Who are the richest Olympians?
That’s a tricky question since most of the biggest names in very lucrative sports like basketball, soccer, tennis, and even boxing have at one time or the other participated in one or several Summer Olympics tournaments with some of them even winning medals at those sports.
But if they were all included here, they would probably take up the top-thirty spots on any rich list. So we would be giving our attention to sprinters, cyclists, swimmers, and every other sport that may not be as lucrative or as popular.
SportyTell lists the top-20 richest Olympians in the world ranked based on their current net worths as of 2020. This list was compiled from sources such as Celebrity Net Worth and Forbes to ensure accuracy.
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Table of Contents
The Richest Olympians in the World
20. Brian Boitano
Net Worth: $18 Million
Brian Boitano is an American figure skater who won a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics. He has two world championship titles (1986, 1988), and was also the United States Champion for four years in a row, 1985–1988. In 1982, Boitano became the first American Skater to carry out the ‘Triple Axel’ successfully and was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1996. He also grabbed an Emmy for his role in the movie Carmen on Ice. In 2020, Brian Boitano’s net worth is approximately $18 million, placing him among the sport’s wealthiest.
=11. Zara Tindall
Net Worth: $20 Million
As a member of the Royal Family and the 18th in line to the British Throne, it may seem like being born to wealth and affluence is enough to get her on this world’s richest Olympians’ list. But the eldest grand-daughter of Queen Elizabeth II has proven herself to be an accomplished athlete in equestrianism, winning a gold medal at the 2006 Eventing World Championship, three European gold medals, and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics. Zara Tindal’s net worth is valued at $20 million as of 2020. She has made her considerable fortune through hard work and various endorsements.
=11. Ray Borque
Net Worth: $20 Million
Raymond Jean Borque is one of the best defencemen, and even though he retired in 2001, the 59-year-old still holds the record for the most points, assists, and goals scored by a defenceman in the NHL. Ray Borque’s net worth in 2020 is approximately $20 million. The NHL Hall of Famer ties at number 11 on our rich list.
=11. Oksana Baiul
Net Worth: $20 Million
Oksana Baiul holds the record as the first person to win a gold medal in any sport at the Olympics from Ukraine’s independent country. The figure skater is also the only Olympic Champion from Ukraine in her sport. Oksana Baiul’s net worth is valued at $20 million as of 2020. She earned her fortune from several endorsements and has a clothing and jewelry line.
=11. Jennifer Katherine Gates
Net Worth: $20 Million
She is the first daughter of the billionaire couple, Bill and Melinda Gates. Despite being a billionaire heiress, Jennifer has shown that she is also independent and hard-working. As of 2020, Jennifer Katherin Gates’ net worth is estimated at $20 million. Her passion for horse riding and equestrianism has made her a fortune of her own.
=11. Mark Spitz
Net Worth: $20 Million
Mark Andrew Spitz, fondly called ‘Mark the pool shark,’ is a competitive swimmer who conquered the 1972 summer Olympics with seven gold medals. His record stood for 36 years before Micheal Phelps broke the record in 2008. The nine-time Olympic Champion is one of the world’s most decorated swimmers with 24 gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal. Mark Spitz’s net worth is approximately $20 million as of 2020.
=11. Carl Lewis
Net Worth: $20 Million
A two time Pan American Champion, an eight-time World Champion, and a nine-time Olympic Champion, Frederick Carlton Lewis was one dominant long jumper and a hell of a sprinter. His various accomplishments got him named the Athlete of the Century by the International Association of Athletics Federation. After his retirement, he started his branding and marketing company called C.L.E.G. As of 2020, Carl Lewis’ net worth is valued at $20 million.
=11. Jan Ullrich
Net Worth: $20 Million
The German former professional road bicycle racer won a gold and silver medal in Sydney’s 2000 Summer Olympics and was also a three-time world champion. He partnered with the German Company, Ghost Bikers, and launched his bicycle line, which he helped develop called the Ullrich bicycles. Jan Ullrich’s net worth in 2020 is estimated at $20 million.
=11. Chantal Sutherland
Net Worth: $20 Million
She might be a TV personality and a model, but Chantal Sutherland has always considered herself a Jockey and for good reasons. The Canadian horse rider has won numerous tournaments, which has accounted for the bulk of her wealth. In 2020, Chantel Sutherland’s net worth is approximately $20 million.
=11. Eddy Merckx
Net Worth: $20 Million
Eddy Merckx is undoubtedly one of the greatest professional road and track bicycle riders in the history of professional cycling. He has won an unparalleled 11 tours, three world championship gold medals, and won an incredible 525 races in an 18-year career. The 74 years old Belgian started his collection of bicycles, which was used in professional tournaments in the ‘80s and the ‘90s. Eddy Merckx’s net worth is about $20 million as of 2020.
