Tito Puente Net Worth

August 2024 · 10 minute read

Ernesto Antonio Puente net worth is
$5 Million

Ernesto Antonio Puente Wiki Biography

Ernesto Antonio Puente was born on 20th April 1923, in Manhattan, New York City USA, and was a musician, song writer as well as record producer. He was a very popular and prolific Puerto Rican musician, who recorded more than 100 albums of Latin music, and is still nicknamed The King of Latin Music. Puente won his first Grammy Award in 1979 for the album “A Tribute to Beny Moré”, and subsequently received a total of five Grammys, the latest of which came in 2000 from the album “Mambo Birdland”. He was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Puente had been active in the entertainment industry from 1946 to 2000, when he passed away.

How much is the net worth of Tito Puente? It has been calculated by authoritative sources that the overall size of his net worth is as much as $5 million, as of the data presented in the middle of 2017. Music was the main source of Puente’s modest fortune.

Tito Puente Net Worth $5 Million

To begin with, from an early age he was interested in percussion, and at the age of 13 he played as a drummer in Ramon Olivero’s big band, before studying composition, orchestration and piano at the Juilliard School of Music. From his childhood he learned to dance, and dance became a major axis of his musical career.

Puente began his full-time career playing with the Cuban pianist José Curbelo, then with Johnny Rodríguez, Anselmo Sacassas and Noro Morales. In 1942, he played with Machito and then went to serve in the US Navy during World War II. In 1945, he returned to New York and worked with José Curbello, Fernando Alvarez, Charlie Palmieri and Pupi Campo. Then, he formed the orchestra Piccadilly Boys, with which he released several albums. In 1949, he began to play the vibraphone too, followed by the congas, piano and occasionally clarinet as well as saxophone. During the 1950s, he played mambo almost every night at the Palladium Ballroom in New York, a meeting place of American stars, all of which laid the base of his net worth.

He was the only non-Cuban artist to be invited to Cuba in 1952 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Cuban music. In 1956, he turned to jazz with the album “Puente Goes Jazz”, and then to the bossa nova during the 1960s. However, Tito recorded dozens of albums touching many different styles, and especially salsa in the 1980s. He also played with the greatest jazz musicians, from Miles Davis to Lionel Hampton, from Dizzy Gillespie to Dexter Gordon. In 1962, he composed “Oye Como Va” which was a huge success in 1970s, thanks to the cover of Carlos Santana. In the late 1970s, he joined the Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble with which he recorded two albums, and went on tour in Europe and Japan. In the 1980s, he moved towards instrumental music and jazz, and among others worked with pianists Jorge Dalto and Sonny Bravo as well as percussionists Dandy Rodríguez and José Madera.

He was also an actor in the second half of his life, to give example, starring in the feature film “The Mambo Kings”, which was shot in 1992. In the 1980s, he appeared several times on TV in the “Cosby Show”. In 1995, he also made a guest appearance in the animated series “The Simpsons”.

Finally, in the personal life of Tito Puente, he was married to Margaret Asencio from 1963, and they had two children together. He died of a heart attack on 1st June 2000 in New York City.


Full NameTito Puente
Net Worth$5 Million
Date Of BirthApril 20, 1923 New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 2000 (aged 77) New York City, New York, U.S.
ProfessionMusician, songwriter, record producer
EducationJuilliard School of Music
NationalityPuerto Rican, American
SpouseMargaret Asencio (m.1963-2000, his death)
ChildrenTito Puente Jr., Audrey Puente, Richard Puente
ParentsErnest Puente, Ercilia Puente, Oye Como Va, Ran|Kan|Kan, Lola
SiblingsAnna Puente, Alberto Puente, Oye Como Va, Ran|Kan|Kan, Lola
IMDBwww.imdb.com/name/nm0005328
Allmusichttps://www.allmusic.com/artist/tito-puente-mn0000607283
AwardsGrammy Hall of Fame (2002), Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2003), Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, Inductee into the National Congressional Record (1992), James Smithson Bicentennial Medal (1993, from the Smithsonian), National Medal of Arts (1997),
AlbumsPuente in Percussion (1956), Dance Mania (1958), Top Percussion (1958), Puente Goes Jazz (1956), Tito Puente and His Concert Orchestra (1973), Mambo Birdland (2000), Tito Puente Greatest Hits: Tito Puente Vol. 2 (2011)
Music GroupsPiccadilly Boys
NominationsStar on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (1990), Star on the Walk of Fame (2005, Union City's Celia Cruz Park), Honorary Decree from the Los Angeles City Council (1984)
MoviesArmed and Dangerous (1986), Radio Days (1987), The Mambo Kings (1992), Stripes (1981)
TV ShowsTito Puente: The King of Latin Music (2000), Cosby Show (1980), Profiles Featuring Tito Puente Jr. (2007), Latin Knights (2005), Calle 54 (2000, documentary), The Simpsons (1995), Tito Puente - Live in Montreal (Montreal Jazz Festival, 1983, 2003)
#Trademark
1Latin Percussion (LP) timbales
2His facial expressions while he played his timbales
3He was a Latin percussionist and musician
#Quote
1If there is no dance, there is not music.
2By the year 2000, I want to be the first Latin musician to play on the moon.
#Fact
1Following his death, he was interred at Saint Anthony's Church Cemetery in Nanuet, Rockland County, New York.
2Pictured on one of five nondenominated USA commemorative stamps honoring Latin Music Legends, issued on 16 March 2011; price on day of issue was 44¢. The other stamps honored Carmen Miranda, Selena, Carlos Gardel and Celia Cruz.
3He was posthumously awarded a star on the Union City Walk of Fame at Ceila Cruz Park in Union City, New Jersey on June 5, 2005.
4He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 14, 1990.
5He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1997 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.
6Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2001.
7He was the timbalero (timbales player) who began playing the instrument while standing in front of an orchestra. Before Puente, timbales had always been played from a seated postion in the rear of the orchestra.
8Along with Mario Bauza, Machito and Dizzy Gillespie, Puente was responsible for the continued popularity of Afro-Cuban originated Latin jazz well into the later 20th century.
9Godfather of drummer/actress/former Prince protégé, Sheila E..
10Father of singer Tito Puente Jr..
11Father of television news anchor Audrey Puente (works for local NBC station in New York City). She has also worked as a meteorologist for WCBS-TV in New York City.
12His son Richard "Richie" Puente (died 2004 of complications following an assault) was a member of the musical group Foxy, which had a major disco song in 1978 with "Get Off" (Dash 5046). The song spent two weeks at #1 on Billboard's R&B charts and went to #9 on the Hot 100 pop charts.

