Orenthal James Simpson’s net worth at the time of his death on April 10, 2024, is reported to be $3 million. According to news, Famous NFL star and actor Simpsons had a net worth of $10.8 million in 1992, which is equivalent to $25 million today.
Simpson’s net worth declined significantly after his criminal trial in 1995. He had to pay damages of $33.5 million to the Goldman and Brown families.
Simpson’s lifetime income sources included NFL salaries, pension plans, endorsement deals, and earnings from his career in entertainment.
Despite financial adversities, Simpson’s NFL pension, valued at approximately $5 million and protected by state laws, provided a steady source of income until his death.
Impact of Criminal Trial on Net worth
O.J. Simpson dominated the financial game in 1992. A large portion of his earnings came from the Brentwood property, which he acquired in 1977 for $650,000. But due to the criminal case, he faced a financial crisis. He had to pay damages of $33.5 million to the Goldman and Brown families. His Brentwood mansion was auctioned. After which he went to Florida where he declared himself bankrupt.
NFL Salary and Pension Plan
During his time in the NFL, O.J. Simpson’s primary source of income was the NFL pension, which combined with other pensions reportedly generated approximately $400,000 per year. This pension was a financial safety net that state law protected, ensuring that it could not be touched even by claims from the Goldman family. ESPN’s Darren Rovell checked out some data and thought that if I waited until I was 65 to start collecting, I’d make more than $125,000 a year from the pension alone.
Endorsement Deals and Brand Partnerships
O.J. Simpson had earned a lot of money from advertising. His biggest deal was with Hertz. He remained the face of their advertisements for many years. Apart from this, he also showed his face in the advertisements of Calistoga Water’s Napa Naturals and some hotels and restaurants.
Who is Orenthal James Simpson?
Orenthal James Simpson was a former professional American football player, broadcaster and actor who was born on July 9, 1947 in San Francisco, California, United States.
He was best known in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1970s, primarily as a star for the Buffalo Bills and later the San Francisco 49ers.
In 1994, Simpson was arrested for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Despite substantial evidence against him, Simpson was acquitted of the murders in a highly controversial verdict in 1995.
But a jury ruled Brown and Goldman liable for the wrongful deaths, resulting in a large settlement. He died on April 10, 2024 at his Florida home.
Early Life, Education, and Family Background
O.J. Simpson’s parents were Eunice Durden and Jimmy Lee Simpson, who separated in 1952. After that he was brought up by his mother. He grew up in Potrero Hill, San Francisco.
Simpson attended Galileo High School in San Francisco, where he excelled in athletics, especially football and track.
After high school, Simpson attended the City College of San Francisco, where he continued to shine in football. His talents attracted the attention of several college football programs, and he eventually transferred to the University of Southern California (USC).
At USC, Simpson became a star running back. He played football for the USC Trojans from 1967 to 1968 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Simpson’s success at USC led him to a successful career in the NFL, where he played for teams such as the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers.
Orenthal James Simpson’s Beginning Career
O.J. Simpson was selected by the Buffalo Bills as the first overall choice in the 1969 NFL Draft. He had a great career playing as a running back with the Bills.
Simpson quickly made a name for himself as one of the most prolific players in the league and earned the nickname “The Juice”. He won the NFL rushing title four times during his tenure with the Bills, in 1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976. He accumulated a total of 11,236 rushing yards during his NFL career.
In 1973, Simpson made history by becoming the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, rushing for 2,003 yards. This remarkable accomplishment solidified his status as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and won the NFL MVP award in 1973.
After spending nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Simpson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1978. However, his time with the 49ers was not as successful as his tenure with the Bills. Simpson played only two seasons with the 49ers before retiring from professional football in 1979.
Orenthal James Simpson’s Acting Career
Following his football career, Simpson tried his hand at acting and broadcasting, appearing in films and television shows and also working as a sports commentator.
He appeared in a small role in the film “The Towering Inferno” (1974). He played Nordberg in “The Naked Gun” film series (1988–1994), one of his most famous roles.
Simpson also appeared on several TV shows in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, including “Roots,” “The Klansman,” and “The A-Team.”
He also did sports commentary, including on ABC’s ‘Monday Night Football’ (1969–1977, 1983–1986) and NBC’s ‘The NFL on NBC’ (1978–1982). He also hosted an episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’ (season 3).
Legal Troubles
Simpson’s life took a dramatic turn in 1994 when he was charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. He was arrested but despite substantial evidence against him, Simpson was acquitted of the murders in 1995.
But Simpson faced a civil trial brought by the victims’ families. In 1997, he was found liable for their deaths and was ordered by a jury to pay $33.3 million in damages.
In 2008, Simpson was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in a separate incident in which he was sentenced to 33 years in prison. He was granted parole and released from prison in 2017. Therefore, he spent almost nine years in jail.
Orenthal James Simpson’s Personal Life
O.J. Simpson was married twice. His first marriage was to Marguerite L. Whitley, which lasted from 1967 to 1979. They had three children: Arnell, Jason, and Eren. Unfortunately they got divorced in 1979.
O.J. Simpson’s second marriage was to Nicole Brown, a model, in 1985. They had two children: Sydney and Justin. Both of them got divorced in 1992. In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were murdered, including O.J. Simpson was convicted of his murder. But he was acquitted of the murders by the court but was found liable for their deaths in a subsequent civil suit.
Conclusion
Overall, O.J. Simpson had a very successful NFL career. Even after retiring from sports, he achieved success as an actor. But due to his involvement in criminal cases, his entire image got tarnished and he lost all his property.
