With more than 130 million records sold, the Backstreet Boys churned out some of the catchiest songs of the ‘90s and 2000s, helping fan the flames for the all-male, predominantly white pop groups known as “boy bands.”
Since their smooth harmonies, synchronized dance moves, and off-stage dramas perpetually kept them in the headlines, the Backstreet Boys helped establish a blueprint for how to create and market successful boy bands—one that would inspire later groups like NSYNC, 98 Degrees, and One Direction.
They also became one of the most successful pop groups in history and one of only a handful of musicians to achieve the milestone of having multiple diamond-certified albums, sharing rarefied air with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, and Garth Brooks. They launched 12 world tours—and even briefly joined forces with another successful boy band, New Kids on the Block, to create the supergroup NKOTBSB.
The Backstreet Boys’ popularity endures today. Their 2017–2019 “Backstreet Boys: Larger than Life” residency at Planet Hollywood became the fastest-selling Vegas residency ever, according to Fox 5 Las Vegas, and in 2025, they launched a new residency at The Sphere, entitled “Into the Millennium,” which showcases their biggest hits with immersive visuals and The Sphere’s cutting-edge technology—billed as a futuristic, “spaceship-themed” experience.
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On August 13, 2025, the Backstreet Boys announced a seven-date extension in December 2025 and January 2026 for their red-hot, sold-out show. Tickets will be available to the general public on August 22, 2025, and are also expected to sell quickly.
What is the Backstreet Boys’ net worth in 2025?
Today, the combined total of the Backstreet Boys’ net worth is $200 million (as of August 2025), according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Despite their having achieved such extensive commercial success, however, it may come as a surprise to learn that Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson missed out on a significant portion of the initial wealth the Backstreet Boys generated.
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Who’s the richest Backstreet Boy?
In fact, you might say that the richest member of the Backstreet Boys didn’t even perform on stage with the group—he was their manager, an heavy set, middle-aged introvert named Lou Pearlman.
The Backstreet Boys were formed as a result of open casting calls in 1992 and 1993 that attracted hundreds of hopefuls to Pearlman’s blimp hanger in Orlando, Florida.
The cousin of musician Art Garfunkel, New York native Pearlman was inspired to enter the music industry and began managing bands while a teenager; however, he built his wealth by creating a helicopter taxi service in Manhattan and later formed Airship International, a company that leased blimps to corporations.
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Fascinated by the success of New Kids on the Block, however, Pearlman also launched a record label, Trans Continental Records, in an attempt to duplicate their business model. The $3 million he spent searching for the Backstreet Boys resulted in five star-powered performers: Carter, Dorough, McLean, Littrell, and Richardson—but it also paid off in dividends for Pearlman, since he was listed in a clause of their contract as the band’s “sixth member,” their manager/producer, and thus entitled to one-sixth of their earnings.
Additionally, Pearlman replicated his business model to create another popular boy band, NSYNC, as well as a number of other bands, including O-Town and LFO, and solo acts like Aaron Carter and Jordan Knight—profiting handsomely from them as well.
At the height of his career, Pearlman was worth $300 million, according to Entrepreneur.
But then it all came crashing down.
In 2008, Pearlman was convicted of masterminding one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in U.S. history, one that defrauded investors of hundreds of millions of dollars through investments in companies that simply did not exist.
Not only that; he was sued by his bands for misrepresenting their earnings. In 1998, Littrell hired a lawyer to investigate why he and the other members of the Backstreet Boys had only received $300,000 for their efforts while their label made millions.
The Backstreet Boys’ lawsuit ended with an out-of-court settlement in 1998, and the exact details of remuneration remain unknown. However, the settlement did allow the Backstreet Boys to separate from Pearlman and Trans Continental Records. Later that year, the band signed a new, $60 million deal with Jive Records, which was known for its artist-friendly management.
And as for Pearlman? After pleading guilty to conspiracy, money laundering, and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding, he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, where he died on August 19, 2016.
At the time of his death, Pearlman’s net worth had capsized to a negative $400 million.
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What is Nick Carter’s net worth in 2025?
