98 Degrees Biography: Members, Ages, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Wives, Tours

98 Degrees, stylized as 98°, is an American pop and R&B vocal group formed by Jeff Timmons, featuring brothers Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey, and Justin Jeffre, all originating from Ohio.

The quartet gained massive popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s as part of the boy band era, selling over 15 million records worldwide with harmonious ballads and upbeat tracks that captured themes of love and heartbreak.

Known for hits like “The Hardest Thing,” “Because of You,” and their chart-topping collaboration “Thank God I Found You” with Mariah Carey, they earned eight Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and multiple platinum certifications.

Profile

• Members’ Names: Jeff Timmons, Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre
• Stage Name: 98 Degrees, 98°
• Founded: 1996
• Place of Birth: Ohio, United States
• Origin: United States
• Occupation: Vocal Group, Singers, Entertainers
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life & Members

Jeff Timmons

Early Life: Raised in a middle-class family in Massillon, Ohio, where he developed an early interest in music and sports; after high school, he briefly attended college before dropping out to pursue singing in Los Angeles, inspired by a positive reaction to his performance at a college party.

• Date of Birth: 30, April 1971
• Age: 54 years old
• Place of Birth: Massillon, Ohio, USA
• Ethnicity: White; American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Timmons
• Siblings: 2
• Education: Attended Kent State University, briefly studied psychology with no degree; graduated from Perry High School

Nick Lachey

Early Life: Grew up in a supportive family in Ohio, performing in school choirs and theater; after high school, he moved to Los Angeles to join the group, balancing early music pursuits with acting aspirations that later took off post-fame.

• Date of Birth: 25, November 1973
• Age: 51 years old
• Place of Birth: Harlan, Kentucky, USA
• Ethnicity: White; American, with Irish and English descent
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Lachey
• Siblings: Drew Lachey, and Kari Lachey
• Education: Attended Miami University in Ohio with communications degree

Drew Lachey

Early Life: Born and raised in Ohio alongside his brother Nick, he was involved in performing arts from a young age; worked as an emergency medical technician in New York before joining the band full-time, later focusing on family and philanthropy after early success.

• Date of Birth: 8, August 1976
• Age: 49 years old
• Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
• Ethnicity: White; American, with Irish and English descent
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Lachey
• Siblings: Nick Lachey, and Kari Lachey
• Education: Attended Miami University in Ohio and also graduated from high school in Ohio

Justin Jeffre

Early Life: From a family in Ohio with ties to education and community service; attended a prestigious prep school where he met the Lachey brothers, later stepping away from music for a career in politics and nonprofit work before rejoining the group.

• Date of Birth: 10, June 1973
• Age: 52 years old
• Place of Birth: Sharonville, Ohio, USA
• Ethnicity: White; American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Jeffre
• Siblings: 1
• Education: Attended Cincinnati Country Day School; graduated from University of Cincinnati with communications degree

Career

Jeff Timmons began his career in 1995 by leaving Kent State University and heading to Los Angeles with his friend Jeremy Volk to form a vocal group, initially recruiting Jonathan Lippman and the Lachey brothers after meeting them through mutual Ohio connections.

Nick Lachey, already pursuing music after college, and his brother Drew, who quit his EMT job in New York, joined as the lineup solidified, with Justin Jeffre rounding out the quartet from his Cincinnati roots.

They honed their harmonies in small gigs and demos, securing a manager at a Boyz II Men concert, which led to a Motown Records deal in 1996.

Early work included relentless touring and vocal training, gaining initial recognition with their self-titled debut album in 1997, featuring the gold-certified single “Invisible Man” that peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased their smooth R&B-pop style amid the boy band boom.

The group formed organically in Los Angeles without label backing, unlike many contemporaries assembled by producers; Timmons drove the vision, naming them 98 Degrees after body temperature to symbolize their “hot” sound.

Lippman left just before signing due to religious reasons, replaced by Drew, stabilizing the core of Timmons on tenor, Nick as lead, Drew on baritone, and Jeffre on bass.

Motown provided production support from talents like Daryl Simmons and Babyface collaborators, allowing them to blend gospel-influenced harmonies with contemporary pop.

This independent start fostered a brotherly dynamic that set them apart, as they relocated to Cincinnati for recording and built buzz through radio play and MTV appearances, transitioning from local Ohio performers to national contenders by 1998.

Key accomplishments peaked with their 1998 sophomore album 98 Degrees and Rising, which went multi-platinum and spawned Top 5 hits like “Because of You” and “The Hardest Thing,” the latter holding No. 1 on airplay charts for weeks.

