Overview

Carlo Pedersoli (1929-2016), best known as Bud Spencer, was an Italian actor, filmmaker, and former professional swimmer and water polo player. He gained international fame for his roles in action-comedy and spaghetti Western films, often in partnership with Terence Hill. Together, they starred in 18 films, becoming a beloved duo worldwide. Before his acting career, Spencer was a successful athlete, being the first Italian to swim the 100-meter freestyle in under a minute. He represented Italy in swimming at the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics and won the Italian Championship in water polo in 1954. Beyond entertainment, he held a law degree, was a licensed commercial airline and helicopter pilot, and held several patents. Bud Spencer passed away on June 27, 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile talent and a cherished figure in both sports and film.

Mistral Air (former)

Founder

What Is Bud Spencer’s Net Worth?

Bud Spencer, born Carlo Pedersoli on October 31, 1929, in Naples, Italy, was a multifaceted Italian personality. He excelled as an actor, filmmaker, and former professional swimmer. His **net worth** was estimated to be $500,000. Spencer gained international recognition through his roles in spaghetti Westerns and action-comedy movies, particularly those alongside his longtime film partner, Terence Hill.

Bud Spencer’s Career and Earnings

Spencer’s career began with a minor role as a member of the Praetorian Guard in the epic film “Quo Vadis” (1951). During the 1950s and early 1960s, he took on roles in films produced for the Italian market. His breakthrough came in 1967 when he adopted the stage name Bud Spencer, a tribute to Spencer Tracy and Budweiser beer. He achieved significant success in spaghetti Westerns, forming a famous duo with Terence Hill. Together, they starred in 18 films, including international hits like “Ace High” (1968) and “They Call Me Trinity” (1970). According to IMDB, Spencer earned 25,000,000 Lira for “They Call Me Trinity”.

Beyond acting, Bud Spencer showcased his diverse talents as a screenwriter, penning scripts for some of his films. He also ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Mistral Air in 1984, an air transportation company. He later sold his business interests in Mistral and invested in the children’s clothing industry. While specific financial details regarding his earnings from these ventures remain private, they contributed to his overall financial standing.

In the early 1990s, Spencer experienced a resurgence in his acting career with the TV action-drama series “Extralarge.” While his movie career slowed down after 1983, this series brought him renewed success. It’s also worth noting that Spencer registered several patents throughout his life, showcasing his innovative side, though the financial benefits derived from these patents are not publicly detailed.

Bud Spencer’s Early Life and Athletic Achievements

Carlo Pedersoli’s early life was marked by both academic and athletic achievements. He was born in the Santa Lucia district of Naples and displayed an early aptitude for swimming. In 1940, his family relocated to Rome, where he continued his education and joined a swimming club. Before turning seventeen, he completed his schooling with top marks and enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome to study chemistry. However, his family’s move to South America in 1947 interrupted his studies.

From 1947 to 1949, Pedersoli worked at the Italian consulate in Recife, Brazil, where he became fluent in Portuguese. Upon returning to Italy in 1949, he excelled in water polo in Rome for Società Sportiva Lazio Nuoto. As a professional swimmer, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Italian to swim the 100-meter freestyle in under a minute, completing it in 59.5 seconds in Salsomaggiore on September 19, 1950. His athletic prowess extended to the Olympic Games, where he represented Italy in swimming at the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics. He also competed in the European championships in Vienna in 1949, finishing fifth in the 100m and fourth in the 4 × 200m relay.

Bud Spencer’s Other Ventures and Possessions

Bud Spencer’s interests and activities extended beyond acting and sports. After appearing in “Più forte, ragazzi!”, he obtained licenses as a jet airplane and helicopter pilot. In 1984, he founded Mistral Air, an air-mail company that also transported pilgrims. He later sold the company to Poste Italiane. Further details of Bud Spencer’s personal assets, such as real estate holdings or specific investments, are not widely available.

While the information regarding specific properties or luxury assets owned by Bud Spencer is limited, his career achievements and entrepreneurial ventures contributed to his **net worth**. The absence of publicly available data on real estate, vehicles, or investments makes it challenging to provide a more detailed breakdown of his assets.

Bud Spencer’s Political Involvement

In 2005, Bud Spencer ventured into politics, standing as a regional councillor in Lazio for the center-right Forza Italia party. Although his political aspirations were unsuccessful, this move demonstrated his willingness to explore different avenues. According to Spencer, he decided to enter politics at the suggestion of then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, stating that he had done everything in life except be a ballet dancer, a jockey, and a politician.

His foray into politics was met with mixed reactions, with some critics labeling it “politica spettacolo” (showbiz politics). Despite the outcome, this chapter in his life added another dimension to his already diverse career.

Bud Spencer’s Personal Life and Legacy

Bud Spencer married Maria Amato in 1960, and together they had three children: Giuseppe (born 1961), Cristiana (born 1962), and Diamante (born 1972). His grandson, Carlo Pedersoli Jr., is a mixed martial arts fighter currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, carrying on the family’s athletic legacy.

Bud Spencer passed away on June 27, 2016, in Rome, Italy. His legacy lives on through his films, which continue to entertain audiences worldwide. He posthumously received the America Award in 2018 from the Italy–USA Foundation. In Hungary, a bronze statue of Spencer was unveiled in Budapest in 2017, bearing the inscription “Mi sohasem veszekedtünk” (“We never fought”), a quote from Terence Hill’s eulogy.

A beat ’em up video game titled “Bud Spencer & Terence Hill: Slaps and Beans,” inspired by their films, was developed and released in 2018. In 2021, the Bud Spencer Museum opened in Berlin, further solidifying his lasting impact on popular culture. Despite the **net worth** reported at $500,000, Bud Spencer’s true wealth lies in his contributions to film, sports, and the hearts of his fans.

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