Why They Rank
Headlined first WrestleMania. Most famous wrestler of the 20th century. OBEY brand derived from his likeness. The Princess Bride film role. Cultural impact far exceeding financial capture.
The Fortune
André René Roussimoff, known as André the Giant, was the most famous professional wrestler of the 20th century and a genuine cultural icon. Standing 7'4" and weighing over 500 pounds, he was the main attraction in wrestling for two decades and headlined the first WrestleMania against Hulk Hogan in a match that drew 93,000 fans to the Pontiac Silverdome (though the actual attendance was likely around 78,000).
André earned modest sums by modern standards -- his peak WWE income was reportedly $400,000-500,000 per year in the 1980s, plus merchandise royalties and appearance fees. His role as Fezzik in The Princess Bride (1987) earned him additional film income. He died in 1993 at age 46 due to complications from acromegaly, the condition that caused his gigantism.
André's legacy value has been amplified by Shepard Fairey's 'OBEY' artwork -- originally a street art stencil of André's face created in 1989 -- which became one of the most recognized images in contemporary art and fashion. The OBEY clothing brand, worth hundreds of millions, is directly derived from André's likeness, though his estate has received relatively modest licensing fees from the association. His estate value of $5 million reflects the economics of a pre-modern wrestling era.
Wealth Source
WWE career, film appearances, licensing, Obey brand association
Top Endorsements
Fun Facts
André reportedly drank 156 beers in a single sitting, a figure that multiple witnesses have corroborated and that remains the most legendary drinking story in sports history.
Shepard Fairey's OBEY artwork -- now a global fashion brand worth hundreds of millions -- is directly based on André's face, though the estate has captured only a fraction of that value.
He was so large that he could not fit in standard cars, hotel beds, or airplane seats, and he frequently slept on the floor of hotels during road trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest athlete of all time?
Michael Jordan is the richest athlete of all time with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion. His wealth comes primarily from the Jordan Brand, the sale of the Charlotte Hornets, and decades of endorsement deals. His NBA playing salary was just $94 million -- a fraction of his total fortune.
How do athletes build wealth beyond their playing salary?
The wealthiest athletes build wealth through endorsement deals, equity stakes in companies, brand ownership, franchise ownership, venture capital, and real estate. The key insight is taking equity over flat endorsement fees whenever possible -- turning short-term fame into long-term compounding assets.
Which athletes are billionaires?
As of 2026, four athletes have confirmed billionaire status: Michael Jordan ($3.5B), Tiger Woods ($1.3B), LeBron James ($1.2B), and Magic Johnson ($1.2B). Several others are approaching the threshold, including Arnold Palmer's estate ($875M), Lionel Messi ($650M), and Michael Schumacher ($600M).
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