From Lead Vocalist for 'Sex Pistols' to Producer and Author: Johnny Rotten's Career and Net Worth

Johnny Rotten started his acting career in the mid-1980s with television roles before appearing on the big screen.

PUBLISHED JAN 29, 2024

Cover Image Source: Singer Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols attends the Los Angeles premiere of the EPIX Original Docu-Series "PUNK" | Photo by Michael Tullberg | FilmMagic

Name	Johnny Rotten
Net Worth	$500,000
Annual Income	$10K +
Source of Income	Music, acting
Date of Birth	January 31, 1956
Age	67 Years
Gender	Male
Profession	Singer, Songwriter, producer, actor
Nationality	British

What is Johnny Rotten's net worth?

Johnny Rotten is best known as the lead vocalist of the punk rock band Sex Pistols, and now possesses a net worth of $500,000. He is also the founder and lead singer of Public Image, which released eight albums. Beyond music, he authored books like "Rotten Noirish, No Black No Dogs" and hosted television shows in the UK, US, and Belgium. In 2005, he released a compilation album, "The Best of British £1 Notes."

John Lydon of Public Image Ltd performs on stage at O2 Forum Kentish Town | England Photo by Jim Dyson | Getty Images — Johnny Rottenof Public Image Ltd performs on stage at O2 Forum Kentish Town | Photo by Jim Dyson | Getty Images

What are Johnny Rotten's sources of income?

A regular at Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's Sex, a provocative clothing shop, Rotten's distinctive appearance, marked by orange hair and a modified Pink Floyd T-shirt, caught the attention of McLaren. Impressed, McLaren chose him as the lead vocalist for the Sex Pistols, a band that would become synonymous with the punk rock revolution. Since then, music has been the main source of income for Rotten, apart from other ventures including production and writing.

The Sex Pistols gained prominence with their provocative single "God Save the Queen," released during Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee in 1977. The ensuing media frenzy led to a razor attack on the singer, illustrating the intense public reaction to the band's rebellious image. The same year, the band released the iconic album "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols."

In 1978, Rottem formed Public Image Ltd (PiL), exploring post-punk sounds. PiL released influential albums like "Metal Box" and "Album." He also appeared in films, hosted radio shows, and even participated in reality TV on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" in 2004. He was also seen in an advertising campaign for Country Life butter.

Rotten also wrote several books, including "Rotten – No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs," co-authored with Keith and Kent Zimmerman, "Punk: Chaos to Couture," which explores the fusion of punk rock aesthetics with high fashion, "Anger Is an Energy: My Life Uncensored," and "I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right," released in 2020.

ohn Lydon of Public Image Limited performs on stage | GettyImages | Photo by Gus Stewart | Redferns — Johnny Rotten of Public Image Limited performs on stage | GettyImages | Photo by Gus Stewart

Personal life

Rotten was married to Nora Forster, a German publishing heiress, for 44 years. Tragically, in April 2023, she passed away as a result of complications stemming from Alzheimer's disease. Her battle with the condition marked a challenging period for both of them. The singer was the stepfather of Forster's daughter Ari Up, the lead vocalist of the Slits. Furthermore, he became the legal guardian of Up's twin teenage boys in 2000.

Singer-songwriter John Lydon visits Build Series to discuss the documetary 'The Public Image Is Rotten' at Build Studio | Photo by Desiree Navarro | Getty Images — Singer-songwriter Johnny Rotten | Photo by Desiree Navarro | Getty Images

FAQs

Why did Johnny Rotten decline an MBE?

Johnny Rotten declined the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to music, expressing his rejection of the establishment and its honors.