Net Worth Ranker
What Was Steve McQueen’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in November 1980, Steve McQueen’s net worth was estimated to be $30 million. Factoring in inflation, that’s the equivalent of approximately $100 million in today’s dollars. This valuation reflects his successful acting career, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, a period during which he starred in iconic films and commanded substantial salaries.
Steve McQueen’s Peak Earnings and Assets
Steve McQueen achieved the distinction of being the world’s highest-paid actor in the mid-1970s. His $12 million paycheck for his role in the 1974 film “The Towering Inferno” is equivalent to around $76 million today, showcasing the magnitude of his earnings during that period. Besides his income from acting, McQueen accumulated a valuable collection of automobiles, motorcycles, and watches. These assets have become exceptionally valuable over time, with individual items fetching significant sums at auctions.
In the late 1960s, McQueen’s earnings reached $1 million per movie, eventually escalating to $3 million per film. His $12 million salary for “The Towering Inferno” solidified his position as the highest-paid actor globally, a title he retained even after his death. McQueen’s financial success enabled him to acquire an impressive array of assets, including around 130 motorcycles and numerous cars, ranging from Ferraris and Porsches to Jaguars. In 2006, his 1937 Crocker motorcycle was sold for $276,000, and in 2007, his 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lussa Berlinetta fetched $2.3 million at auction. McQueen’s watch collection was also notable, and as a brand ambassador for Heuer, his image is still used in their advertisements. One of the six Monaco Ref. 1133 watches he wore in the 1970 film “Le Mans” was sold at auction for $2.208 million, further demonstrating the value of his possessions.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Terrence Stephen McQueen on March 24, 1930, in Beech Grove, Indiana, McQueen’s early life was marked by instability. His father, a stunt pilot named William, abandoned the family shortly after his birth. His mother, Julia Ann, struggled to raise him, leading him to spend his early childhood with his maternal grandparents on a farm. At age eight, he moved to Indianapolis to live with his mother and stepfather, but conflicts led to him living on the streets and engaging in petty crimes. He spent time at the California Junior Boys Republic in Chino before enlisting in the Marines. Following his honorable discharge in 1950, McQueen utilized the G.I. Bill to study acting at Sanford Meisner’s Neighborhood Playhouse and HB Studio in New York City. To support himself, he participated in weekend Harley and Triumph motorcycle races. He secured minor roles in productions such as “The Member of the Wedding” and “Peg o’My Heart,” eventually moving to California in 1955 to pursue opportunities in Hollywood.
McQueen’s initial breakthrough came with his appearance in the NBC western series “Tales of Wells Fargo,” followed by roles in “Wanted: Dead or Alive” and “Trackdown.” Frank Sinatra provided him with a role in the film “Never So Few,” which led to significant film opportunities. McQueen’s first major hit was “The Magnificent Seven,” followed by the 1963 film “The Great Escape.” He then starred in “Love with the Proper Stranger,” “Nevada Smith,” “The Cincinnati Kid,” and “The Sand Pebbles.” His performance in “The Sand Pebbles” earned him an Academy Award nomination, the only one of his career.
In 1968, McQueen starred in “Bullitt” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.” His career continued to rise into the 1970s, and by the time the 1972 film “The Getaway” was released, McQueen had become the highest-paid actor in the world. After 1974, McQueen essentially disappeared from acting in order to focus more fully on racing motorcycles. He returned to film in 1978 with the movie “An Enemy of the People.” His final two films were “Tom Horn,” a Western, and “The Hunter,” both of which were released in 1980.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
In 1979, Steve McQueen and his third wife, Barbara Minty, purchased a 15.5-acre ranch in Santa Paula, California, approximately 1.5 hours northeast of Los Angeles. They married at this ranch in the home’s living room in January 1980. The property included a 4,500-square-foot hangar where Steve housed his extensive collection of cars and motorcycles. Its proximity to the Santa Paula Airport was another advantage, allowing McQueen to keep his Stearman Model 75 biplane there. His car and motorcycle collection, years after his death, would prove to be extremely valuable. He owned approximately 130 motorcycles and dozens of incredible cars, from Ferraris to Porsches and Jaguars.
Besides real estate, McQueen’s personal assets included a vast collection of motorcycles and automobiles. He owned around 130 motorcycles, ranging from vintage models to high-performance bikes. His car collection was equally impressive, featuring numerous Ferraris, Porsches, and Jaguars. He was also an avid pilot and owned a Stearman Model 75 biplane, which he housed at the Santa Paula Airport. These assets, along with his watches, have appreciated significantly over the years, contributing to his overall net worth.
Personal Life and Habits
McQueen’s personal life was marked by several relationships and marriages. He initially dated Gia Scala while studying acting in New York, but the relationship ended. He then married actress and dancer Neile Adams on November 2, 1956. They had a daughter in 1959 and a son in 1960. They divorced in 1972, with reports of McQueen having affairs during the marriage. In 1973, he married actress Ali MacGraw, his co-star from “The Getaway,” but they divorced in 1978. In January 1980, he married model Barbara Minty. McQueen had an intensive daily exercise regime, involving weightlifting, running, and martial arts. He also had drug and alcohol habits and was known to be a frequent drinker, cocaine user, and marijuana smoker. Throughout his acting career, McQueen continued racing both motorcycles and race cars, and his extensive collection of classic motorcycles and vintage cars reflected his passion for racing and vehicles.
McQueen’s daily routine included intensive workouts that incorporated weightlifting, running, and martial arts. He was also known to have several vices, including frequent drinking, cocaine use, and marijuana smoking. His lifestyle reflected a blend of physical discipline and indulgence, which ultimately impacted his health. He passed away in November 1980 following surgery to remove tumors associated with pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer often linked to asbestos exposure.
Death and Legacy
In 1978, Steve McQueen developed a persistent cough, leading him to quit smoking. Despite this, he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. After evidence of widespread metastasis was found, McQueen sought controversial treatments in Mexico, which ultimately failed to cure him. He developed several tumors in his abdomen and underwent surgery to remove one on his liver, despite American doctors deeming them inoperable. Shortly after the surgery, McQueen died of a heart attack in November 1980 while in Mexico. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. Since his death, McQueen has remained an icon, inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He has been featured in numerous museum exhibits, documentaries, and portrayed in feature films. His net worth, built through acting success and astute asset accumulation, remains a testament to his enduring impact on popular culture.
