Sly Stone net worth: Fortune explored as funk music legend does aged 82 

Sly Stone, 82, has recently died on June 9, 2025. According to ABC News, the musician was recognized over the years for his association with Sly and the Family Stone. Furthermore, he had a fortune of $500,000, as per Celebrity Net Worth.

Also known as Sylvester Stewart, the funk music legend’s family members confirmed the news while speaking to USA Today, saying that the artist’s legacy will turn out to be an inspiration for the upcoming generations.

“After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family”, the statement reads.

Sly and the Family Stone also shared a lengthy Facebook post, writing that Sylvester was an individual who redefined different genres of music. The band said that Sly Stone’s famous singles also left an impact around the world, and his influence in the music industry cannot be ignored.

“In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.”

Apart from being an important part of Sly and the Family Stone, Stewart additionally became popular for his work as a solo artist. Back in 1975, he collaborated with record labels Epic and CBS for High on You. This was followed by I’m Back! Family and Friends, which came out back in 2011.

---

Sly Stone’s net worth: Career, financial issues, and other details

The Denton, Texas native accumulated a huge fan base for being a part of Sly and the Family Stone for almost nine years. The band delivered multiple successful albums and singles.

Despite being a part of a well-known group, Sly Stone started facing financial problems after selling music publishing rights for $1 million to Michael Jackson in 1984. However, Sylvester’s situation took a worse turn around 27 years later as he was reportedly residing in a van throughout South Central Los Angeles, as stated by Celebrity Net Worth.

Sly Stone began facing financial problems about five years after selling his rights to the King of Pop, as he stopped receiving royalty checks. He filed a lawsuit, leading to a long legal battle. In 2015, a jury awarded him $5 million, but the judge later reversed the decision, saying Stone had already signed away his royalty rights in another contract.

Sylvester’s biography on his band’s official website says that his family members included four siblings. His musical journey began as a child, when he was given the name Sly in grade school. Sly Stone was trained in musical instruments such as the guitar and played with some high school bands before joining the radio station KSOL as a DJ.

The projects released by Sly and the Family Stone were Sylvester’s main source of income. The group’s website stated that it was established in 1966. However, their debut album, A Whole New Thing, came out a year later. The band worked with record label Epic for their first eight albums and later joined Warner Bros.

The group’s fifth major project, There’s a Riot Goin’ On, reached the top spot on the US Billboard 200. Their next two albums, Fresh and Talk, also received a similar response. However, the band’s last album, Ain’t but the One Way, was not commercially successful.

Sly and the Family Stone also released some live albums, such as Live at the Fillmore East October 4th & 5th 1968. Apart from this, the band has multiple singles in their credits, including Everyday People, Family Affair, Runnin’ Away, Remember Who You Are, and more.