Introduction 

Dan Brown is an American professional author with an estimated net worth of $160 Million. 

In a career spanning almost three decades, Dan Brown has written and published eight novels, selling over 200 million copies worldwide. The majority of Brown’s wealth and fame were earned through the Da Vinci Code trilogy, which was later adapted into the film trilogy starring Tom Hanks. The success of the franchise significantly boosted this author’s earnings through increased sales of his back catalog and licensing fees.

This profile examines our research into Dan Brown’s income sources, earnings history, net worth, and other relevant events, including lawsuits that may have impacted his overall wealth. 

Quick Facts

• Sold over 200 million book copies worldwide
• Earned an estimated $285.5 million between 2013 and 2019
• Peak annual income of $88 million in 2006
• Sued three times for plagiarism; however, none of these lawsuits were successful.

Earnings History

According to our research, Forbes has listed Dan Brown’s annual income estimates a total of nine times this century. This was through a combination of the original Forbes Celebrity 100, which is no longer published, and their Highest-Paid Authors list, which spanned from 2013 to 2019. During the nine years listed in the table above, Brown earned a combined $285.5 million.

It’s clear that 2005 and 2006 were the best years of Brown’s career as an author, and there’s a straightforward reason as to why. Brown published his book The Da Vinci Code in 2003. By 2005, it had sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Dan earned an incredible income, not just from these sales, but also from a sudden surge in interest in his previous works. That year, he earned an estimated $76.5 million from all his income streams. Brown also received a percentage of the profits from the 2006 film adaptation, resulting in a career-high income of $88 million in 2006.

In 2007, his earnings dropped back down to $10 million, and he then disappeared from Forbes’ radar for roughly six years. This brings us to 2013, when Dan Brown released his mystery thriller, Inferno, which helped land him back on the list with an estimated income of $22 million. This novel was also adapted into a film, which helped Brown earn approximately $28 million in 2014. While remaining on the list for 2015 and 2016, his income had gradually dropped to $9.5 million.

Finally, in 2017, Brown received an eight-figure advance for his novel, Origin, which was released towards the end of the year. He earned an estimated $20 million in 2017 and $18.5 million in 2018. Brown dropped off the list in 2019.

Legal Issues & Lawsuits

Brown has faced several legal challenges throughout his career, in particular copyright issues related to his books.

In 2004, author Lewis Perdue threatened to file a lawsuit against Brown and his publisher, Random House. He alleged that Brown’s The Da Vinci Code had copied from his two books, The Da Vinci Legacy and Daughter of God. He stated that there were similarities between the plots, characters, and themes, and asked for $150 million in damages. Instead of waiting for Perdue’s case to come to court, Brown and his publisher filed their lawsuit in September of that year, asking the Southern District Court of New York to declare that The Da Vinci Code did not infringe Perdue’s copyright.

When Perdue finally filed his lawsuit in early 2005, the Judge ended up agreeing with Brown and his publisher. He stated that while the books shared certain concepts, the similarities were ideas and themes that cannot be owned under copyright law. Therefore, the court issued an official ruling that The Da Vinci Code hadn’t violated Perdue’s copyright, and all of his claims were dismissed.

Second Plagiarism Lawsuit

In a second plagiarism lawsuit in early 2006, Richard Leigh and Michael Baigent, co-authors of the 1982 book The Holy Blood and the Grail, filed a lawsuit in the UK, seeking at least £80,000 ($108,000) in damages against Random House. Although Brown was not a named defendant, his research practices were at the heart of the case. Leigh and Baigent argued that The Da Vinci Code had borrowed their ideas and copied the sequence of connections their book had developed.

During an 11-day trial in early 2006, Brown testified that while The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail was one of several sources he used during his research, he had not plagiarized it and had never even finished reading it. The court examined the texts of both books and their themes to determine whether copying had occurred.

On April 7, 2006, the judge rejected Leigh and Baigent’s claims, stating that copyright does not encompass ideas or themes. As a result, Leigh and Baigent were ordered to pay 85% of Random House’s legal costs, which totalled approximately £1.3 million ($1.7 million).

Jack Dunn Plagiarism Lawsuit

In 2006, Brown was again accused of plagiarism, this time by Jack Dunn, author of the 1997 novel The Vatican Boys. Dunn filed a lawsuit for $400 million in the United States, alleging that Brown had copied the plot, characters, and theme of his book. However, the Judge dismissed the case, ruling that similarities in themes and structure did not amount to copyright infringement under US law. Therefore, Dunn was denied both a jury trial and the right to appeal, which ended his case in the US.