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
American Me1992writer: "Oye Como Va"
Gladiator1992writer: "Latin Till I Die Oye como va"
The Mambo Kings1992performer: "Ran Kan Kan", "Cuban Pete", "Para Los Rumberos" / writer: "Ran Kan Kan", "Para Los Rumberos", "Mambo Gallego"
Hangin' with the Homeboys1991performer: "Four Beat Cha Cha", "Llego Mijan" / writer: "Four Beat Cha Cha", "Llego Mijan"
Havana1990/Iperformer: "Cuban's Nightmare" / writer: "Cuban's Nightmare"
Salsa1988performer: "Oye Como Va", "Mambo Guzon" / writer: "Oye Como Va", "Mambo Guzon"
The Secret of My Succe$s1987writer: "El Catuco"
Radio Days1987performer: "Tico Tico" 1942
The Boss' Wife1986performer: "Carioca", "Equinox"
Armed and Dangerous1986performer: "OYE COMO VA" / producer: "OYE COMO VA" / writer: "OYE COMO VA"
Knight Rider1983TV Series writer - 1 episode
Salsa1976Documentary arranger: "Babarabatiri"
Pleasure Island1975writer: "Oye Como Va" - uncredited
Summer Session1975writer: "Oye Como Va"
Historia de un marido infiel1956writer: "Ran Can Can"
Loco x vos2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dancing with the StarsTV Series 1 episode, 2014 writer - 7 episodes, 2006 - 2012 music - 1 episode, 2008
Chef2014writer: "Oye Como Va"
Cuban Fury2014lyrics: "Tito On Timbales" / music: "Tito On Timbales" / performer: "Mambo Gozon", "Tito On Timbales", "Ah! Ah!", "Matacumbe", "Machito Forever Cut Chemist Remix" / writer: "Mambo Gozon", "Ah! Ah!", "Matacumbe", "Machito Forever Cut Chemist Remix"
So You Think You Can DanceTV Series performer - 6 episodes, 2006 - 2013 writer - 1 episode, 2008
Despicable Me 22013performer: "Cielito Lindo"
Star Trek Into Darkness2013writer: "Body Movin' Fat Boy Slim Remix"
One Hit Wonderland2012TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
What to Expect When You're Expecting2012writer: "Oye Como Va"
Banda sonora2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Tower Heist2011performer: "Mi Bomba Sono"
So You Think You Can Dance CanadaTV Series performer - 5 episodes, 2008 - 2011 writer - 1 episode, 2008
The Loneliest Planet2011writer: "Oye Como Va" - uncredited
Dance Central2010Video Game writer: "Body Movin' Fatboy Slim Remix"
Chico & Rita2010writer: "Mambo Herd"
Warehouse 13TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2010 writer - 1 episode, 2010
Nip/Tuck2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
Supernatural2009TV Series writer - 1 episode
Dzi Croquettes2009Documentary performer: "El Cayuco" / writer: "El Cayuco"
Burn Notice2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
Memòries de la tele2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
Map of the Sounds of Tokyo2009"Four Beat Mambo aka Mambo Solitario"
Middle Men2009performer: "Oye Como Va" / writer: "Oye Como Va"
We Own the Night2007performer: "Mambo Diablo" / writer: "Mambo Diablo"
Delta Farce2007writer: "Oye Como Va"
My Super Ex-Girlfriend2006writer: "Oye Como Va"
Lady in the Water2006writer: "El Cayuco"
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories2006Video Game performer: "Oye Como Va" / writer: "Oye Como Va"
12 and Holding2005writer: "Oye Mi Guaguanaco"
Where the Truth Lies2005writer: "Oye Como Va" 1963
Six Feet Under2004TV Series 1 episode
Eros2004performer: "Tito On Timbales" / writer: "Tito On Timbales"
Wicker Park2004performer: "Ran Kan Kan" / writer: "Ran Kan Kan"
Man on Fire2004writer: "Oye Como Va"
Along Came Polly2004performer: "A GOZAR TIMBERO"
Beyond Borders2003writer: "Oye Como Va"
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City2002Video Game performer: "Mambo Gozon" - as The Tito Puente Orchestra / writer: "Mambo Gozon"
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams2002writer: "Oye Como Spy"
Hollywood Ending2002performer: "Descarga" 1955
Empire2002performer: "Que Te Pedi"
Blow2001performer: "Mambo Gozon" / writer: "Mambo Gozon"
Spy Kids2001writer: "Oye Como Spy"
Born Romantic2000performer: "Ran Kan Kan" / writer: "Oye Como Va", "Ran Kan Kan" - as Puente
Luminarias2000performer: "Love Me"
The Woman Chaser1999performer: "Dance of the Headhunters", "Ritual Drum Dance" / writer: "Dance of the Headhunters", "Ritual Drum Dance"
The Astronaut's Wife1999performer: "Four Beat Cha Cha Cha" / writer: "Four Beat Cha Cha Cha"
Les parasites1999performer: "Yo Quiero Vivir Tranquilo" - as Ernesto Tito Puente / writer: "Yo Quiero Vivir Tranquilo"
A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries1998performer: "Amarra el porto en la dura"
Woo1998writer: "Oye Como Va"
Wild Things1998performer: "Salsa Caliente" / writer: "Salsa Caliente"
The Big Lebowski1998writer: "Oye Como Va"
Out to Sea1997writer: "Oye Como Va" 1963
Keys to Tulsa1997writer: "Oye Como Va"
Harriet the Spy1996performer: "Ran Kan Kan" / writer: "Ran Kan Kan"
Up Close & Personal1996performer: "Hong Kong Mambo" / writer: "Hong Kong Mambo"
The Simpsons1995TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Low Down Dirty Shame1994performer: "AZUKIKI", "OLD ARRIVAL" / writer: "OYE COMO VA", "AZUKIKI"
BaseballTV Mini-Series documentary writer - 1 episode, 1994 performer - 1 episode, 1994
I Like It Like That1994performer: "I Like It"
The Cowboy Way1994performer: "Ran Kan Kan" / writer: "Ran Kan Kan"
Carlito's Way1993writer: "Oye Como Va"

