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself (1996)
The Women of Country1993TV MovieHerself
Surprise Surprise!1993TV SeriesHerself - Performer
Family Feud1993TV Series
Hee Haw1972-1989TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Guest / Herself - Special Guest
Legendary Ladies of Rock & Roll1988TV SpecialHerself
22nd Annual Country Music Association Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Performer
Dolly1988TV SeriesHerself
Women in Rock1986Video documentaryHerself
20th Annual Music City News Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party1986TV SpecialHerself
The Winning Hand1985TV MovieHerself
Bert Kaempfert: Melodien, die man nie vergisst1983TV Movie documentaryHerself
Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters1981TV SeriesHerself
14th Annual Music City News Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Johnny Cash: The First 25 Years1980TV SpecialHerself
Hee Haw Honeys1979TV SeriesHerself
Good Old Days Part II1978TV SpecialHerself
The Mike Douglas Show1972-1978TV SeriesHerself - Vocalist
12th Annual Music City News Awards1978TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Sha Na Na1978TV SeriesHerself
Les rendez-vous du dimanche1977TV SeriesHerself
Dean Martin Presents Music Country1973TV SeriesHerself
The Kraft Music Hall1970TV SeriesHerself
The Everly Brothers Show1970TV SeriesHerself
The Johnny Cash Show1970TV SeriesHerself - Singer
The Joey Bishop Show1969TV SeriesHerself
The David Frost Show1969TV SeriesHerself
The Hollywood Squares1967-1968TV SeriesHerself
The Woody Woodbury Show1968TV SeriesHerself
Tienerklanken1967TV SeriesPerformer
Dee Time1967TV SeriesHerself
Where the Action Is1966TV SeriesHerself
The Ed Sullivan Show1961-1966TV SeriesHerself - Singer / Herself
Hullabaloo1965TV SeriesHerself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1965TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Musik für Sie1965TV SeriesHerself - Singer
Crackerjack!1964TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Thank Your Lucky Stars1962-1964TV SeriesHerself
The Eamonn Andrews Show1964TV SeriesHerself
The Royal Variety Performance 19641964TV MovieHerself
The Beat Room1964TV SeriesHerself - Singer
Juke Box Jury1962-1964TV SeriesHerself - Panellist
Ready, Steady, Go!1964TV SeriesHerself
Here Come the Girls1963TV SeriesHerself
The Bob Hope Show1963TV SeriesHerself / Girl Disc Jockey
New American Bandstand 19651961-1962TV SeriesHerself
Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium1962TV SeriesHerself
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall1960-1961TV SeriesHerself - Guest / Herself
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show1961TV SeriesHerself - Sketch Actress / Singer
Oh Boy!1959TV SeriesHerself
Discorama1959TV SeriesHerself
Ozark Jubilee1958TV SeriesHerself
The Steve Allen Plymouth Show1957TV SeriesHerself - Singer

Archive Footage

Known for movies


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