Introduction

Sebastian Vettel is a German former professional race car driver with an estimated net worth of $140 Million.

Vettel competed in Formula 1 for 16 years, competing in 299 races and recording 53 wins and 3,098 points. During his career, he earned approximately $367.82 million from salary and bonuses, averaging $22.99 million/year.

However, the above figures don’t account for 100% of Vettel’s income. He also typically earned $1 million/year from various endorsement deals, but began declining sponsorships toward the end of his career.

Vettel won the World Drivers’ Championship at the youngest age of any driver in history and became the youngest driver to win the double, triple, and quadruple world championships in Formula One. He previously raced for Red Bull, Toro Rosso, BMW, and Ferrari Scuderia and is one of only four drivers to have won four or more championships in Formula One.

Quick Facts

• Earned over $320 million between 2012 and his retirement
• Peak annual income of $42.3 million in 2017
• Typically earned between $300,000 and $1 million per year off-track
• Sponsors included Braun, Casio, and Head & Shoulders, among others

Earnings History

Before we go into more detail on Sebastian Vettel’s Formula One contracts, annual salary, and some of the other ways he’s bolstered his income over the years, let’s summarize his career earnings. In the 2010s and early 2020s, Forbes consistently ranked Vettel among the highest-paid drivers in Formula One.

Between 2012 and 2019, he was a consistent entry on the list, typically earning between $18 million and $42 million annually from all endeavors. This includes not only his F1 salary but also additional income from bonuses, licensing royalties, and brand endorsement agreements. That said, his base salary typically accounted for well over 90% of his total annual income, as you’ll find out shortly.

For the first few years of the decade, Sebastian Vettel earned between $18 million and $19 million per year. The major shift in his annual income occurred in 2014, when he signed his first three-year contract with Ferrari, resulting in an estimated $33 million that year. During his time at Ferrari from 2015 through 2020, Vettel’s annual earnings never dipped below $36 million, reaching a career high of $42.3 million midway through his tenure.

Vettel’s final appearance on the annual Forbes list was in 2022, during his last year with Aston Martin, when he earned approximately $17 million. This brought his total earnings from 2012 to 2022 to at least $285.4 million (likely exceeding $320 million when including 2020 and 2021).

Formula One Contracts & Salary

Upon researching how much money Sebastien Vettel earned in Formula One, the only figures we couldn’t find were for his initial season at BMW Sauber in 2006. Based on the information available, Vettel earned at least $368.8 million in base salary during his Formula One tenure. This figure doesn’t include his additional earnings from brand endorsements, licensing, and so on. These earnings were split primarily between three teams: Red Bull, Ferrari, and Aston Martin.

Endorsement Income

Throughout his career, Sebastian Vettel earned a small portion of his income off the track through endorsement deals; however, these earnings weren’t substantial compared with his on-track salary in Formula One. According to Forbes, Vettel’s annual endorsement income typically ranged from $300,000 to $1 million, accounting for less than 3% of his total income.

Which companies paid him the most money is unknown, as none of his contracts with these brands have been publicly disclosed. However, that said, we do have a list of all the partnerships Vettel secured during his career, which includes companies such as:

• Braun (men’s grooming)
• BWT (Best Water Technology)
• Casio (watches)
• Head & Shoulders (hair care)
• Infiniti (automaker)
• Shell (fuel and auto lubricant)
• Pepe Jeans (clothing)
• Tirendo (tires)

Based on the information available to us, we estimate that Sebastian Vettel earned between $5 million and $10 million from brand endorsements over the course of his Formula One career.

How Does Sebastian Vettel Spend His Money?

Vettel is concerned about environmental and social justice issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and supports them. He has helped children build beehives to prevent an agricultural crisis caused by declining bee numbers across Europe.

Vettel has raised the ire of the Canadian government with his rants about the Alberta tar sands petroleum extraction. However, as he drives for Aston Martin, which manufactures some of the most expensive cars in the world and is sponsored by the petroleum company Saudi Aramco, it’s a bit hypocritical of him.

