D’arcy Wretzky Biography, Net Worth, Family Life And Other Important Facts

Quick Facts

D’arcy Wretzky is an American singer famous for being the former bassist for alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins which was formed in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois by Billy Corgan who was the lead vocalist. Other members of the band included James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin.

After being with the band for a decade, Wretzky in 1999 left with the intention of pursuing a career in acting. What happened afterward; was she able to fulfill her acting dreams? Scroll down to find out more.

D’arcy Wretzky’s Biography

Wretzky was born on May 1, 1968, in South Haven, Michigan, as D’arcy Elizabeth Wretzky to Vikke Anderson and Jerry Wretzky. Her father was a pipefitter while her mother was a lounge singer,  who had great influence on Wretzky and her sister as she encouraged them to do music.

As a result of this, little Wretzky loved and developed an interest in music. It was only natural she began to learn how to play the guitar early in life. Apart from the guitar, she also played the violin and oboe and performed in choirs. As early as the age of ten, she had made up her mind to pursue a career in music despite having severe stage fright as a child. Her passion for music was nonetheless stronger. It wasn’t long before she learned how to manage and overcome her fears.

D’arcy is an alumnus of South Haven’s L.C. Mohr High School, while in High school, she developed an interest in post-punk and even played in cover bands.

When she was done with high school, she moved to France to join a band, which she realized on arrival had disbanded. D’arcy returned to the U.S  – Chicago to be precise and spent a whole summer attending concerts while squatting with friends, it was during this period that she learned to play the bass. Wretzky boosts of learning to play the bass guitar without being taught.

After a concert at a local rock club, she overheard Billy Corgan criticizing the band that had performed, an argument ensued, followed by a discussion and before the day ended, Wretzky got herself a job with the Smashing Pumpkins and that’s how she became a credited bassist for the band group.

She left the band in 1999 to pursue a career in acting. While with the group, Smashing Pumpkins recorded five studio albums which include Siamese Dream, Gish, Adore, Mellon Collie and the Infinite and Machina/The Machines of God. She was arrested for possession of cocaine after she left the band. It was at this time that Corgan revealed she didn’t actually leave the group but got fired for being a drug addict who refused to get help.

Following the end of her stint with Smashing Pumpkins, D’arcy worked as a second vocalist with Catherine band for their album Hot Saki and Bedtime Stories. She has also appeared in the video for Four Leaf Clover and worked on the songs of a couple of artists before disappearing into thin air for many years.

After many years out of Limelight, D’arcy Wretzky reappeared in 2009 by calling in unexpectedly on Chicago’s Q101 FM with Ryan Manno. During the short interview, she stated she was not physically disposed to be a musician. She also said she was living on a farm in Michigan at the time but that she previously lived in Austin, Texas briefly during her offpeak period.

In February 2011, she was sent off to jail for six days for missing four court dates related to a ticket she received for failing to control her horses. Later that same month, she was also arrested in South Haven, Michigan on a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge.

Her Net Worth 

D’arcy is said to be worth an estimated $7 million, which are earnings from her music career and proceeds from her private business and earnings. She reportedly owns 3 antique stores in Michigan.

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Family Life

Speaking of her childhood and her relationship with her family members, D’arcy related that she was a tomboy growing up and had a very contentious relationship with her sister. She described her dad as a strange man.

She was married to Kerry Brown from 1993 to 1999. During her interview on Chicago’s Q101 FM, she also mentioned that her former fiancé Wendell Green had died.

In an interview with Loudwire, in 2016, Filter lead singer Richard Patrick revealed he had a romantic relationship with Wretzky, and that his Song Miss Blue, was about her.

Other Important Facts About D’arcy Wretzky

D’arcy Wretzky was in the news recently for not being invited to the Smashing Pumpkins reunion. Granting her first interview after almost two decades in February 2018, she was highly bitter and critical of Corgan and their past. She described Corgan as a self-centered man who had never had her interests at heart either during her time in the Pumpkins or after she left the group.

She also responded to Corgan’s claims that he reached out to her following her expulsion from the band in 1999 and invited her to the band’s reunion which she turned down. Responding,  Wretzky said she only heard about the supposed 2005 Pumpkins reunion on the news.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.