Overview

Michael Phelps is a retired American Olympic swimmer and is considered by many to be the greatest swimmer of all time. He holds a total of 28 Olympic Medals, 23 of them gold, making him the most decorated Olympian in history. Phelps participated in five Olympic Games, beginning in Sydney in 2000 and ending in Rio in 2016. Besides medals, he has earned money from endorsements and sponsorships with brands like Visa, Kellogg’s, Colgate, Omega and Subway. In 2008, Phelps earned a US$1 million bonus from Speedo after taking home eight gold medals from the Beijing Olympics.

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What Is Michael Phelps’ Net Worth?

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, boasts a net worth of $100 million as of 2025. This impressive figure is a result of his unparalleled success in swimming, strategic endorsement deals, and savvy investments.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, Michael Fred Phelps II began his swimming journey at the age of seven. His parents, Deborah, a middle school principal, and Michael Fred Phelps, a retired state trooper, divorced when he was nine. Michael attended Towson High School in suburban Baltimore, graduating in 2003. He joined the U.S. Summer Olympic Team in 2000 at the young age of 15. While he didn’t secure a medal at the Sydney Games, he made it to the finals, finishing fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. In 2001, he set a world record in the 200-meter butterfly, becoming the youngest male swimmer to achieve this feat.

Olympic Domination and Record-Breaking Achievements

Michael Phelps’s Olympic career is marked by an astonishing collection of 28 medals across five Olympic Games from 2000 to 2016, 23 of which are gold. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, he secured six gold and two bronze medals. The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw Phelps break Mark Spitz’s record by winning eight gold medals. In 2009, he set a world record in the 100-meter butterfly, clocking in at an astonishing speed of 5.5 miles per hour. The 2012 London Olympics added four gold and two silver medals to his tally. In 2016, at the Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps won five gold medals and one silver medal, marking his final Olympic appearance. Throughout his career, Phelps established 39 world records in various events, solidifying his status as the greatest swimmer of all time and impacting his net worth considerably.

Endorsement Portfolio and Sponsorship Deals

Michael Phelps’s widespread recognition has resulted in lucrative endorsement deals with major brands. His partnerships include:

  • Speedo: A long-term relationship that began early in his career. In 2008, Speedo awarded Michael Phelps a $1 million bonus for breaking Mark Spitz’s record.
  • Visa: A global sponsorship that aligns him with other elite athletes.
  • Under Armour: The Baltimore-based company sponsored Phelps to represent his connection to his hometown.
  • Subway: The endorsement deal with Subway was part of Phelps’ promotion of healthy eating.
  • PowerBar: This partnership ensures Phelps is associated with nutritional products.
  • AT&T: The brand alliance offers communication products for promotion.

Beyond direct endorsements, Michael Phelps holds an equity investment in Talkspace, a mental health startup. Talkspace has been valued between $1 billion and $3 billion. These varied endorsement deals and investments have significantly contributed to Michael Phelps’ net worth.

Real Estate Investments

Michael Phelps’s real estate portfolio has seen several transactions over the years. In 2007, he purchased a condo in Baltimore for $1.69 million. However, following the housing market downturn, he sold it for $1.25 million after initially listing it for $1.42 million. Later, he acquired a townhouse in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore, which he sold in 2016 for $960,000 after living there for four years. In December 2015, Michael Phelps moved to Paradise Valley, Arizona, where he bought a home for $2.5 million. He later listed this property for $4.1 million in 2018 and sold it for $3.5 million. These real estate dealings reflect part of his investment strategies, influencing his net worth.

Personal Life and Philanthropic Ventures

Michael Phelps married Nicole Johnson, former Miss California USA, on June 13, 2016. The couple has four sons: Boomer Robert Phelps (born 2016), Beckett Richard Phelps (born 2018), Maverick Nicolas Phelps (born 2019), and Nico Michael Phelps (born 2024). They currently reside in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Phelps serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils, working alongside his former coach, Bob Bowman. Michael Phelps has openly discussed his battles with depression and ADHD, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness. In 2017, he joined the board of Medibio, a company focused on diagnosing mental health disorders. After the 2008 Olympics, Phelps established the Michael Phelps Foundation with $1 million from his Speedo signing bonus. The foundation promotes healthier lifestyles and includes Swim with the Stars, a non-profit offering camps for swimmers of all ages. These philanthropic activities are funded through his earnings and endorsements, demonstrating his commitment to giving back, even as he protects his net worth.

Legal Issues and Public Image

Michael Phelps has faced legal challenges, including a DUI arrest in November 2004 in Salisbury, Maryland. He pleaded guilty, paid a $250 fine, and was sentenced to probation and community service involving speaking to high school students about drunk driving. In 2009, he lost a sponsorship deal with Kellogg’s after a photograph of him using a bong surfaced. In 2014, he was arrested again for DUI and speeding, leading to a six-month suspension from competition. These incidents impacted his endorsements and public image, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a high profile while managing personal struggles. These incidents, while potentially damaging, did not significantly diminish Michael Phelps’s net worth, showcasing his resilience and continued marketability.

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