The secret to the real estate empire and fortune David Bowie left behind

When David Bowie died in 2016, the tragic news left a huge hole in the music world.

The rock-and-roll legend died two days after his 69th birthday following an 18-month secret battle with liver cancer.

At the time of his death, the Grammy winner was worth an estimated US$100 million ($A150 million), including a large estate collection.

Here’s a breakdown of the houses Bowie owned and inherited.

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David Bowie performing on stage in his alter ego Ziggy Stardust in 1973. Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images

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David Bowie’s secret Aussie home

In 1983, Bowie bought a three-bedroom unit in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $700,000.

Located in Elizabeth Bay, the Rebel Rebel designer had used the pied a terre as his Sydney base for his monthly trips to far north Queensland and the countryside in the 80s.

When the singer owned the house, it was considered ‘out there’ and ‘strange’ like the late music star.

Apparently Bowie had wall-to-ceiling mirrors in the living room and a chest-high glass shelf surrounded many of the main areas of the apartment.

The music star sold the apartment in 1992 for $1,250,000.

According to news.com.au, Bowie sold his piece of real estate in Sydney after marrying Iman because he would not go to Australia as much.

The home, which is walking distance to old Kings Cross, was last sold in 2023 for $8.8 million.

In 1983, Bowie bought a three-bedroom unit in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $700,000.

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The music star sold the apartment in 1992 for $1,250,000.

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What happened to David Bowie’s other properties?

The artist’s portfolio of houses included homes in Switzerland, the Caribbean and America.

Bowie and his supermodel wife Iman bought two NYC penthouses in 1999 for $US4 million ($A6 million) and converted them into a loft.

This is where the couple lived at the time of Bowie’s death.

The Labyrinth actor bought a 14-room property in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982.

He sold the property in 1999 for £2.5 million ($A5 million), apparently because Iman didn’t like the quiet Swiss life.

That same year, the rocker also sold a Los Angeles property for an estimated £5 million ($A10 million), according to the Daily Mail.

The Labyrinth actor bought a 14-room property in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1982. Photo: Provided

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The Let’s Dance singer owned a 5-bedroom Caribbean home on the island of Mustique.

Known as the Mandalay Estate, Bowie’s residence was built in 1989. He sold it in 1995 for US$5 million ($A7.5 million).

In recent years, property has been available to rent for $US40,000 ($A60,000) to $US70,000 ($A105,000) a week.

The Let’s Dance singer owned a 5-bedroom Caribbean home on the island of Mustique. Photo: Provided

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In 2011, Bowie and Iman privately bought a three-bedroom house in Upstate New York for $US1.98million ($A2.9 million).

The family later renovated the home, adding two more bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as large windows to showcase the beautiful views.

“They intended it to be their forever home, a place to be when they were old and gray,” model, activist and friend of Iman Bethann Hardison told Vogue in 2021.

Bowie and Iman renovated the New York home, adding two more bedrooms and bathrooms. Photo: Instagram

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Who Inherited David Bowie’s Estate?

According to his will, Bowie ordered that his property and money be divided between his wife, his two children, Duncan Jones and Lexi Zahra Jones, his assistant and former nanny.

Iman received nearly half of his fortune, as well as the couple’s house on Lafayette Street in Manhattan, Page Six reported.

He received an estimated $50 million ($A75 million) settlement handled by two of Bowie’s lawyers. He told his lawyers to pay his wife the trust’s income four times a year.

Iman may ask for more money to support her “health, education and upkeep,” the will said.

Bowie’s wife Iman received almost half of his fortune when he died. Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

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Bowie’s son Duncan received a quarter of his father’s estate. Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

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Bowie’s son Duncan, whose mother is actress Angela Barnett, received about $US25 million ($A37 million), a quarter of his father’s estate.

Like her half-brother, Lexi, Bowie and Iman’s daughter, also inherited 25 percent of his assets, which were held in trust until she turned 25.

Lexi found her father’s vacation home on Little Tonshi Mountain in upstate New York.

Bowie recorded several million dollars for his beloved house staff, too.

Marion Skene, from Switzerland, who was Duncan’s nanny, won a whopping $US1 million ($A1.5 million).

His friend and assistant Corinne Coco Schwab of Manhattan, whom he named as his daughter’s guardian in case her mother dies before she turns 18, received US2 million ($A3 million).

In January 2022, Bowie’s estate sold his publishing catalog to Warner Chappell for $US250 million ($A375 million).

The deal covers more than six decades of music, 26 studio albums released during his lifetime, one posthumous album, and nearly 400 songs.

Portions of this story originally appeared on Page Six and are republished with permission.

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