- Net Worth at Death: Avicii (Tim Bergling) had an estimated net worth of $50 million when he passed away in 2018.
- Liquid Assets: His parents inherited approximately $25.5 million (231 million SEK) in liquid cash after debts and taxes.
- Estate Beneficiaries: Because he died without a will, his entire estate went to his parents, Klas and Anki Bergling, under Swedish law.
- Posthumous Earnings: The estate later sold 75% of his master recordings and publishing rights to Pophouse to fund the Tim Bergling Foundation.
Tim Bergling, known to the world as Avicii, changed electronic dance music forever. His melodies defined a decade. But when he tragically took his own life on April 20, 2018, questions about his financial empire arose almost immediately. He was one of the highest-paid DJs on the planet. He toured relentlessly. He produced global hits like "Levels" and "Wake Me Up."
So, where did the money go?
In 2026, the dust has settled on his financial records. The Avicii net worth story is not just about millions in the bank. It is about generous charity work, a massive music catalog, and an estate plan that relied entirely on Swedish law.
The Financial Breakdown: How Much Was Avicii Worth?
At the time of his death, financial experts estimated Avicii’s total net worth to be roughly $50 million. Some sources during his peak earning years suggested figures as high as $85 million, but the finalized numbers following his passing tell a more specific story regarding liquid cash versus total assets.
Liquid Assets vs. Total Fortune
It is important to understand the difference between "net worth" and "cash in the bank." Net worth includes houses, investments, and brand value.
According to Swedish tax agency records, Tim Bergling left behind 231 million Swedish Krona. In US dollars, that converts to approximately $25.5 million in liquid assets. This figure strictly represents cash and immediate funds, excluding his real estate holdings or the future value of his music catalog royalties.
Career Earnings
Tim Bergling was a financial powerhouse during his short career. Between 2011 and 2016, he was a permanent fixture on the Forbes list of highest-paid DJs.
- Peak Earnings: Between June 2014 and June 2015 alone, he earned $30 million.
- Per Show Rate: He commanded between $250,000 and $500,000 for a single club performance.
- Career Gross: Estimates place his total career gross earnings at over $140 million before taxes and expenses.
While many artists struggle to monetize their fame, Avicii’s touring schedule was intense. This intensity contributed to his wealth but also to the health struggles that led to his early retirement from touring in 2016. If you are curious about the touring economy, you can see how much do you get paid to perform at a music festival to understand the scale of his income.
Who Inherited Avicii’s Money?
Tim Bergling died single. He had no children. Crucially, he did not leave a valid last will and testament.
Swedish Intestacy Laws
When a Swedish citizen dies without a will, the law dictates a specific order of inheritance. Since Tim was unmarried and had no direct heirs (children), his estate bypassed siblings and went directly to his parents.
Klas Bergling and Anki Lidén inherited the entire fortune.
This transfer included:
- The $25.5 million in liquid cash.
- His real estate portfolio (including his Hollywood Hills home).
- Control over his music rights and future royalties.
The inheritance process in Sweden differs significantly from the United States. Swedish inheritance tax was abolished years prior, meaning his parents received the assets without the heavy tax burden seen in other countries. This allowed more of the wealth to flow directly into the initiatives they later started in his honor.
The Pophouse Deal
In 2022, a major shift occurred regarding the Tim Bergling estate value. His parents signed a deal with Pophouse, a Swedish entertainment firm co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. They sold 75% of Avicii’s master recordings and publishing rights.
The family did not pocket this cash. Instead, the proceeds went directly to the Tim Bergling Foundation. This organization focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The remaining 25% of the rights allow the family to maintain a voice in how his music is used.
Where Did The Money Come From? (Income Streams)
Avicii’s wealth came from three primary buckets: touring, music sales, and real estate.
1. Touring and Live Performances
Before his retirement in 2016, touring was his main revenue engine. He performed hundreds of shows a year. For context on how grueling and lucrative this sector is, compare his run to other heavy hitters. For example, check out Afrojack net worth to see how peer earnings stack up in the EDM world. Avicii was consistently in the top tier alongside Calvin Harris and Tiësto.
2. Music Royalties and Publishing
"Wake Me Up" is one of the most streamed songs in history. Unlike DJs who rely solely on live sets, Avicii wrote and produced his own tracks. This meant he owned the publishing. Owning the underlying composition is where the real long-term wealth lies in the music industry.
Contracts in the music business can be complex. To understand how rights are often split, you can look at a standard music producer agreement template. Tim was smart (and well-advised) to retain ownership of his masters for a long time, which maximized the estate's value later.
3. Real Estate
Avicii lived well. In 2013, he purchased a stunning mansion in the Bird Streets of Hollywood Hills for approximately $15.5 million.
The House Stats:
- 7,000 square feet.
- Panoramic views of Los Angeles.
- Infinity pool.
Following his death, his family sold the property in an off-market deal for $17.5 million. This sale added significant liquidity to the estate shortly after his passing.
Philanthropy: "I Have So Much Money"
Tim Bergling was never obsessed with hoarding wealth. In fact, he famously stated in interviews that he had so much money he didn't know what to do with it, so he gave it away.
