Introduction

Danielle Steel is an American professional writer with an estimated net worth of $600 Million. 

Quick Facts

• Earned an estimated $201 million between 2010 and 2018
• Peak annual income of $35 million in 2011
• A former bookkeeper allegedly stole $2.7 million from her in 2009
• 67th richest self-made woman in America

Net Worth History

Although not a billionaire, Forbes has been tracking Danielle Steel’s net worth for over a decade because she is a member of America’s Richest Self-Made Women. In 2016, she had an estimated net worth of $310 million, and for the next several years, this figure grew by $10-20 million annually. In 2024, her net worth jumped from $420 million to $500 million, and at the time of writing, she’s ranked as the 67th richest self-made woman in America, with an estimated net worth of $600 Million.

Earnings History

According to reports, between 2010 and 2018, Danielle Steel earned approximately $201 million from all endeavors. She often earned substantial annual sums from book advances, film and TV rights, and royalties. This included estimated earnings of $32 million in 2010 and $35 million in 2011, which were her highest-earning years of the decade. During the 2010s, Steel’s earnings gradually declined, dropping to between $22 million and $26 million in the mid-2010s and to $12 million by 2018. 

Legal Issues & Lawsuits

In 1993, Steel filed a lawsuit against author Lorenzo Bene, who was going to disclose that her son had been adopted by her husband at the time, John Traina. California law states that adoption records must remain sealed to protect adoptive families and can only be opened under very special circumstances. Generally, the records can be disclosed for medical purposes or with the consent of the adopted child once they reach adulthood. Steel believed that if her son’s adoption went public, it would violate her family’s privacy.

Despite her arguments, the state supreme court ruled in favor of opening the adoption record, which was highly unusual given that her son was still a minor at the time. Controversially, the court decided that, because of Steel’s public profile, privacy standards didn’t apply to her and therefore agreed that the records could be opened.

Theft By Former Assistant

In 2009, Steel was the victim of theft after her bookkeeper stole approximately $2.7 million from her. Kirsty Watts had worked for Steel for 15 years when, in November 2008, Steel discovered irregularities in the way Watts had handled credit cards and subsequently terminated her employment. An investigation later revealed that Watts had stolen the money by writing herself cheques and paying herself bonuses. She also used Steel’s credit card reward points to buy flights and gift cards for her family.

Watts was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing over several years and agreed to surrender her assets to help repay the money. So far, she has returned the majority of what she stole, mainly through the sale of her home, its contents, and her family’s vehicles.

Real Estate

Danielle Steel and her husband, Thomas Perkins, own the Spreckles Estate in San Francisco, California. The property has a significant history. It was initially split into four units before Steel acquired it and began her restoration efforts. She also reportedly purchased approximately 25 parking permits for guests in the adjoining streets.

While we don’t know precisely how much Steel paid for the home, recent estimations place its current valuation at roughly $19.2 million. Public records show that the annual property taxes range from $130,000 to $140,000. Over at least twenty-five years of ownership, the couple is estimated to have spent at least $2.5 million on property taxes alone. 

Introduction

The Fat Jewish is an American professional writer, actor, model, winemaker, and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $80 Million. 

Net Worth Details

While The Fat Jewish is a man of many talents and industries, almost all of his net worth comes from a single venture. This was his alcohol company, Swish Beverages, which was acquired by Anheuser-Busch in 2019 for between $150 million and $200 million. In the years leading up to the sale, he’d only been worth several million dollars, but thanks to an estimated $120 million payout, his net worth ballooned to roughly $80 Million.

Swish Beverages

In 2015, The Fat Jewish partnered with Alexander Ferzan and actors Tanner Cohen and David Oliver Cohen to launch their American wine brand, Swish Beverages. Later that year, the company released its flagship product, White Girl Rosé, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and White Zinfandel. It was sold in 750ml bottles for the low price of $14.99.

The following year, Swish launched a canned sparkling Rosé called Babe Rosé, followed by Babe Grigio and Babe Red in 2018. These three canned drinks all mimicked the same simplistic branding, featuring bold lettering on a plain white can with different colored fonts (blue, purple, and red).

