clarence avant net worth

Clarence Avant Net Worth, Age, Wife, Songs, The Black Godfather

Let’s meet the person, who is possibly one of the most influential and famous across the entertainment industry. There is hardly anyone in the business that doesn’t know and respect this legend. But, yet he has a kind of evasive personality. 

He is one of the most prominent faces of the industry, a film producer, and an American music executive- Clarence Avant. As being one of the richest celebrities in the world, it is natural that people would wonder about his achieved wealth amount. However, it’s next to impossible to calculate the appropriate net worth. His net worth around $50 million.

Based on publicly available sources such as businesses, investments, endorsements etc.

Who is Clarence Avant?

The entertainment industry is ostentatiously attractive and here Clarence’s name is having the same meaning as another phrase with success. He is an entrepreneur, an American music executive, and film producer. 

Behind the rise of black American culture inside of different sorts of the impression of entertainment, starting from music to film, TV, and sports; it was Avant. His business practical knowledge tactics and counselling are essentially responsible to redefine the action of providing with amusement for color people in the industry. 

He is still the figure in Hollywood, that elite leans for mentorship as well as sound advice. Not just aided the kingdom of entertainment, Avant’s guidance even has significance amongst the political leaders. 

For launching many white companies such as MGM, ABC etc. He is considered highly in a specified way. Avant managed to edify them dealing and making room for the black American culture while still existing behind the scene.

Early Life

In Greensboro, North California, February 25, 1931, Clarence Alexander Avant was born. He was the elder one among his eight siblings. His childhood was full of climax. 

Till he was sixteen years, he had to live with an abusive stepfather. Until he had reached the ninth grade, Clarence used to attend a one-room school in his hometown. At Dudley High School in Greensboro, he passed the years of freshman as well as high school second years. 

In 1947, when he was a teenager, Avant moved to New Jersey with his aunt. Here this young legendary boy started heading towards success step by step. In New Jersey, his working experience started with being a stock clerk at Macy’s and also for a law directory. 

In the era, when American black people were voiceless, persistently ignored, and discriminated against in every realm; Clarence began to be the voice. Followed by leaving the roots of small-town country, he eventually connected to Joe Glaser, the renowned trumpeter Louis Armstrong’s manager in Newark, New Jersey. This genius celebrity gradually continued writing his success story by overcoming adversity one after another.

Career Beginning & Breakthrough

Moving to New Jersey was the beginning point of Avant’s career. Subsequently, his music business began as Teddy l’s Lounge’s manager in New Jersey. Afterwards, he was employed to manage multiple performers, including Little Willie John, Kim Weston, Sarah Vaughan, Wynton Kelly, Luiz Bonfa, Pat Thomas, Freddie Hubbard, rock and roll pioneer Tom Wilson and so forth. 

We just need to mention two names here- Louis Armstrong’s music manager Joseph G. Joe Glaser and Sunset Garden’s original proprietor, who mentored Avant. 

On November 7, 1962, this celeb enlisted Avant Garde Enterprises, Inc. In September, 19oast office to accommodate the offering assignments to his clients of progressing motion picture soundtrack. In those years in New York, Avant played the role of a board member, an adviser, and executive of the National Association of Radio Announcers (NARA). Later he became involved in the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA).

This big name incorporated Sussex Productions Inc. in September 1966 in New York which was an independent firm for record production with artists. Clarence successfully engineered the very first joint voyage between an African-American artist and a significant record company. Followed by this, Venture Records Inc. was incorporated in October 1967 in California. 

But, in 1969 MGM Records closed the joint venture. Afterwards, Avant founded Sussex Records in Los Angeles in December 1969. Clarence bought the first FM radio station owned by African-American in metropolitan Los Angeles under Avant Garde Broadcasting Inc. in 1973.

How Does His Net Worth Reach $50 Million?

This celeb’s life was never a bed of roses. Full of complications, hard work and through a lot of ups and downs, we see today’s Avant with a net worth of $50 million. How did he make it? 

Moving to New York was his life’s turning point. To work for Venture Records, he moved to California in 1967. He used to live in mostly- a black area named Baldwin Hills while staying in Los Angeles. Although Venture Records’ founder forced him to relocate to Beverly Hills just to be more near the entertainment world, that time he couldn’t afford the housing expense there. 

The big-hearted G.Joe Glaser lent Avant the down payment of the house in Beverly Hills. The most touching point is that the debt was forgiven and Avant came to know this after the death of Glaser in 1969. Still, Avant lives in that house which is likely worth today $7-10 million. 

