William Lee Golden Net Worth – $7 million
What is William Lee Golden’s net worth? Who is William Lee Golden’s wife?
Introduction
William Lee Golden is an American country singer who has been the baritone singer for the group – ”The Oak Ridge Boys.”
Lee has become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry and is widely known for his waist-length hair and beard.
Biography
He was born on January 12, 1939, in Brewton, Alabama, USA.
Golden grew up in Brewton, Alabama.
One of his grandfathers lived to be 94.
The Oak Ridge Boys
@Getty
The Oak Ridge Boys are an American gospel and country vocal quartet. The group was founded in the 1940s.
William joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1964.
In 1975, The Oak Ridge Boys switched to country music.
During an interview, Golden said:
“We had reached the height of gospel success.”
They were awarded Best Country Crossover Group of the Year and Country Music Association Vocal and Instrumental Group of the Year.
In 1981, The Oak Ridge Boys released their 6th album, named – ”Fancy Free.” The album contained the Dallas Frazier-penned song “Elvira.”
In 1986, Golden recorded the album, titled – ”American Vagabond,” as a solo artist. Two singles, “You Can’t Take It With You” and “Love Is the Only Way Out,” appeared on the country charts.
William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys performs on stage at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 12, 1984 – @Getty
After 22 years with the group, Lee left The Oak Ridge Boys in 1987.
Actually, he was voted out of the group, as the other members wanted to change the band’s image.
Lee sought millions in monetary compensation after the group voted him out of ”The Oak Ridge Boys.” Ultimately, they reached a legal settlement that involved Golden forfeiting all future royalties on recordings made during his time with ”The Oak Ridge Boys.”
During an interview, Lee declared:
“I didn’t even know what was going on for awhile. So all I knew is what I was readin’ every day [in the papers] when it all went down.”
William was replaced by the band’s guitarist, Steve Sanders (who died in 1998 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head).
Lee rejoined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1996.
On June 25, 2019, The NY Times Magazine listed the group among the artists whose material was destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire. The fire erupted on June 1st, 2008, on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood.
William Lee Golden on 11/5/98 in Nashville – @Getty
According to a June 2019 NY Times Magazine, the fire destroyed the original audio master tapes belonging to some of the best-selling artists worldwide, including:
- The Who (an English rock band formed in London in 1964);
- Barry White;
- George Strait (an American country music singer who is known as the “King of Country”);
- Olivia Newton-John (an English-Australian dancer and singer who is a 4-time Grammy award winner);
- Elton John;
- Janet Jackson;
- Guns N’ Roses;
- Eminem;
- The Eagles (an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971);
- Neil Diamond;
- Eric Clapton;
- Cher.
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Wife
William Lee Golden married Luetta Callaway on November 10, 1984. The couple divorced in 1987.
On January 5, 1990, Golden got married to Brenda Kaye Hall. They divorced on August 22, 2014.
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Marriage with Simone De Staley
On August 29, 2015, William Lee Golden married his longtime friend Simone De Staley. The couple met backstage during a show at Knott’s Berry Farm. They are both art lovers, which drove Simone to paint a portrait of William as a gift.
William Lee Golden and Simone De Staley attend the 2016 CMT Music awards at the Bridgestone Arena on June 8, 2016 in Nashville – @Getty
In 2009, Lee and Simone reconnected over the loss of their mothers.
In 2013, Lee started calling Simone daily, months after he was served with divorce papers from Brenda Kaye Hall.
Simone was pleasantly surprised to discover that William had held onto her painting after so many years. Staley said:
“I had always wondered if he held onto that painting.”
Simone went on to say:
“It was probably silly to do so, but I just felt very strongly about it after pouring my heart and soul into it.”
On August 29, 2015, a ceremony took place in Nashville with close friends and fellow Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen, surrounding the couple.
Simone De Staley and the Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden get married on August 29, 2015 at The Rosewall in Nashville – @Getty
After the ceremony, Simone wrote on her Twitter page:
“I am married to my beloved William Lee Golden. I am so blessed to be a newlywed, mother and grandmother.”
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Children
Golden has four sons:
- Solomon;
- Craig;
- Chris;
- Rusty.
