As one of the most talked-about figures, David Ruffin has built a significant fortune. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What Is David Ruffin's Net Worth?

David Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician who had a net worth of $150 thousand at the time of his death. Ruffin was best known for being part of the musical group the Temptations during their "Classic Five" period. David also released 10 solo albums, an album with his brother Jimmy called "I Am My Brother's Keeper" (1970), and the album "Ruffin & Kendrick" (1988) with Eddie Kendrick, and he was featured on the 1985 Hall & Oates album "Live at the Apollo."

His debut solo album, 1969's "My Whole World Ended," reached #1 on the "Billboard" R&B Albums chart and #31 on the "Billboard" 200 chart. Ruffin served as lead vocalist for the Temptations singles "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "My Girl." He was known for his raspy tenor vocals, and "Rolling Stone" magazine ranked him #65 on its "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" list in 2008. David was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the Temptations in 1989. Ruffin passed away on June 1, 1991 at 50 years old.

Early Life

David Ruffin was born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, in Whynot, Mississippi. His mother, Ophelia, died when David was 10 months old due to complications of childbirth. His father, Eli (a truck driver), married a schoolteacher named Earline in 1942. Ruffin grew up with siblings Quincy, Jimmy Lee, and Reada Mae, and his sister Rosine died as an infant. Eli was abusive and strict, and during his youth, David and his siblings traveled with Eli and Earline as a gospel group. The group opened for acts such as The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi andMahalia Jackson. Ruffin sang at church and in talent shows, and at age 14, he left Mississippi for Memphis, Tennessee, with minister Eddie Bush, intending to pursue a life in the ministry.

When David was 15, he traveled to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with jazz musician Phineas Newborn, Sr., and they performed at the Fifty Grand Ballroom and Casino. Under the name Little David Bush, Ruffin performed at talent shows and joined the group The Dixie Nightingales. He briefly performed with The Soul Stirrers afterJohnnie Taylorleft the group. At age 16, David moved to Detroit, Michigan, with Bush and his wife.

Career

After moving to Detroit, Ruffin metBerry GordyJr., and he lived with Gordy's father and helped "Pops" do construction on the future Hitsville USA building, which would house Berry's Tamla Records. David released the single "Believe Me"/"You and I" in 1958 and "I'm In Love"/"One of These Days" (with the doo-wop group the Voice Masters) in 1960. His brother Jimmy took part in a Motortown Revue tour with the Temptations, who were looking for a new member to sing tenor, and David joined the group in January 1964. He originally sang background vocals, but afterSmokey Robinson(who co-wrote and produced the band's material) decided to write the "perfect song" to showcase Ruffin's voice, "My Girl," David took on lead singer duties. Ruffin performed lead vocals on hits such as "Since I Lost My Baby," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "All I Need," and I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)," but by 1967, he had become addicted to cocaine and would miss performances and rehearsals. He eventually demanded that the band change its name to David Ruffin & the Temptations, and he was kicked out of the group in June 1968 after he missed a concert in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ultimately, David Ruffin's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.