Net Worth Ranker
What Is Len Goodman’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing on April 22, 2023, at the age of 78, Len Goodman, the esteemed professional ballroom dancer, dance coach, and television personality, had accumulated a net worth of $18 million. This substantial net worth reflects his long and successful career across various facets of the entertainment and dance industries. While the specific breakdown of his assets is not publicly available, it is reasonable to attribute the majority of his wealth to his television roles, dance school, and related ventures.
Len Goodman’s Career and Earnings
Goodman’s career trajectory began unconventionally. He started dancing at the relatively late age of 19, spurred by a doctor’s suggestion to aid a foot injury. This therapeutic pursuit soon transformed into a professional calling. Before transitioning to television, Goodman achieved considerable success in competitive dancing, securing wins at various British Championships in his late 20s, after which he retired from competitive dancing to pursue other endeavors. However, specific details regarding his earnings from these dance competitions are not publicly documented.
His television career took off in 2004 when he assumed the role of head judge on the BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing.” The show pairs professional dancers with celebrities, who then compete in ballroom and Latin dances, judged by a panel. Goodman remained a fixture on the show until 2016, appearing alongside judges such as Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, and Darcey Bussell. While his exact salary per season on “Strictly Come Dancing” remains undisclosed, head judge roles on prominent television shows generally command significant compensation.
In 2005, Goodman expanded his television presence to the United States, becoming the head judge on the American adaptation of “Strictly Come Dancing,” titled “Dancing with the Stars.” His tenure on “Dancing with the Stars” involved judging alongside Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba. Derek Hough and Julianne Hough also joined as judges for five seasons. Goodman did not appear as a judge in seasons 21 and 29 but contributed short educational segments on dancing styles during season 29. His salary for “Dancing with the Stars” is not publicly available; however, sources indicate that celebrity judges on similar shows often earn substantial fees, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per season.
Beyond his prominent roles on “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Dancing with the Stars,” Goodman ventured into hosting television documentary series. In the spring of 2012, he hosted “Titanic with Len Goodman,” a three-part BBC documentary series commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s voyage and tragic end. In this series, Goodman interviewed descendants of Titanic survivors and showcased relevant historical sites in the UK. In 2013, he hosted the BBC specials “Len Goodman’s Dance Band Days” and “Len Goodman’s Perfect Christmas,” and co-hosted “Dancing Cheek to Cheek” with Lucy Worsley. In 2014, he participated in the ITV documentary “Secrets from the Clink” and began hosting the BBC documentary series “Holiday of My Lifetime,” featuring travels to beloved UK holiday locations with celebrity guests. He also co-hosted “Len and Ainsley’s Big Food Adventure” with chef Ainsley Harriott and hosted “For the Love of Fred Astaire” for the “Perspectives” documentary series. In 2017, Goodman hosted the family game show “Len Goodman’s Partners in Rhyme.” He also appeared on “Football Focus” and “Who Do You Think You Are?”. His earnings from these hosting and guest appearances would have further contributed to his net worth, though precise figures are not publicly available. He also occasionally filled in for Paul O’Grady on O’Grady’s BBC Radio 2 Sunday afternoon music show between 2013 and 2018 and hosted Bank Holiday specials on Boom Radio in 2021.
In addition to his television work, Goodman operated a ballroom dance school in Dartford, Kent, England. While the financial details of his dance school are not public, owning and operating a successful dance school would undoubtedly have been a significant income stream.
Len Goodman’s Personal Life and Property
Len Goodman’s personal life included two marriages. He married Cherry Kingston in 1972 and divorced in 1987. He had a long-term relationship with Lesley, with whom he had a son named John. In 2012, Goodman married Sue Barrett, a dance teacher, after dating for over a decade. Details regarding his property assets, such as the addresses or specific values of his residences, are not publicly available. It is understood that he likely owned property in both the UK and the United States, given his work commitments on both sides of the Atlantic. Information about personal investments, such as stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments, is also not publicly accessible. Goodman was a supporter of West Ham United, a Premier League football club, and an avid cricket fan. In 2009, he participated in a celebrity cricket game.