Their holiday album This Christmas that year sold over two million copies, becoming one of the best-selling seasonal releases ever, while 1999’s Revelation included the No. 1 “Thank God I Found You” with Mariah Carey, earning a Grammy nomination and pushing sales past 15 million worldwide.

Growth came through sold-out tours, soundtrack contributions like “True to Your Heart” for Mulan—which they credit with reviving their career during a label transition—and platinum certifications in over 60 countries, solidifying their status alongside NSYNC and Backstreet Boys.

Further along, the band navigated challenges like the post-9/11 music industry shift and a 2002 Universal Records move, releasing the platinum 2000 self-titled album with hits “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” and “My Everything,” but internal burnout led to a hiatus by 2002.

Members pursued solos: Nick starred in 98 Degrees, the reality show about their breakup; Drew won Dancing with the Stars; Timmons tried solo ventures and briefly formed 98° without Nick in 2004; Jeffre entered Cincinnati politics in 2013, running for city council.

Reunions started sporadically, like a 2005 charity show, evolving into full tours by 2013’s “The Package” with NKOTB and Boyz II Men, blending nostalgia with new tracks from 2013’s 2.0 album.

Today, 98 Degrees remains active with holiday tours like the ongoing “98 Degrees at Christmas” in 2025, their first new studio album in over a decade, Full Circle, released earlier this year to positive fan reception, and plans for more music amid their 30th anniversary.

Recent work includes viral TikTok nostalgia clips and podcast appearances reflecting on their legacy, with influence seen in modern vocal groups; they’ve inspired resilience in the industry, though health scares like Timmons’ 2024 vocal issues prompted brief pauses.

Their enduring appeal lies in authentic harmonies and family bonds, drawing multigenerational crowds while members balance group duties with solo endeavors like Nick’s hosting on Love Is Blind.

Social Media

• Instagram: @98degrees
• Twitter: @98Degrees
• YouTube: 98 Degrees

Personal Life

Jeff Timmons

• Marriages: Married to Ariane Lindquist (m.2018); previously married to Meghan Asha (2001-2005).
• Children: 3
• Height: 6’1″.
• Dating History: Focused on family post-divorces; has spoken about blending families and overcoming health challenges like a 2024 vocal cord issue that affected his lifestyle.

Nick Lachey

• Marriages: Married to Vanessa Lachey (m.2011); previously married to Jessica Simpson (2002-2006).
• Children: Camden John, Brooklyn Elisabeth, Phoenix Robert.
• Height: 6’0″.
• Dating History: High-profile romances in the 90s with celebrities like Yvonne De Carlo; post-Simpson divorce, he rekindled with Vanessa Minnillo, met on a 2006 music video set, emphasizing co-parenting and family life in interviews.

Drew Lachey

• Marriages: Married to Lea Lachey (m.2000).
• Children: Isabella Claire, Calum Michael.
• Height: 5’10”.
• Dating History: Long-term marriage to high school sweetheart Lea, a former dancer; they co-founded Lachey Arts, a youth performing arts center in Cincinnati, and prioritize family alongside his Broadway and TV appearances.

Justin Jeffre

• Marriages: Married to Adi Kanhai (m. 2020).
• Children: None.
• Height: 5’11”.
• Dating History: Private about relationships; met wife Adi through mutual friends; stepped back from spotlight for politics but returned for band, discussing work-life balance in family-oriented posts.

Discography

• 98 Degrees (1997)
• 98 Degrees and Rising (1998)
• Revelation (2000)
• This Christmas (1999, holiday)
• 98 Degrees (2002)
• 2.0 (2013)
• Full Circle (2025)
• Million Pop (2001, Japan)
• Playlist: The Very Best of 98 Degrees (2013)
• “Invisible Man” (1997)
• “Because of You” (1998)
• “The Hardest Thing” (1999)
• “I Do (Cherish You)” (1999)
• “Thank God I Found You” (with Mariah Carey, 1999)
• “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” (2000)

Net Worth

98 Degrees holds a collective estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2025, derived mainly from album sales exceeding 15 million units, chart-topping singles, and multi-platinum certifications across seven studio releases.

Primary income sources include reunion tours like the lucrative “Package Tour” and annual holiday specials, alongside individual pursuits—Nick’s TV hosting on shows like Love Is Blind and The Ultimatum adds significantly to his $14 million personal fortune, while Drew’s Dancing with the Stars win and arts center ventures contribute around $2 million, Jeff Timmons’ solo attempts and real estate about $5 million, and Justin Jeffre’s political and nonprofit roles roughly $3 million—sustained by merchandise, endorsements, and streaming royalties that keep their nostalgic hits relevant.