Why They Rank
Highest-earning active cricketer. Over $30M/year in endorsements. 270M+ Instagram followers. 80+ international centuries. The most marketable athlete in India.
The Fortune
Virat Kohli is the highest-earning cricketer in the world and one of the most marketable athletes in any sport. His IPL salary, combined with endorsement income of approximately $30 million per year, makes him the clear financial leader in cricket. He has endorsement deals with Puma, Audi, MRF Tyres, Uber, Google, and over 30 other brands. His Instagram following exceeds 270 million, making him the most followed cricketer on earth and one of the top athletes on the platform globally.
Kohli co-founded Chisel Fitness gyms, invested in the fashion brand Wrogn, launched the restaurant chain Nueva, and has stakes in multiple startups through his investment firm Virat Kohli Holdings. His business portfolio is more diversified than any active cricketer and rivals many retired athlete-entrepreneurs.
On the pitch, Kohli has scored over 80 international centuries across all formats and is considered one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. His aggressive style, combined with his celebrity marriage to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, has made him a cultural phenomenon in India -- a status he has monetized more effectively than any cricketer since Tendulkar.
Wealth Source
Cricket salary, IPL contract, endorsements, investments
Top Endorsements
Fun Facts
Kohli has more Instagram followers than any cricketer in history and more than most NFL, MLB, and NHL franchises combined.
He is married to Anushka Sharma, one of Bollywood's biggest stars, making them the most commercially powerful couple in Indian sports and entertainment.
His brand value was estimated at $227 million by a 2023 industry report -- higher than many Fortune 500 company executives.
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).
Get Glen’s Updates
Investing insights, new tools, and whatever I’m building this week. Free. No spam.
Unsubscribe anytime. I respect your inbox more than Congress respects property rights.
Keep Exploring
Top 25 Richest Athletes
See the full ranked list of the wealthiest athletes of all time.
Read moreTop 25 Basketball Players
The greatest basketball players of all time, ranked.
Read moreBillionaires & Icons
Profiles of the world's most successful investors and builders.
Read moreGreatest Trades Ever
The most legendary investment decisions in financial history.
Read moreTop 25 Value Investors
The greatest value investors of all time, ranked.
Read moreCelebrity Superpowers
Every celebrity has a superpower. We identified all of them.
Read more