Neil Young is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter and guitarist whose restless career has made him one of the most influential figures in rock music. Born in Toronto in 1945, the 80-year-old artist first found fame with Buffalo Springfield in the 1960s before building a solo catalogue that spans gentle acoustic folk, country rock and the searing electric guitar workouts of Crazy Horse. From the chart-topping Harvest in 1972 to his 2025 album Talkin to the Trees, Young has spent six decades following his own instincts.
With his wife Daryl Hannah by his side and an estimated net worth of around $200 million, Young remains an active recording and touring artist.
| Full Name | Neil Percival Young |
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1945 |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 80 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Spouse | Daryl Hannah (married 2018) |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth | Approx. $200 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026) |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Who Is Neil Young?
Neil Percival Young is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter and guitarist born on November 12, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is best known for his solo work and for his roles in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and for songs including "Heart of Gold", "Old Man", "Rockin’ in the Free World" and "Harvest Moon". He became a United States citizen in 2020 while retaining his Canadian citizenship. Nicknamed the "Godfather of Grunge", he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a solo artist in 1995 and with Buffalo Springfield in 1997. He has been married to actress and filmmaker Daryl Hannah since 2018 and has three children.
Early Life & Background
Young was born in Toronto to Scott Young, a well-known Canadian sportswriter and novelist, and his wife Edna, known as Rassy. He spent part of his childhood in the small Ontario town of Omemee. His parents separated when he was twelve, and he returned to Toronto with his mother. At the age of five, Young contracted polio during the 1951 epidemic, which weakened his left leg and left him with a lifelong limp. He took up the ukulele, banjo and guitar as a teenager and played in school bands, first the Jades and then the Squires.
In 1966, Young moved to Los Angeles, where a chance meeting in traffic with Stephen Stills led to the formation of Buffalo Springfield, alongside Richie Furay and Dewey Martin. The band quickly became one of the defining acts of late-1960s folk rock, and Young's songwriting, most famously on the protest classic "For What It's Worth", set him apart as a voice of his generation.
Career
Young launched his solo career in 1968, then found his sound on Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969), recorded with the raw, loose-limbed backing band Crazy Horse. The following year brought After the Gold Rush and the chart-topping Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album Déjà Vu, as well as "Ohio", his furious response to the Kent State shootings.
His commercial peak came with Harvest in 1972, the best-selling album in the United States that year. Its gentle single "Heart of Gold" remains his only number one hit in America. Rather than repeat the formula, Young spent the rest of the decade making darker, more challenging records such as Time Fades Away, On the Beach and Tonight's the Night, before closing it with the acclaimed Rust Never Sleeps (1979), whose opening line, "It’s better to burn out than to fade away", became one of rock's most quoted lyrics. Later decades brought the comeback Freedom (1989), Harvest Moon (1992) and Mirror Ball (1995) with Pearl Jam. In 2021 he sold a 50 percent stake in his song catalogue, covering more than 1,100 songs, in a deal valued at around $150 million, and in June 2025 he headlined Glastonbury with his band the Chrome Hearts, releasing the album Talkin to the Trees.
Facts About Neil Young
- He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a solo artist in 1995 and with Buffalo Springfield in 1997.
- "Heart of Gold", from the album Harvest (1972), is his only number one single in the United States.
- He co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp in 1985 to support family farmers.
- He contracted polio at the age of five, which weakened his left leg, yet he became one of rock's most celebrated guitarists.
- He is widely known as the "Godfather of Grunge" for his influence on 1990s alternative rock bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Neil Young?
Neil Young is 80 years old. He was born on November 12, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and turns 81 on November 12, 2026.
Who is Neil Young's wife?
Neil Young's wife is actress and filmmaker Daryl Hannah. The couple married in 2018.
What is Neil Young's net worth?
Neil Young's net worth is estimated at approximately $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (2026).
What is Neil Young's most famous song?
His most famous song is "Heart of Gold", released in 1972 on the album Harvest. It is his only number one single in the United States.
Is Neil Young still touring?
Yes. In June 2025, Young headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with his band the Chrome Hearts and released the album Talkin to the Trees.
How old is Neil Young?
Neil Young is 80 years old. He was born on November 12, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and turns 81 on November 12, 2026.
Who is Neil Young’s wife?
Neil Young’s wife is actress and filmmaker Daryl Hannah. The couple married in 2018.
What is Neil Young’s net worth?
Neil Young’s net worth is estimated at approximately $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (2026).
What is Neil Young’s most famous song?
His most famous song is ‘Heart of Gold’, released in 1972 on the album Harvest. It is his only number one single in the United States.
Is Neil Young still touring?
Yes. In June 2025, Young headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with his band the Chrome Hearts and released the album Talkin to the Trees.