Mike D of the Beastie Boys has built a fortune of $100 million through music, smart investments, and real estate. The Brooklyn-born artist has a knack for both beats and business. Even today, the band’s music continues to earn money from publishing royalties and production credits. With over 20 million albums sold in the U.S. and another 20 million worldwide, plus packed shows over three decades, their income remains strong. As a core member, Mike D shares equally in all tour profits.
A significant boost to his wealth came from his mother’s art collection. After Hester Diamond passed away in February 2020, Mike D and his brothers auctioned off her contemporary furniture, art, and books. The collection, called “The Fearless: The Collection of Hester Diamond,” sold for $26.7 million at Sotheby’s in January 2021. Mike D has deep roots in the art world, thanks to his parents, who were well-known in New York’s contemporary art scene.
Beyond his family’s legacy, Mike D has made smart investments. His Malibu estate in Point Dume, bought in 2005, is now valued at $15-20 million. He also sold his childhood home in NYC for $13.5 million in 2023, showing that the Beastie Boys’ popularity is still strong.
The group’s debut album, “Licensed to Ill,” made history in 1986 as the first rap album to top the charts. They continued to succeed until 2012, when Adam Yauch’s passing marked the end of their studio days. That year was bittersweet, as they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just before Yauch’s death.
Today, Mike D is focused on protecting their music rights. The Beastie Boys have chosen not to license their songs for commercials, and they won a $1.7 million lawsuit against Monster Energy in 2014.
