David Ruffin Net Worth - Pulptastic

Publish date: 2024-06-26

What Is David Ruffin’s Net Worth?

David Ruffin, the American soul singer and musician, had a net worth of $150 thousand at the time of his death. He was best known for being part of the Temptations during their “Classic Five” period, and he also had a successful solo career, releasing 10 albums.

Ruffin’s debut solo album, “My Whole World Ended,” reached #1 on the “Billboard” R&B Albums chart and #31 on the “Billboard” 200 chart. He was known for his raspy tenor vocals and served as lead vocalist for the Temptations singles “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “My Girl.”

Ranked #65 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” list in 2008, Ruffin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his work with the Temptations. He passed away on June 1, 1991 at the age of 50.

Early Life and Career of David Ruffin

David Ruffin was born Davis Eli Ruffin in Whynot, Mississippi, on January 18, 1941. His mother died when he was 10 months old, and he grew up with his siblings and stepmother Earline. Ruffin’s father was abusive and strict, and the family traveled as a gospel group when Ruffin was young. Ruffin sang at church and in talent shows, and at age 14, he left Mississippi for Memphis, intending to pursue a life in the ministry.

When Ruffin was 15, he performed with jazz musician Phineas Newborn, Sr., at the Fifty Grand Ballroom and Casino in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He performed at talent shows and briefly joined The Soul Stirrers before moving to Detroit at age 16 with minister Eddie Bush and his wife. In Detroit, Ruffin continued to perform and eventually joined The Temptations in 1964.

David Ruffin’s Career Highlights

David Ruffin began his music career in the late 1950s, releasing singles such as “Believe Me” and “I’m In Love” before joining the Temptations in 1964 as a background singer. He eventually became the lead singer and performed on hits such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” However, Ruffin developed a cocaine addiction and was kicked out of the group in 1968.

Ruffin released his solo single “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” in 1969, which reached #8 on the Hot 100 chart and #2 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. He went on to release several solo albums, including “Feelin’ Good,” “David,” and “Who I Am,” which featured the top 10 single “Walk Away from Love.”

In 1982, Ruffin briefly reunited with the Temptations for an album and tour, but was fired due to missed performances caused by his drug use. He later performed with former bandmate Eddie Kendrick at the re-opening of New York’s Apollo Theater and at Live Aid. Ruffin was planning a European tour with Kendrick and Dennis Edwards at the time of his death in 1991.

David Ruffin’s Personal Life and Struggles

David Ruffin married Sandra Barnes in 1961 and had three daughters before divorcing. He then began dating Genna Sapia and had a son with her, but Sapia-Ruffin later wrote about his abusive behavior and infidelity in her memoir. Ruffin also had a tumultuous relationship with Tammi Terrell, which ended after he hit her in the head with a motorcycle helmet.

In 1976, Ruffin married Joy Hamilton, but at the time of his death in 1991, he was in a relationship with Diane Showers. Throughout his life, Ruffin struggled with drug addiction and sought treatment multiple times. He was arrested several times, including for disorderly conduct in 1978, failure to pay taxes in 1982, and cocaine possession in 1987. He completed a 28-day program at a drug rehabilitation center after violating his probation.

David Ruffin’s Tragic Death

David Ruffin, former lead singer of The Temptations, died on June 1, 1991, at the age of 50 from an accidental cocaine overdose. He collapsed at a crack house in West Philadelphia and was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by his friend Donald Brown. Despite efforts to save him, Ruffin was pronounced dead at 3:55 a.m. due to “an adverse reaction to drugs (cocaine).”

His funeral took place at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, where surviving members of The Temptations performed “My Girl” in his honor. Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder also performed, and Michael Jackson offered to pay for the funeral. Ruffin was laid to rest at Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery.

David Ruffin’s Posthumous Honors

In 1985, David Ruffin was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for “The Way You Do The Things You Do/My Girl.” In 2013, the Temptations were honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and Ruffin’s children accepted the award on his behalf.

In 2013, David Ruffin was posthumously inducted into Cleveland State University’s Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame, both as a member of the Temptations and as a solo artist. He was also inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame.

In 2019, the section of Parkside (where Ruffin used to live) in Detroit between Seven Mile and McNichols was renamed “David Ruffin Avenue,” and Meridian, Mississippi, renamed a section of 8th Street “David Ruffin Boulevard.” He also received a star on Mississippi’s Arts + Entertainment Experience’s Walk of Fame.

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