Lyor Cohen Net Worth as Youtube’s Global Head of Music

Lyor Cohen is a renowned American music industry executive, entrepreneur, and Youtube’s Global Head of Music. Because of his contribution to music, his name is synonymous with the industry’s success. He has serving in music since 32 years. 

Lyor Cohen was introduced to music in his childhood by his father. Since then, he has been passionate about music. He walked on the path of discovering new sounds and provided a platform for emerging talents. He diversified the music and redefined its future. 

Many have wondered What is Lyor Cohen Net Worth and what makes him one of the influential persons in his niche. Today, we will unfold Lyor Cohen Net Worth, his ventures, insights into his career journey, and a glance at his personal life. 

Lyor Cohen Net Worth

Lyor Cohen has amassed a significant net worth of $150 million. His whopping net worth comes from his crucial role in marking a landmark in the music industry and his entrepreneurial ventures. 

Lyor Cohen has made many endorsement deals over the course of his career. His prominent deals include Run-DMC (Adidas and New Coke), Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Le Coq Sportif), and LL Cool J (Troop sportswear). No doubt, his endorsements has earned him lucrative wealth. 

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Lyor Cohen Young; A Look into his Early Life

Lyor Cohen was born to Israeli immigrant parents in Manhattan, New York City on October 3, 1959, and grew up in Los Angeles. His father introduced him to music, which paved the way for his future interests and career. 

He attended Marshall High School for his early education and graduated in 1977. He then enrolled at the University of Miami and graduated with a global marketing and finance degree in 1981 from the University of Miami School of Business. After graduation, he worked at the Beverly Hills office of Bank Leumi. 

Lyor Cohen Contribution to Music

How has Lyor Cohen made a mark in the music industry and earned the name of one of the renowned music executives? Let us glance at his career journey, which started in the 80s. Lyor Cohen was always interested in music. In 1984, he landed a role in Russell Simmons’s Rush Productions, later known as Rush Artist Management. 

Working as road manager of acts RUN-DMC, Cohen managed many rappers like Beastie Boys and Public Enemy and signed emerging talents like DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, A Tribe Called Quest, and Slick Rick. In 1988, Lyor worked at the Def Jam label. 

Def Jam soon merged with the Universals and Islands and formed The Island Def Jam, with Lyor Cohen as the label's president. During this time, Cohen signed non-rap artists like Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Elvis Costello, and Shania Twain. 

In 2004, he got a job at Warner Music Group. In 2012, he left Warner Group and founded his label, 300 Entertainment, where he worked on Hip-Hop music and redefined it. Cohen believed that the traditional music business is not beneficial, but digital platforms like YouTube are the future. 

Lyor Cohen became the first music executive to head a licensed agreement between Warner Group and YouTube and then with Spotify. In 2016, he accepted a job as YouTube’s Global Head of Music. 

Lyor has served as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame board member and acting director of Boys & Girls Harbor, a New York-based nonprofit charitable organization.

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Lyor Cohen’s Awards and Accolades

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Spirit of Life Award by City of Hope

Lyor Cohen Personal Life and Relationship Status

Lyor Cohen has faced two divorces in his marital life before leading a humble life with his third wife. Let’s read about the current Lyor Cohen Wife and his previous ones. 

Lyor married a model, E.K. Smith, on April 1, 1988, but the marriage didn’t last long, and the couple separated without having kids for unknown reasons. 

Cohen tied the knot with Amy in 1990. His second marriage with Amy brought him two children: a son, Az (1994), and a daughter (2001). Eventually, in 2006, the couple divorced each other. 

In 2016, Lyor Cohen married a model and former basketball player, Xin Li, who is currently a deputy chairman of Christie’s Asia. 

In the same year of his third marriage, in 2016, Cohen was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. The time was tough, but Lyor Cohen Son, Az, saved his life from fatal suffering.

Lyor Cohen Book

Lyor Cohen has not written a book but has been mentioned and highlighted in various music-related books. In his book, “Life and Def,” Russell Simmon mentioned Cohen as a friend. Jay Z has described Lyor Cohen as his mentor in his book “Decoded.” 

Lyor Cohen House; A Look into his Real Estates

Lyor Cohen is a celebrity who can afford to invest in luxury real estate. He owns properties that generate money for him. In 2000, he bought an Upper East Side townhouse for $9.175 and valued it at $28 million in the market; the property was sold for $25 million in 2012. 

In 2014, Lyor purchased a 4,440-square-foot NYC townhouse for $11.4 million, which was priced at $14.5 million asking price. Lyor Cohen’s Hamptons Beachhouse in NYC is another luxurious living estate where his third marriage was held. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between Lyor Cohen and Jay Z?

Lyor Cohen signed Jay Z when he headed the Def Jam labels. He recognized Jay Z’s talent and provided him with a platform to prove himself. Jay Z never disappointed Cohen. Jay Z considers Cohen his mentor and mentions this in his book, ‘Decoded.’

What do you know about Lyor Cohen and Tory Burch?

Lyor Cohen and Tory Burch are two famous personalities in the media industry. Tory Burch is a well-known fashion designer and businesswoman. The couple was in a relationship for five years but separated for unknown reasons.