Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mike Huckabee’s Net Worth?
Mike Huckabee, an American politician, minister, author, and television personality, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $18 million. This financial standing is a result of his multifaceted career, including his tenure as the 44th governor of Arkansas, his presidential campaigns, media ventures, and other professional endeavors.
Sources of Mike Huckabee’s $18 Million Net Worth
Mike Huckabee’s journey to an $18 million net worth encompasses various stages of his professional life. Born on August 24, 1955, in Hope, Arkansas, Mike Huckabee began building his career from an early age. At 14, he worked at a local radio station, gaining initial experience in media and communication. He attended Hope High School, serving as student council president in 1972-1973. By 1972, he entered the ministry at Garrett Memorial Baptist Church. He later enrolled at Ouachita Baptist University, earning a bachelor’s degree in religion in 1978.
After graduating, Huckabee attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, for a year before leaving to pursue a career in Christian broadcasting. At 21, he became a staffer for televangelist James Robison, marking a significant step in his early career. From 1980 to 1986, he served as a pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, followed by a role as a pastor at Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana from 1986 to 1992. These early roles in ministry and broadcasting laid the foundation for his future political and media ventures.
Huckabee’s political career began in 1992 when he ran for lieutenant governor of Arkansas. Although he lost to incumbent Democratic senator Dale Bumpers, he won the subsequent general election, becoming the second Republican since Reconstruction to serve as Arkansas lieutenant governor. In 1994, he was reelected to a full term, demonstrating his growing influence in Arkansas politics.
In 1996, following the resignation of Governor Jim Guy Tucker, Mike Huckabee was sworn in as the governor of Arkansas. He was elected to a full four-year term in 1998 and re-elected in 2002, defeating State Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher. His tenure as governor, which lasted until 2007, significantly contributed to his financial stability. Governors in the United States typically earn salaries ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on the state. While the specific salary Mike Huckabee earned as governor of Arkansas is not explicitly stated, it would have been within this range. For example, in 2006, the governor of Arkansas’s salary was around $113,000 per year.
During his time as governor, Huckabee faced both praise and criticism. He was commended for his quick response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which led to Time magazine naming him one of the top five governors in the country. However, he faced criticism for the number of pardons and commutations he granted, as well as the growth of the state prison system during his tenure.
In 2007, Mike Huckabee announced his candidacy for the White House. He secured second place at the Iowa Straw Poll with approximately 18% of the vote. In November 2007, he received endorsements from various religious activists. In January 2008, he won the Iowa Republican caucuses with 34% of the vote. During Super Tuesday, he won in Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. Despite these victories, he withdrew from the race in March 2008. In May 2015, he announced his intention to run for president again in 2016 but suspended his campaign after a disappointing performance in the Iowa caucus. While specific campaign earnings and expenditures are difficult to pinpoint, presidential campaigns can attract significant donations and funding, which contribute to a candidate’s financial profile even if they don’t win the election.
After his time as governor and during his presidential campaigns, Mike Huckabee transitioned into media. In 2008, he signed a deal with ABC Radio Networks to host “The Huckabee Report,” a daily commentary radio program that ran until 2015. Also in 2008, he began hosting “Huckabee,” a weekend show on Fox News Channel. In 2012, he launched a daily talk show on Cumulus Media Networks, which ended in 2013. Hosting a show on Fox News, especially one with a significant viewership, can bring in substantial income. For example, other Fox News hosts have been known to earn salaries ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per year.
In addition to his media career, Huckabee has written several books, including “From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 Stops to Restoring America’s Greatness,” “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy,” and “A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need to Fix (Right Now).” As an author, Huckabee earns royalties from book sales. Bestselling books can generate significant income for authors, depending on factors such as sales volume, contract terms, and publisher.
Mike Huckabee’s real estate ventures have also contributed to his net worth. In 2009, he and his wife Janet purchased a home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for $8.39 million. They listed the home for sale in December 2020 and sold it for $9.3 million. The profit from this real estate transaction added to his overall financial standing. Additionally, after selling the Florida home, Mike and Janet reportedly paid $1.75 million for a home in Arkansas, where they intend to retire.
Mike Huckabee’s Assets and Investments
Details regarding specific investment portfolios, stocks, bonds, and other financial assets held by Mike Huckabee are not publicly available. However, it can be inferred that his financial assets also include stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, which contribute to his overall net worth. The $18 million net worth figure suggests a well-diversified investment strategy to ensure financial security and growth.
While Mike Huckabee’s salary and specific earnings from his time as governor of Arkansas, his media career, and his book sales are not fully public, it is clear that he has built his $18 million net worth through a multifaceted career. His political career, media ventures, and real estate investments, along with his author royalties, have significantly contributed to his financial success.
