Staggering Net Worth Of Athletes Who Got Rich After The Olympics
The Olympics is the time every few years where some of the best athletes on the planet get to show off their skills for the world to see. These athletes compete against dozens of other amazing athletes from all over the world. Over the years, the athletes and competitors who have won big or dominated headlines have made themselves millions. These were people that were largely unknown to the public previous to dominating the world's biggest sports stage. One entry is not only rich but also considered the best Olympian of all time.
Sanya Richards-Ross Net Worth: $1.5 Million
Richards-Ross is a five-time Olympic medalist and ahead of the 2016 games, she was looking to add more to her collection. Unfortunately, an injury forced her out of the Games and she announced her retirement as a result. She has a net worth of $1.5 Million and will now work as an analyst for NBC.
Gabby Douglas Net Worth: $3 Million
While Simone Biles was the breakout star of the 2016 Games in Rio, Gabby Douglas filled that role in 2012.The gymnast was the all-around champion for the Gold medal winning team USA. She parlayed her Olympic success into a lot of fame, a net worth of $3 Million and a Barbie made in her likeness.
Lindsey Vonn Net Worth: $3 Million
Vonn was a skier for the USA from 2002 through 2010 and won a couple medals (including a gold) throughout her career on the hills. After her success in 2014, she sustained an injury that kept her out of Sochi, but she is looking to return in 2018. She currently has a net worth of $3 Million.
Nastia Liukin Net Worth: $2 Million
This retired gymnast won a whopping five medals for the USA at the 2008 Olympics, which is among the most won by any single competitor. After her major success in 2008, she appeared in a number of TV shows including "Gossip Girl" and "The Biggest Loser," and gained considerable fame. Her net worth is estimated at $2 Million.
Dorothy Hamill Net Worth: $5 Million
Hamill took home the gold during the 1976 Olympics games and got a considerable amount of fame for it. She received numerous different endorsements and starred in a number of TV shows, which all contributed to her $5 Million net worth. Check out the 12th entry for another woman who made her name on skates.
Asafa Powell Net Worth: $6.5 Million
For a long time, Powell was the most dominant sprinter on the planet and set the 100m record in 2005. His Olympic success for years allowed him an endorsement deal with Puma and a net worth of around $6.5 Million. Check out the 5th entry to see another Jamaican sprinter that took the world by storm.
Tara Lipinski Net Worth: $6 Million
In 1998, at the age of 15, Lipinski won a gold medal in figure skating, which made her the youngest winner of an individual event in the history of the Winter Olympics. This garnered her a ton of fame and she still works as a correspondent for the Olympics and has a net worth of $6 Million.
Shawn Johnson Net Worth: $9 Million
Johnson won four medals for the USA in 2008 and then won "Dancing with the Stars" the following year. She hoped to compete in 2012 but an injury forced her to retire. Since then, she has appeared at numerous events and on a few TV shows, which helped her net worth reach upwards of $9 Million.
Kristi Yamaguchi Net Worth: $8 Million
Yamaguchi made headlines in 1992 when she took home a gold medal in figure skating. But her career didn't stop there, far from it. She went on to write books, release fitness videos, win "Dancing With the Stars," and more. All of that helped to contribute to her $8 Million net worth.
Katarina Witt Net Worth: $9 Million
This figure skater from East Germany won the gold medal at both the 1984 and 1988 Games. A few years after her great performances, she broke into show business and got a number of mainstream acting gigs in big films like "Jerry Maguire," and shows like "Everybody Loves Raymond." Her net worth is around $9 Million.
Apolo Ohno Net Worth: $10 Million
Ohno has 8 Olympic medals to his name, which is the most for any American athlete in the Winter Olympics. He currently works as a correspondent for NBC and all of this has helped his net worth hit $10 Million. Check out the next entry for another American athlete that goes fast, but on a different surface than Ohno.
Tyson Gay Net Worth: $12 Million
Tyson Gay is without a doubt one of the best sprinters in the world and has Olympic medals to show for it. While a PED test has proven to be a roadblock in his career and cost him a medal, he is still one of the best in the world when clean. He has a net worth of $12 Million that stems from his appearances and endorsements.