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Mambo Kings1992Tito Puente
Cinemax Sessions1989TV Series
Radio Days1987Latin Bandleader
Armed and Dangerous1986Band Leader
The Cosby Show1986TV SeriesTimbal Player

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Lolita's Dreams1983Short

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sid Bernstein Presents...2010Documentary
From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale2006TV MovieHimself
The Palladium: Where Mambo Was King2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
Calle 542000DocumentaryHimself
Americanos: Latino Life in the United States2000DocumentaryHimself
ABC 2000: The Millennium1999TV Movie documentary
Celia Cruz & Friends: A Night of Salsa1999TV SpecialHimself
The Puerto Ricans: Our American Story1999DocumentaryHimself
Billboard Latin Music Awards1999TV SpecialHimself
Romance del cumbanchero1998Video documentaryHimself
Latino NY Live1998TV SeriesHimself (1998)
RMM 10th. Anniversary Collection VOL. 31997VideoHimself
The 22nd New York Salsa Festival1997Video documentaryHimself
The Best of Latin Jazz1997Video shortHimself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1994-1997TV SeriesHimself
Pa'lante con Cristina1997TV SeriesHimself
Lo + plus1997TV SeriesHimself
From Son to Salsa1996DocumentaryHimself
New York Undercover1996TV SeriesHimself
Gala de la hispanidad1996TV MovieHimself
Lauren Hutton and...1995TV SeriesHimself
The Simpsons1995TV SeriesHimself
Familia RMM Combinacion Perfecta1994Video documentaryHimself
Especial Nochevieja 1993: Este año cruz y raya... seguro1993TV MovieHimself - Performer
Gloria Estefan: Mi Tierra1993TV MovieHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1986-1992TV SeriesHimself / Themselves
The Arsenio Hall Show1991TV SeriesHimself
Un dia és un dia1990TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with David Letterman: 7th Anniversary Special1989TV MovieHimself
Salsa1988Himself
The 30th Annual Grammy Awards1988TV SpecialHimself
Àngel Casas Show1984TV SeriesHimself
Roots of Rhythm1984TV SeriesHimself
Sound Festival1982TV SeriesHimself
Beats of the Heart: Salsa1979TV Movie documentaryHimself
Dinah!1976TV SeriesHimself
All That Jazz1962TV SeriesHimself - Performer

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1990Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameRecordingAwarded on August 14, 1990 at 6933 Hollywood Blvd.

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1996NCLR Bravo AwardNCLR Bravo AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male in a Variety or Music Series/Special

Known for movies


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