He possessed a remarkable accent, which was a huge part of his showmanship skills. He used it to make fun of himself and to engage his audience, and it was a vital part of his show. Whatever the reason, Welk’s distinctive accent was a big part of his success as a bandleader and television personality. Welk, unlike most celebrities, did not learn English until he was in his 20s, giving rise to Lawrence Welk’s trademark accent. Welk’s parents were Alsace-Lorraine immigrants who spoke only German to nine of their ten children when they raised them on a farm outside Strasburg, North Dakota. In current dollars, that would equal approximately $277 million.
Lawrence Welk was an American musician, bandleader, and television personality who had a net worth of $150 million when he died in 1992.
