Michael Phelps, a retired American Olympic swimmer, holds an impressive net worth of $100 million. Widely considered the greatest swimmer in history, Phelps is also one of the most decorated Olympians. Over the course of five Olympic Games, spanning from 2000 to 2016, Phelps amassed a remarkable 28 medals, including 23 golds, cementing his legacy as a sporting icon.
Phelps’ journey in swimming began at a young age. He started at just seven years old, showing early promise. His Olympic debut came in 2000, at the age of 15, where, despite not earning a medal, he finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. His breakthrough came four years later at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he secured six gold and two bronze medals, showcasing his dominance.
By the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Phelps reached new heights, winning an astonishing eight gold medals in a single Olympics, surpassing Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven. His success continued at the 2012 London Olympics, where he added four gold and two silver medals to his collection. After initially retiring, he returned in 2014, going on to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he won five golds and one silver. This marked the final chapter of his illustrious Olympic career, which included 39 world records across various swimming events.
Michael Phelps (Image via Getty)
Early Life and Family
Born Michael Fred Phelps II on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, Phelps is the youngest of three siblings. His mother, Deborah, was a middle school principal, while his father, Michael Fred Phelps, was a retired state trooper. When Phelps was nine years old, his parents divorced, and his father remarried in 2000. Despite this, Phelps has mentioned that his relationship with his father grew strained after the divorce. He attended Towson High School, located just north of Baltimore, and graduated in 2003.
Phelps’ Career and Achievements
Michael’s swimming career began at the age of seven, and by 15, he made history by becoming the youngest male swimmer ever to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team. Although he did not win a medal in Sydney, Phelps finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly, marking his Olympic debut. In 2001, at just 15 years old, he became the youngest male swimmer to set a world record, doing so in the 200-meter butterfly.
The year 2001 marked another milestone when Phelps broke his own record at the World Championships, claiming his first international medal. By the time he graduated from high school, Phelps had already set five world records, a sign of his prodigious talent. He then attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he studied sports management and marketing while continuing to break records.
Phelps’ dominance at the 2004 Athens Olympics was the start of an incredible run. He won six gold medals and two bronze, further solidifying his position as a world-class athlete. His achievements in Beijing in 2008, with a record-breaking eight gold medals, placed him in the history books. At the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps won four golds and two silvers, further adding to his medal count.
In 2016, Phelps made a spectacular return to competition at the Rio Olympics, winning five gold medals and one silver. By this time, he had become the first American male swimmer to compete in five Olympic Games. With 39 world records, Phelps holds the most world records in swimming, making him one of the most accomplished athletes of all time.
Michael Phelps (Image via Getty)
Post-Olympic Career and Endorsements
Following his retirement from the Olympics, Phelps turned his attention to endorsement deals, benefiting from one of the most lucrative post-Olympics careers in American history. He secured deals with major brands such as Under Armour, Visa, Speedo, Wheaties, and Subway, among others. These endorsements have been key contributors to his net worth over the years.
Not only did Phelps endorse products, but he also became an investor. He has equity in Talkspace, a mental health startup valued at $1 billion to $3 billion, showcasing his commitment to supporting mental health initiatives.
Endorsements and Financial Success
Throughout his career, Phelps has maintained an impressive endorsement portfolio. Even after retiring, he remains a highly sought-after figure in the advertising world. Brands like Visa, Subway, Speedo, PowerBar, and Under Armour continue to benefit from his association. In addition to his promotional deals, Phelps’ investment in Talkspace has positioned him as a financial backer in the rapidly growing mental health sector.
In 2016, Michael married Nicole Johnson, a former Miss California USA. Their wedding was kept private until four months later. They have four sons: Boomer (2016), Beckett (2018), Maverick (2019), and Nico (2024), and live in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Phelps also assists as a coach for Arizona State Sun Devils with his former coach Bob Bowman.
Phelps has openly discussed his struggles with depression and ADHD and has become an advocate for mental health. In 2017, he joined the board of Medibio, a company diagnosing mental health disorders.
In 2008, Phelps used $1 million of his Speedo signing bonus to establish the Michael Phelps Foundation. It promotes healthier lifestyles and swimming initiatives. Additionally, he co-founded Swim with the Stars, a nonprofit offering swimming camps.
Michael Phelps (Image via Getty)
Legal Issues
Phelps has faced a few legal controversies in his career. In November 2004, he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Salisbury, Maryland. He pled guilty, paid a fine, and was sentenced to probation. He was also ordered to speak to high school students about the dangers of drunk driving. In 2009, a photograph of Phelps using a bong led to the loss of his endorsement deal with Kellogg’s. In 2014, Phelps faced another DUI arrest, which resulted in a six-month suspension from all competitions, preventing the U.S. team from qualifying for the 2015 World Aquatics Championships.
Phelps’ Real Estate Ventures
In terms of real estate, Phelps has made notable moves over the years. In 2007, he purchased a condo in Baltimore for $1.69 million. However, he later sold the property for $1.25 million. Following that, he moved into a townhouse in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood, which he sold in 2016 for $960,000.
In 2015, Phelps relocated to Paradise Valley, Arizona, purchasing a home for $2.5 million. He later listed the property for $4.1 million in 2018, eventually selling it for $3.5 million. These real estate transactions highlight Phelps’ taste for luxury and his savvy approach to investing.
Michael Phelps is not just a legendary swimmer but also an entrepreneur, advocate, and family man. His remarkable career, combined with strategic endorsements and investments, has led to a net worth of $100 million. His legacy extends beyond the pool, as he continues to influence the worlds of sports, mental health, and philanthropy.