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=9. Alan Pascoe
Net Worth: $30 Million
The 72-year-old former British athlete made a name for himself after winning several medals in the 4×100 relay and hurdles events. Alan Pascoe won a silver medal in the 1972 Olympics in Munich as well as a few European Championships and Common Wealth Games. After his retirement, he started his own events marketing and consulting firm. As of 2020, Alan Pascoe’s net worth of $30 million ties him as the world’s 9th richest Olympic athlete.
=9. Scott Hamilton
Net Worth: $30 Million
The retired American professional figure skater was known for his innovative feats, which helped him win the United States Championship and the World Championship four consecutive times. He won a gold medal in the 1984 winter Olympics held in Sarajevo. After his retirement in 1984, Scott Hamilton has been involved in several humanitarian works. He also has three published books to his name. Scott Hamilton’s net worth is approximately $30 million, making him the 9th richest Olympic athlete in 2020.
=7. Shaun White
Net Worth: $40 Million
Shaun Roger White is probably the most successful American professional Snowboarder. He has three Olympic gold medals and holds the record for the highest gold medals won in the Olympics and the X Games by a snowboarder. His successes riding a snowboard have earned him millions in endorsements. He also makes a living through music. Shaun White’s net worth in 2020 is a massive $40 million.
=7. Greg LeMond
Net Worth: $40 Million
Greg LeMond is a former professional bicycle road racer often recognized as America’s greatest road racing cyclist of all time. He won two Road Race World Championship medals and was victorious in three France Tours. After his retirement in 1994, he began promoting his designs and bicycle collections. His business interests now include fitness equipment, restaurants, and real estate. In 2020, Greg LeMond’s net worth is about $40 million, which ties him as the 7th wealthiest Olympic athlete.
=5. Shane Warne
Net Worth: $50 Million
Shane Keith Warne was a former Captain of the Australian National Cricket team. He played his first test match in 1992 and picked well over 1000 international wickets before his retirement. He is considered a legend in the world of cricket and has gone on to coach several cricket clubs. Shane Warne’s net worth is an estimated $50 million, making him one of the world’s wealthiest cricketers ever.
=5. Lance Armstrong
Net Worth: $50 Million
After winning several junior swimming tournaments, Lance Edward Armstrong started competing as a triathlete at 16. He went on to become a Sprint Course two-time Triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990. Armstrong became a professional road racing cyclist and one of the most successful cyclists with victories in 11 tours before a doping scandal stripped him of most of his titles. Lance Armstrong’s net worth in 2020 is approximately $50 million.
4. Michael Phelps
Net Worth: $55 Million
Michael Phelps ‘the flying fish’ is the greatest Olympic Champion in history. He holds more Olympic medals than 161 countries. Phelps has the record for the athlete with the highest Olympic medals with 28, and also holds the record for the highest number of Olympic gold medals by any athlete with 23. Michael Phelps is undoubtedly the greatest competitive swimmer the world has ever seen with 83 medals, and his success has earned him millions in endorsements. Michael Phelps’ net worth in 2020 is a massive $55 million.
=2. Ivana Trump
Net Worth: $60 Million
Ivana began competitive skiing when she was just six years old, and by the time she was a teenager, she was already competing in tournaments around Europe. Ivana Trump represented her birth country Czechoslovakia in the 1972 winter Olympics. She got married to American President Donald Trump in 1977 and got divorced in 1990, winning a $20million settlement. Trump has since become a successful businesswoman. As of 2020, Ivana Trump’s net worth is about $60 million.
=2. Usain Bolt
Net Worth: $60 Million
The retired Jamaican sprinter has proven himself to be the best sprinter the world has ever seen. Usain Bolt holds the world record for 100 meters and 200 meters, being the only athlete to have won gold medals at three consecutive Olympics—Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio de Janeiro 2016. Bolt is an eight-time Olympic Champion and an 11-time world champion, earning several lucrative endorsements. In 2020, Usain Bolt’s net worth of $60 million makes him the world’s richest sprinter.
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1. Caitlyn Jenner
Net Worth: $100 Million
Caitlyn Jenner (born William Bruce Jenner) is a 1976 Olympic decathlon gold medalist who was given the unofficial title of “American Hero” and “World’s Greatest Athlete” after the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. Capitalizing on the fame that comes with being a gold medalist in the Olympics, Jenner received several endorsements and offers. Before becoming a reality TV star, Jenner launched into stardom. Caitlyn Jenner’s net worth in 2020 is a massive $100 million.
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