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Van Jones Net Worth

Emmy Wallin

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Van Jones Net Worth

What is Van Jones’ net worth? 

Net Worth:$5 Million
Age:56
Born:September 20, 1968
Gender:Male
Height:1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:News Commentator
Last Updated:Jun 13, 2025
 

Introduction 

Van Jones is an American professional news commentator, author, and lawyer with an estimated net worth of $5 Million. 

 

Non-Profit Financial Mismanagement

In 2015, Jones founded Dream.org (formerly Dream Corps), a non-profit that advocates for new legislation to address climate change, mass incarceration, and poverty. The organization also taught children from low-income households how to code.

In 2020, Jones’ environmental advocacy group Green for All, under the Dream.org umbrella, received a $10 million grant from Jeff Bezos. In 2021, Bezos recognised Jones’ philanthropic work and gifted the organization another $100 million. While some money was directed to new projects, including the Dream Machine Innovation Lab and grassroots organisations like Beat The Block, concerns grew within Dream.org about how the grant was being managed.

Finally, in 2023, Jones was removed from Dream.org with an unnamed source claiming unrest within the organization and financial mismanagement. Jones did not publicly comment on his departure, and Dream.org later restructured its leadership.

 

Magic Labs Media LLC

In 2015, Jones co-founded Magic Labs Media LLC, a production company responsible for the Webby Award-winning digital series The Messy Truth and the Emmy Award-winning The Messy Truth VR Experience. The company produces content that combines race, culture, social justice, and politics.

 

Rapport

Van Jones co-founded Rapport in 2020 alongside tech entrepreneur Tadzio Smith. The technology company was established to address the growing challenges of workplace disconnection and division, which worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic. It aimed to enhance human connection in the workplace through AI.

 

Obsidian Investment Partners

In 2021, Jones became a founding partner at Obsidian Investment Partners, which provided money and support to businesses and organisations that tackle climate change and social justice issues. One example is SPAN.IO, a company that helps people manage their home energy. Obsidian helped raise $90 million to support the company’s next growth stage.

 

Divorce Settlement

Jones and his wife, Jana Carter, married in 2005 and separated in 2018, though they continue co-parenting their two sons, Mattai and Cabral. Carter, the niece of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, filed for divorce and requested spousal support. While the exact financial terms of Jones’ divorce were never disclosed, alimony is often based on a percentage of the higher earner’s income in California.

Jones may have earned several hundred thousand dollars annually through CNN and public appearances, so that financial support could have ranged from $5,000 to $15,000. Child support for two children might have added another $3,000 to $7,000 monthly, depending on custody arrangements. These figures are purely speculative as no court filings or public statements confirm what Jones paid. Both parties kept the matter private, and no legal disputes were reported following the divorce.

 

Philanthropy

Jones has long believed that lasting change starts at the community level, and much of his work has focused on giving people a second chance. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights was started in 1996 by Jones and Diana Frappier in Oakland, California. It’s named after civil rights leader Ella Baker and works to make the justice system fairer. Instead of spending money on prisons, the centre pushes for more support for communities, like education and jobs, to help prevent crime in the first place.

Co-founded by Jones in 2015, #cut50 was a project under Dream.org that worked to cut the U.S. prison population in half. In 2018, the group helped push through a significant new law called the First Step Act. This law changed federal sentencing rules, reduced some prison terms, and aimed to give more people a chance at early release. It was supported by both Republicans and Democrats and marked a rare moment of agreement on criminal justice reform.

Jones also launched the #YesWeCode initiative (now known as Dream Tech) in 2015 to provide coding education to low-income and underrepresented youth. He described it as a way to close the opportunity gap and the digital divide, helping young people build a better future through technology. Jones’ philanthropic initiatives help create lasting change by tackling injustice at its roots and opening doors for the next generation.

 

Highlights

Here are some of the best highlights of Van Jones’ career:

  • Served as former President Barack Obama’s Special Advisor for Green Jobs (2009)
  • Rebuild the Dream (Autobiography, 2012) 
  • Beyond the Messy Truth (Autobiography, 2017)
  • Jones is currently CEO of the REFORM Alliance

What do you think about Van Jones’ net worth? Leave a comment below. 

Emmy Wallin is a writer for Wealthy Gorilla. She is a young Swedish girl from Uppsala, who is currently traveling around the world. Emmy has a big passion for helping others and motivating people. Emmy has been studying celebrities careers, biographies, lifestyles, and net worths for over 3 years. She is the face behind the net worth profiles here on Wealthy Gorilla.

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Authors

John Grisham Net Worth

Emmy Wallin

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John Grisham Net Worth

What is John Grisham’s net worth? 

Net Worth:$400 Million
Age:70
Born:February 8, 1955
Gender:Male
Height:1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Novelist
Last Updated:Jun 12, 2025

Introduction 

John Grisham is an American novelist, politician, and activist with an estimated net worth of $400 Million. 

 

Legal Issues & Lawsuits

Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

In 1996, attorney Polly Nelson filed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement against Grisham. She claimed that his 1994 novel, The Chamber, unlawfully copied elements from her biography, Defending the Devil: My Story as Ted Bundy’s Last Lawyer. Nelson had previously represented serial killer Ted Bundy during his final death row appeals. She claimed Grisham’s novel borrowed heavily from her personal and professional experiences.

