Peter Criss Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Get the full story on Peter Criss: net worth, personal relationships, age/birthdate and birthday — a complete portrait of the rock legend.
loveness92 
Peter Criss Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
Peter Criss is an American rock musician best known as the co-founding drummer and vocalist of the band Kiss.
Introduction
Peter Criss (born December 20, 1945) is a seminal figure in rock music, celebrated for his powerful drumming, emotive vocals on hits like “Beth,” and his enduring legacy as the original “Catman” persona in Kiss. His journey from Brooklyn kid to rock icon encompasses triumphs, setbacks and reinvention. His estimated net worth is around $5 million, and he is publicly known to be married to Gigi Criss.
Quick Facts (Table Summary)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Peter John Criscuola |
| Age/Birthdate | December 20, 1945 |
| Birthday | December 20 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Musician (Drummer & Vocalist) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$5 million (verified estimate) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Gigi Criss |
| Known For | Co-founding drummer of Kiss; “Beth” vocal performance |
From Brooklyn Beginnings to Rock Stardom
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 20--1945, Peter Criss grew up in a working-class Italian-American family. He began his musical journey immersed in jazz and swing influences, even studying under his idol Gene Krupa in New York.
His breakthrough came when he answered a “musician wanted” ad in Rolling Stone magazine, which led to his meeting with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and the formation of Kiss in 1973. With Kiss, Criss developed his “Catman” persona and delivered the iconic ballad “Beth,” which became the band’s highest-charting U.S. single.
Defining moments in Peter Criss’s journey include:
-
Placing the advertisement that helped form Kiss
-
Singing the No. 7 hit “Beth” and earning a People’s Choice Award
-
Departing Kiss in 1980, rejoining for reunions, and exiting again
-
Battling male breast cancer (2008 diagnosis) and speaking publicly about it
The Core Pillars of Peter Criss’s Wealth
The core pillars of Peter Criss’s wealth include:
-
Music royalties & performances – Earnings from his years as drummer/vocalist in Kiss and his solo work
-
Real-estate investment – A noteworthy home purchase documented by Forbes as a $1.88 million manor in Greenwich Country Manor.
-
Merchandise & licensing – Ongoing revenue from Kiss branding, merchandise sales and catalog licensing
-
Brand partnerships & personal appearances – Though less documented, these supplement his income
Relationships & Family Life
Peter Criss’s personal life has been as dynamic as his career. Below are the most public details:
Key insights into Peter Criss’s relationships and personal life:
-
He first married Lydia Di Leonardo around 1970; they later divorced.
-
His second marriage was to fashion model and former Playboy playmate Debra Jensen (from 1979 to 1994); they have a daughter together born in 1981.
-
In May 1998, he married his third wife, Gigi Criss, and they have stayed together since.
-
Criss has publicly acknowledged his battle with breast cancer and the pivotal role his family and partner played in supporting him.
Lifestyle, Assets & Interests
Beyond his music career, Peter Criss leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
-
Ownership of a notable home (Greenwich Country Manor) reported at $1.88 million by Forbes.
-
A long-time collector of drums and percussion gear, befitting his “Catman” identity
-
Advocacy and awareness work for men’s health, especially male breast cancer – a cause he embraced after his diagnosis
-
An affinity for low-key public appearances, preferring private life away from the constant touring grind
Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis
Evaluating Peter Criss’s net worth involves multiple sources and a conservative view of his assets:
| Category | Estimated Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ventures (music, royalties) | ~$3 million | Celebrity Net Worth & others |
| Real-Estate & Investments | ~$1.9 million | Forbes article |
| Brand Deals & Partnerships | ~$0.1–0.2 million | Estimated (limited public data) |
Together, these figures align with the widely-circulated estimate of approximately $5 million for Peter Criss’s net worth.
Public Image, Legacy & Influence
Peter Criss’s public image is shaped by his role as one of the original members of Kiss, his distinctive “Catman” make-up, and his raw drumming style. Over the decades, he has been viewed as a pioneering figure who bridged rock theatrics and musicianship.
His influence remains strong among drummers and rock fans alike: songs he sang (including “Beth” and “Hard Luck Woman”) helped broaden Kiss’s appeal beyond hard-rock audiences. His openness about male breast cancer added another dimension to his legacy, bringing awareness to a lesser-known men’s health issue.
In industry commentary, he’s recognized not just as a performer but as a survivor of the often unstable lifestyle of rock stardom—someone who built a lasting legacy despite lineup changes, health scares and band drama.
Conclusion
Peter Criss’s journey—from Brooklyn drummer to rock legend—is one of resilience, creativity and authenticity. Born December 20--1945, he celebrates his birthday every December 20, and his age/birthdate remains a cornerstone of his personal narrative. With an estimated net worth of around $5 million and a marriage to Gigi that has stood the test of time, his relationships and personal life underscore his transition from rock-and-roll chaos to grounded maturity. As a musician, survivor and advocate, Peter Criss has crafted a legacy far beyond the upper-reaches of the Billboard charts—a legacy that continues to resonate with the “Kiss Army” and beyond.
