What is Fran Tarkenton’s net worth?
| Net Worth: | $300 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 82 |
| Born: | February 3, 1940 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional NFL Player |
| Last Updated: | August 2, 2022 |
Table of Contents
Introduction
Fran Tarkenton is a retired American football player and computer software executive who played quarterback for the New York Giants.
His post-football career has seen his net worth grow rapidly through his successful businesses, including Tarkenton Software and Tarkenton Financial, LLC.
As of November 2022, Fran Tarkenton’s net worth is estimated to be $300 Million.
Fran Tarkenton Facts
- While Fran Tarkenton is exceptionally wealthy, only around $1 million of his fortune came from his career as a professional football player.
- During the 1960s, he worked as a trucking company salesman, earning $600 a month to supplement his football income.
- Tarkenton earns upwards of $15,000 for each of his speaking and gives more than 60 of these yearly.
- He has also worked with public speaker and motivational expert Tony Robbins to promote various products and services.
- Tarkenton has earned huge sums of money through endorsements, including for multinational pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson.
Early Life
Francis Asbury Tarkenton was born February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, where he was raised by his Methodist minister father, Dallas Tarkenton.
He went to Athens High School in Athens, Georgia, and later attended the University of Georgia, where he played quarterback on the Bulldog team.
Coached by Wally Butts, Tarkenton helped Georgia win the Southeastern Conference championship in 1959, leading to his professional football career.
Career
Fran Tarkenton began his professional football career in 1961 after being picked in the NHL Draft, signing with the Minnesota Vikings the same year.
He passed for four touchdowns in his first game, the only player in the sport’s history to accomplish this feat.
With the Vikings, he earned several accolades before being sold to one of the richest NFL teams in the world, the New York Giants.
With the Giants, Tarkenton enjoyed his best season in 1970, helping the team win the NFC East division championship.
He set the record for the most runs for touchdowns over 15 seasons and ranked slightly behind Cam Newton and Michael Vick for career rushing yards.
After his football retirement in 1978, Fran Tarkenton saw his net worth significantly increase through his many successful business ventures.
He competed with Bill Gates by founding Tarkenton Software in 1978, with its merger with KnowledgeWare netting him millions of dollars.
Tarkenton’s other successful businesses include Tarkenton Financial, GoSmallBiz, and Tarkenton Teleconferencing.
Fran Tarkenton’s Career Earnings
While Fran Tarkenton’s wealth places him in the same category as some of the richest NFL players in the world, much of his earnings have come outside the sport.
During his time with the Minnesota Vikings, he took home a salary of $12,500, the equivalent of $110,000 today.
His vast income comes mainly through his many business ventures, with the former star player taking home upwards of $25 million each year.
Fran Tarkenton’s Net Worth Annually
Fran Tarkenton’s net worth has risen exponentially over the decades, with a slight increase during his professional footballing years and a huge boom as an entrepreneur.
His hugely successful companies have helped him become as wealthy as some of the richest athletes in the world, with a net worth comparable to Peyton Manning and Steve Young.
With additional investments, including stock in Apple and his real estate portfolio, Tarkenton’s net worth will undoubtedly continue to climb.
Personal Life
Throughout his life, Fran Tarkenton has been married on two occasions, with his first marriage to Anna Elaine Merrell leading to three children.
He is a supporter of the Republican Party and endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2016.
His social media activity includes his official Twitter account, which he uses to share his thoughts and insights into contemporary American football.
Awards & Achievements
Fran Tarkenton has enjoyed many accomplishments over the course of his career, picking up several awards and honors for his contributions to football.
He’s been inducted into several sporting Hall of Fame lists and set new records in football during his time as a professional player.
Here are some of the awards and accolades from Fran Tarkenton’s career:
- 1964: Frank Tarkenton is named Pro Bowl for the first time, repeating the achievement many more times in his career.
- 1975: Tarkenton sets the new record for the number of passing touchdowns in the NFL.
- 1975: He is named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player of the year.