The case was heard in the U.S. District Court, with Nelson arguing that both books shared themes of capital punishment. She also stated that the books featured lawyers defending controversial death row inmates. However, the court found no legal grounds for her claim and dismissed the lawsuit without further action.

 

Defamation Lawsuit

Grisham had another lawsuit filed against him in 2007. Former Pontotoc County District Attorney Bill Peterson and two investigators claimed defamation, invasion of privacy, and conspiracy. They were unhappy with how they were portrayed in The Innocent Man. The book was Grisham’s nonfiction account of the wrongful convictions of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz.

Peterson and the investigators claimed the book misrepresented them, which damaged their reputations. In 2008, U.S. District Judge Ronald White dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the discussion of wrongful convictions was of public interest.

 

OpenAI Lawsuit

In 2023, Grisham joined a group of 16 authors, including Jodi Picoult and George R.R. Martin, in a class-action lawsuit against OpenAI. Filed by the Authors Guild, the lawsuit claims that OpenAI’s ChatGPT was trained on copyrighted books without the authors’ consent or compensation. The Authors Guild argued that it is large-scale copyright infringement and creates unfair competition by using authors’ original works to generate new content.

They also stated that using copyrighted material in this way undermines the rights of writers. OpenAI has filed motions to dismiss, arguing that using publicly available text for AI training constitutes fair use under U.S. copyright law. As it stands, the lawsuit remains unresolved.

 

Philanthropy

Grisham has been involved in many philanthropic endeavors throughout his lifetime. In 1993, Grisham and his wife, Renée, created the Grisham Writer-in-Residence program at the University of Mississippi to support emerging writers. Funded entirely by the Grishams, the residency offers writers a year-long post in Oxford, Mississippi, along with a regular payment and housing. Residents are only required to teach one class per semester, allowing them time to focus on their writing and research. Many also get involved in mentoring students and contributing to campus literary life.

 

Hurricane Katrina Donation

In 2005, Grisham and his wife donated $5 million to aid Mississippi in its recovery after Hurricane Katrina. They established the Rebuild the Coast Fund to support residents and local businesses severely impacted by the storm. To make sure the money went where it was most needed, they hired a team to review aid requests and direct funds to specific, local needs. Although the Grishams typically keep their charitable work private, they chose to go public with this donation to encourage others to lend a hand.

 

Justice Reform

Grisham’s first nonfiction book, The Innocent Man, came out in 2006 and told the story of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, who were wrongly convicted of murder. Writing the book marked the beginning of Grisham’s involvement in the justice reform movement. After the book’s release, he joined the board of the Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that works to exonerate people who have been wrongly convicted. Since then, Grisham has become a strong public advocate against flaws in the justice system.

 

Highlights

Here are some of the best highlights of John Grisham’s career:

  • A Time to Kill (Autobiography, 1989) 
  • The Firm (Autobiography, 1991)
  • Camino Island (Autobiography, 2017)
  • A Time for Mercy (Autobiography, 2020)

What do you think about John Grisham’s net worth? Leave a comment below. 

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Authors

Ree Drummond Net Worth

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Ree Drummond Net Worth

What is Ree Drummond’s net worth? 

Net Worth:$50 Million
Age:56
Born:January 6, 1969
Gender:Female
Height:1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional Author/Blogger
Last Updated:Jun 12, 2025

Introduction

Ree Drummond is an American author, blogger, food writer, and television personality with an estimated net worth of $50 Million. 

Drummond was listed as number 22nd on Forbes’ Top 25 Web Celebrities. Her blog, The Pioneer Woman, documents her daily life as a ranch wife and mother.

 

Career 

Ree Drummond’s experience studying journalism led her to become interested in becoming a professional lawyer, but this changed when she met Ladd Drummond.

After their marriage, she became passionate about ranching and homeschooling and decided to pursue a career as a writer in these fields. In 2006, Drummond launched her first blog, The Pioneer Woman, which became a huge success and led to many popular books.

 

Career Beginnings & Expansion Into Food Writing

Through her blog ThePioneerWoman, Ree Drummond covered a broad range of topics relating to her lifestyle on the ranch and homeschooling.

As the blog continued to rise in popularity, she decided to broaden her horizons and began covering food and sharing recipes with her readers.

These blogs covered everything from the importance of avoiding junk food to tips and advice on feeding a large family healthy meals.

Her tutorial “How to Cook a Steak” catapulted her writing into the spotlight after winning the 2010 Weblog of the Year at the Bloggies awards.

Thanks to this award and other successes, Drummond’s blog would pick up millions of page views per month, comparable to outlets such as The Daily Beast.

Drummond quickly gained the attention of the mainstream media, who praised her for her slickly produced content and high revenue stream.

At the time, she was earning an estimated $1 million per year from advertising revenue alone, leading her to branch out into writing published books.

 

Notable Book Releases

In addition to her hugely successful blog, Ree Drummond has authored many books exploring cookery and ranch life since 2011.