However, several years later, in 2017, Dunn attempted his claim again, this time in the United Kingdom. He once again argued that hundreds of similarities existed between The Vatican Boys and Brown’s work. As with the other cases, Dunn’s efforts did not end in his favor, and only confirmed that it is legal for authors to write about themes that have been used in other texts.

However, the lawsuits and accusations of plagiarism haven’t done any harm to Brown’s career, as he has so far made over $250 million in sales of The Da Vinci Code alone.

Introduction

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a Russian former professional UFC fighter and current MMA coach with an estimated net worth of $40 Million.

Nurmagomedov retired on his own terms after losing his father, a man who was always in his corner for every one of his fights. Khabib’s professional MMA record remains 29-0-0, going undefeated throughout his career. After earning approximately $15 million during his career, Khabib leveraged his fight income to invest in numerous companies, including the Eagle Fighting Championship, Fitroo by Khabib, Eagle Mobile, and Khabib Gym.

This article highlights Khabib Nurmagomedov’s earnings throughout his career, as well as the various business ventures that have contributed to his continued growth in net worth in recent years.

Quick Facts

• Earned an estimated $15 million in UFC fight earnings
• Received $6.09 million for his final UFC fight
• Fined $500,000 for jumping the cage after the McGregor fight

MMA Career

Khabib Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut in September 2008 and, within a month, secured four wins—three in a single day. In October 2008, he won the inaugural Atrium Cup tournament championship in Moscow, and over the next three years, he remained undefeated, winning 12 matches.

Khabib marked his M-1 Global debut in 2009 with a thumping victory and signed a six-fight deal with the UFC. He made his UFC debut on January 20, 2012, defeating Kamal Shalorus via submission. On July 7, he defeated Gleison Tibau via unanimous decision.

Khabib trained at the American Kickboxing Academy for the first time during his fight against Tibau and, in January 2013, defeated Thiago Tavares via KO. He set a UFC record for most takedowns in a single fight with 21 takedowns against Abel Trujillo on May 25, 2013.

Sustaining Multiple Injuries

On September 21, 2013, Khabib defeated Pat Healy via unanimous decision and then faced Rafael dos Anjos on April 19, 2014, winning via unanimous decision. Khabib was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson multiple times, but the bouts were canceled due to injuries and health issues. Between 2014 and 2015, Khabib canceled several matches due to knee and other injuries, but made a comeback in April 2016, beating Darrell Horcher.

On December 30, 2017, Khabib defeated Edson Barboza at UFC 219, earning him his first-ever Performance of the Night bonus. He won the UFC Lightweight Championship on April 7, 2018, by defeating Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, proving that he was in top form.

Khabib then made his first title defense on October 6, 2018, against Conor McGregor at UFC 229, defeating McGregor via submission in the fourth round. Following the McGregor fight, Khabib was involved in a post-fight brawl, resulting in suspensions and fines due to his loss of control.

Successfully Defending His Title

Khabib defended his title against Dustin Poirier on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242, winning the fight via submission in the third round. On October 24, 2020, Khabib defended his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, beating him with a triangle choke in the second round. After the Gaethje fight, Khabib announced his retirement from MMA with an impressive undefeated record of 29 wins and no losses.

Due to his record and technical ability, Khabib is widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. Khabib was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on June 30, 2022, joining previous champions like Frankie Edgar, Jose Aldo, and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. His impressive UFC record is ascribed to his background in wrestling, judo, and sambo, as he’s a two-time world champion in combat sambo.

At the time of his retirement, he was ranked #1 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, producing results that were the envy of fellow competitors. Using the money he earned in the UFC, Khabib founded Eagles MMA and promoted the Eagle Fighting Championship after retirement.

UFC Earnings

The UFC has typically also followed a pay structure of pay-to-show and pay-to-win for the up-and-coming fighters. As a fighter’s ranking and star power improve, they begin earning significantly higher paychecks per fight, often receiving a small percentage of the pay-per-view (PPV) sales.

One of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s earliest recorded salaries was $64,000 for defeating Rafael dos Anjos in 2014. He earned 50% ($32,000) to show up, and the other 50% for his win bonus. Given that Khabib never lost during his professional MMA career, we know that he always secured the win bonus when it was available.

