Ace Frehley, the legendary KISS lead guitarist, died at the age of 74. Fans were shocked to know that his net worth at the time of his passing away was reportedly lower than anticipated.
On Thursday, October 16, Frehley passed away just weeks after suffering a fall in his studio in September. He reportedly had a brain bleed and was on life support. His official reason for death has not been revealed publicly.
"We are completely devastated and heartbroken," his family mentioned in a statement through Entertainment Weekly. "In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth."
"I mean, I walked out on a $15 million contract. That would be like $100 million today. And my attorney was looking at me like, 'What are you, crazy?'" Frehley cited to Rolling Stone in regard to leaving the deal.
He maintained a 25% share in KISS' partnership till 1985 and then established Frehley's Comet, revealing a self-titled album in 1987. In 1996, KISS got together for a world tour, one of the highest-grossing i the years. Frehley joined in the 1998 album Psycho Circus but exited again in 2002. He continued his solo career, released three more albums and was touring until shortly before his demise.
In 2024, he stated his non participation from European tours:
“Well, there’s a good chance I can make it to Europe in late summer if I get my passport renewed,” Frehley told Finnish music site Chaos Zine. “I’ve been having issues with renewing my passport because I have some problems with the IRS [Internal Revenue Service], and it’s not really the passport bureau but the IRS. Since I owe the IRS a couple of hundred grand, and they just instituted a new law that if you owe more than $50,000, they won’t renew your passport.”
Finally, Frehley canceled the remaining tour schedules in early October in regard to "ongoing medical issues."
He was the lead guitarist for the rock band KISS and a solo artist. He was popular for his influential style and stage appearance.
Q2. When did Ace Frehley pass away?
Frehley passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025. His demise followed a fall and a brain bleed.
On Thursday, October 16, Frehley passed away just weeks after suffering a fall in his studio in September. He reportedly had a brain bleed and was on life support. His official reason for death has not been revealed publicly.
"We are completely devastated and heartbroken," his family mentioned in a statement through Entertainment Weekly. "In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth."
Net Worth at the Time of Death
As per the Celebrity Net Worth, Frehley had an estimated amount of $1 million at the time of his death. This sum featured his earnings both as a member of KISS and as a solo performer.Career Highlights
Frehley joined KISS in 1973 along with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss. In 1978, all four founding members declared self-titled solo albums simultaneously. Throughout his career, Frehley encountered challenges with substance abuse and disagreements with his bandmates, finally leaving KISS in 1982 and exiting from a $15 million agreement."I mean, I walked out on a $15 million contract. That would be like $100 million today. And my attorney was looking at me like, 'What are you, crazy?'" Frehley cited to Rolling Stone in regard to leaving the deal.
He maintained a 25% share in KISS' partnership till 1985 and then established Frehley's Comet, revealing a self-titled album in 1987. In 1996, KISS got together for a world tour, one of the highest-grossing i the years. Frehley joined in the 1998 album Psycho Circus but exited again in 2002. He continued his solo career, released three more albums and was touring until shortly before his demise.
Financial Challenges
Frehley had financial struggles, including failing to settle $735,000 in mortgage debt and property taxes of two years on his Yorktown, New York home, which resulted in the foreclosure in February 2013.In 2024, he stated his non participation from European tours:
“Well, there’s a good chance I can make it to Europe in late summer if I get my passport renewed,” Frehley told Finnish music site Chaos Zine. “I’ve been having issues with renewing my passport because I have some problems with the IRS [Internal Revenue Service], and it’s not really the passport bureau but the IRS. Since I owe the IRS a couple of hundred grand, and they just instituted a new law that if you owe more than $50,000, they won’t renew your passport.”
Finally, Frehley canceled the remaining tour schedules in early October in regard to "ongoing medical issues."
FAQs:
Q1. Who was Ace Frehley?He was the lead guitarist for the rock band KISS and a solo artist. He was popular for his influential style and stage appearance.
Q2. When did Ace Frehley pass away?
Frehley passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025. His demise followed a fall and a brain bleed.