Her debut release, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, was well-received by the New York Times, and followed by the book Black Heels On Tractor Wheels.

Additional books on ranch life and cooking soon followed, continuing the pioneer woman theme that helped establish her growing reputation.

Drummond also worked on a series of children’s books that focused on the Basset Hound Charlie, beginning with 2012’s Charlie and the Christmas Kitty.

Further books in the series revolving around a visit to the doctor, playing ball, and life with a new baby expand the character’s universe for younger audiences.

Her bibliography has continued to expand consistently year-on-year, with Drummond dividing her writing between cookery and children’s books.

She has worked with mainstream publications such as Harper Collins, as well as self-publishing various titles and achieving commercial success.

 

Movie Projects & Television Shows

Ree Drummond’s rising popularity among food lovers and ranch lifestyle enthusiasts allowed her to branch out into appearances on television shows.

Her first notable television appearance came in 2010 when she starred on the food show Throwdown! with Bobby Flay in a celebrity cook-off.

The series, which includes a mini-biography of each guest, helped Drummond’s writing reach a larger audience and showcase her winning personality.

Drummond has also reportedly been involved in discussions for a movie adaptation of her popular book, From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.

The film, which is set to star Reese Witherspoon in the leading role, is set to be produced by Columbia Pictures, one of the big five Hollywood studios.

 

Ree Drummond Net Worth

Ree Drummond’s net worth is $50 Million. 

 

Highlights

Here are the best highlights of Ree Drummond’s career:

  • The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (Autobiography, 2009)
  • Black Heels to Tractor Wheels (Autobiography, 2011)
  • The Pioneer Woman (TV Show, 2011) 
  • Little Ree (Autobiography, 2017) 

What do you think about Ree Drummond’s net worth? Leave a comment below.

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Authors

Paulo Coelho Net Worth

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Paulo Coelho Net Worth

What is Paulo Coelho’s net worth?

Net Worth:$500 Million
Age:77
Born:August 24, 1947
Gender:Male
Height:1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Country of Origin:Brazil
Source of Wealth:Professional Author
Last Updated:Jun 12, 2025

Introduction

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian professional lyricist and novelist with an estimated net worth of $500 Million. 

 

Early Career 

Paulo Coelho published his first bookHell Archives, in 1982. It flew under the radar without making much of an impact. A few years later, he contributed to the Practical Manual of Vampirism, though he later tried to have it removed from shelves, citing poor quality. 

In 1986, he made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and was inspired to write The Pilgrimage about his experiences crossing northern Spain. However, his biggest hit came a year later when he wrote and published The Alchemist through a small Brazilian printing house. Now one of the best-selling books of all time, The Alchemist is often considered one of the greatest works of modern fiction. 

 

The Alchemist

The Alchemist was initially published through a small Brazilian print house, and only 900 copies were initially printed. After Paulo Coelho found a larger publisher for his next book, Brida, The Alchemist suddenly skyrocketed in popularity. 

HarperCollins decided to publish more copies of it in 1994, and it quickly became an international best-selling novel. Following the increase in his popularity, Paulo Coelho has written an average of at least one novel every two years. 

In 1991, he released The Supreme Gift, and the following year, he published the spiritual fiction The Valkyries. Coelho published two books in 1994, Maktub and By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, and The Fifth Mountain in 1996. While not as wealthy as J.K. Rowling, Paulo Coelho’s rise to fame quickly made him an in-demand author. 

 

Working Non-Stop

To round out the 1990s, Paulo Coelho published four books from 1997 to 1998, including Love Letters from a Prophet and Essential Words

In 2000, he released The Devil and Miss Prym, followed by Fathers, Sons and Grandsons the next year. He released Eleven Minutes in 2003 and three more books the following year: The Genie and the Roses, Journeys, and Life

Coelho was busy again in 2005 and 2006, publishing another four books, including The Zahir, Like the Flowing River, and The Witch of Portobello

In 2008, he released The Winner Stands Alone, followed by Love in 2009 and Aleph, an autobiographical book, in 2010. He then published Fábulas in 2011, Manuscript Found in Accra in 2012, and Adultery in 2014, his 16th major release. 

Coelho’s final three booksThe SpyHippie, and The Archer, were published between 2016 and 2020. Although he had planned to write a children’s book with Kobe Bryant in 2016, he deleted the entire draft following the basketball star’s death in 2020. 

 

Additional Ventures

Before becoming a renowned author, Paulo Coelho worked as a songwriter, writing lyrics for Elis Regina, Raul Seixas, and Rita Lee. During this time, Coelho insists that he was arrested by the military government in Brazil and tortured after his left-wing lyrics were deemed dangerous. Coelho also spent time as an actor, journalist, and theatre director before pursuing a full-time career in writing. 

In 2014, the film The Pilgrim — Story of Paulo Coelho was released in Brazil and made its international debut a year later. As one of the wealthiest authors in the world, Paulo Coelho has had an enormous impact on modern literature, making him extremely rich. 

 

Estimated Net Worth

Paulo Coelho’s net worth is $500 Million.

 

What do you think about Paulo Coelho’s net worth? Leave a comment below.

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