Christopher Cross Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Christopher Cross is a Grammy- and Oscar-winning American singer-songwriter best known for chart-topping soft-rock classics such as “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).”

Introduction

Christopher Cross (born Christopher Charles Geppert on May 3, 1951) emerged from San Antonio, Texas to become a defining voice in the yacht-rock and adult-contemporary scene. With an estimated net worth of roughly $10 million.  His birthdate is May 3, and he celebrates his birthday each year on that day. In his personal life, he has been married twice and is a father of two. 

Quick Facts

From Texas Roots to Grammy Gold

Christopher Cross’s story begins as the son of a U.S. Army pediatrician, growing up in a military family environment in San Antonio, Texas.  He picked up guitar early and, by his late teens, joined local bands while refining his songwriting. One of the defining moments in his journey: moving to Austin, honing his sound, and ultimately landing a solo deal with Warner Bros.

Defining moments in Christopher Cross’s journey include:

• Self-titled debut album Christopher Cross (1979) breaking out with “Ride Like the Wind” and “Sailing”. 

• Becoming the first artist in Grammy history to win the “big four” general-field awards (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist) all in the same ceremony. 

• Co-writing and recording “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”, which topped the charts and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

• Weathering the shift in musical tastes through the 1980s and beyond, while maintaining a dedicated fan base and touring.

Through his rise, Cross blended impeccable production, soaring melodies, and a smooth vocal style that resonated globally. His age/birthdate (May 3, 1951) anchors a career that has spanned decades without relying on fleeting trends.

Main Sources of Wealth

The core pillars of Christopher Cross’s wealth include:

• Album sales and royalties – His early albums sold multiple millions of copies, particularly his debut, which achieved at least five-times platinum certification in the U.S. 

• Publishing and songwriting credits – Hits like “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme” continue to generate performance royalties from radio, streaming, sync licensing and film use.

• Live performances and touring – Although his commercial visibility shifted after the 1980s, Cross has maintained touring income globally, particularly on legacy and nostalgia circuits.

• Catalog exploitation and licensing – His back catalogue has been reissued, and songs have been licensed for films, commercials and streaming platforms, adding incremental revenue.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

While some more recent sources suggest an estimate of about $11 million.  It’s important to note that net worth estimates are approximate and vary depending on asset valuations, liabilities and revenue timing.

Relationships & Family Life

Though Christopher Cross achieved global stardom, his personal life has generally remained private. He married his first wife, Roseann Harrison, in 1973; the two divorced in 1982.  In 1988 he married Jan Bunch; that marriage ended in divorce in 2007. He has two children: Madison and Rain.

Key insights into Christopher Cross’s relationships and personal life:

• Two publicly documented marriages, both lasting roughly a decade or more.

• Both children are from his second marriage (with Jan Bunch).

• Provides minimal commentary on romantic relationships in the media, reflecting a preference for privacy.

• Despite his high-profile career, he has defined his personal life more by family and craft than by celebrity relationships.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Christopher Cross leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Maintaining touring activity and live performances well beyond his commercial peak, showing dedication to craft and audience.

• Investing time in songwriting, studio work and reissues of his catalogue—evidence of an artist who remains active rather than altogether retired.

• Given the size of his net worth, largely modest compared to many major stars, his lifestyle appears aligned with stability and legacy rather than extravagant excess.

• Engaging in musical collaborations and mentorship, especially in his home-base of Austin, which has long served as a hub for his creative life.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

In public view, Christopher Cross holds a unique place in music history. He is often cited as a pioneer of the soft-rock/adult-contemporary style that came to be dubbed “yacht rock”. His early success, particularly the sweep at the Grammys and the Oscar-winning song, cemented his reputation as a peak act of that era. 

Critically, his legacy is mixed: while the commercial heights of his early career were remarkable, his later commercial visibility dipped as musical trends changed. Yet among fans and musicians he remains influential for his songwriting craftsmanship, melodic sense, and seamless blend of pop and soft rock. His personal journey—marked by resilience, private relationships, and long-term dedication—adds to his public image as an artist who worked steadily rather than simply chasing fame.

Conclusion

From his birthdate on May 3, 1951 to the day his debut album vaulted him into the spotlight, Christopher Cross’s story is one of musical excellence and measured achievement. With an estimated net worth around $10 million, he has transformed early major success into a sustained career driven by songwriting, touring and legacy management. His relationships, while private, reflect the quieter side of a global musician: two marriages, two children, and a preference for life beyond the tabloid spotlight. On each birthday of May 3, we are reminded of the man behind classics like “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme”—an artist who not only rode the waves of success, but continues to navigate his own course with integrity and purpose.