Gary Glitter has a net worth of approximately $0 as of 2026, following a formal declaration of bankruptcy in March 2025 after failing to pay over £500,000 in damages to a victim of his past crimes. While he once amassed a multi-million pound fortune during the height of the glam rock era in the 1970s, his financial standing has been systematically dismantled by decades of legal battles, incarceration, and the loss of intellectual property rights. In 2026, the disgraced former pop star—real name Paul Gadd—is serving the remainder of a 16-year sentence in HMP Channings Wood, having been recalled to prison in 2023 for parole violations. The primary reason for his complete lack of wealth today is a combination of a High Court judgment awarding significant damages to those he abused and the fact that he sold his master recording rights to Snapper Music in 1997, meaning he no longer receives income from major sync deals such as the use of “Rock and Roll Part 2” in films like Joker.
The 2025 Bankruptcy and Legal Judgments
The final blow to Gary Glitter’s remaining finances came in the spring of 2025 following a protracted civil lawsuit.
The High Court Damages Award
In June 2024, a High Court judge ordered Paul Gadd to pay £508,800 in damages to a woman he abused when she was a child. The award included compensation for lost earnings and future therapy costs, plus an additional £84,000 in interest. Because Gadd failed to engage with the court or make the payments, his creditors successfully applied for his bankruptcy, which was finalized at the County Court at Torquay and Newton Abbot in early 2025.
Asset Liquidation and Prison Status
As of February 2026, any residual assets Gadd may have possessed, including private pensions or minor property interests, have been subject to the bankruptcy process to satisfy the outstanding debt to his victims. He remains incarcerated in HMP Channings Wood in Devon, where he has reportedly not contested the bankruptcy proceedings.
Royalties and Intellectual Property Rights
A common misconception is that Gary Glitter continues to earn millions from his music being played at stadiums and in films.
The Sale of Master Rights
In February 1997, before his first major arrest, Gadd sold the master rights to his music catalog to Snapper Music, an independent London-based label. This sale was a “transfer of ownership,” meaning that when his songs are played, the royalties go to the current rights holders, not the artist. In 2026, Snapper Music and other publishers like Universal Music Publishing Group have confirmed that Gadd is not entitled to royalties from these recordings.
The Case of “Rock and Roll Part 2”
Often referred to as the “Hey Song,” this track remains a staple in American sports. While it appeared in the 2019 film Joker, rights holders clarified that due to the 1997 sale, Gadd did not profit from the film’s success. Furthermore, many sports teams and the NFL have transitioned to using cover versions or have removed the song entirely from their playlists to avoid any indirect association.
Historical Earnings: The Glam Rock Peak
To understand the scale of his financial fall, one must look at the immense wealth he generated in the 1970s.
Chart Dominance and Record Sales
During his peak, Gary Glitter sold over 20 million records and had 26 hit singles. His “Glitter Band” sound was a commercial powerhouse, leading to massive world tours and high-profile television appearances. At one point in the mid-70s, his annual income would have placed him among the highest-paid entertainers in the United Kingdom.
Bankruptcy in the 1970s
Interestingly, Gadd’s 2025 bankruptcy is not his first. Toward the end of the 1970s, as his popularity waned and his lavish lifestyle caught up with him, he was declared bankrupt for the first time. He staged a financial comeback in the mid-80s with hits like “Dance Me Up,” but this second fortune was eventually drained by legal costs starting in the late 90s.
Practical Information and Status in 2026
For those researching the current legal and financial status of Paul Gadd, the following data is accurate for 2026.
Current Location and Sentence
Prison: HMP Channings Wood, Devon, UK.
Release Date: His current sentence is expected to expire in February 2031.
Legal Representation: He has recently opted not to be represented by a lawyer in civil matters, leading to default judgments in favor of claimants.
FAQs
What is Gary Glitter’s net worth in 2026?
His net worth is approximately $0, as he was declared bankrupt in 2025 following a £500,000+ legal judgment.
Does he still get royalties from “Rock and Roll Part 2”?
No. He sold his master rights to Snapper Music in 1997, and publishers have confirmed he does not receive payments from recent uses of the song.
Why was Gary Glitter made bankrupt in 2025?
He failed to pay £508,800 in court-ordered damages to a victim of his sexual abuse, leading to a bankruptcy petition by her lawyers.
Where is Gary Glitter now?
He is currently incarcerated in HMP Channings Wood in Devon, England, after being recalled to prison in 2023.
Did Oasis pay Gary Glitter royalties?
Yes, in the late 90s, the band Oasis paid an estimated £200,000 and ongoing royalties because their song “Hello” sampled his lyrics; however, these payments are now part of his bankrupt estate.
Is Gary Glitter still alive in 2026?
Yes, as of February 2026, Paul Gadd is 81 years old and serving his prison sentence.
Can victims claim his pension?
In the UK, certain private pensions can be targeted in extraordinary civil circumstances, and his bankruptcy allows for the distribution of available assets to satisfy his debts.
What happened to his house in the Bahamas?
His former overseas properties were liquidated years ago to cover legal fees and previous settlements.
Does the NFL still play his music?
Most NFL teams have phased out his version of the “Hey Song,” often replacing it with covers where the royalties do not benefit his former publishers or estate.
When will Gary Glitter be released from prison?
His current sentence for his 2015 convictions is set to expire in February 2031.
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