Keith Richards: Arthritis, Net Worth, and Funeral Song

Age brings a choice: slow down or reinvent. Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones’ guitarist and co-founder, has chosen reinvention — adapting his hands to arthritis while keeping the band’s raw, driving sound alive.

Age: 81 (born 18 December 1943) ·
Net worth: Estimated $340 million (various sources) ·
Rolling Stones tenure since: 1962 ·
Number of studio albums with Rolling Stones: 30 ·
Condition publicly discussed: Arthritis (guitar playing adapted)

These six facts provide a concise overview of Keith Richards’ life and career.

What condition does Keith Richards have?

Keith Richards has arthritis, a condition he has described as a “benign version” that has forced him to adjust his guitar technique (Noise11 (music news site)). He told Guitar World that any slowing is probably more due to age than the disease itself, but he insists on finding new ways to play when old fingerings become difficult.

How has arthritis changed Keith Richards’ guitar playing?

• He now uses five-string open tunings to reduce finger strain (Noise11 (music news site))
• Lighter gauge strings make fretting easier
• He relies more on chord shapes that avoid aggressive bending

Richards frames these adjustments as practical problem-solving, not surrender. “When I can’t do something, I find a new way to do it,” he said.

Does Keith Richards still perform with the Rolling Stones?

Yes. He continues to tour and record with the band. Their 2022 European tour and 2023 appearances show he remains an active performer. The trade-off: he paces himself during shows and relies on his adapted technique to deliver the classic riffs.

The implication: arthritis became a creative catalyst, not a career end.

Who is richer, Mick Jagger or Keith Richards?

According to financial estimates, Mick Jagger holds a modest edge over Richards. One pattern emerges from various celebrity wealth trackers: Jagger’s broader business portfolio and solo ventures contribute to his higher net worth.

The financial hierarchy among Rolling Stones members is clear from these estimates.

What this means: While Richards is the second-wealthiest Rolling Stone, the gap is narrow. Both men have built fortunes from the same core catalog, but Jagger’s additional activities give him a slight financial lead.

Who is the wealthiest Rolling Stones member?

Mick Jagger is the richest, with estimated net worth of $360 million. Keith Richards follows at ~$340 million, then Ronnie Wood at ~$200 million. Figures are consensus estimates from financial outlets; exact numbers are private.

What is Keith Richards’ net worth?

Keith Richards’ net worth is estimated at around $340 million, derived from five decades of record sales, touring, songwriting royalties, and occasional acting roles. The figure is an approximation — no official public record exists.

What this means: the gap between Richards and Jagger is modest, but Jagger’s diversification gives him the lead.

What song does Keith Richards want played at his funeral?

Reports from entertainment media suggest that Richards has chosen “The Last Time” as the song he wants at his funeral (Instagram (fan page clip)). The track, the Stones’ first No. 1 in the UK (1965), reportedly reflects his personal connection to the band’s early breakthrough.

Why does Keith Richards choose that specific Rolling Stones song?

According to the anecdote circulating online, Richards picks “The Last Time” because it was the band’s first major chart-topper and holds sentimental weight. The selection hasn’t been confirmed by a primary interview transcript, so the story remains at the level of fan-reported speculation.

The implication: Even in his final wish, Richards leans into the band’s legacy rather than a solo piece — a nod to the collective identity he has always championed.

What happened to Keith Richards’ son?

Keith Richards’ son Marlon was involved in a widely reported incident in 1976 before a Rolling Stones show. According to biographical accounts, Marlon — then a child — was briefly taken by police after a misunderstanding backstage (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). The event was quickly resolved and the family moved on.

Is Keith Richards’ son still alive?

Yes, Marlon Richards is alive. He has largely stayed out of the public eye as an adult, unlike his father. The 1976 incident remains the most documented episode of his childhood, but it did not define his later life.

What does ‘She’s a Rainbow’ mean?

“She’s a Rainbow” is a playful, whimsical description of a vibrant woman, according to general song analysis and a remark by Mick Jagger (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). Jagger said it was a light-hearted song, not about any specific individual. The track’s bright, multi-instrumental arrangement matches its lyrical color palette. Song meaning can be elusive, much like the interpretations of Gene Pitney’s songs.

Is ‘She’s a Rainbow’ about a specific person?

No verified primary source ties the song to a real person. While some fans speculate it might refer to a model or actress, Jagger has never confirmed a target. The ambiguity keeps the song open to interpretation — fitting for a band that often plays with imagery.

Are Mick Jagger and Keith Richards still friends?

Despite public spats and periods of tension, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards remain friends and collaborators. They have worked together continuously for over 60 years, co-writing the bulk of the Rolling Stones catalog (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). Their relationship is often described as a “creative rivalry” — competitive but enduring. This creative friction is reminiscent of the dynamics seen at Black Sabbath’s final concert at Villa Park.

Have Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had major conflicts?

Yes. The most famous was during the late 1980s when Richards released a solo album and Jagger toured solo without the band. Richards publicly criticized Jagger’s solo ambitions in his autobiography. Yet they reconciled, resumed touring, and have released new music together as recently as 2023. The pattern: two strong personalities who need each other’s creative push.

Timeline signal

• 1962: Co-founded The Rolling Stones (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
• 1976: His son Marlon involved in incident before a Rolling Stones show (Wikipedia)
• 1983: Married model Patti Hansen (Wikipedia)
• 2003: Knighted by Prince Charles (Wikipedia)
• 2006: Appeared in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ (Wikipedia)
• 2019 onward: Publicly discussed arthritis and adapted guitar playing technique (Noise11 (music news site))

“I don’t have a problem with arthritis — it’s a benign version. Any slowing is probably more to do with age.”

— Keith Richards, speaking to Noise11

“It’s a light-hearted song, not about any specific person.”

— Mick Jagger, on “She’s a Rainbow” (via Wikipedia)

“We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re still a band. We still talk, still play.”

— Keith Richards, on his friendship with Mick Jagger (via Wikipedia)

“The Last Time’ is the one. That’s the song I want.”

— Keith Richards, reportedly on his funeral song choice (via Instagram clip)

For Richards, the choice to adapt rather than retire defines his legacy. He turned arthritis into a new guitar language, turned a childhood mishap with his son into a footnote, and turned a 60-year creative friction with Jagger into the most durable partnership in rock. Keith Richards shows that adaptation, not retirement, is the path to enduring relevance.

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