La La Land ends in a way that subverts traditional romantic expectations, reinforcing the importance of following one’s dreams, even at the cost of a relationship. The film’s protagonists, Mia and Sebastian, both achieve their dreams—Mia becomes a famous actress, and Sebastian opens a jazz club—but the cost of these successes is their breakup. This bittersweet ending highlights their individual growth, emphasizing how their relationship, while significant, ultimately could not survive the sacrifices necessary for their personal fulfillment.
La La Land shows Mia and Sebastian, despite their deep love, parting ways to follow their dreams. Initially, their breakup seems temporary, but as Mia heads to Paris for an acting opportunity, it’s clear their romantic relationship can’t continue. Each character pursues their personal goals, leading to personal growth and fulfillment, but at the cost of their relationship. The theme of prioritizing dreams over romance is central to the film, as both must move forward independently, shaped by their time together.
La La Land (Image via Getty)
La La Land Ending Explained
Director Damien Chazelle explained in an interview that the film’s ending was always meant to be this way, with no version where Mia and Sebastian have a traditional happy ending. Chazelle believes the greatest love stories often don’t culminate in a “happily ever after,” and that La La Land conveys that love can transcend time and circumstance. The film’s ending reflects that, even if their romantic relationship is over, their love for each other endures in different forms.
According to Chazelle, the film’s resolution emphasizes that the love between Mia and Sebastian doesn’t vanish just because they part ways. Instead, it lingers in their lives, shaping their individual successes and leaving a lasting emotional impact, a testament to the depth of their bond despite the breakup.
The Dream Sequence and Its Surreal Significance
The dream sequence in La La Land offers an alternate reality where Mia and Sebastian stay together. It reflects a more traditional Hollywood ending, showing how their lives could have unfolded differently if they hadn’t sacrificed for their dreams. Sebastian turns down Keith’s band offer, and Mia’s play is a success with him present. This imagined reality highlights the cost of pursuing their passions—showing that they couldn’t have both love and career. The sequence emphasizes the film’s theme of sacrifices made in the pursuit of artistic ambitions.
In the final scene, Seb plays the opening notes of their theme song when he spots Mia in his jazz club. This leads into a dream sequence before returning to reality, where Seb plays the last note as Mia smiles sadly. Their silent exchange marks a bittersweet end to their relationship, filled with mutual respect and affection. Though they are no longer together, their love has transformed into a cherished memory that continues to impact their lives as they move forward separately.
Sebastian and Mia (Image via Getty)
The Significance of Sebastian’s Club
A crucial detail in La La Land’s ending is the name and logo of Sebastian’s jazz club, both of which are inspired by Mia. Earlier in the film, Mia designed the logo for Sebastian’s club, symbolizing their profound influence on each other’s lives. This subtle touch underscores the idea that their relationship, even though it did not last, played an essential role in helping them realize their dreams. The club’s success and its connection to Mia highlight the enduring impact they had on one another’s aspirations.
The Emotional Complexity of La La Land’s Ending
While some viewers may find La La Land’s ending heartbreaking, there’s a sense of fulfillment and hope for the characters. Although Mia and Seb don’t end up together, they are successful and fulfilled in their own right. Their relationship, though short-lived, has helped them grow, and they leave the film in better places than they started. The ending challenges expectations, as audiences often hope for a romantic reunion, but La La Land instead delivers a more complex emotional conclusion.
The film’s ending acknowledges the harsh realities of life—the pursuit of dreams comes with sacrifices, and not all love stories are meant to last. However, it also suggests that even in the absence of a perfect ending, there is beauty in personal growth and achievement. La La Land leaves its audience with a bittersweet, yet ultimately uplifting message about the unpredictability of life and love.
Chanelle’s Consistent Theme Across Films
Chazelle’s work, including Whiplash and First Man , consistently explores the theme of sacrifice in the pursuit of one’s dreams. In Whiplash , the protagonist’s obsession with achieving greatness in jazz leads to a damaging relationship with his teacher. First Man focuses on Neil Armstrong’s mission to the moon, which comes at the cost of his family life. Similarly, in La La Land , the character’s pursuit of their artistic goals necessitates personal sacrifices, reinforcing Chazelle’s broader narrative about the costs of ambition.
Sebastian (Image via Getty)
In La La Land , Chazelle explores the idea that, while pursuing one’s passion can lead to success, it often involves painful compromises. The characters may not have a romantic ending, but their personal achievements offer a form of fulfillment, making the movie’s bittersweet conclusion all the more impactful.
La La Land’s Bold Ending: A Modern Masterpiece
La La Land is widely regarded as a modern masterpiece, and its ending is one of the key reasons for its lasting impact. The film’s bold choice to have Mia and Sebastian not reunite, despite the romantic tension, sets it apart from conventional Hollywood romances. This decision, rooted in realism, makes the film’s conclusion more powerful and resonates with viewers long after the credits roll. The ending highlights the unpredictability of life and love, while also affirming that dreams and personal growth are worthy pursuits, even at the cost of romance.
Emma Stone’s Take on the Ending
Emma Stone, who plays Mia, has described the ending as bittersweet but realistic. She believes that the conclusion reflects the reality of life, where dreams don’t always unfold as expected. Stone contrasts the film’s ending with the often idealized portrayals of life on social media, suggesting that La La Land captures the messy, imperfect nature of achieving one’s dreams. For her, the film’s ending offers a reflection of the challenges and rewards of pursuing personal aspirations, even when the journey doesn’t turn out as imagined.
