Why They Rank
Four major championships. Ernie Els Design with 40+ courses. Ernie Els Wines in Stellenbosch. Over $49M in PGA prize money. Els for Autism Foundation.
The Fortune
Ernie Els, nicknamed 'The Big Easy' for his effortless swing, is a four-time major champion and one of the most successful golfers on the international circuit. His career prize money exceeds $49 million from the PGA Tour alone, with additional millions from the European Tour, Asian Tour, and Champions Tour. His endorsement partners have included Titleist, SAP, HSBC, and Callaway.
Els has built a substantial business empire beyond playing. Ernie Els Design has created over 40 golf courses worldwide, generating design fees and ongoing royalties. His wine estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa -- Ernie Els Wines -- produces premium wines that are exported globally and have won numerous awards. The combination of course design and wine production has created a post-career revenue model that generates millions annually.
Els is also the founder of the Els for Autism Foundation, established after his son Ben was diagnosed with autism. The foundation has raised over $30 million and built the Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida. His net worth of $85 million reflects a career that maximized both on-course earnings and off-course business ventures.
Wealth Source
Tournament winnings, course design, wine estate, endorsements
Top Endorsements
Fun Facts
Els's wine estate in Stellenbosch produces wines that regularly score 90+ points from Wine Spectator, making him the most successful winemaker-athlete in the world.
His nickname 'The Big Easy' comes from his silky smooth swing that makes golf look effortless despite generating enormous power.
The Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida, is one of the most comprehensive autism treatment and education facilities in the country.
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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