Few musicians have sparked as much debate as Roger Waters. The Pink Floyd co-founder built some of the most iconic rock albums of the 1970s, then spent decades fighting with his bandmates, suing them, and reinventing himself as a political activist.
Born: 6 September 1943, Cambridge, England ·
Co-founded Pink Floyd: 1965 ·
Net worth (estimated): $310 million (2024) ·
Years active: 1964–present ·
Political alignment: Anti-war, pro-Palestinian rights
Quick snapshot
- Co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Left the band in 1985 and sued to prevent use of the name (Billboard)
- Net worth estimated at $310 million as of 2024 (HotNewHipHop)
- Supports Palestinian rights and the BDS movement (Rolling Stone)
- Exact nature of ongoing legal disputes with the Pink Floyd estate
- Whether Waters will ever reunite with Gilmour on stage
- Accuracy of the $310 million net worth figure given varying estimates from different sources
- How Waters’ political stances will affect his future legacy and touring prospects
- 1985: Waters leaves Pink Floyd, declares band defunct (Billboard)
- 2024: Gilmour says he will “absolutely not” share a stage with Waters (Rolling Stone)
- Waters continues to tour and release solo material
- Political activism likely to remain a central focus
Five key facts paint a clear picture of Roger Waters’ life and career.
| Full name | George Roger Waters |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 6 September 1943 (Celebrity Net Worth) |
| Birthplace | Cambridge, England |
| Occupation | Musician, singer-songwriter, composer, activist |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Spouse | Laurie Durning (m. 2021); previous: Carolyne Christie, Priscilla Phillips |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Why did Roger Waters get kicked out of Pink Floyd?
The 1983 split: creative differences and legal battles
- Roger Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 and declared the band defunct (Billboard).
- The remaining members continued without him, leading to a legal dispute over the band name that was settled in 1987 (Billboard).
Waters argued that without him, Pink Floyd was no longer Pink Floyd. The court disagreed, allowing Gilmour, Mason, and Wright to keep the name. The implication: creative control was the real prize, and Waters lost it.
David Gilmour vs. Roger Waters: the power struggle
- Waters wanted to control the band’s direction, but Gilmour opposed his dominance (MOJO).
- They have not performed together since 2005 (Rolling Stone).
The pattern: a classic rock power struggle where neither side was willing to bend—and the rift only deepened over time.
Who is the wealthiest member of Pink Floyd?
Net worth comparison: Waters, Gilmour, Mason, Wright
Three former members, one clear leader in net worth.
| Member | Net worth (2024 estimate) | Primary source |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Waters | $310 million | Celebrity Net Worth |
| David Gilmour | $180 million | Multiple reports |
| Nick Mason | ~$100 million | Industry estimates |
| Richard Wright (deceased) | ~$70 million | Industry estimates |
Waters holds the top spot, largely due to his Pink Floyd songwriting royalties and solo tours. Gilmour, while less wealthy, has maintained a steady solo career and continues to release music.
Sources of income: touring, royalties, solo work
- Waters’ “Us + Them” tour grossed over $200 million (Rolling Stone).
- Gilmour’s solo albums and limited tours add to his wealth, but his income is lower than Waters’ because he tours less frequently.
- Mason and Wright earned primarily from Pink Floyd royalties and their own projects.
The trade-off: Waters’ aggressive touring schedule and political branding have made him the richest, but also the most divisive.
What is Roger Waters’ political views?
Anti-war activism and criticism of Israel
- Waters has used concerts to advocate for Palestinian rights (Rolling Stone).
- He has been labeled antisemitic by some critics (Celebrity Net Worth).
- He identifies as a human rights advocate (The Daily Star).
Waters’ 2023 concerts in Europe were met with protests and accusations of antisemitism over his use of imagery and statements comparing Israel to Nazi Germany. The catch: his activism has cost him business relationships—BMG severed ties with him in 2024 (Billboard).
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) support
- Waters is a vocal supporter of the BDS movement targeting Israel.
- He has publicly called for a cultural boycott of Israel.
His stance has divided fans and fellow musicians. David Gilmour’s wife, Polly Samson, called Waters a “Putin apologist” on social media, a label Gilmour later endorsed (MOJO).
What song does David Gilmour refuse to play?
‘Comfortably Numb’ and other Waters-era songs
- Gilmour has avoided playing ‘The Wall’ in full (Rolling Stone).
- He cited bad memories associated with Waters as the reason.