In 2016, he earned $135,000 for defeating Darrell Horcher, which included a $65,000 to show, a $65,000 to win, and a $5,000 promotional bonus. That same year, his next victory against Michael Johnson earned him $80,000 to show, $80,000 to win, and a $10,000 bonus, totalling $170,000.

By 2017, Khabib’s base show/win rate had increased to $85,000, earning him $170,000 for defeating Edson Barbosa. However, this time he received $60,000 in bonuses, totaling $230,000.

Title Fight Earnings

Khabib’s final four fights in the UFC were all title fights, which meant he was no longer on the pay-to-show and pay-to-win structure. He was now guaranteed a certain purse per fight, which led to him earning significantly higher sums. When he won the lightweight championship belt against Al Iaquinta in 2018, he received a total of $530,000. 

When he defeated Conor McGregor by rear-naked choke in October 2018, Khabib earned a guaranteed $2 million, plus an additional $40,000 bonus. However, after making McGregor tap out in the fourth round, Khabib immediately jumped out of the cage and lunged into the crowd, aiming for Dillon Danis. One of his teammates jumped into the octagon and started throwing punches at McGregor. His antics led to the UFC suspending him and fining him $500,000, reducing his earnings from the fight to $1.54 million.

For his final two fights against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, Khabib earned $6.09 million per fight. This brings his total known earnings to roughly $14.85 million. However, this doesn’t include his first five fights in the organization. Assuming a scalable pay-to-show, pay-to-win structure, he likely earned between $20,000 and $48,000 per fight. This potentially brings his career earnings to just over $15 million.

Eagle Fighting Championship

Following Nurmagomedov’s retirement from the UFC in 2020, he steadily built his investment portfolio into what it is today. ​In November of that year, Nurmagomedov purchased the Russian MMA promotion company Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC) for $1 million. He later rebranded it as the Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC) and created an international platform for up-and-coming fighters, providing them with a pathway into the UFC.

EFC’s first event was held in December 2020 in Moscow. It then hosted events across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and made its U.S. debut in Miami, Florida, on January 28, 2022. The brand evolved into a respected MMA league featuring former UFC stars such as Kevin Lee and Junior dos Santos. Although EFC remains active today, it is financially smaller than it was during its U.S. expansion in 2022.

The promotion initially generated approximately $7 million in annual revenue from sponsorships, ticket sales, and broadcast rights. However, that figure reportedly declined to around $3-$5 million by 2024 after Nurmagomedov stepped back to focus on his family.

Food Brand Investments

Later in mid-2021, Nurmagomedov launched two new food brands across the UAE. Fitroo by Khabib, focused on nutrition and fitness, and pH Top Water by Khabib. Fitroo sold protein bars, sportswear, and training supplements, while pH Top Water offered a mineral-rich, pH-balanced hydration product. Outside of the UAE, the products were also sold across Russia and parts of Europe. The emphasis was on clean, natural ingredients inspired by Nurmagomedov’s healthy upbringing in the mountainous region of Dagestan, Russia.

Eagle Mobile

After focusing on nutrition, Nurmagomedov expanded into the telecommunications industry in early 2022 with the launch of Eagle Mobile. The mobile network provides nationwide services across Russia and supplements traditional phone plans with exclusive loyalty programs, including discounts on Fitroo products, autographed memorabilia, and fan meet-and-greets.

Khabib Gym

By mid-2023, Nurmagomedov had established the Khabib Gym, a 1,500-square-meter luxury fitness facility in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The gym offers MMA training programs, boxing studios, and functional fitness zones. It was designed as a regional hub for world-class coaching and youth athletic development, continuing Nurmagomedov’s mission to grow martial arts education throughout the Middle East. ​The gym also integrates modern sports science with traditional Dagestani training philosophies.

Two years later, on May 21, 2025, Nurmagomedov opened another gym in his hometown of Sildi, Dagestan. The gym cost approximately $5 million to build, which Nurmagomedov said was funded by the money he earned from his 2018 UFC 229 victory over Conor McGregor, and will be used to develop Dagestan’s next generation of fighters. Since retirement, Nurmagomedov has successfully transitioned from UFC champion to global entrepreneur, building multiple income streams that have significantly increased his net worth.

Introduction

Zedd is a German professional DJ and music producer with an estimated net worth of $50 Million.

