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What Is Ken Follett Net Worth’ Net Worth
Ken Follett, the Welsh author celebrated for his thrillers and historical novels, has amassed a considerable fortune throughout his career. As of 2025, Ken Follett’s net worth is estimated to be $50 million. This substantial wealth is primarily attributed to his highly successful writing career, encompassing book sales, film rights, and significant advances for his novels. Follett’s journey to financial success began with humble beginnings and has culminated in him becoming one of the world’s best-selling authors.
Early Career and Breakthrough Success
Kenneth Martin Follett was born in Cardiff, Wales, on June 5, 1949. Early in his life, he was restricted from watching TV and movies, which fostered an early interest in reading. Follett graduated from University College London. After graduation, he pursued journalism, working as a trainee reporter and later as a general assignment reporter for the Evening News. Before fully dedicating himself to writing, Follett also served as the deputy managing director of Everest Books. His foray into fiction writing initially began as a hobby.
Follett’s breakthrough came in 1978 with the publication of “Eye of the Needle”. This spy thriller became an international bestseller, selling over 10 million copies, which significantly boosted his wealth and international recognition. Securing the rights to “Eye of the Needle” proved to be a pivotal moment. His initial advance for what became “The Big Needle” was a mere 200 Pounds. By 1977, he received a 1,500 Pound advance for “Eye of the Needle.” As interest in the book grew, the US hardcover rights were sold for $20,000. The US paperback rights, which he hoped would earn $40,000 to $50,000, eventually sold for $800,000. Follett received two-thirds of this amount, roughly $540,000, which is equivalent to approximately $2.6 million today after adjusting for inflation.
Consistent Bestseller Status and Book Sales
Following the success of “Eye of the Needle”, nearly every subsequent novel by Follett has achieved bestseller status, frequently topping the New York Times Best Seller list. Some of his books that have reached #1 include “The Key to Rebecca”, “Fall of Giants”, “Lie Down with Lions”, “Winter of the World”, “Triple”, and “World Without End”. Follett’s career spans over 36 books, with sales exceeding 195 million copies worldwide across 40 languages. “The Pillars of the Earth” alone has sold 29 million copies. The ongoing popularity of his works has solidified his position as a commercially successful author.
Follett’s earlier works primarily consisted of spy thrillers. His first five bestsellers were “Eye of the Needle” (1978), “Triple” (1979), “The Key to Rebecca” (1980), “The Man from St. Petersburg” (1982) and “Lie Down with Lions” (1986). He later ventured into historical fiction with “The Pillars of the Earth” (1989), which marked the beginning of the Kingsbridge series and became one of his most well-known works.
Advances and Contract Negotiations
Ken Follett’s ability to negotiate favorable book advances has significantly contributed to his net worth. In a 2001 interview with the New York Times, Follett revealed that he was receiving $6 million as an advance for each book. This put him in the same league as renowned authors such as James Patterson, Michael Crichton, and Tom Clancy. Notably, Follett negotiated to receive these advances in monthly installments as he wrote, a departure from traditional deals that typically paid small amounts upfront and the majority upon delivery. This arrangement provided him with a steady and reliable income stream during the writing process.
In 2009, Follett was listed as one of Forbes’ highest-paid authors, earning around $20 million that year. The resurgence of “The Pillars of the Earth” on bestseller lists, partly due to Oprah Winfrey’s selection of the book for her book club, also contributed to this boost in earnings.
Film Rights and Adaptations
Another significant component of Follett’s financial success comes from selling the film rights to his various properties. It has been estimated that Follett has earned between $30 million and $60 million from these sales. The adaptation of “The Pillars of the Earth” into an eight-hour mini-series, costing $40 million to produce, further augmented his earnings and exposure. These film adaptations have not only provided substantial income but have also kept his books relevant, continuing to generate interest and sales.
Kingsbridge Series
Follett surprised his readers with his first non-spy thriller, “The Pillars of the Earth” (1989), a novel about building a cathedral in a small English village during the Anarchy in the 12th century. As of 2017, it had sold 26 million copies. The Kingsbridge series includes:
- The Pillars of the Earth (1989)
- World Without End (2007)
- A Column of Fire (2017)
- The Evening and the Morning (prequel, 2020)
- The Armour of Light (2023)
The Century Trilogy
Follett’s novels, Fall of Giants, Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity, make up the Century Trilogy. Fall of Giants (2010) followed the fates of five interrelated families – Welsh, American, German, Russian and English – as they moved through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution and the struggle for women’s suffrage. Fall of Giants, published simultaneously in 14 countries, was internationally popular and topped several best-seller lists.
- Fall of Giants (2010)
- Winter of the World (2012)
- Edge of Eternity (2014)
Personal Life and Other Ventures
Born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales, Ken Follett’s personal life has also influenced his career. He married Barbara Broer in 1984, and she later became a Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Follett is known to be an enthusiastic bass guitar player, reflecting his love for music. Beyond writing, Follett has been actively involved in various literacy charities, serving as president of Dyslexia Action for ten years and chairing the National Year of Reading.
