Tom Brady, an American retired professional football quarterback, spokesperson, and entrepreneur, has accumulated a net worth of $300 million. This figure stands apart from his former wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, who boasts her own impressive fortune of $400 million. During their marriage, their combined net worth reached a staggering $650 million.
Brady’s football career is legendary. He appeared in a record-breaking 10 Super Bowls, playing for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, securing victory in seven of them—more than any other player in NFL history. His remarkable performances earned him five Super Bowl MVP awards and three NFL MVP titles.
In 2020, after spending two decades with the Patriots, Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His contract was a two-year deal worth $50 million, with an additional $9 million in potential incentives. By the end of his NFL career, Brady had earned over $473 million from salaries and endorsements, solidifying his status as one of the greatest football players of all time.
Tom Brady (Image via Getty)
Notable Financial Highlights
Brady’s financial milestones are as impressive as his sports achievements. He was the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, a fact that makes his success even more extraordinary. Over his first 20 years in the league, he earned $230 million in salary alone, complemented by more than $150 million from endorsements.
He invested $30 million in constructing a lavish mansion in Brentwood, which he later sold to Dr. Dre for $50 million, pocketing a significant profit. Despite his financial acumen, Brady potentially lost between $50 to $100 million due to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, where he had equity stakes.
Early Life and Passion for Sports
Born on August 3, 1977, in San Mateo, California, Tom Brady grew up in a sports-loving family. As the only son among four siblings, he shared his childhood with three older sisters: Nancy, Julie, and Maureen. Raised Catholic, Brady often attended San Francisco 49ers games, idolizing the legendary Joe Montana.
Brady’s early exposure to sports wasn’t limited to football. He played baseball and basketball while attending Junipero Serra High School, graduating in 1995. He became the starting quarterback during his junior year, and by his senior year, he was actively sending highlight tapes to colleges. Back then, athlete recruitment lacked the star-rating system common today, but Brady would’ve likely been a four-star recruit.
Though drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft, Brady chose football, committing to the University of Michigan. Initially a backup quarterback, he eventually became the starter, leading Michigan to 20 wins in 25 games. Despite an impressive college career, he wasn’t an early draft pick, finally selected 199th in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2000.
Brady’s NFL Career: A Story of Determination
Tom Brady’s selection in the sixth round makes him one of the biggest “steals” in NFL Draft history. He became the Patriots’ starting quarterback in just his second season, spending 20 years with the team—a record for the most seasons as a starting quarterback with one franchise.
Tom Brady (Image via Getty)
Brady is one of only two quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl in their first year as a starter. During his tenure with the Patriots, he never had a losing season and led the team to an unprecedented 16 division titles. His postseason record of 30–11 ranks first in both wins and appearances.
Between 2011 and 2019, Brady led the Patriots to eight consecutive AFC Championship games, a feat unmatched in NFL history. His 14 Pro Bowl selections tie the record for the most in the league’s history. Despite facing a four-game suspension in 2016 due to the Deflategate scandal, Brady bounced back, leading the Patriots to win two of the next three Super Bowls.
Transition to Tampa Bay and Retirement
In March 2020, Brady announced his departure from the Patriots, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While in Tampa, he rented Derek Jeter’s luxurious waterfront mansion for $70,000 per month. In his first season with the Buccaneers, Brady led the team to a Super Bowl victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, marking his seventh championship win. After briefly announcing his retirement in February 2022, Brady officially retired from football in February 2023. By the end of his career, he held numerous NFL records, including the most career wins, passing yards, and touchdown passes.
In May 2022, Brady signed a monumental 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports to become an NFL broadcaster after retirement. This contract made him the highest-paid sportscaster in history, earning more than double what Tony Romo and Troy Aikman make. However, recent reports suggest that Brady might reconsider this deal, potentially stepping away from the broadcasting role.
Financial Setback with FTX
Brady and Bündchen became brand ambassadors for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange, in 2021. They appeared in multiple commercials alongside FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. However, FTX filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, following allegations of fraud against its founder.
Court documents revealed that Brady owned over 1.1 million FTX shares, while Bündchen had around 686,000 shares. At its peak, their combined shares were valued at approximately $57 million. Unfortunately, with FTX’s collapse, they are unlikely to recover any of this lost value.
Tom Brady (Image via Getty)
Career Earnings and Endorsements
Throughout his NFL career, Brady earned significant income from both his salary and endorsements. Between 2000 and 2019, he made $230 million from his NFL contracts and around $100 million from endorsements. During the same period, Gisele Bündchen’s career earnings approached $500 million.
By the end of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady’s total earnings reached approximately $333 million in salary and $140 million from endorsements, totaling over $473 million.
Real Estate Investments
Brady’s real estate portfolio is as impressive as his football career. In Massachusetts, he and Gisele purchased land in Brookline for $4.5 million, building a custom mansion they later sold.
In Brentwood, Los Angeles, they spent $9 million on land and an additional $20 million constructing an eco-friendly mansion, which they sold to Dr. Dre for $50 million. In New York, they bought a luxury condo for $25.5 million, selling it later for $40 million while retaining a smaller unit in the same building.
In Florida, they invested $17 million in an estate on Indian Creek Island, known as “Billionaire Bunker.” They also owned property in Montana’s exclusive Yellowstone Club, with real estate values in the area ranging from $6 million to over $30 million.
Rowan Atkinson celebrated for his mastery in physical comedy, has amassed a net worth of $150 million. While most recognize him as the iconic character Mr. Bean , Atkinson’s talents span various roles, showcasing his impressive range as an actor. He is also an accomplished theater performer, blending his comedic skills with more traditional acting forms.
