Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ted DiBiase’s Net Worth?
Ted DiBiase, the former professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister, and commentator known to many as “The Million Dollar Man,” boasts a net worth of approximately $2 million as of 2025. This figure reflects his earnings from a multifaceted career spanning professional wrestling, endorsements, and other ventures. While precise breakdowns of his income streams are not publicly available, we can infer that his wrestling career, particularly his run with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), played a significant role in accumulating his net worth.
Early Career and “The Million Dollar Man” Persona
Theodore Marvin DiBiase Sr. was born on January 18, 1954, in Omaha, Nebraska. His early life was marked by significant personal events; his father was singer Ted Wills and his mother was wrestler Helen Nevins. After his parents divorced, his mother remarried wrestler “Iron” Mike DiBiase. The tragic death of his stepfather, Mike DiBiase, who died of a heart attack in the ring when Ted was just 15, deeply impacted his life. Following his stepfather’s death, Ted moved to Arizona to live with his grandparents due to his mother’s struggles with depression and alcoholism. He attended Creighton Preparatory high school before earning a football scholarship to West Texas State University. An injury during his senior year prompted him to leave college and pursue a career in professional wrestling.
DiBiase’s wrestling journey began in the mid-1970s with Mid-South Wrestling. He had a short stint with the World Wrestling Federation, followed by stints with NWA, Mid-South, and All Japan Pro Wrestling. However, it was his return to the WWF in 1987 that catapulted him to superstardom as “The Million Dollar Man.” His character, a wealthy and arrogant villain who flaunted his wealth, resonated with audiences and made him one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling. During his initial run as “The Million Dollar Man,” DiBiase frequently carried a custom-made “Million Dollar Championship” belt, encrusted with cubic zirconia and valued at approximately $40,000. This prop became synonymous with his character and further solidified his image as a wealthy wrestling icon. He even offered wrestlers and fans large sums of cash (in his own estimation) to perform degrading acts.
Ted held multiple championships during his active wrestling career. DiBiase was the inaugural WWF North American Heavyweight Champion, a three-time WWF Tag Team Champion (alongside Irwin R. Schyster), and a WWE 24/7 Champion. He also won the 1988 King of the Ring tournament. DiBiase headlined major WWF events such as WrestleMania IV and the inaugural SummerSlam in 1988, further cementing his status as a top performer. During his prime in the late 1980s and early 1990s, DiBiase’s annual earnings from wrestling, merchandise sales, and personal appearances are estimated to have been in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. While precise figures are unavailable, it is plausible that he earned upwards of $500,000 per year during his peak years as “The Million Dollar Man.” In recognition of his contributions to professional wrestling, DiBiase was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996 and headlined the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
Post-Wrestling Career and Ministry Work
After retiring from active wrestling in 1993 and making sporadic returns until 1996, DiBiase transitioned into roles as a manager, creative consultant, and commentator. He has also made appearances at various WWE events. In more recent years, DiBiase became involved in ministry work, including his Heart of David Ministries. However, this association became entangled in controversy due to allegations of welfare fraud.
Reports surfaced that DiBiase’s ministry received over $2.1 million in welfare funds from the state of Mississippi after his son, Brett, was hired as deputy administrator of the state’s Department of Human Services. Brett pleaded guilty to creating fraudulent statements in connection to what has been called the largest public embezzlement case in Mississippi history. In October 2021, Ted was ordered to repay $722,299 of the funds that were given to his Heart of David Ministries. In May 2022, the Mississippi Department of Human Services filed a lawsuit against DiBiase and his sons, along with former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, seeking to recover over $20 million that was allegedly squandered from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families anti-poverty program. Further investigation by the Mississippi Office of State Auditor revealed that DiBiase personally received a $250,000 check from state welfare grantee the Family Resource Center for providing services as a “Motivational Speaker.” It is important to acknowledge the financial implications of these legal issues on DiBiase’s overall net worth. The requirement to repay $722,299 in welfare funds, coupled with potential legal fees and other associated costs, could significantly impact his financial standing.
Personal Life, Real Estate, and Other Ventures
Ted’s sons, Mike, Ted DiBiase Jr., and Brett, all followed in their father’s footsteps and became professional wrestlers. DiBiase has also authored two books, “Every Man Has His Price” (1997) and “The Million Dollar Man” (2008), and wrote the foreword to William J. Bruce III’s “Penholder” (2010). Sales figures for these books are not publicly available, so their contribution to his overall net worth is unknown, but it is likely minimal.
In May 2020, DiBiase listed his lake home in Madison, Missouri, for $1.595 million. Records indicate that Ted and his wife originally purchased the property in November 2018 and took out a mortgage of approximately $1 million from Renasant Bank. In August 2020, it was reported that the U.S. Attorney General sought to have the property forfeited. The specific details surrounding this attempted forfeiture, including the legal basis and final outcome, are not entirely clear from available sources. However, the listing price of $1.595 million provides an estimate of the property’s value at that time, which is a significant component of DiBiase’s assets. The fact that he ultimately removed the listing suggests potential complications or a change in his plans regarding the property. The property in question is a lakefront residence located in Madison, Missouri, and features several bedrooms and bathrooms and various amenities. However, detailed information about the specific address and square footage of the property has not been publicly disclosed.
The specifics of his current income streams are not readily available. It is plausible that he receives income from appearance fees at wrestling conventions and other events, as well as royalties from the use of his likeness and intellectual property by WWE. However, the magnitude of these income sources is difficult to quantify without access to specific contracts and financial statements. Also, there is no confirmed information to suggest he owns any private jets, or luxury cars. In summary, Ted DiBiase’s net worth of $2 million is the result of his wrestling career and other opportunities that came as a result. The amount has been significantly impacted by his welfare fraud accusations.
