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Chester Bennington Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 22, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth20 March 1976

Age50 years

BirthplacePhoenix, Arizona, USA

ProfessionSinger, Songwriter

NationalityAmerican

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseTalinda Bentley (m.2006–2017)

FamilyParents: Lee Russell Bennington (father), Susan Elaine Johnson (mother); children: Jaime, Draven Sebastian, Tyler Lee, Isaiah (adopted), Lila, Lily

Net worth$30 million

Chester Bennington Biography

Chester Charles Bennington was born on March 20, 1976, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in a household shaped by his mother, a nurse, and his father, who worked as a police detective.

Early life and background

Chester Charles Bennington was born on March 20, 1976, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in a household shaped by his mother, a nurse, and his father, who worked as a police detective. His parents divorced when he was 11, after which his father obtained custody. Bennington attended Centennial High School in Phoenix.

Bennington’s youth included difficult experiences. According to accounts from his early years, he suffered abuse between the ages of seven and 13 and faced bullying at school. As a teenager he began using drugs and alcohol, and at 17 he moved back in with his mother during a period when she attempted to limit his ability to leave the house because of those issues. He later overcame substance problems and went on to build a career in music.

Career

Chester Bennington’s musical journey began in the early 1990s. In 1993 he became the lead singer of a local Arizona band called Grey Daze and remained with them through the decade; creative differences led to his departure in the late 1990s. He moved to Los Angeles and in 1999 joined the band that would become Linkin Park. The group released its debut album, Hybrid Theory, in 2000 and it marked the start of Bennington’s global prominence as a vocalist and songwriter.

Beyond Linkin Park, Bennington formed a side project called Dead by Sunrise (originally Snow White Tan), which allowed him to explore material outside his primary band’s sound. He also made several film cameo appearances over the years, including roles in Crank, Crank: High Voltage, Saw 3D, and the documentary Artifact.

Bennington was known for his energetic stage presence and distinct vocal range. Over his career he experienced the physical hazards that can come with touring and live performance; reports cite incidents such as a spider bite in 2001 while on the road with Ozzfest, a hand ligament injury playing basketball, and a broken wrist after a stage dive in 2007.

Public profile

Bennington became a public figure not only for his music but also for his personal style and tastes. He was a tattoo enthusiast and underwent laser eye surgery in 2004 after previously wearing glasses. He named several musical influences and favorite songs among artists such as Depeche Mode, Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead and others. In interviews and public statements he identified as Christian.

Personal life and family

Bennington married Samantha Olit in 1996; the couple later divorced. He married Talinda Bentley in 2006. He had multiple children: sons Jaime (from a previous relationship with Elka Brand) and Draven Sebastian (with Samantha Olit), and additional children Tyler Lee and an adopted son Isaiah, as well as daughters Lila and Lily.

Later years and death

Chester Bennington lived in Palos Verdes Estates, California. On July 20, 2017, at age 41, he was found dead at his home. The cause of death was reported as suicide by hanging. His death came shortly after the death of a close friend and fellow musician, and the proximity of those events was noted in public coverage.

Legacy

Bennington is remembered for his role in bringing alternative and nu-metal sounds to a broad mainstream audience through Linkin Park, for his emotionally intense vocal performances, and for his openness about personal struggles that shaped his music. His work with Linkin Park and his other musical projects left a lasting influence on fans and fellow musicians.

Latest updates

As of the last updates contained in this profile, Chester Bennington’s life, career milestones, personal struggles, and the circumstances of his death have been widely documented and discussed in music media and public remembrances.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is prepared from the public references listed below and reviewed for clarity. If you spot an outdated detail about Chester Bennington, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

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Recent Work

Hybrid Theory

Debut album with Linkin Park

2000
Crank

Cameo film appearance

2006
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Career Highlights

  1. Lead singer of Linkin Park, joined 1999
  2. Debut album Hybrid Theory released in 2000
  3. Fronted side project Dead by Sunrise (originally Snow White Tan)
  4. Film cameos in Crank, Crank: High Voltage, Saw 3D, and Artifact
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Net Worth

$30 million

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Chester Bennington born?

Chester Bennington was born on 20 March 1976.

What is Chester Bennington known for?

Chester Bennington is known for singer, Songwriter.

What is Chester Bennington’s marital status?

Chester Bennington's marital status is listed as Married (at time of death).

Who is Chester Bennington married to?

Chester Bennington is publicly listed as married to Talinda Bentley (m.2006–2017).

What is Chester Bennington’s net worth?

Chester Bennington's net worth is commonly listed as $30 million, based on available public profile information.