Jim Brown's net worth: How much was the former American footballer, activist, and actor worth?

Jim Brown's net worth: How much was the former American footballer, activist, and actor worth?

Helix Odhiambo
August 11, 2023 at 7:58 PM

Jim Brown was a former American footballer who played for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He was also an actor and a prominent civil rights activist. Brown died on 18 May 2023 at 87, leaving a legacy that will live forever. Discover Jim Brown's net worth at the time of death and career achievements below.

Jim Brown's net worth
Jim Brown speaks onstage as ESPN+ Presents: a Fireside Chat with NFL Legend Jim Brown and Trey Wingo, during an exclusive screening of the original series "Peyton's Places" at Disney's D23 EXPO 2019 in Anaheim, CA. Photo: Charley Gallay
Source: Getty Images

Brown is one of the best running backs in NFL history. He made millions of wealth through his football and acting career. He also earned respect for his community activism. This article reveals Jim Brown's net worth in 2023, life story, career, salary, family, and death.

Jim Brown's profile summary

Name

James Nathaniel Brown

Date of birth

17 February 1936

Birthplace

St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States

Date of death

18 May 2023

Place of death

Los Angeles, California, United States

Age at death

87

Height

1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches)

Weight

105 kilograms (231 lbs)

Profession

Former American football player, actor, civil rights activist

NFL team

Cleveland Browns (1957-1965)

Parents

Swinton and Theresa Brown

Wife

Sue Brown (1959 -1972), Monique Brown (1997-2923)

Children

Jim, Aris, Kimberly, Karen, Kim, Kevin

Net worth

$30 million

Social media

Facebook, Twitter

Jim Brown's biography

Jim was born on 17 February 1936 in St. Simons, Georgia, to Swinton and Theresa Brown. He was the only kid in the family. His father, Swinton, was a professional boxer, and his mother was a homemaker. The former running back lived with his paternal grandmother at a young age after his father abandoned the family.

Jim Brown's net worth at the time of death
Runningback Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns poses for a portrait during training camp on 24 July 1964 at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio. Photo: Henry Barr Collection
Source: Getty Images

Jim joined his mother at eight in Manhasset, New York, where she had moved to work. He studied at Manhasset High School and Syracuse University. He played football, basketball and ran track in college.

Jim Brown's age and net worth at death

Jim Brown's net worth and career earnings made him one of the wealthiest NFL stars in history. He was known for two successful careers in football and acting. The late American celebrity died on 18 May 2023, aged 87. Some sources estimate his net worth at the time of death as $30 Million. He earned over $5 million in income and salary during his NFL career.

What was Jim Brown's highest salary?

Jim Brown's age and net worth
Former football player Jim Brown attends the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on 12 December 2016 in New York City. Photo: Slaven Vlasic
Source: Getty Images

JB once received an annual salary of $50,000 during his career. It was the highest salary ever earned by the legendary running back.

What was Jim Brown's cause of death?

Jim reportedly died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles. His wife, Monique, shared the sad news on Instagram.

"It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown. He passed peacefully last night at our LA home. To the world, he was an activist, actor, and football star. To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken." Monique wrote.

Who is Jim Brown's wife?

Jim Brown's cause of death
Jim Brown sits in front of his home with his first wife, Sue, and their twins, Kim and Kevin, on 26 September 1961. Photo: Bettmann
Source: Getty Images

The legendary footballer married twice during his lifetime. He first tied the knot with Sue Brown in 1959 but parted ways in 1972. Sue filed for divorce, citing "gross neglect." She received monthly compensation for child support and $2,500 monthly in alimony.

Jim got engaged twice to different women before marrying Monique. He dated 18-year-old Diane Stanley between 1973-1974, then Debra Clark in 1975. He married Monique in 1997 until his death.