He owns a modest farmhouse in the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland, worth an estimated $7 million, and is said to own other property in the area. However, he is extremely secretive about his financial position and has requested that the authorities remove his land registration details from their online records.

Summary 

It is difficult to predict what Sebastian Vettel will do next, as he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone and has the wealth, resources, and willpower to achieve whatever he wants. Many people are still shocked by the news of his departure from Formula One, as it marks the end of an era. In his recent interview, he mentioned wanting more family time, which is understandable given that he prioritizes it above all else.

Introduction

Kevin Harvick is an American professional stock car racing driver with an estimated net worth of $70 Million.

Quick Facts

• Earned an estimated $178.2 million between 2007 and 2019
• Peak annual income of $15.5 million (2014 and 2015)
• Typically earned between $1.5 million and $3.5 million per year off-track
• Sponsors included Busch Beer, Mobil 1, and Xfinity, among others
• Paid $6.75 million for the Talladega Nights mansion in 2023
• This was the home of the fictional character Ricky Bobby in the film 

Earnings History

Between 2007 and 2019, Kevin Harvick appeared on every annual release of the Forbes “Highest-Paid NASCAR Drivers” list, consistently earning between $11 million and $15.5 million per year from all his endeavors. This includes his base salary from Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, plus his share of the race winnings, and off-track income from licensing royalties and brand endorsements.

The information in the table above has been extracted from every annual list that Forbes published on NASCAR driver earnings, beginning with 2007, when Harvick earned an estimated $11 million. Bear in mind that while the publication published this list in June 2008, it refers to estimated income from June 1, 2007, to June 1, 2008. Another thing to note is that Forbes didn’t begin separating on-track and off-track income until 2012. Hence, we’re unable to see how much he earned from endorsements in the earlier years.

Unlike other NASCAR drivers, Kevin Harvick didn’t experience a significant drop in his income over time. Typically, the highest-paid drivers all experienced a drastic salary decline during the 2010s, due to a declining NASCAR audience and, consequently, a decline in team sponsorship revenues.

Overall, during the period above, Kevin Harvick earned an estimated $178.2 million, averaging $13.7 million per season.

NASCAR Track Earnings

Until 2016, NASCAR publicly disclosed driver race winnings, allowing us to see how much Kevin Harvick earned for his team, both annually and per race. It’s important to stress that the figures in the table above are the annual winnings Harvick earned for his team, not his personal income. Race winnings are paid to the drivers’ teams, and the amount is then split between the driver and the team. Typically, elite-level drivers like Harvick can receive between 30% and 50% of this sum. 

Between 2001 and 2015, Harvick earned a total on-track prize money of $80.94 million, of which $65.4 million or thereabouts was earned with Richard Childress Racing. Assuming he received a 50% split, Harvick could have earned $45.5 million from his share of the race winnings.

Endorsement Income

As we already established, when Forbes began estimating endorsement income in its annual lists from 2012 onward, Kevin Harvick reportedly earned between $1.5 million and $3 million in a typical year off the track. His earnings from brand sponsors began at $1.5 million per year for 2012 and 2014, and peaked in the middle of the period (2014 to 2016). At the time, he earned as much as $3.5 million per year in off-track income. This was followed by a consistent decline, eventually dropping to $1.3 million in 2019.

During the eight-year period, Kevin Harvick earned an estimated $17 million off the track from brand endorsement deals and licensing royalties.

This figure was earned from lucrative partnerships with over a dozen companies, including:

• Budweiser
• Burn Energy Drink
• Busch Beer
• Champion
• Fields
• Hunt Brothers Pizza
• Jimmie John’s
• Kroger
• Mobil 1
• Reese’s
• Rheem
• Shell
• Subway
• Tide
• Turtle Wax
• Xfinity

Real Estate

Like most professional NASCAR drivers, Kevin Harvick opted to purchase a property close to the action. It also appears that anything under 10,000 square feet is a no-go for him. You might know one of the properties listed below from a rather famous film from the mid-2000s.

