Keith Richards: Health, Net Worth, and Jagger Friendship

The Rolling Stones guitarist has outlived, outplayed, and outlasted nearly every rock cliché tossed his way. Here’s a look at what we actually know about his health, his wealth, and his famously complicated bond with Mick Jagger — backed by the facts that separate the legend from the lore.

Age: 82 years old (born December 18, 1943) ·
Net worth: Estimated $500 million ·
Years active: Since 1962 ·
Band: The Rolling Stones ·
Spouse: Patti Hansen (married 1983) ·
Children: 5

Here are the verified facts across the key dimensions of Keith Richards’ life.

What condition does Keith Richards have?

Despite decades of hard living, Keith Richards has not publicly disclosed a specific chronic medical condition. However, Parade lifestyle magazine reports that he is widely believed to have arthritis affecting his hands and guitar playing. In 2006, he underwent brain surgery after falling from a coconut tree in Fiji, an event he described as a wake-up call.

Has Keith Richards quit smoking?

• After decades as a heavy smoker, Richards said in a 2026 interview that he had quit smoking and now listens to his body. The claim has not been independently verified, but aligns with his recent public appearances. (Far Out Magazine music journalism)

How has Keith Richards maintained his health?

• Richards attributes his longevity to a combination of genetics and a pragmatic approach: “I tended to listen to my body just before it screamed for help.” He has also overcome addiction, getting clean from heroin in 1978 according to Grunge entertainment site.

Are Keith Richards and Mick Jagger still friends?

Their relationship has been described as “love/hate” by Wikipedia encyclopedic reference, but the core bond endures. Richards and Jagger met as teenagers in Dartford, England in 1960, and their creative partnership defined the Rolling Stones’ catalog. Vanity Fair culture journalism notes that by the late 1970s they had drifted apart, but the band’s 2023 album Hackney Diamonds marked a thaw.

How did Keith Richards and Mick Jagger meet?

• They reconnected at a train station in Dartford after discovering a shared love of blues records. Vanity Fair culture journalism calls it “one of the most consequential chance meetings in rock history.”

Have Keith Richards and Mick Jagger ever had disagreements?

• Richards characterized their differences as a “family squabble” in a 1998 interview (Wikipedia encyclopedic reference). The most public feud erupted in the 1980s over Jagger’s solo career and the band’s direction.

What is the current status of their friendship?

• Richards told Far Out Magazine music journalism: “Mick and I may not be friends – too much wear and tear for that. But we’re the closest of brothers, and that can’t be severed.” In a 2024 interview, Jagger joked that the secret to their longevity was “Not speaking too often!” (Grunge entertainment site).

Who’s richer, Mick Jagger or Keith Richards?

Mick Jagger is generally considered the wealthier of the two, but both sit in the same stratosphere. Let’s compare their estimated net worth and career milestones.

The implication: both derive massive income from the Rolling Stones’ touring and catalog. Legit.ng entertainment news notes that the figures are estimates, not audited disclosures. The gap between them is likely smaller than their fans assume.

What are the main sources of Keith Richards’ income?

• Royalties from the Rolling Stones’ catalog (including hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”)
• Revenue from world tours, often grossing hundreds of millions per tour
• Publishing rights from his songwriting partnership with Jagger
• Advance from his autobiography Life (2010) and acting fees

What happened to Keith Richards?

Keith Richards’ life is a series of improbable turns. Born in Dartford, England in 1943, he formed the Rolling Stones in 1962 with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones. His drug arrests, heroin addiction, and a 2006 brain surgery are well-documented, but he continues to tour and record as of 2026.

What major life events have shaped Keith Richards?

• 1962: Forms the Rolling Stones (Wikipedia encyclopedic reference)
• 1965: First drug arrest
• 1970s: Heroin addiction; continues recording and touring
• 1983: Marries model Patti Hansen
• 2006: Falls from a coconut tree in Fiji, undergoes brain surgery (Vanity Fair culture journalism)
• 2010: Publishes autobiography Life
• 2026: Continues performing with the Rolling Stones

What was Keith Richards’ early life like?

• Raised in a working-class family; his grandfather introduced him to guitar. He was expelled from school for truancy before enrolling at Sidcup Art College, where he met future bandmates.

What has Keith Richards been doing recently?

• As of 2026, he is still active with the Rolling Stones, having completed a tour supporting Hackney Diamonds. He also gave a rare health update to Far Out Magazine music journalism, confirming he had quit smoking.

What role did Keith Richards play in Pirates of the Caribbean?

Keith Richards popped up on screen as Captain Teague, the father of Jack Sparrow, in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Johnny Depp reportedly modeled Jack Sparrow’s swagger after Richards, and the guitarist appeared in At World’s End (2007) and On Stranger Tides (2011).

How did Keith Richards get into acting?

• His cameo was a direct result of Depp’s admiration. Depp once said, “I always thought Keith Richards was the coolest man in the world.” The role was largely a one-liner appearance, but it cemented his pop-culture status.

Does Keith Richards have other acting credits?

• He appeared in the documentary Stones in Exile and had a cameo in the TV series The Simpsons (as himself). His acting career is minor compared to his music, but the pirate role remains his most famous on-screen moment.

Timeline: Key Events in Keith Richards’ Life

• 1943: Keith Richards born in Dartford, England
• 1962: Forms the Rolling Stones with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones
• 1965: First drug arrest
• 1970s: Heroin addiction; continues recording and touring
• 1983: Marries model Patti Hansen
• 2006: Falls from a coconut tree in Fiji, undergoes brain surgery (Vanity Fair culture journalism)
• 2010: Publishes autobiography Life
• 2026: Continues performing with the Rolling Stones; gives interview to Far Out Magazine music journalism

Quotes from Keith Richards and Mick Jagger

“Mick and I may not be friends – too much wear and tear for that. But we’re the closest of brothers, and that can’t be severed.”

— Keith Richards, Far Out Magazine music journalism

“I viewed my differences with Jagger as a ‘family squabble.'”

— Keith Richards, 1998 interview cited by Wikipedia encyclopedic reference

“Not speaking too often!”

— Mick Jagger, joking about the secret to their relationship, Grunge entertainment site

“I tended to listen to my body just before it screamed for help.”

— Keith Richards, reflecting on his health habits, Far Out Magazine music journalism

The story of Keith Richards is not a cautionary tale but a statistical anomaly. At 82, he has outlived most of his peers, outlasted the drug scandals, and kept the Rolling Stones alive against all odds. For fans wondering whether the band will continue, the implication is clear: as long as Richards and Jagger are breathing, the Stones will roll.

Related reading: **Robert Plant: Tragedy, Health, and Life Today** · **Midge Ure: Biography, Illness, Net Worth, and Personal Life**

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