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What Is Clive Cussler’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in early 2020, Clive Cussler, the celebrated American adventure novelist and marine archaeologist, had an estimated net worth of $120 million. This substantial net worth was primarily accumulated through his prolific writing career, which saw him sell over 100 million books worldwide. While specific details regarding his annual earnings from book sales are not publicly available, the sheer volume of books sold, combined with film adaptations of his work, contributed significantly to his wealth.
Sources of Clive Cussler’s Wealth
Cussler’s main source of income stemmed from his extensive bibliography of adventure novels. His most famous series, featuring the character Dirk Pitt, spanned 26 novels. While the precise royalties he earned per book are not disclosed, the “Dirk Pitt” series achieved remarkable success, with 17 consecutive novels making the New York Times fiction bestseller list. Given the standard royalty rates for bestselling authors, which can range from 10% to 15% or more of the book’s cover price, it can be inferred that Cussler earned millions from this series alone. For example, if each book had an average cover price of $25, and he earned a 12% royalty, he would earn $3 per book sold. Over the course of millions of copies sold, this income would significantly contribute to his net worth.
In addition to the “Dirk Pitt” series, Cussler authored several other successful series, including the “NUMA Files” (19 novels), “Oregon Files” (16 novels), “Isaac Bell Adventures” (13 novels), and “Fargo Adventures” (13 novels). Each of these series added to his overall book sales and royalty income. His non-fiction books, such as “The Sea Hunters: True Adventures with Famous Shipwrecks” and “The Sea Hunters II: Diving the World’s Seas for Famous Shipwrecks,” also contributed to his income, though likely to a lesser extent than his fiction works.
Film adaptations of Cussler’s novels also played a role in his financial success. The most notable adaptation was the film “Sahara,” based on his novel of the same name. Although the film earned $122 million at the box office, it was also a costly production. Details of Cussler’s earnings from the film rights are not publicly available, but authors typically receive a percentage of the film’s revenue or a lump-sum payment for the rights to their work. While the film’s performance was mixed, it still added to Cussler’s overall wealth. “Raise the Titanic!” was also adapted into a film, although its financial success was limited.
Beyond his writing and film-related income, Cussler founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and preserving shipwrecks. While NUMA was a non-profit entity, its activities, and Cussler’s involvement, helped to enhance his reputation and brand, which indirectly contributed to his overall net worth. The organization’s discovery of over 60 shipwreck sites also likely added to his profile and prestige as an author and adventurer.
Clive Cussler’s Early Career and Personal Life
Born on July 15, 1931, in Aurora, Illinois, Clive Cussler’s early life provided a foundation for his later success. Raised in Alhambra, California, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 14, demonstrating early ambition and discipline. He attended Pasadena City College for two years before enlisting in the US Air Force during the Korean War. His service as a flight engineer and aircraft mechanic for the Military Air Transport Service honed his technical skills and instilled a sense of adventure that would later permeate his novels.
Following his military discharge, Cussler entered the advertising industry, working for two of the country’s largest agencies. He started as a copywriter and eventually became a creative director, producing award-winning television and radio commercials. This experience likely sharpened his storytelling abilities and provided valuable marketing skills that he later applied to his writing career. In 1965, Cussler began writing at night while his wife worked for the local police department. His first novel, “The Mediterranean Caper,” was released in 1973, marking the debut of Dirk Pitt and the start of his literary success. Cussler was married to his first wife, Barbara Knight, in 1955, and they had three children: Dirk, Teri, and Dayna. Barbara Knight passed away in 2003, and Cussler later married Janet Horvath. He remained married to Janet until his death in early 2020 at the age of 88.
Specific details about Cussler’s real estate holdings, investments, or other assets are not publicly available. However, given his estimated net worth of $120 million, it is likely that he owned valuable real estate, stocks, bonds, or other investments. As a successful author, he would have also received substantial advances for his books, which would have added to his wealth. The exact details of these financial arrangements remain private. The Clive Cussler Net Worth, primarily from book sales and film adaptations, reflects his successful writing career and enduring legacy as a master of adventure novels.