Beyond his acting career, Atkinson is an avid car enthusiast and collector. His collection includes dozens of luxury sports cars, and he’s perhaps best known for his brief ownership of a McLaren F1, a car he infamously crashed twice. Atkinson later sold the car for $12 million, a tale that captures his unique relationship with high-end automobiles.
Mr. Bean (Image via Getty)
His Early Life
Born on January 6th, 1955, in the town of Consett, England, Rowan Atkinson was raised in a farming family with his two brothers, though tragically, a third brother died in infancy. Atkinson excelled in academics, and his high marks allowed him to attend Newcastle University. He pursued a degree in electrical engineering, later obtaining an MSc in the field from The Queen’s College, Oxford, in 1978.
Though Atkinson initially had aspirations of a doctorate, his passion for acting soon took precedence. During his time at Oxford, he became deeply involved in the university’s comedy scene, contributing to a group of writers and performing with the Oxford University Dramatic Society.
Career Beginnings: Radio and Television
Atkinson’s career took off in 1979 with a radio show titled The Atkinson People , where he displayed his remarkable voice-acting abilities by interviewing himself as various characters. This period marked his television debut on the show Canned Laughter . He further cemented his presence with Not the Nine O’Clock News , a popular mock news program.
Simultaneously, Atkinson ventured into theater, starring in The Secret Policeman’s Ball , a comedic performance that also included Monty Python members. His early career was a diverse mixture of radio, television, and stage work, setting the stage for what was to come.
The Landmark Year: 1983
In 1983, Atkinson’s career reached a significant milestone. He secured the lead role in Blackadder , one of his most beloved projects. This marked the beginning of a series that would evolve through various historical periods, with Atkinson portraying a new version of the scheming Edmund Blackadder. That same year, Atkinson made his film debut in Never Say Never Again , an unofficial James Bond movie.
Blackadder continued to evolve, with its second season launching in 1986 after overcoming budget constraints. The series later expanded to Blackadder II , Blackadder the Third , and Blackadder Goes Forth , a testament to its immense popularity and Atkinson’s central role in its success. During this period, he also starred in the film The Tall Guy .
Rowan Atkinson (Image via Getty)
The Mr. Bean Era Begins
In 1990, Atkinson introduced audiences to the character of Mr. Bean in a special television program. This character, largely non-verbal and highly physical, would go on to become one of Atkinson’s most famous creations. The Mr. Bean series ran until 1995, and the character’s appeal led to a series of films and further adaptations, including an animated version that continued until 2019.
In addition to Mr. Bean , Atkinson participated in other film projects. He starred in The Witches (1990) and Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993). Atkinson’s versatility as an actor became even more apparent in 1994 when he starred in Four Weddings and a Funeral as a vicar and lent his voice to the character of Zazu in Disney’s The Lion King .
Broadening Horizons: Film and Television Roles
1995 marked Atkinson’s return to television with The Thin Blue Line , where he played a police officer. The series ran until 1996, after which Atkinson turned his focus back to movies. In 1997, he starred in Bean , the first feature film centered around Mr. Bean. The film was a box office success, grossing over $250 million on an $18 million budget.
Atkinson’s film career continued to thrive in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He appeared in Rat Race (2001) and Scooby-Doo (2002), as well as the critically acclaimed Love Actually (2003). That same year, Atkinson introduced the character of Johnny English, a bumbling parody of James Bond, in a film of the same name. The success of Johnny English led to two sequels: Johnny English Strikes Back (2011) and Johnny English Strikes Again (2018), each grossing over $160 million globally.
Rowan Atkinson (Image via Getty)
Continued Success in the 2000s and Beyond
In 2007, Atkinson returned to the big screen with Mr. Bean’s Holiday , the sequel to his first Mr. Bean film. Like its predecessor, the film was a commercial hit, earning over $232 million. Atkinson’s theater career also remained strong, with notable roles in Oliver! (2009) and Quarantine’s Terms (2013).
From 2016 to 2017, Atkinson starred in a short series called Maigret , showcasing his versatility as an actor. Over the years, he also made guest appearances on various TV shows, including Late Night With Conan O’Brien , Doctor Who , and Horrible Histories . He also appeared in several commercials, notably for brands like M&M, Snickers, and Nissan.
Atkinson’s personal life has seen significant milestones, particularly in his marriages. In 1990, he married Sunetra Sastry, and together they had two children. The couple divorced in 2015, after which Atkinson began a relationship with comedian Louise Ford. In 2017, Atkinson and Ford had a child together, marking a new chapter in his personal life.
Atkinson’s Passion for Cars
Beyond acting, Atkinson is an avid car enthusiast. His collection features an impressive array of vehicles, including a Honda NSX, Aston Martin DB2, Jaguar Mk7, and Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. Not just a collector, Atkinson is also a skilled driver. His driving prowess was demonstrated in 1997 when he achieved the second-fastest lap time ever recorded on the Top Gear track in his McLaren F1.
Atkinson’s connection to the McLaren F1 became infamous after he crashed the car twice. He initially purchased the car for $1 million but crashed it in 1999 and again in 2011. The latter incident required a $1.4 million repair bill, prompting Atkinson’s insurance premiums to skyrocket to $100,000 annually. In 2015, he sold the McLaren F1 for $12 million, a story that reflects his complicated but enduring passion for high-performance cars.
A Legacy of Talent and Passion
Rowan Atkinson’s net worth of $150 million is a reflection of his diverse talents and enduring appeal. From his breakthrough role as Mr. Bean to his expansive career in film, television, and theater, Atkinson has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. His love of cars and impressive collection only adds to the intrigue surrounding this remarkable comedian and actor.