His sons Chris and Rusty played in his road band during his solo career.
They also recorded as a group called – ”The Goldens” for Capitol Records and Epic Records between 1987 and 1991.
The Goldens’ self-titled debut album was released in 1987.
Two singles from the album, ”Sorry Girls” and ”Put Us Together Again,” are charted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
Quote
Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden during Grammy Awards, February 8, 2006 in Los Angeles – @Getty
”The mountain man and Indian way of life appealed to me because it brought me back to my childhood where the simple things in life meant the most.”
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Trivia
In December 2018, ”The Oak Ridge Boys” participated at the funeral of George H. W. Bush, in Houston, Texas.
During the service, the group sang “Amazing Grace.”
Duane Allen, one of the members of the quartet, recalled meeting George H. W. Bush when he was vice president.
Duane said that Bush told them:
”Boys, I’m a big fan of yours and … would you do a song or two for me because I’m a huge fan.”
In 1997, William received the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Life Work Award for Performing Achievement.
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@Getty
William Lee Golden – Net Worth 2024
So, how much is William Lee Golden worth? Golden made most of his wealth from being part of the group – ”The Oak Ridge Boys.” Their numerous Platinum and Gold recordings include “Elvira,” “Ozark Mountain Jubilee,” and “Thank God For Kids.” The group has more than 30 million records sold. Therefore, country music singer William Lee Golden has an estimated net worth of $7 million.
Most likely, ”The Oak Ridge Boys” could have made more money, but they refused lucrative offers to do cigarette and beer commercials.
In addition, Lee recorded a solo album named – ”American Vagabond.”
He also sells paintings, t-shirts, personalized USB flash drives, and scarfs on his website – williamleegolden.richardsandsouthern.com.
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References https://eu.tennessean.com/oak-ridge-boy-singer-william-lee-golden https://theboot.com/william-lee-golden-art/
I am Bulgarea Candin Stefan, and I founded FamousPeopleToday.com in 2018. I’m using my bachelor’s degree in economics and 9 years of experience in blogging to guide millions of people through the incredibly complex world of celebrity net worths.
coralee zandbergen
Friday 23rd of June 2023
wemet in a resturant in minessota a few years ago. we were eating and you sat 2 tables from you. my grandaugter and i came to your table and talked with you and yo wrote her a nice letter. you are a very nice man and we enjoyed talking with you. very sincere man with christan values. we enjoyed you so much that i bought your supper! we just came back from your concert in shipshewana, in. GREAT sho!
Brian
Friday 28th of October 2022
My second country concert I ever say was The Oak Ridge Boys. It was 1986. I'm from Canada. I friend and I drove to Duluth, Minnesota. The concert was awesome. The group really interacted with the audience. I remember the children there getting their pictures taken with Mr. Golden while "Thank God For Kids" was being performed. They really loved it. He was so gracious and kind. Years later "The Oak Ridge Boys " were on tour and performed in my home town. Of course I was there.This time though Steve Sanders had replaced William Lee Golden. Don't get me wrong, it was a good concert, but it wasn't the same. There was definitely a void not having Mr. Golden gracing the stage. I'm glad he's back with the group. Don't know if I would see them again without him. Wouldn't be the same. Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Ruth Dunn
Monday 5th of September 2022
I saw William Lee Golden in concert at the Kentucky Opry in September if 2022. They were wonderful and very entertaining. They had the entire audience cheering and singing along! William Lee did NOT act like an 83 year old man.
Gena Jones
Tuesday 27th of July 2021
I met and had my picture taken with William Lee outside his tour bus at 11PM after his show - buses were parked at River View Lodge- they had been at Lewis County Fair in Lowville NY- he was all alone getting off his cell - he was so kind and visited with me and friend and got our pictures - I was so excited that he’d take time - it will always be such blessed memory
Kimberley, Regan Williamson
Tuesday 11th of May 2021
We have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing William Lee Golden since 1984. He is a warm, caring, honest person who loves performing. His own album "American Vagabond" is an exceptional collection of songs We look forward to seeing William Lee Golden and the Oak Ridge Boys concerts whenever possible, Your friends,, Kimberley and Regan London, On, Canada