Net Worth Ranker
What Is David Miscavige’s Net Worth?
David Miscavige, a prominent figure in the Church of Scientology, holds the official title of Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center (RTC). This organization wields control over the copyrights and trademarks associated with Dianetics and Scientology. Beyond his leadership role, David Miscavige’s personal financial status has garnered interest, with estimates placing his net worth at approximately $1 million. This figure reflects his involvement in the church and related business ventures.
David Miscavige’s Early Life and Career
Born on April 30, 1960, in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, David Miscavige’s upbringing differed significantly from that of many other religious leaders. He was raised in a Roman Catholic family with Polish-Italian heritage, alongside his twin sister, Denise, and older brother, Ronald. His early life in New Jersey included participation in various sports, though he faced challenges related to asthma and allergies. The turning point for the family came when David’s father, Ronald, became intrigued by Scientology, leading him to seek a Scientologist’s help for his son. According to both Ronald and David Miscavige, a 45-minute Dianetics session resulted in the alleviation of David’s health issues. In 1971, the Miscavige family officially embraced Scientology, eventually relocating to the church’s headquarters at Saint Hill Manor in England. David quickly became deeply involved in the church, earning the distinction of being the youngest professional Scientology auditor. A few years later, the family returned to Philadelphia, where David attended Maple Newtown High School. However, at the age of 16, with his father’s consent, he left school to join the Sea Org in Clearwater, Florida. The Sea Org is a Scientologist organization established in 1968 by founder L. Ron Hubbard. Later, he became a member of the Commodore’s Messenger Organization (CMO), an elite group of young Scientologists.
By 1977, David Miscavige was residing in La Quinta, California, working as a cameraman for Scientology training films. L. Ron Hubbard, the leader and founder of the church, designated Miscavige as the head of CMO. He tasked him with enforcing Hubbard’s policies within the various Scientology organizations. In 1980, Hubbard ceased making public appearances, and David Miscavige gradually assumed greater responsibilities within the Scientology organization. By 1982, Miscavige had established a new organizational structure to manage Hubbard’s personal finances. He aimed to shield Hubbard from personal liability arising from any legal claims against the Scientology organization. He established the Religious Technology Center and the Church of Spiritual Technology. Upon Hubbard’s death in 1986, David Miscavige announced his death at the Hollywood Palladium. He took on the role of head of the Church of Scientology and was given the title of Captain of the Sea Organization. Since he assumed this most high-ranking leadership role in the church, the Scientology organization has been involved in a number of scandals.
In 1991, Time magazine published the story “The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power.” In the story, Miscavige was described as being the ringleader of an organization that used Mafia-like tactics to intimidate members. In 1992, David gave a live interview with “Nightline.” In that interview, he claimed that the article had been prompted by a request from the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company. The church then filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly and Company, which was later settled for an undisclosed amount.
David Miscavige’s Salary and Financial Overview
Financial documents submitted to the IRS in 1992 offer a glimpse into David Miscavige’s compensation during that period. According to these records, his annual salary for the preceding year was $62,683. His wife, Shelly, who served as his assistant, earned $31,359. It is worth noting that neither David nor Shelly received commissions based on fundraising efforts. In contrast, some individuals within the church earned as much as $400,000 through commissions, representing approximately 10% of the funds they raised. The same filing indicated that the church possessed assets totaling $400 million. These assets included a 440-foot yacht called Freewinds, valued at $15 million, and $3.5 million worth of gold bars. Considering the substantial growth in the church’s assets over time, now estimated to be in the billions, it is plausible that David Miscavige’s salary has also increased significantly. However, it is also possible that his salary remains relatively modest compared to that of executives in similar private organizations. Furthermore, it is believed that the church covers a substantial portion of David Miscavige’s expenses, which are said to support a lavish lifestyle.
Over the decades that followed, many news stories and television specials featured exposés on the Scientology organization. In 2009, the “St. Petersburg Times” published a series called “The Truth Rundown,” which featured allegations against the church levied by former high-ranking members of the church. One story that came out alleged that there was a location called “The Hole” in which members of the church staff were degraded and humiliated by Miscavige and other church executives. Representatives from the church have repeatedly denied these allegations. A former Scientologist filed a suit against Miscavige in 2019 in which she alleged kidnapping, stalking, libel, slander, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He was also named in a lawsuit involving a series of alleged rapes by actor Danny Masterson. In April of 2022, three former Scientology workers filed a lawsuit for human trafficking against Miscavige. The court overseeing the case was told by the plaintiff’s counsel that Miscavige had been evading service in the case for a period of months after over 14 attempts were made to serve him. The court found the allegations credible and ordered Miscavige to be served through the office of the Secretary of the State of Florida.
David Miscavige’s Personal Life
David Miscavige is married to Michele Diane “Shelly” Miscavige, also a member of the Sea Org. Shelly has not been seen in public since August 2007. The Los Angeles Police Department initiated an investigation into her whereabouts after former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini filed a missing-persons report. The investigation was closed in 2013, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Other journalists have reported that Shelly is being held under guard at a Scientology compound called Gold Base. Several members of David Miscavige’s family have publicly criticized the Church of Scientology. His older brother, Ronald, who previously held an executive position in the Sea Org, left Scientology in 2000. David Miscavige’s niece, Jenna, Ronald’s daughter, was a member of the church but left in 2005 and has since become a vocal critic. She published a book, “Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology And My Harrowing Escape,” in 2013. She has also confirmed that David Miscavige’s father, Ronald, left the church in 2012.
While pinpointing the exact sources of David Miscavige’s wealth is challenging due to the private nature of the Church of Scientology’s financial dealings, his leadership position and long-term involvement undoubtedly play a significant role. His documented salary from the early 1990s, combined with the potential for increased compensation and the church’s coverage of his expenses, contribute to his overall net worth.
