Ruben Blades is a singer and actor from Panama who has an estimated net worth of $15 million. He earned his net worth also as a songwriter, Latin jazz musician and activist who performs musically in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres most often. He was considered a musical icon in Panama and across Latin American countries by producing a string of hits as well as appearing in iconic films. As a professional singer/songwriter, he brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and politically inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, thus creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. He has also composed dozens of musical hits. The most famous one is “Pedro Navaja” which is a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery. His song “Sorpresas” continued the story. These were inspired by “Mack the Knife.” He has also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. It is entitled “Patri” or “Fatherland.”

Blades made a massive contribution in the music industry. He has collaborated with Pete Rodriguez to produce hits such as “Descarga Caliente” and “De Panama New York” during the 1970s. He also worked with several award-winning artists such as Ray Baretto, Larry Harlow and Willie Colon. He and Colon went on to produce numerous albums such as “Siembra” (1978) that became the best-selling salsa album in history. His breakthrough hit “Pablo Pueblo” (1977) later became an official campaign song of Panama when he ran for president of the country. He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin American that he has managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt for presidency in 1994.

Rubén Blades crossed over to acting while producing Grammy-award winning albums since 1980s. He made his debut in the 1982 film The Last Fight. He also appeared in notable productions such as Mo’ Better Blues and Predator 2. He recently appeared in the action thriller film Safe House (2012) and also in Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003). His career went on hold after he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a Licenciado en Derecho law degree from the University of Panama and an LL.M in International Law from Harvard University.