Michael Phelps: Retired In 2016
Original Earnings: $100 million
Current Net Worth: $80 million
To some, swimming might seem like a simple sport, but it requires an amazing amount of discipline and strength. Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, winning an unprecedented 28 medals in 2016 before his Speedo was hung up for good. Since retiring and traveling the world doing talks and trying to raise awareness of the issue, the Baltimore-born star has become a mental health advocate. He told USA Today in 2019, having just returned from being a keynote speaker at a New York convention, “Helping people means so much more to me than winning any medal.”
Serena Williams: Still Active
Career Earnings: $92 million
Current Net Worth: $200 million
By the time they’re in their early 30s, many tennis players give up the sport, while others keep playing for as long as they can. If Serena Williams were to hang up her racket any time soon, the game wouldn’t be the same, but fortunately, she has no plans to retire just yet. Serena has collaborated with Gatorade, IBM, and Pepsi and is the new Chief Sports Officer for Aston Martin. She is also on SurveyMonkey’s board of directors, which may explain her net worth of over $200 million against $92 million in career earnings.
