Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jackie Robinson’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on October 24, 1972, Jackie Robinson, the groundbreaking American professional baseball player, had a net worth equivalent to $6 million when adjusted for inflation. This figure represents the culmination of his earnings from baseball, endorsements, and other ventures throughout his life.
Jackie Robinson’s Salary and Career Earnings
During his baseball career, Jackie Robinson earned a total of $296,000 in salary. When adjusted for inflation to present-day values, this amount is approximately $2.8 million. His initial professional contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League paid him $400 per month.
In 1945, while playing for the Montreal Royals, a minor league team affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson received a $3,500 signing bonus and a monthly salary of $600. Adjusting for inflation, this signing bonus would be worth around $50,000 today.
When Jackie Robinson made his Major League debut in 1947, his annual salary was $5,000. His peak salary of $39,750 was reached in 1952, which is equivalent to approximately $380,000 today. In comparison, the average white player earned $50,000 per year, while Joe DiMaggio earned $100,000 during the same period.
Upon retiring from baseball in 1957, Robinson was paid $50,000 by “Look Magazine” for the exclusive rights to his retirement photos. This sum is equivalent to around $450,000 in today’s dollars.
After retiring from baseball, Jackie Robinson worked for the snack company Chock Full o’Nuts, earning an annual salary of $50,000.
Jackie Robinson’s Assets and Wealth
At the time of his death, Jackie Robinson’s primary asset was his six-acre estate located in Stamford, Connecticut. This property was acquired and the estate built in 1955. After Jackie Robinson’s death in 1972, the estate was divided into four lots, which were gradually sold off by his heirs. One of the last remaining lots was sold in 2011 for $1.7 million.
Jackie Robinson’s Early Life and Education
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. His family worked as sharecroppers. After his father left the family in 1920, Jackie and his family relocated to Pasadena, California.
Jackie Robinson attended Washington Junior High School before enrolling at John Muir High School (Muir Tech), where he excelled in multiple sports. He earned varsity letters in football, basketball, track, and baseball. In 1936, he won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament. He also earned a spot on the Pomona baseball tournament all-star team alongside future Hall-of-Famers Ted Williams and Bob Lemon.
Following Muir, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College, where he continued to participate in basketball, baseball, football, and track. In the spring of 1939, he graduated from Pasadena Junior College and enrolled at UCLA.
At UCLA, Jackie Robinson became the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, football, basketball, and track.
In 1942, Jackie Robinson was drafted into the Army. He was assigned to the 761st Tank Battalion, which became the first black tank unit to see combat in World War II. However, due to court-martial proceedings concerning claims of racist treatment, Robinson was not deployed overseas. He was honorably discharged from the Army in November 1944.
Jackie Robinson’s Baseball Career
Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color line when he debuted in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He played for the Dodgers throughout his MLB career until 1956, after beginning with the Kansas City Monarchs.
During his career, he played 10 seasons with the Dodgers, amassing several accomplishments, including being a World Series champion in 1955. He was a six-time All-Star from 1949 to 1954. In 1949, Jackie was the National League MVP and the NL batting champion, with a .342 batting average.
Jackie Robinson was named MLB Rookie of the Year in 1947 and was a two-time NL stolen base leader in 1947 and 1949. His #42 jersey was retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers and subsequently by all MLB teams.
In 2004, MLB established April 15th as “Jackie Robinson Day,” during which every player wears the No. 42 jersey. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1962.
Over his major league career, Robinson achieved a .313 batting average, hit 141 home runs, and recorded 761 runs batted in. He played 1,382 games and had 4,877 at-bats. His on-base percentage was .409, and his slugging percentage was .474.
Jackie Robinson’s Other Endeavors and Investments
Beyond baseball, Jackie Robinson engaged in several business ventures. He invested in a clothing store called Jackie Robinson Clothiers, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
In 1963, Jackie Robinson founded the Freedom National Bank, which aimed to serve the African American community. However, due to financial difficulties, the bank was permanently closed in 1990.
Later in the 1960s, Jackie Robinson established the Jackie Robinson Construction Company, specializing in building low-income homes and apartments.
Jackie Robinson’s Personal Life
Jackie Robinson met his future wife, Rachel Isum, while attending UCLA. They married and had three children together: Jackie Jr., Sharon, and David. Their marriage lasted until Jackie’s death and was a source of strength and support for him throughout his life.
Robinson was deeply involved in the civil rights movement, using his platform to advocate for equality and social justice. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in recognition of his contributions both on and off the field.
Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972, at the age of 53, from a heart attack. His legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and activists.