Charlotte Mansion

In February 2014, he paid $3.34 million for a 13,124-square-foot, six-bedroom, ten-bathroom mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina. This property spans 4.48 acres and features amenities such as a pool house, guest house, gym, arcade, and golf simulator. 

In May 2024, over a decade later, he relisted the property for sale at $12.5 million. Several months later, he reduced the price to $10 million and closed a deal in March 2025 for $9.83 million. That’s almost triple what he paid, proving a solid investment.

Talladega Nights Mansion

That’s right, in October 2023, Harvick paid $6.75 million for Ricky Bobby’s mansion. This house belonged to the fictional character played by Will Ferrell in the 2006 film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The home, located in Cornelius, North Carolina, comprises 12,042 square feet, six bedrooms, and 6.5 bathrooms. Harvick still owns this property, which is currently worth an estimated $7.2 million.

Car Collection

Kevin Harvick didn’t have a car of his own until he was in his twenties. At that stage, he went out and bought his first truck, one that he wouldn’t have to share with his dad. Since then, he’s owned multiple vehicles, but his particular favorites are Chevrolet classics. When he’s not on the track, you can see him driving his classic 1969 Chevrolet Camaro as often as he can.

Introduction

Heidi Klum is a German-American model, television personality, fashion designer, and actress with an estimated net worth of $160 Million. 

Earnings History

Between 2003 and 2011, Heidi Klum consistently ranked among the world’s highest-paid models. In the mid-2000s, she typically earned between $7 million and $8 million annually, primarily from her contract with Victoria’s Secret, supplemented by her television appearances on Project Runway and Germany’s Next Top Model.

Due to her increasing television work, her earnings nearly doubled to $14 million in 2008; by 2011, they were $20 million per year. Around the same time, she renegotiated her contract with Victoria’s Secret, paying her an estimated $3.8 million annually. 

In 2020, Forbes ranked Heidi Klum the 82nd-highest-paid celebrity worldwide, with annual earnings of approximately $39.5 million.

Business Ventures & Endorsements

Outside her modeling career, Klum has been involved with various business ventures and brand endorsements. She has hosted several TV shows, including Project Runway, Germany’s Next Top Model, America’s Got Talent, Queen of Drags, and Making the Cut. She has also appeared in shows such as Sex And The City, How I Met Your Mother, and Spin City. Klum has also appeared in films such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Perfect Stranger, and Ocean’s 8.

Away from the big screen, Klum has launched lingerie, swimwear, and fragrance lines: Heidi Klum Intimates, Heidi Klum Swim, and Heidi Klum Fragrances. She released a clothing line in partnership with Lidl, Esmara by Heidi Klum, and has managed multiple endorsements. Brands she has worked with include Victoria’s Secret, Birkenstock, Astor Cosmetics, Perfectil, McDonald’s, Volkswagen, Wix, and Samsung. Klum’s impressive business ventures and endorsements have helped her build a highly profitable career beyond the runway.

Van Cleef & Arpels Lawsuit

In 2007, Klum’s company and Mouawad USA were sued by Van Cleef & Arpels for $25,000 in damages. The suit alleged that Klums and Mouawad’s collaboration on a clover-shaped motif was too similar to their vintage Alhambra clover jewelry design. Van Cleef & Arpels alleged that Klum and Mouawad sought to profit from the brand’s reputation and infringed its intellectual property.

No financial settlement was disclosed publicly, and the case is believed to have been settled outside court. Klums & Mouawad’s collection was discontinued after the dispute, which was likely part of their agreed-upon settlement.