After rolling out the full collection, the Babe line in particular began receiving significant attention from potential investors, and the company even secured a small investment from DJ Diplo. At the end of 2018, Anheuser-Busch InBev acquired a minority stake in Swish Beverages through its venture capital arm, ZX Ventures. A year later, they acquired the remaining stake, taking full ownership of the company in a deal reportedly worth between $150 million and $200 million. 

It’s believed that The Fat Jewish held the largest stake at the time of the sale, and some reports suggest he personally received $120 million before taxes. Interestingly, Anheuser-Busch InBev discontinued White Girl Rosé and the entire Babe collection in 2023.

Real Estate

In July 2022, The Fat Jewish paid $2.5 million for a 3,873-square-foot, six-bedroom home in Miami Shores, Florida. He returned the property to the market in June 2024, asking for $4.25 million, but reduced the price to $3.85 million in September. It’s currently still for sale.

Introduction

Nicholas Sparks is an American novelist and screenwriter with an estimated net worth of $40 Million. 

Quick Facts

• Earned at least $46 million between 2008 and 2010
• Peak annual income of $16 million

Earnings History

Forbes has previously ranked Nicholas Sparks on its annual list of the world’s highest-paid authors several times. As far as we can tell, he debuted on the list in 2008, earning an estimated $16 million between June 2007 and June 2008. Sparks reappeared on the list in 2010, earning an estimated $14 million, and the following year, he earned $16 million once again. This would bring Sparks’ total earnings to at least $46 million between 2008 and 2011.

Legal Issues & Lawsuits

Sparks was involved in a high-profile legal case in 2014 that centered on the Epiphany School of Global Studies, which he co-founded with his ex-wife, Cathy Sparks. In 2013, Saul Hillel Benjamin was hired as headmaster of the Christian private school, but soon after he started, he began to have disagreements with Sparks and the school board. Benjamin wanted the school to allow non-Christian students and to implement rules on non-discrimination of LGBTQ+ people.

By the end of 2013, Benjamin lost his job at the school, and in early 2014, he filed a lawsuit against Sparks, the school, The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, and three members of the school’s board. Benjamin alleged that he had been wrongfully terminated and sued for lost income and damages, although the exact amount was not disclosed. Given that he had dual contracts with both the school and the foundation, his annual income was approximately $256,000, so it’s likely he requested at least that much in compensation.

As the lawsuit continued, Benjamin said Sparks had tried to hurt him and damage his reputation by accusing him of having Alzheimer’s and bipolar disorder, and that he should be in a care home.

In early 2019, a series of emails was made public showing Sparks and other school leaders opposing Benjamin’s proposed changes. They also revealed that Benjamin had been told to stop focusing on non-Christian beliefs at school events. In response, Sparks publicly apologized, explaining that his words had been taken out of context and that the school welcomed everyone regardless of religion, race, or sexual orientation.

Lawsuit Outcome

Finally, in August 2019, after five years of litigation, the jury ruled in Sparks’ favor, with Benjamin receiving no compensation. Following the verdict, Sparks released a statement thanking everyone who had supported him and the school, and he looked forward to writing again after spending his time fighting the case.

Divorce Settlement

After twenty-five years of marriage, Sparks and his wife officially separated in early 2015. The pair kept most of the financial details of the divorce private, but did announce that they had created a postmarital property arrangement in August 2014. This agreement pertained only to property, which was divided before their official divorce. His ex-wife bought a $1.1 million lakefront mansion in North Carolina shortly after the split, while Nicholas kept their larger estate known as Trent Acres.

Both parties agreed to waive alimony, meaning neither would pay or receive ongoing support, and each would keep their own assets. No other payments were made public, and by keeping things private, they avoided the need to go to court. The couple walked away from the marriage with real estate worth over $1 million each and secured a clean financial settlement without the need for alimony or public disputes.

Real Estate

According to reports, in May 1997, Nicholas Sparks paid $545,000 for a 2.26-acre property in Trent Woods, North Carolina. To the best of our knowledge, Sparks built a 27,078-square-foot mansion on the lot, featuring eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms. According to a Zillow report, the home is currently valued at $5.1 million.