What is O.J. Simpson's Net Worth in 2024

By Jason Bolton February 12, 2024 22:17

Photo by Steve Marcus-Pool/Getty Images

OJ Simpson, a deeply divisive former star of American sports and entertainment who was later acquitted in the 1994 murder trial of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, died on April 10, 2024 of Heart Failure. A point Celebrated football star, movie actor, and multi-time defendant O.J. Simpson had a financial journey almost as bumpy as his personal life. In this article, we give you a detailed review of OJ Simpson's net worth on his death.

Simpson's Early Income

Primary Revenue Sources: A majority of Simpson's early income came from his illustrious career in the NFL. As a running back, he played professionally with the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. During his time in the NFL Simpson's Contracts were considered to be the highest in the league. His special talents resulted in several profitable endorsements like the one he signed with the Hertz car rental company.

After retiring, Simpson moved into acting in such films as the "Naked Gun" series, which enhanced his earning power even more.

At the time of his peak years in 1992, Simpson was believed to have a net worth between $10.8 million and $25 million (depending on how you adjust for inflation). But things went south for him fast after his brush with the law.

The bulk of that was his NFL pension, which sources said gave him a monthly income in the area of $25,000. Simpson also received yearly Social Security and a Screen Actors Guild pension income, which ranged between $125,000 to $300,000.

Major Drop In Net Worth

Legal Troubles: After his infamous 1995 murder trial, in which Simpson was acquitted, he incurred significant legal bills. A civil trial in 1997 where he was deemed not responsible for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, turned into a $33.5 million judgment against him. Interest expanded that judgment to almost $100 million by 2024, and did a severe number on Simpson's pocketbook.
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Simpson filed for bankruptcy and his Brentwood mansion was foreclosed on as a result of the legal battles. Moving to Florida, whose liberal laws protected his homestead and pensions from satisfying the civil judgment was Simpson's next move.

Peer Comparison: Simpson was a successful athlete during his day, but his net worth at the time of death did not compare to fellow high-achieving athletes.

Even someone who has played in around that same period, like Michael Jordan reportedly is worth north of 1 billion dollars. Simpson is less wealthy than even some of the similarly successful athletes from his era, Joe Montana for example has tens of millions more in wealth.

Simpson's legal troubles and damaged public image took a serious toll as seen below and later in life, Simpson was forced to rely on income from autograph signings to make a living. Convicted and then later acquitted of the murder, Simpson would be deprived of any chance to become a national businessman while his other star-player contemporaries succeeded in leveraging their fame into huge business dough.

Estate Battle: Simpson's estate is likely to remain in dispute for years after his death, and it should come as no surprise if you hear about a financial reward that will go out in years to come. A major part of it is the unpaid civil judgment, and the Goldman family continues to chase for a piece. Meanwhile, the protected status of Simpson's pensions potentially compounds matters.

Considering this controversial star was in prison for a large part of his adult life the value of Simpson memorabilia (and collectibles) will become worth even more. This could add a little value to his estate, but it is probably minimal in the larger financial picture.

OJ Simpson's Current Net Worth

Finally, when we calculate OJ Simpson's net worth up to his death we estimate a net worth of about $3 million. This grossly reflects the fall in earnings from its height. His financial downfall can be directly traced back to his legal tribulations, the most prominent of which was the sensational murder trial and subsequent civil verdict. Though his NFL pension provided a modest income in the latter stages of life, good fortune had passed Simpson by at the end and he was not(left) with much compared to other athletes from that later era.