Michelle Kwan Net Worth: $16 Million
During her prime in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kwan was a big star. She won medals and had a ton of endorsements. She later returned to school and became a correspondent for ABC, but was already pretty rich by that point. She currently has a net worth of $16 Million.
Carl Lewis Net Worth: $20 Million
Lewis competed in four Olympics games from 1984-1996 and has an amazing 9 gold medals to his name. And despite never playing football in college or basketball, he was drafted to both the NBA and NFL in the 1980s because of his speed. His net worth currently sits at about $20 Million.
Shaun White Net Worth: $40 Million
Shaun White is the only athlete to appear in both the Winter and Summer X Games and is a four-time Olympian as a snowboarder and took home numerous medals. He has a ton of big companies endorsing him and is also the CEO of his own company. His net worth sits at around $40 Million.
Usain Bolt Net Worth: $60 Million
There is perhaps no more famous Olympian than Bolt. He is a staggering 9 for 9 in winning gold medals at the Olympic games and is the fastest human being in the history of the world. He has a huge endorsement deal with Puma and is one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Bolt has an estimated net worth of $60 Million.
Caitlyn Jenner Net Worth: $100 Million
The woman who formerly went by Bruce Jenner, received worldwide fame when she won the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics. Since then, Jenner has remained in the public eye alongside the Kardashians as well as for the transition she went through to become a woman. She currently has a net worth of $100 Million.
Scott Hamilton Net Worth: $30 Million
Scott Hamilton won the gold medal for figure skating in the 1984 Winter Olympics. After that, he took his skating skills on tour with "Stars on Ice," and later became a TV commentator. He also runs a figure skating academy, a charity, and has a net worth of $30 Million.
Serena Williams Net Worth: $150 Million
Williams not only has won four gold medals in the Olympics, she has also dominated female tennis for well over a decade, and has over $70 Million in career winnings. On top of that, she has endorsements that make her one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world with a net worth of $150 Million.
Michael Phelps Net Worth: $55 Million
There is no more decorated Olympian in history than Michael Phelps. He has won an unfathomable 23 gold medals throughout his career, which is a record unlikely to be broken for a long time, if ever. He has numerous sponsorship deals and is the USA's most famous Olympian. Phelps is believed to have a net worth of around $55 million.
Venus Williams Net Worth: $75 Million
Tennis pro Venus Williams might not be as wealthy as her sister, Serena, but the athlete is still worth a cool $75 million. She’s won 21 Grand Slams, and has repped companies like Kraft and Wilson. Money from endorsements isn’t her only money-making endeavor, however. Venus also started her own clothing company.
Neymar Net Worth: $75 Million
One of the highest paid soccer (or, as they would say in his native Brazil, football) players in the world, Neymar has earned approximately $28 million through his contracts and sponsorships each year! He is known for having expensive states, notoriously purchasing a $15 million yacht which requires half a million dollars in maintenance every year.
Andy Murray Net Worth: $70 Million
This British tennis champ won big at Wimbledon in 2016, and also bested the favored Juan Martin del Potro at the Rio Olympics to take home the gold. His sponsors include Under Armour, Jaguar, and Evian. His wins have netted him around $70 million so far, and his fortune only continues to grow.
Caroline Wozniacki Net Worth: $20 Million
Caroline Wozniacki is a tennis star who pairs incredible athletic prowess with stunningly good looks. Her beauty and brawn have earned her millions in sponsorship deals. The Danish athlete has repped brands like Rolex, Adidas, Sony, and Proactive. With a net worth of $20 million, she’s not doing too badly for herself!
Saina Nehwal Net Worth: $24 Million
While badminton might night seem like the most lucrative sport to westerners, Indian badminton superstar Saina Nehwal has proved that hitting birdies over the net can net a lot of dough. Not only is she an incredible athlete, but Saina is also India’s most successful athlete of all time. No wonder Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls her “The Darling Daughter Of India!”
Jelena Jankovic Net Worth: $15 Million
Famous for being the rival of American tennis player Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic is a tennis legend in her own right. The Serbian athlete has won more than $18 million in prize money since she turned pro back in 2000. Serena might still have more money, but Jelena is well on her way to matching her foe’s net worth.