Arguably the most famous Backstreet Boy due to his distinctive vocals, “heartthrob” blonde looks, and successful solo career that he was able to juggle in tandem with the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter has an estimated net worth of $35 million in 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
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Carter was just 13 years old when he began touring with the Backstreet Boys, and required a personal tutor to tour with the band so he could complete his GED. He went on to release “Now or Never” in 2002, “I’m Taking Off” in 2011, and “All American” in 2015.
He also starred in several reality shows, including “House of Carters” and “I Heart Nick Carter,” and appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2015 (he came in second, behind Bindi Irwin).
But it was Carter’s personal life that fascinated his fans the most, particularly his relationships with Millennial celebrities like Paris Hilton and Willa Ford, his multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, and his turbulent family dynamics, as three of his siblings, Leslie, Aaron, and Bobbie Jean, died from substance abuse issues.
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What is A.J. McLean’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Alexander James McLean has an estimated net worth of $20 million in 2025. He stood out as the boy bander with tattoos, piercings, and alternative hairstyles, helping the band appeal to a wider demographic.
McLean also released one solo album, “Have It All” (2010), and appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2020, where he finished in 7th place. McLean entered rehab multiple times for depression, alcohol, and substance abuse issues, although in 2025, he told E! Online that he had been sober for four years.
McLean married Rochelle Karidis in 2011, but the couple divorced in 2024; they share two daughters, Elliott and Lyric.
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What is Kevin Richardson’s net worth in 2025?
As the oldest Backstreet Boy—Richardson was 22 when they were founded in 1993—the elder statesman of the group is also first cousins with fellow boy bander Brian Littrell (Richardson’s mother, Ann, is the sister of Littrell’s father, Harold). In 2025, Richardson’s estimated net worth stands at $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
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In addition to his work with the band, Richardson has worked as a model for brands like Tag Heuer and Versace, appeared on TV shows including “Sesame Street” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and performed on stage in a Broadway production of “Chicago.” He also composed the soundtrack for the animated film The Spirit Bear and Children Make History (2020).
Richardson met his wife, Kristin, while both were working at Walt Disney World before he hit it big. They married in 2000 and have two children, sons Mason and Maxwell.
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What is Howie Dorough’s net worth in 2025?
The Backstreet Boy who can sing falsetto, Dorough is known for providing some of the group’s key harmonies. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Dorough’s estimated net worth in 2025 is $40 million.
Dorough has released several albums as a solo artist: “Back to Me” (2011), “Live from Toronto” (2012), and “Which One Am I” (2019), and even hit the road with Britney Spears on her “Femme Fatale” world tour in 2011. Like Richardson, he made several appearances on the TV shows “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Sesame Street,” as well as on “Roswell” and “Arthur.”
The crooner also founded the Sweet D real estate development company and the Dorough Lupus Foundation in honor of his sister Caroline, who passed away from the disease in 1998.
Dorough married Leigh Boniello, the group’s webmaster, in December 2007, and they have two sons: James and Holden.
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What is Brian Littrell’s net worth in 2025?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Brian Littrell is the wealthiest living Backstreet Boy—his net worth stands at $45 million in 2025.
That’s due to his successful solo career in the Christian musical genre with his 2006 album “Welcome Home,” which sold more than 100,000 copies.
Littrell is known as the “lead singer” of the Backstreet Boys since he often sung the lead tenor part. He also met his wife, Leighanne, on the set of the Backstreet Boys’ 1997 music video “As Long As You Love Me.” They wed in September 2000 and have one son, Baylee (b. 2002), who is an aspiring musician himself, releasing the album “770-Country” in 2019.
Backstreet Boys’ Q&A
Below are answers to some of the most common questions fans have about the iconic boy band.
How did the Backstreet Boys get their name?
The Backstreet Boys’ name came from Lou Pearlman. He based it on the Backstreet Market, an outdoor flea market in Orlando that was a popular teen hangout in the early 1990s as well as the site of their first performances.
Which Backstreet Boy died?
All of the Backstreet Boys are alive in 2025; however, Nick Carter’s younger brother, pop singer Aaron Carter, died in 2022. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident, as he drowned after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam. He was 34.
Which Backstreet Boy is gay?
All of the Backstreet Boys identify as straight; however, Lance Bass, a member of NSYNC, came out as gay in 2006.
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