Laura Ann Branigan, born on the 3rd of July 1952, was an American singer and songwriter who became famous for her songs “Gloria”, “Self-Control”, and “Solitaire” which became international hits and chart-toppers. She passed away in 2004.
So how much is Branigan’s net worth? As of mid-2017, based on authoritative sources it is reported to be $5 million, acquired largely from her years as a singer.
Laura Branigan Net Worth $5 Million
Born in Brewster, New York State, of part Irish descent Branigan, is the daughter of Kathleen and James Branigan, and was the fourth to five siblings. While attending Byram Hills High School, Branigan was already showing potential in performing as she was active in joining school productions. After high school she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and while meantime also working as a waitress, met Walker Daniels, Sharon Storm and Chris Van Cleave and together they formed the band Meadow. They later on added Bob Valdez to the group, and in 1973 they were able to release their first album “The Friend Ship”, but the album was unsuccessful, and the group disbanded, but these early years helped set up her career and also net worth.
After Meadow, in 1976 Branigan worked for a while as a backup singer and at various other jobs to make ends meet. Finally in 1979, after a chance meeting with Sid Bernstein, a producer and promoter, she was signed immediately to Atlantic Records. Even though she already had a recording company backing her up, Branigan had a hard time producing her first album. Atlantic was having a hard time with the strength and range of her voice, and how they can promote her still as a pop singer. Finally in 1981, her song “Looking Out for Number One” hit the radio waves and had a brief stint in the US dance chart.
In 1982, Branigan’s self-titled debut album was finally released, and the songs “All Night Me” and “ I Wish We Could Be Alone” immediately became instant hits, but it was her song “Gloria” that brought her international fame. The popularity of the song eventually led to it being certified platinum, and the album going gold, and her performance of “Gloria” was even nominated for a Grammy. The success of her first album catapulted her to fame and tremendously increased her wealth.
Branigan second album – “Branigan 2” – also became an immediate hit. Her songs “Solitaire” and “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” led the album to popularity, and so she went on to release five more albums, all of which received a positive reception from fans. Some of her best hits throughout her career include “The Lucky One”, “Ti Amo”, “Satisfaction”, “Spanish Eddie” and “Hold Me” to name a few. Her overall success as singer became a huge help in her overall net worth.
Aside from her fruitful singing career, Branigan also had her time in front of the camera, and appeared in various movies and television shows. Some of the shows she appeared in include “An American Girl in Berlin”, “CHiPs”, “Automan”, and “Knight Rider”. She also appeared in the movie “Mugsy’s Girls” and “Backstage”, and in 2002 she also performed in the off-Broadway musical production of “Love, Janis”.
In terms of her personal life, Branigan married Larry Kruteck in 1978, a lawyer who was 20 years her senior. When Kruteck was diagnosed with colon cancer, she decided to leave her career and focus on her husband’s health, but unfortunately Kruteck died in 1996, two years after his diagnosis.
Branigan passed away in her sleep in 2004 at her East Quogue, New York lodge – the cause was attributed to a ventricular brain aneurysm.
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