Rafael Nadal Net Worth: $120 Million
Rafael Nadal has been nicknamed “The King of Clay,” and so far, his career seems to be unstoppable. This tennis force has won nearly $80 million throughout his career, just from winning tournaments, and even more through endorsements. Among his endorsements are Nike, Kia, and Tommy Hilfiger, bringing his net worth to $120 million.
Carmelo Anthony Net Worth: $90 Million
This Team USA basketball pro signed a $124 million contract with the New York Knicks back in 2014. His endorsement deals have also gotten him a lot of attention, repping brands like Draft Kings and Las Vegas Sands. The Brooklyn power forward has had quite the career and will hopefully continue his trajectory.
Ana Ivanovic Net Worth: $15 Million
Another Serbian tennis player, Ana Ivanovic was once expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars by now. While she may not quite have lived up to those expectations, Ana has signed deals with companies like Adidas and Rolex, and won some pretty big tennis purses, like the won from the 2008 French Open, leaving her far from penniless.
Garbine Muguruza Net Worth: $12 Million
Garbine Muguruza only hit the professional circuit in 2012, but she has already beaten crowd favorite Serena Williams in the French Open. Anyone who can best Serena is sure to have a lucrative career ahead of them, and Garbine has already established herself as one of the most marketable athletes in the world.
Agnieszka Radwanska Net Worth: $14.7 Million
Yet another tennis sensation, Agnieszka Radwanska is a Polish athlete who has turned her powerful swing into a powerful money maker. Still in her 20s, Agnieszka has won more than $23 million throughout her tennis career. Her current net worth is estimated around $14.7 million. Other tennis pros have nicknamed her “The Professor”—who wouldn’t want to learn a thing or two from this legend?
Lee Chong Wei Net Worth: $45 Million
Another surprising badminton star, it is no surprise that Lee Chong Wei hails from Malaysia; badminton is a popular sport in Asia. The top-ranked badminton player in the world, he is rumored to be Asia’s highest paid athlete. It might be hard for some people to believe that badminton is so popular, but Lee Chong Wei’s millions prove otherwise.
Lance Armstrong Net Worth: $50 Million
Scandals aside, Lance Armstrong is pretty awesome. Not only is the man an Olympic medalist and professional athlete, but he is also a public speaker and published author. While losing endorsement deals following scandals have done some damage his income, Lance is still worth around $50 million. Not too shabby!
Inbee Park Net Worth: $9 Million
When people think of rich and famous athletes, their minds do not usually turn to South Korean golfers, but that might be about to change. Inbee Park, a golf pro now residing in California, has 25 professional golf tournament wins under her belt and is the top ranked female golfer in the world with a net worth of $9 million.
DeMarcus Cousins Net Worth: $62 Million
This American basketball star has an impressive record. Signed to the Sacramento Kings in 2013, “Boogie” averaged 27 points and 12 rebounds per game last season. it is no wonder that the center has earned around $62 million already. DeMarcus Cousins gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “nothing but net!"
Pau Gasol Net Worth: $65 Million
People do not generally think of some of the world’s best basketball players as coming from Spain, but Pau Gasol might be the exception to that rule. The Spanish star is an international sensation, having played for teams like the Bulls, Grizzlies, and Spurs. Most of his $62 million fortune comes from actual playing as opposed to endorsements, although he does make around $2.5 million a year from repping different brands.
Eddy Merckx Net Worth: $20 Million
Eddy Merckx is proof that retired athletes do not necessarily end up ruined by scandals or plagued by injuries in old age. The former professional bike racer from Belgium started racing at the age of 16. Decades later, following wins and endorsements with big companies, his net worth is around $20 million.
Eugenie Bouchard Net Worth: $7 Million
This Canadian beauty was the tenth highest paid female athlete of 2016. The tennis star is not only a pro on the court, but has inked deals with huge companies like Coca-Cola and Nike, earning her a lot of money in endorsements. Her current net worth sits at $7 million, a figure that will surely grow along with her career.
Novak Djokovic Net Worth: $160 Million
Novak Djokovic may have let down his fans at the Rio olympics, but the tennis champ sure is making his bank happy. The first tennis player to win over $100 million in prize money, Novak has expanded his fortune by endorsing brands like Uniqlo, Head, and Adidas. Business and real estate holdings have increased his net worth even more proving that it pays to have both brains and brawn.
