Meg White Net Worth 2024: How Much is the ‘The White Stripes’ Drummer Worth?

Meg White net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2024. Meg White is an American musician and drummer born on December 10, 1974. She is known for her role as the drummer and occasional singer in the rock band The White Stripes. She was a prominent figure in the garage rock revival of the 2000s recognized for her raw and instinctive drumming style and for keeping a low profile in the media.

White started playing drums in 1997 and co-founded The White Stripes with her then-husband Jack White the same year. They gained local fame in Detroit and later became internationally known with their 2001 album “White Blood Cells.” Apart from music, she has appeared in the film “Coffee and Cigarettes” and had a cameo on “The Simpsons.”

During a tour in 2007, Meg White experienced severe anxiety leading to the cancellation of the remaining tour dates. The band went on break and eventually disbanded in 2011 after which Meg White retired from music due to her shy and reclusive nature.

Critics initially described her drumming style as minimalist and straightforward but over time it gained retrospective acclaim and remains a topic of discussion. White has received several awards including a Brit Award and multiple Grammy Awards. In 2015, Rolling Stone recognized her as one of the “100 Greatest Drummers of All Time.” She and Jack White were nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 although they were not inducted.

What is Meg White Net Worth in 2024?

Meg White is an American musician and drummer with a net worth of $5 million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She is famous for being part of the rock band, The White Stripes, from Detroit. Meg played drums, while her ex-husband, Jack White, played guitar, wrote the songs, and was the main singer. Even though Jack was the lead vocalist, Meg sang a few songs like “In the Cold, Cold Night” and “Passive Manipulation.”

The White Stripes released six albums between 1999 and 2007. The exact number of albums sold is not known, but they were both popular and praised by critics. Their album Elephant sold over a million copies in the U.S. and was certified platinum. Two other albums, Get Behind Me Satan and Icky Thump, went gold, selling 500,000 copies each. The band went on several successful tours before retiring in February 2011.

Before joining the band, Meg worked as a bartender in the early 1990s at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, where she met Jack White, then named Jack Gillis. They got married on September 21, 1996, and Jack took Meg’s last name. They divorced in 2000. During their time in the band, they claimed to be siblings. In 2009, Meg married Jackson Smith, son of musicians Patti Smith and Fred “Sonic” Smith, but they divorced in 2013.

Meg White’s Early Life and Education

Megan Martha White known as Meg White was born on December 10, 1974, in Grosse Pointe Farms Michigan. Her parents are Catherine and Walter Hackett White Jr. and she has an older sister named Heather. Megan wasn’t raised with any religious background. She went to Grosse Pointe North High School where classmates described her as quiet and artistic keeping mostly to herself.

During high school, Megan decided against college and instead wanted to become a chef. She worked at Memphis Smoke a restaurant in Royal Oak Michigan. It was there she met Jack Gillis a fellow high school senior from Detroit’s Mexicantown neighborhood who was starting as a musician. They began dating and spent a lot of time together at local coffee shops music venues and record stores.

Meg White’s Career

On Bastille Day in 1997, Meg White started learning drums on a whim using Jack Gillis’s drumkit. Jack felt a sense of freedom and spontaneity playing with her. They formed The White Stripes pretending to be siblings and always dressed in red white and black. Their first show was at Detroit’s Gold Dollar gaining fame in Michigan’s underground scene and playing with bands like Bantam Rooster and the Dirtbombs.

In 1998, they released their debut single “Let’s Shake Hands” with help from Detroit’s Italy Records. Signing with Sympathy for the Record Industry in 1999 they dropped their self-titled debut album. Critics praised Meg’s drumming for its steady and impactful style.

Despite their divorce in 2000, Meg insisted on keeping the band going. They released their second album “De Stijl” in 2001 noted for its bluesy drumming style. Their breakthrough came with the 2001 album “White Blood Cells” featuring hits like “Fell in Love with a Girl” and “Hotel Yorba” which brought them into the garage rock revival limelight.

Their 2003 album “Elephant” featuring the iconic song “Seven Nation Army” cemented their fame. Meg’s drumming was described as hypnotic and minimal yet explosive. The album won a Grammy solidifying their place in rock history.

In 2004, Meg White starred in their first music film “Under Blackpool Lights” showcasing her energetic drumming style. Their experimental fifth album “Get Behind Me Satan” earned them another Grammy. Their final studio album “Icky Thump” (2007) returned to their earlier sound and won more Grammy Awards.

In 2007, Meg’s acute anxiety led to the cancellation of tour dates ultimately leading to the band’s disbandment in 2011. Their legacy remains strong in rock history with Meg’s drumming and their distinctive style continuing to influence musicians worldwide.

Meg White’s Personal Life

Meg White known for her time with Jack White in the band The White Stripes had a relationship with him in the mid-1990s. They got married on September 21, 1996, with Jack taking Meg’s last name. However, they divorced on March 24, 2000.

Later in May 2009, Meg married Jackson Smith a guitarist and the son of musicians Patti Smith and Fred “Sonic” Smith. They had a small ceremony in Jack White’s backyard in Nashville, Tennessee. Sadly they divorced in July 2013. Meg currently lives in Detroit.

Meg White has been open about her struggles with acute anxiety and describes herself as very shy. She once said in Rolling Stone that she believes talking less makes people listen more. Meg values her privacy deeply and has given only a few interviews over the years which has drawn considerable attention.

She commented in 2006 that she’s never been interested in fame or being recognized on the street. She prefers to live in her world and finds inspiration in peppermint which influenced many of The White Stripes’ artistic ideas.

Meg White’s Other activities

Meg White known for her role in the band The White Stripes has appeared in various creative projects beyond music. She posed in a bunny costume for the cover of Whirlwind Heat’s single “Pink” during a tour in Japan with The White Stripes and Whirlwind Heat.

Her film debut was in Jim Jarmusch’s 2003 movie Coffee and Cigarettes where she starred alongside Jack White in a segment called “Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil.” This segment explores themes like childhood innocence and pays tribute to Nikola Tesla’s themes often associated with The White Stripes.

In 2004, Meg White played Little Red Riding Hood in the music video for The Detroit Cobras’ “Cha Cha Twist.” She also modeled for Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2006 collection and appeared in ELLE magazine in March 2006.

Bob Odenkirk selected Meg to compose a drum theme for Dax Shepard’s character in the 2006 film Let’s Go to Prison although the studio ultimately did not use her composition.

The White Stripes made a guest appearance on The Simpsons in an episode titled “Jazzy and the Pussycats” in 2006. Meg had previously expressed interest in appearing on the show preferring a role in an episode centered around Homer Simpson.

Meg White also appeared with Jack in the 2009 documentary It Might Get Loud marking her last known film appearance excluding Under Great White Northern Lights.

Meg White Real Estate

In 2004, Meg bought a 5,000-square-foot home in Detroit for $507,000. She has lived there ever since. Now, the home is likely worth around $1 million.