Jim Brown's children

Jim Brown's wife's net worth
Former Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown and Monique Brown (C) and their children attend Haute Living And Louis XIII to celebrate Jim Brown's 80th Birthday on 4 February 2016 in San Francisco, California. Photo: Joe Scarnici
Source: Getty Images

The legendary running back had six children. He got three kids with Sue and two with Monique. The name of his kids are Jim Jr., Aris, Kimberly, Karen Ward, Kim, and Kevin.

Charge allegations

JB got arrested in 1986 for allegedly assaulting Debra. He also got charged in 1999 with allegedly making terroristic threats against Monique. He also got accused of vandalism for allegedly shovelling a window in Monique's Jaguar. Jim was sentenced to six months in jail but got released in 2002 after serving three months.

Jim Brown's wife's net worth

Monique is an American producer and actress. She began her career as a model before joining the entertainment industry. Her estimated net worth is $800k as of 2023. Monique has also supported her late husband in his philanthropic initiatives.

Jim Brown's career

What was Jim Brown's highest salary?
Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown runs with the ball during one of their games. Jim played for the Browns from 1957-1965. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns selected Jim with the sixth overall pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He led the league in rushing yards with 942, winning the NFL Rookie of the Year award. He won numerous awards and titles, making him one of the best running backs in NFL history. His career accomplishments include:

  • NFL championship (1964)
  • All-American at Syracuse (1956)
  • Wins the Jim Thorpe Trophy (1959)
  • NFL Player of the Year (1959, 1964)
  • Bert Bell Memorial Award (1964)
  • Hickok Belt Athlete of the Year (1964)
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame (1971)

How much money did Jim Brown make from his movies?

How much money did Jim Brown make from his movies
Actor Jim Brown on a set of the movie "Slaughter" in 1972. Jim retired from football to join Hollywood. Photo: Michael Ochs
Source: Getty Images

The legendary running back retired in 1966 to venture into acting. JB appeared in several notable films that earned him millions. His movies include:

  • Rio Conchos (1964)
  • The Dirty Dozen (1967)
  • Ice Station Zebra (1968)
  • 100 Rifles (1969)
  • Slaughter (1972)
  • The Running Man (1987)
  • Mars Attacks! (1996)
  • Any Given Sunday (1999)

Jim earned $37,000 for his first movie, "Rio Conchos", and $40,000 for "The Dirty Dozen." He also received $200,000 for 100 Rifles and 5% of the film's box-office gross.

How much is Jim Brown's estate worth?

How much is Jim Brown's estate worth?
Hall of Fame fullback Jim Brown on the field during a ceremony honouring the 1954 and 1964 NFL Champion Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on 21 September 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: Nick Cammett
Source: Getty Images

The former actor purchased a large property in the Hollywood Hills in 1968 worth $6 million -$10 million. He also bought a condo in Miami and another property in Los Angeles. Jim also owned his childhood house on Georgia's St. Simons Island.

Jim Brown's cars

The NFL legend had over 20 luxury cars in his garage. They include a Rolls-Royce, two BMWs, two Mercedes, a Porsche, and one Ferrari. He reportedly bought a Ford F150 before his but never drove it.

Activism

Jim Brown's children
America's top black athletes gathered for a meeting to hear Muhammad Ali's (sitting second left) view of rejecting Army induction in June 1967. Jim Brown is sitting on Ali's left. Photo: Bettmann
Source: Getty Images

Monique's ex-husband fought against racial discrimination. He actively supported black-owned businesses and started the Amer-I-Can program. He teamed up with nationalist Malcolm X, musician Sam Cooke, and boxer Muhammad Ali to champion black rights. JB also developed programs to end gang violence in the 1980s.

Social media

The American icon left a verified Facebook account with 167k followers as of August 2023. His unverified Twitter account has 53.7K followers.

Jim Brown's net worth and career achievements have inspired many generations. He retired as arguably the greatest running back in the NFL, thanks to his talent, hard work and patience. His death stunned the world, but his legacy will live for many years.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.