Eddie Van Halen's net worth was estimated at around $100 million at his death in October 2020, built from more than four decades of album sales, touring, and guitar and equipment royalties as the guitarist and co-founder of Van Halen, widely regarded as one of the most influential rock bands in history.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Edward Lodewijk Van Halen |
| Born | January 26, 1955, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Died | October 6, 2020, Santa Monica, California, age 65 |
| Known For | Co-founder and lead guitarist, Van Halen; the "Frankenstrat" guitar; two-handed tapping technique |
| Major Albums | "Van Halen" (1978), "1984" (1984, featuring "Jump") |
| Honors | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 2007 |
| Marriages | Valerie Bertinelli (1981-2007); Janie Liszewski (2009 until his death) |
| Net Worth at Death | Around $100 million |
Early Life
Van Halen was born in Amsterdam to Jan Van Halen, a Dutch jazz musician, and Eugenia Van Halen, who was of Euro-Indonesian descent. The family immigrated to the United States in 1962, settling in Pasadena, California, when Eddie was seven, partly to escape discrimination the mixed-race family faced in Europe. Eddie and his older brother, Alex, began classical piano training at six under teacher Stasys Kalvaitis, but Eddie later gravitated to guitar, largely teaching himself rather than learning to read music formally.
Forming Van Halen
Eddie and Alex formed a band called Mammoth in 1972, which became Van Halen in 1974 after David Lee Roth joined as vocalist. The band's self-titled 1978 debut album introduced Eddie's instrumental showcase "Eruption," which popularized the two-handed tapping technique to a mainstream rock audience, though he did not invent it. Van Halen's 1984 album, "1984," went five-times platinum and produced the band's only number-one pop hit, "Jump."
The Frankenstrat
Van Halen became known for a self-built guitar assembled from parts, nicknamed the "Frankenstrat," featuring a maple neck and ash body originally painted white with black stripes before he repainted it with red bicycle paint in 1979. The instrument became one of the most recognizable guitars in rock history and the basis for later signature guitar lines built under his own EVH brand.
Recognition and Later Career
Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 alongside his bandmates. He continued performing and recording with various lineups of Van Halen -- including stretches with singers Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone -- and his son, Wolfgang Van Halen, joined the band as bassist in 2006, replacing longtime member Michael Anthony.
Personal Life and Death
Van Halen married actress Valerie Bertinelli in April 1981; the couple had one son, Wolfgang, born in 1991, and divorced in 2007. He married publicist Janie Liszewski in 2009. Van Halen was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2000, declared cancer-free in 2002, and later battled throat cancer. He died on October 6, 2020, at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, from a stroke related to his cancer, at age 65.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Eddie Van Halen's net worth?
Estimated at around $100 million at his death in October 2020.
How did Eddie Van Halen die?
He died on October 6, 2020, from a stroke related to a long battle with cancer, including tongue cancer diagnosed in 2000 and later throat cancer.
Did Eddie Van Halen invent tapping?
No, but his performance of the technique on "Eruption" (1978) popularized it for a mainstream rock audience and influenced generations of guitarists.
Is Eddie Van Halen's son in the band?
Yes. Wolfgang Van Halen joined as bassist in 2006, replacing longtime member Michael Anthony.