- 1975: Tarkenton is named as the first-team All-Pro.
- 1986: For his services to football, he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
These and other awards from his footballing career stand as a testament to his status as one of the greatest players of his generation.
While he has retired from professional football for many years, his legacy means he will likely continue receiving lifetime achievement awards.
How Does Fran Tarkenton Spend His Money?
While the details of Fran Tarkenton’s spending habits aren’t clear, his impressive wealth and assets reflect his status as one of football’s most successful players.
His real estate portfolio includes some of the most expensive houses in the world and includes a vast estate with a large swimming pool in Atlanta, Georgia.
The property includes many bedrooms and bathrooms and is surrounded by private woodland and other state-of-the-art amenities.
Highlights
Fran Tarkenton has enjoyed great success across multiple domains, from professional football to software development and real estate investments.
As such, he has many high points to speak of, reshaping both the world of sports and modern computer software design.
Here are some of the best highlights of Fran Tarkenton’s career:
- 1961: Frank Tarkenton begins his pro football career and is signed by the Minnesota Vikings.
- 1967: He’s traded to the New York Giants, where he enjoys immense success and breaks several football records.
- 1969: His book, Better Scramble Than Lose, is released to critical and commercial praise.
- 1975: Tarkenton finishes the season by winning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
- 1984: His self-help motivational book, Playing To Win, helps other aspiring entrepreneurs find success.
It’s an impressive list of diverse accomplishments and high points that marks Tarkenton as a talented individual.
His continued commitment to software development and support for upcoming football players means his lasting legacy will continue to develop in the future.
Favorite Fran Tarkenton Quotes
With decades of experience as a successful businessman and his time as a professional football player, Tarkenton has plenty to share with the world.
He has spoken about these and more topics with the media on many occasions, encouraging others to follow in his successful footsteps.
Here are our favorite quotes from Fran Tarkenton:
- “The New York Times Bestseller ‘The Amateur,’ written by Ed Klein, former editor of the ‘New York Times Magazine,’ is one of the best books I’ve read.” – Fran Tarkenton
- “You know, quarterbacks, I think greatness in quarterbacks is taking what you’ve got, whether it’s a great team, a good team, or a struggling team and make them better.” – Fran Tarkenton
- “You can only learn by opening yourself up to engage with different sources of information. How can you learn something if you never see it, read it, or hear it?” – Fran Tarkenton
- “What’s so wonderful about football and business and show business is that every time I start thinking I’m special, I get knocked on my ass.” – Fran Tarkenton
- “The greatness of America is capitalism, free market capitalism. The exceptionalism of American business.” – Fran Tarkenton
3 Amazing Lessons From Fran Tarkenton
Now that you know all about Fran Tarkenton’s net worth, we’ll see how we can use his experiences and successes to improve our own lives.
His accomplishments and advice can provide many valuable lessons to help us reach the goals and ambitions that matter the most.
Here are some of the best success lessons to learn from Fran Tarkenton:
1. Embrace Failure
Many people see failure as evidence of their lack of ability, often giving up on their ambitions the first time failure happens.
Tarkenton suggests we embrace our failures and instead choose to view them as opportunities for growth and learning.
2. Commit To Training On A Daily Basis
Tarkenton understood the importance of training as regularly as possible at the height of his professional football career.
Whether playing sports or simply trying to keep fit, aim to train every day.
3. Expand Your Business Ventures At Every Opportunity
Business opportunities can come from a wide variety of places, so if you’re looking for investment opportunities, don’t limit your scope to a narrow band of chances.
Summary
So there you have it, our complete guide to the professional football career and entrepreneurial successes of American football player Fran Tarkenton.
While Tarkenton retired from football in the 1970s, his business ventures have taken his wealth and assets to the next level in the years since.
To ensure this article covers everything you need to know as his career continues, we’ll update it in the future, so check back for the latest figures.
As of November 2022, Fran Tarkenton’s net worth is estimated to be $300 Million.