Clarence became recognized nationally after negotiating the first joint deal between a big record company and an Afro American artist. It was always the dream of Avant to help the black artists in getting fair treatment in the entertainment industry with his business knowledge. This resulted in making an influence on everyone to make a career in the field of entertainment. 

He put on a significant role in making broker deals which allowed the black-people having important roles and genuine compensation. With a career as a legendary, Avant faced several obstacles and failures, but those incidents couldn’t stop this icon.

Who is Clarence Avant Wife?

Clarence and Jacqueline Avant’s love story is one for the ages. The two met in the early 1960s when Clarence was working as a music executive, and Jacqueline was a model. The two hit it off immediately and were married just a few years later. Clarence and Jacqueline have been together for over 50 years now, and they are still as madly in love as they were when they first met.

The couple has two children(Nicole Avant and Alexander Devore Avant) together, and they are all successful in their own right. Jacqueline is a strong and independent woman who has always been by Clarence’s side, no matter what. She is his rock, and he is her everything. The two are truly soulmates, and they have proven that love can last a lifetime.

Clarence Avant Songs:

Clarence Avant is a music industry legend. As the founder of Sussex Records, he helped launch the careers of many R&B and soul artists. Some of his most notable productions include Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?” by Bill Cosby. Avant also had a successful career as a songwriter, penning hits like “The Boss” for Diana Ross and “Smiling Faces Sometimes” for The Undisputed Truth.

In total, he has over 200 songs to his credit. Despite his long list of accomplishments, Avant remains a humble man. In a recent interview, he said, “I’m just a cat from Cincinnati who got lucky.” Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1926, Avant grew up in a musical family. His father was a choir director, and his mother was a pianist. Avant began playing the piano at an early age and went on to study music at Wilberforce University. 

After graduation, Avant joined the Navy and served for two years. When he returned to Cincinnati, he started working in the insurance business. But he quickly realized that his true passion was music. In 1961, Avant moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the music industry. He got a job as an A&R man at the small label, Octavia Records. A few years later, he founded Sussex Records. Under Avant’s leadership, Sussex became one of the most successful independent labels of the 1970s. 

In addition to Bill Withers and Bill Cosby, the label’s roster included Bobby Bland, Gene Chandler, and Gwen McCrae. Avant sold Sussex to Motown in 1975, but he continued to work with many of the label’s artists. He also started his own publishing company, Clarence Avant Music. In recent years, Avant has been honored for his contributions to the music industry. 

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the BET Awards in 2019. As he looks back on his long career, Avant is proud of the artists he has worked with and the songs he has written. “I’ve been blessed,” he said. “I’ve been able to do what I love to do for a living. And I’m still doing it.”

The Black Godfather The Clarence Avant Story:

In 1970, a young African American man named Clarence Avant took over the record label Motown Records. Avant had no experience in the music industry, but he had a vision for the company. Avant turned Motown into a powerhouse, signing artists like Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross. 

He also helped the careers of Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. Avant was a tough negotiator, and he was not afraid to stand up to the white establishment. As a result, he was instrumental in getting Motown Records distributed nationwide. 

Avant’s story is told in the book “The Black Godfather: The Clarence Avant Story.” The book is a fascinating look at the life of a self-made man who changed the music industry.

Personal Life

In 1967, Avant and Jacqueline “Jackie” Alberta Gray got married. With a successful married life, this couple has two children- Nicole Avant (March 6, 1968), who is a former Ambassador of the United States to the Bahamas, and Alexander Du Bois Avant (August 3, 1971). 

Jackie Avant is also one of the board directors of the International Student Center at UCLA. Additionally, she served as president of the support group of the South Central Community Child Care Center- Neighbors of Watts in 1975, NOW benefit auction and dinner dance’s entertainment chairman and NOW membership chairman in 1974.

His Social Media Presence

Explore much more of this legend through social media:

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FAQs

What is the name of the documentary released from Netflix? 

Answer: The Black Godfather

Who is Nicole Avant’s husband? 

Answer: Nicole Avant’s husband’s name is Ted Sarandos. 

When did Jacqueline Avant get involved in politics?

Answer: When the then-senator Barack Obama was campaigning for president, Jacqueline found her calling in the political field. 

How old is Clarence Avant?

Answer: His age is now 91.

Is clarence avant wife white?

Ans: Yes, She was.

Clarence Avant Kids:

Ans: Nicole Avant and Alexander Devore Avant.

Clarence Avant Height:

This successful businessman and film producer has 5’8″ height.

Clarence Avant Age:

He was born on February 25, 1931, now he is 91 years old.

Is Clarence Avant still alive?

Yes, At 91, Avant is still going strong. He currently serves as the chairman of the board of the label he founded, Sussex Records. 

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