Irene Cara, a famous singer, and actress, died at the age of 63 in 2022. Her most notable performance was Flashdance's theme tune. Fame (1980), a musical drama, and the song “What a Feeling” from the 1983 hit film Flashdance.
Cara debuted in the music industry in the '70s and stayed active until the '10s. She amassed a big wealth for herself over the years. In this article, we will see Irene Cara Net worth in detail. Keep reading to know more.
Who Was Irene Cara?
Irene Cara, a famous singer, and actress. On March 18, 1959, in The Bronx, New York City, Irene Cara was born as Irene Cara Escalera. Her mother, Louise, was a movie usher, while her father, the retired saxophonist Gaspar Escalera, worked in a factory. Irene's mother is of Cuban descent, while her father is of Puerto Rican descent.
Quick Facts About Irene Cara
| Full Name | Irene Cara Escalera |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1959 |
| Birth Place | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Caribbean, Puerto Rican, and Cuban |
| Height | 5′ 4″ (1.63 m) |
| Source of Wealth | Music |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Conrad E. Palmisano) |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer-Songwriter, Pianist, and Producer |
What Was Irene Cara Net Worth At the Time of Her Death?
Irene Cara was worth $2 million when she passed away, according to the website Celebrity Net Worth. Her successful singing and acting career accounted for the bulk of her wealth.
Let’s Take A Look at Irene Cara’s Earning from Royalties
Flashdance… What a Feelin' was one of Cara's contributions to her album What a Feelin'. She had only made $183 in royalties from Network Records by the middle of 1984. In the following months, she received royalties totaling $60,000.
However, in 1985 she filed a lawsuit against the corporation, claiming that corporate CEO Al Coury had failed to pay her $2 million in Flashdance royalties. What an Emotion. The singer sued the record company for $10 million in punitive damages.
Cara stated that the industry was unfair to her after the lawsuit because Coury had started a smear campaign against her. A Los Angeles court awarded her $1.5 million in 1993 for the harm done to her career.
Honors Received by Irene Cara
In 1984, Cara took home an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song for “Flashdance… What a Feeling.” She received a Golden Globe nomination and Best Original Song award for her contribution to the film “Fame” in 1981.
There were two Grammy categories she was nominated for because of her performance of “Fame”: Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. Best Compilation Album, Original Score (Grammy) In 1984, Irene won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance and was nominated for Album of the Year and Record of the Year.
She also won the Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special. The song was up for both the National Music Publishers' Association Award for Best Song in a Motion Picture and the BAFTA Award for Best Original Song.
As early as 1982, Cara was recognized for her work in “Sister, Sister” with an NAACP Image Award. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Prestige Awards and was inducted into the Ciboney Cafe Hall of Fame in 2004.
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