Trademark Dispute Günter Klum

In 2021, Heidi sought legal counsel after her father trademarked her teenage daughter’s name, Leni Olumi Klum, and nickname, “Mausekatze,” without her consent. This made it difficult for her daughter to use her name while pursuing her modeling career. Günther Klum claimed it was done to protect the family brand.

However, if this proved untrue and he had acted maliciously, he faced six months in prison or a $274,000 fine. Although legal counsel was retained, no formal lawsuit was filed, and the dispute was resolved privately.

Seal Divorce Settlement

After seven years of marriage, Klum filed for divorce from Seal in 2012, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2014. Although the couple had not signed a prenuptial agreement, they did sign a postnuptial agreement during their marriage. This meant that neither party was required to provide spousal support, and their earnings remained separate.

Klum’s net worth was estimated at approximately $70 million, while Seal’s was estimated at approximately $15 million. The postnuptial agreement enabled Klum to maintain her net worth. It also allowed her to retain her earnings from various income streams, such as modeling, TV appearances, business ventures, and endorsements. Seal kept the rights to his royalties and personal assets. The couple’s real estate investments were divided amicably, and both shared joint custody of their children. The postnuptial agreement was instrumental in the couple’s amicable divorce proceedings and precluded significant financial settlements.

Custody Dispute With Seal

In 2020, Klum had an emergency custody hearing with her ex-husband, Seal. Klum wanted to take their four children to Germany for a few months while she filmed Germany’s Next Top Model. Seal denied the request on the grounds that Klum intended to relocate their children to Germany permanently.

However, the family court overruled him, and Klum was granted permission to travel with the children. Seal was given extended time with the children before and after the trip and was allowed to visit them in Germany. It was also made clear that the children’s primary residence remained in Los Angeles.

The ruling did not alter the couple’s existing custody agreement. Although this was a legal dispute, there was no official lawsuit. The case was resolved in family court with no further legal action.

Philanthropy

Klum has been an active philanthropist for many years. She is well known for her generosity and dedication to helping others. Klum has supported UNICEF since 2011, traveling to countries worldwide to promote children’s health and safety and education. In 2011, she also led the “Walk For Kids” fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to raise funds for ill children and their families.

Klum is also a long-time advocate for the prevention and support of HIV/AIDS. She has supported the Elton John AIDS Foundation and amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. In 2014, Klum was awarded the Crystal Cross Award by the American Red Cross for her volunteer contributions during Hurricane Sandy. She worked with the charity for over a decade before receiving the reward.

Klum has used her celebrity status, fame, and money to support important causes close to her heart, helping numerous children, families, and communities worldwide.

Real Estate

Brentwood Mansion

Klum is undoubtedly not shy about investing in real estate. Her assets exceed most people’s wildest expectations. In 2010, while married to Seal, Klum purchased a Mediterranean-style mansion in Brentwood, California, for $14.2 million. The 12,300-square-foot property was built in 1999 and features eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a double-height entrance hall, stone fireplaces, a library, and a wood-paneled dining room. The 8.5-acre grounds include extensive terraces and patios, a koi pond, a rose garden, an infinity pool, and a spa. After her divorce from Seal in 2014, Klum listed the mansion for $25 million, reportedly selling it to a billionaire for $24 million later that year.

Bel Air Mansion

Following her divorce, Klum purchased a $9.8 million mega-mansion in Bel Air, California. The 11,600-square-foot home is located in the exclusive Stone Ridge Guard gated community. It sits on 5.8 acres and has a gym, a tennis court, a swimming pool, and stunning hilltop views. Klum lives in the home with her husband, Tom Kaulitz, and her four children.

Soho Penthouse

In 2018, Klum bought a Penthouse apartment in Soho, New York City, for $5.1 million. The 4772-square-foot industrial-style apartment dates back to the late 1800s and was used as an artist’s studio for many years. It features exposed-beam ceilings, original wooden columns, and panoramic city views. It is believed to have undergone major renovations and a significant transformation, bringing it in line with Klum’s exacting standards.