Feeding America & House for Hunger
In 2012, he embarked on his "House for Hunger" tour. He donated his entire income from the tour—over $1 million—to Feeding America. He believed that hunger in a world of plenty was unacceptable.
The Tim Bergling Foundation
Today, the bulk of the Avicii net worth serves a higher purpose. After his death, his parents launched the Tim Bergling Foundation. The foundation supports organizations that address:
- Suicide prevention.
- Mental health support for creatives.
- Climate change.
- Nature conservation.
The sale of his catalog ensures this foundation has funding for decades to come.
The Role of Management
There is often confusion about how much money managers take from artists like Avicii. His manager, Ash Pournouri, was a significant figure in his career. While rumors circulated about exorbitant management fees, industry standards usually sit around 20%.
There were tensions regarding the pressure put on Tim to tour, which the recent documentary Avicii – I'm Tim (released December 2024) touched upon. However, financial impropriety was never proven. If you are interested in the mechanics of these relationships, read up on do music managers get royalties. It clarifies exactly what managers are entitled to legally.
Comparison: Avicii vs. Other EDM Titans
How did Avicii stack up against his peers during the EDM boom? Here is a snapshot of the landscape around 2014-2015.
| Artist | Est. Annual Earnings (Peak) | Primary Income Source |
|---|---|---|
| Calvin Harris | $66 Million | Las Vegas Residencies / Pop Crossovers |
| David Guetta | $30 Million | Touring / Production Credits |
| Avicii | $28 – $30 Million | Global Touring / "True" Album Sales |
| Tiësto | $28 Million | Club Residencies / Touring |
| Steve Aoki | $23 Million | Volume of Shows (300+ per year) |
Data reflects peak earning periods during the EDM "Golden Era."
Posthumous Wealth: The Tupac Effect
DJs and producers often see a spike in earnings after death due to renewed interest in their catalogs. This phenomenon is similar to what happened with other music icons. For instance, the 2Pac Net Worth estate has continued to generate massive revenue decades after his passing.
For Avicii, unreleased tracks and tribute concerts have kept his music in the charts. The 2024 documentary also introduced his story to a new generation (Gen Alpha), boosting streaming numbers on Spotify and Apple Music.
Why The Net Worth Estimates Vary
You might see different numbers online. Some say $50 million, others say $85 million. Why the gap?
- Taxes: Sweden has high income tax rates (up to 57% historically for high earners), though no inheritance tax. Gross earnings of $140 million get cut down significantly after income tax.
- Spending: Private jets, the Hollywood mansion, and maintaining a touring team cost millions annually.
- Charity: Tim gave away millions quietly.
- Asset Valuation: Valuing a music catalog is subjective until it is actually sold. The $50 million figure is the most accurate conservative estimate of his net worth at the time of death, verified by Celebrity Net Worth.
Conclusion
Avicii’s net worth was substantial, but his financial choices proved he valued impact over accumulation. He earned fast, spent on what he enjoyed, gave generously to charity, and left his parents with a clean estate that now funds mental health initiatives globally.
The $50 million he left behind was not just cash. It was the seed money for a foundation that tries to save others from the darkness he faced. In the music industry, specifically within the record labels in Los Angeles and Stockholm, his business model of owning his masters remains a gold standard for artist independence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who inherited Avicii's money?
Because Avicii died without a will and was unmarried with no children, his parents, Klas Bergling and Anki Lidén, inherited his entire estate under Swedish law.
How much was Avicii's house worth?
Avicii purchased his Hollywood Hills mansion for roughly $15.5 million in 2013. His estate sold it after his death for $17.5 million.
Did the government take Avicii's money?
No. While Sweden has high income taxes, it does not have an inheritance tax. His parents received the assets without paying a death tax to the Swedish state.
What happened to Avicii's music rights?
In 2022, Avicii's parents sold 75% of his master recordings and publishing rights to Pophouse. The proceeds from this sale went to fund the Tim Bergling Foundation.
How much did Avicii donate to charity?
Tim Bergling was very generous. He donated over $1 million from his House for Hunger tour to Feeding America and gave large sums to other relief organizations throughout his life.
Who inherited Avicii's money?
Because Avicii died without a will and was unmarried with no children, his parents, Klas Bergling and Anki Lidén, inherited his entire estate under Swedish law.
How much was Avicii's house worth?
Avicii purchased his Hollywood Hills mansion for roughly $15.5 million in 2013. His estate sold it after his death for $17.5 million.
Did the government take Avicii's money?
No. While Sweden has high income taxes, it does not have an inheritance tax. His parents received the assets without paying a death tax to the Swedish state.
What happened to Avicii's music rights?
In 2022, Avicii's parents sold 75% of his master recordings and publishing rights to Pophouse. The proceeds from this sale went to fund the Tim Bergling Foundation.
How much did Avicii donate to charity?
Tim Bergling was very generous. He donated over $1 million from his House for Hunger tour to Feeding America and gave large sums to other relief organizations throughout his life.
