Who is The Weeknd? All About Net Worth, Wiki, Struggles, & More

From a humble upbringing in Toronto to commanding the world stage, The Weeknd—born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye—has carved out an unmatched place in modern music. Known for his haunting voice, moody melodies, and lyrical depth, The Weeknd’s rise wasn’t overnight. It’s a story of ambition, resilience, and unwavering belief in his own talent.

Early Life & Background

Abel Tesfaye was born on February 16, 1990, in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, Canada. He is of Ethiopian descent, raised primarily by his mother and grandmother after his father left when Abel was very young. Growing up, he often felt out of place and eventually dropped out of high school at age 17 to pursue music full-time.

The Path to Stardom

Abel was inspired by greats like Michael Jackson and Prince to create music that blended his R&B, soul, and atmospheric sounds. He anonymously released the House of Balloons mixtape in 2011 on YouTube. The project exploded online, considered an event both for its originality and for anonymity. He followed that with two more mixtapes that ended up forming a trilogy that won critical and fan acclaim.

The first sign of his success came with the signing to Republic Records, within whose walls he would produce everything mainstream for himself. Starboy and After Hours are among hit discographies through which he has etched his name in pop culture. His chart-busting partnerships with other pop artists such as Drake, Ariana Grande, and Daft Punk give his repertoire versatility. The Weeknd is said to have had some tough encounters with substance abuse during his initial years, although he has openly admitted to having dealt with such issues to find stability.

The Weeknd Net Worth

As of 2025, The Weeknd’s net worth is estimated at $100 million. This includes his earnings from music sales, world tours, endorsements, and high-profile performances—most notably, the Super Bowl Halftime Show. His continued evolution and business savvy have kept him among the top-earning artists globally.

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