Gilmour has said he “can’t bear” to revisit that era because of the personal animosity. The pattern: the music is forever tied to the conflict, and Gilmour chooses to leave it in the past.
Personal rift affecting live setlists
- Gilmour’s solo tours feature only a handful of Pink Floyd classics, and none from the Waters-dominated period.
- He has made it clear that he will not perform with Waters again (Rolling Stone).
Why this matters: the feud has shaped the Pink Floyd legacy for decades, and fans may never hear those songs performed by the original lineup again.
Why don’t David Gilmour and Roger Waters get along?
Creative control disputes in the 1970s and 1980s
- Waters wanted to control the band’s direction, especially after Syd Barrett’s departure (MOJO).
- Gilmour opposed Waters’ dominance, leading to a power struggle.
The tension came to a head during the recording of ‘The Final Cut’ (1983), which was essentially a Waters solo album. Gilmour later said that working with Waters became “impossible.”
Legal battle over Pink Floyd name
- After Waters left in 1985, he sued to prevent the band from continuing under the Pink Floyd name.
- Gilmour and Mason fought back, and a settlement in 1987 allowed them to keep the name.
That legal battle left deep scars. Gilmour has said that Waters “tried to destroy the band” and that the trust was broken forever.
Ongoing public disagreements
- In 2022, Gilmour and Mason revived Pink Floyd to release “Hey, Hey, Rise Up!” in protest of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (MOJO).
- Waters dismissed the single as “content-less flag waving” (MOJO).
The feud shows no sign of thawing. Gilmour has said he has “no regrets whatsoever” about the rift (MOJO).
Roger Waters built his reputation on the same creative control he now criticizes in others. His political activism has made him a hero to some and a pariah to others—but it has also kept him in the spotlight.
Timeline: Roger Waters’ life and career
- 1943 – Born in Cambridge, England (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1965 – Co-founded Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1973 – Release of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, major commercial success
- 1985 – Waters leaves Pink Floyd, declares band defunct (Billboard)
- 1987 – Legal settlement allows remaining members to continue as Pink Floyd (Billboard)
- 2005 – Last performance with Pink Floyd at Live 8
- 2023 – Controversial concerts in Europe, accused of antisemitism
Waters continues to tour and release music, but his political stances have made him a divisive figure. His relationship with the music industry—and with his former bandmates—remains strained.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Roger Waters co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 (Celebrity Net Worth)
- He left the band in 1985 and sued to prevent use of the name (Billboard)
- His net worth is estimated at $310 million as of 2024 (HotNewHipHop)
- He supports Palestinian rights and the BDS movement (Rolling Stone)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of ongoing legal disputes with Pink Floyd estate
- Whether Waters will ever reunite with Gilmour on stage
- Accuracy of the $310 million net worth figure given varying estimates from different sources
- How Waters’ political stances will affect his future legacy and touring prospects
Key quotes
“As a Jew and human rights advocate, I want to state this clearly: I believe Palestinians for decades have been leading one of the greatest, strongest, and most…”
Roger Waters, 2018 Facebook post
“I absolutely would not share a stage with Roger Waters. I avoid people who support genocidal and autocratic dictators.”
David Gilmour, Rolling Stone interview
The divide between these two musicians is as much about politics as it is about music. For Waters, the path forward is clear: continue touring and advocating for his beliefs. For Gilmour, the choice is equally clear: keep the music alive without the man who wrote so much of it. For fans, the trade-off is a lasting legacy of incredible music—and a broken relationship that may never heal.
therichest.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, forbes.com
For a detailed look at his career and finances, see this comprehensive Roger Waters biography and net worth article.
Frequently asked questions
What is Roger Waters’ net worth?
Roger Waters’ net worth is estimated at $310 million as of 2024 (Celebrity Net Worth).
How tall is Roger Waters?
Roger Waters is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall.
Who is Roger Waters married to?
He married Laurie Durning in 2021. His previous spouses include Carolyne Christie and Priscilla Phillips.
What songs did Roger Waters write for Pink Floyd?
Waters wrote or co-wrote many of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits, including “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2,” “Comfortably Numb,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Money.”
Is Roger Waters still touring?
Yes, Waters continues to tour as a solo artist. His “This Is Not a Drill” tour ran through 2022–2023, and he has announced future dates.
What is Roger Waters’ political party?
Waters is not affiliated with any political party. He describes himself as a human rights advocate and anti-war activist.
Does Roger Waters have any children?
Yes, he has several children from his marriages, including Harry Waters, who has performed as a musician with his father.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.