Net Worth Ranker
What Is Karen Clark Sheard’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Karen Clark Sheard, a prominent American gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and businesswoman, has an estimated net worth of $10 million [3, 4, 5]. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to her successful career in gospel music, both as a solo artist and as a member of the acclaimed gospel group, The Clark Sisters [4, 6, 7]. Her influence extends beyond gospel music, with artists like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Faith Evans citing her as a major singing influence [5, 12, 16].
Sources of Income and Career Highlights
Karen Clark Sheard’s income is derived from various sources within the music industry and beyond [15, 22, 23]:
- Music Career: Her primary income source is her music career, encompassing album sales, live performances, and royalties. She has released five solo albums and 17 albums with The Clark Sisters [2, 3].
- The Clark Sisters: Karen is the youngest member of the Clark Sisters, formed in 1973. The group has sold more albums than any other female gospel group [1, 5, 7, 19]. Some of their biggest crossover hits include “Is My Living in Vain?”, “Hallelujah”, and “You Brought the Sunshine” [19].
- Solo Career: Karen launched her solo career in 1997 with the album “Finally Karen,” which was nominated for a Grammy and sold nearly half a million copies [1, 9, 11, 16]. It reached #28 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #2 on the U.S. Billboard Gospel Albums chart [1, 2].
- Songwriting: Sheard won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song as the songwriter for “Blessed & Highly Favored” sung by The Clark Sisters in 2008 [1, 2].
- Karew Records: In early 2009, Karen and her husband, Bishop J. Drew Sheard, launched their record label, Karew Records, in partnership with EMI Gospel [2, 1]. The Clark Sisters’ Christmas album was the first project released from the label [2].
- Endorsements and Business Ventures: She has also secured endorsement deals and ventured into entrepreneurial projects, contributing to her financial portfolio [15, 23].
Musical Achievements and Awards
Throughout her career, Karen Clark Sheard has achieved significant milestones, both as a solo artist and with The Clark Sisters [8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 22]:
- Grammy Awards: She has won four Grammy Awards [3, 12, 22]. In 2008, she won a Grammy for Best Gospel Song for “Blessed & Highly Favored,” performed by The Clark Sisters [1, 2, 9]. She also won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for “Wait on the Lord” with Donnie McClurkin in 2010 [1, 2]. The Clark Sisters won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album for “Live…One Last Time” in 2008 [8, 9, 16].
- Stellar Awards: Karen is a multiple Stellar Award winner [3, 12, 16, 22].
- Solo Albums: Her debut album, “Finally Karen,” released in 1997, was nominated for a Grammy Award and won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award [1, 2, 9]. Her album “Destined to Win,” released in 2015, became her highest-charting and fastest-selling album in her solo career, reaching number 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart [1, 2].
- The Clark Sisters’ Success: The Clark Sisters have won three Grammy Awards [8, 19, 22]. In 1983, their song “You Brought the Sunshine” peaked at #16 on the Billboard Black Singles chart [9, 20]. The Clark Sisters have recorded 20 albums, including GMA Dove Award-winner and GRAMMY® Award-nominated Heart and Soul (1987) and GRAMMY® Award- nominated Conqueror (1988) and Sincerely (1983) [9, 16]. The group’s album, “Is My Living in Vain,” topped the Billboard gospel charts for more than a year [14].
Real Estate and Personal Life
Karen Clark Sheard resides in Detroit, Michigan, with her husband, Bishop J. Drew Sheard [1, 4]. As leaders in the community and the Church of God in Christ, their home is likely well-appointed for family, religious gatherings, and work-related events [4]. Karen and Bishop J. Drew Sheard partnered together and launched a new record label entitled Karew Records [2]. Karen Clark Sheard is also the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, with whom she frequently collaborates [1, 2, 22, 25]. She has two children, Kierra Sheard and J. Drew Sheard II, who have followed in her musical footsteps [1, 2, 26].
