Mariah Carey’s beloved holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” continues to be a seasonal favorite since its release in 1994. The song has not only captured the hearts of fans around the world but has also significantly contributed to Carey’s impressive financial success, with an estimated worth of $540 million. According to The Economist, the hit generates approximately $3.8 million (US$2.5 million) each year in royalties, while other estimates suggest even higher annual earnings of around $4.6 million (US$3 million).
The festive anthem has racked up an astonishing 2.24 billion streams on Spotify, which has translated into approximately $92 million (US$60 million) in initial royalties, as reported by Forbes in 2022. This recurrent income has enabled the 56-year-old pop star to enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
Mariah’s high-profile romantic links also coincide with her real estate ventures. In 2016, she and her then-fiancé, Australian billionaire James Packer, took up residence in a luxurious six-bedroom rental in a gated community in Calabasas. The property, which came with nine bathrooms, a swimming pool, and a basketball court, reportedly cost the couple $350,000 (US$250,000) monthly to rent. Their relationship made headlines when it ended just a year later.
Throughout her career, Mariah has made notable real estate investments, including two properties in New York’s upscale Tribeca neighborhood in 1999. After marrying her second husband, Nick Cannon, she acquired an extravagant 12-bedroom mansion in Los Angeles known as Fleur de Lys, which they sold in 2014 for $136.7 million (US$88.3 million). They also owned another mansion in Los Angeles, selling it in 2015 for $13.9 million (US$9 million) and had a vacation property in the Bahamas.
Recently, Mariah faced a loss with the sale of her Atlanta estate, which went for $6 million (US$3.92 million). Packer, reflecting on their split, described it as one of the darkest times in his life, a theme he candidly discussed in a 7NEWS Spotlight interview. He recalled the dramatic unraveling of their relationship and clarified that he had not leaked any stories about her, which contributed to their tumultuous breakup.
Interestingly, Mariah did not address her relationship with Packer in her 2020 autobiography, emphasizing that she only included those relationships she deemed significant. Her assertion that their connection lacked depth was a striking perspective towards the end of her public romance.
Despite the ups and downs in her personal life and that of her relationships, Mariah Carey remains an enduring star, her music continuing to resonate and resonate financially as well. With “All I Want for Christmas Is You” firmly establishing itself as a timeless holiday staple, it marks a period of cheer and joy each holiday season, ultimately showcasing how her career continues to flourish year after year.