Avicii reportedly bagged up to £180,000 (Sh22 million) a night on tour, playing the biggest hotspots around the world 250 days of the year.
But for the Swedish electronic dance music producer, it wasn't about the huge pay check.
In his own haunting words, the superstar DJ once said he wanted to be remembered for the life he lived, not the money he made.
Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, was found was found dead in Oman on Friday afternoon, aged 28.
In the prelude to the music video for his hit 'The Nights', the star chillingly spoke about his own death.
He said: "When I was 16, my father said, 'You can do anything you want with your life, you just have to be willing to work hard to get it.' That's when I decided when I die, I want to be remembered for the life I live, not the money I make."
Avicii's death was confirmed in a statement from his publicist, which said: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time."
The EDM star was also in the middle of working on new music - which fans may now never hear.
Avicii retired from touring in 2016 and has battled acute pancreatitis in the past and had his gallbladder and appendix removed in 2014.
Scottish DJ Calvin Harris was one of the first to pay tribute, calling his fellow musician a "beautiful soul".
He released his debut studio album, True, in 2013 and followed it up with Stories in 2015.