Earnings History

Zedd had one of the quickest rises to success in music history. The German national first began learning about EDM in 2009, and by 2014, he was ranked the seventh highest-paid DJ in the world. That year, Zedd earned an estimated $21 million, thanks to an average income of $100,000 per performance. Just one year prior, the DJ was grossing only $20,000 per show.

From that point until 2019, Zedd featured on every iteration of Forbes’ highest-paid DJs list. During this time, Zedd’s annual income naturally alternated between higher and lower figures. In his case, he would increase and decrease his activity from year to year. For example, in 2015, his income declined to $17 million, but in 2016, it shot back up to $24.5 million. In 2017, his earnings were an estimated $19 million, and in 2018, they exceeded $22 million. You get the idea. The fluctuations in his income were solely due to his level of activity in each given year.

During his peak years, Zedd reportedly earned at least $200,000 per show, often grossing an average of $250,000 per gig.

Music Career 

Zedd was young when he started his classical music studies, but he later played for German deathcore band Dioramic in 2002, when he was only thirteen. Eight years later, in 2010, he won two Beatport remix contests, confirming his unique skill and propelling him headfirst into the electronic music scene. Zedd’s electro-house music reputation slowly grew, but it was only after remixing the Skrillex song, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” that he made headlines.

It was at this time that he started remixing tracks for various well-known artists, including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Deadmau5, another EDM legend.

A Career-Changing Contract

Zedd’s signing with Interscope Records in 2012 was the event that changed the trajectory of his career, releasing his debut single “Spectrum.” The song was a banger, with it topping Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs in 2012 and Japan’s Hot 100 and US Dance/Electronic Songs in 2013.

His debut solo album was a massive success, released in 2012 and featuring the hit single “Clarity” with British singer Foxes. Zedd’s “Clarity” became his most successful dance recording, charting in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award.

Embarking On A Worldwide Tour

With his star rising and success across Europe, Zedd embarked on his first worldwide tour in 2013, selling out venues across 5 continents. During his career, Zedd has collaborated with artists such as Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, helping to boost their reputations.

In 2015, his second studio album, “True Colors,” was released to wide acclaim, featuring singles like “I Want You to Know” with Selena Gomez. Zedd’s song “The Middle” with Maren Morris, a country singer, and duo Grey reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. His continued dance recording releases alongside other celebrity singers include “Break Free” with Ariana Grande and “Stay” with Alessia Cara.

Net Worth History

Here’s a breakdown of Zedd’s annual net worth:

• 2019 – $45 Million
• 2020 – $46 Million
• 2021 – $47.5 Million
• 2022 – $48 Million
• 2023 – $50 Million

Impossible Foods Investment

While Zedd has enjoyed massive success worldwide, he is also quick to invest in a variety of business ventures. In 2019 and 2020, he invested a significant amount in the Series E and F funding rounds for Impossible Foods. During the round, the company raised a total of $300 million; however, this figure encompasses a substantial list of investors, and Zedd’s individual investment is unknown.

The company is focused on producing sustainable alternatives to meat, fish, and chicken using plant-based ingredients and is supported by many celebrities. Zedd joined well-known stars such as Jay-Z, Trevor Noah, Katy Perry, Phil Rosenthal, Jaden Smith, Ruby Rose, and Serena Williams as major investors.

Real Estate

In December 2014, Zedd paid $3.9 million for a 3,831-square-foot, four-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Los Angeles, California. This property, which features a very modern interior design and includes amenities such as an outdoor pool, recording studio, and wine cellar. It also features views of the Los Angeles city skyline. Zedd recently returned the property to the market in October 2025, seeking $5.5 million. 

Personal Life

With his busy career, the German DJ had little time for romantic entanglements, but in 2015, he briefly dated Selena Gomez, the popular singer. As a high-profile celebrity, Gomez was constantly in the limelight, forcing Zedd into the sometimes unwelcome media attention during their relationship.

While Zedd focuses primarily on his music career, he is also a soccer fan, supporting the German football club FC Kaiserslautern. His family is well educated, which has made Zedd multilingual, speaking Russian, German, English, and basic French.

Summary 

By following his dream of becoming a musician, Zedd defied the odds and is now one of the most well-known and popular dance music performers. His achievements, awards, and impact on electronic music make him one of the genre’s leading personalities and trend-setting icons. By collaborating with talented artists, Zedd not only keeps abreast of the latest talent but also influences the next generation of artists.