OJ Simpson's Net Worth: Plus His Early Years, Career, and Life After Prison

O.J. Simpson is a retired professional American football player who played as a running back in the NFL. He has also been a broadcaster, actor, and advertising spokesman. He was also a controversial athlete, arrested and tried for the murder of his wife. Now out of prison, O.J. Simpson’s life before and after prison is fascinating. This guide will detail OJ Simpson's net worth, sources of income, criminal history, post-prison, and career. 

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What is OJ Simpson's net worth?

According to various sources, OJ Simpson's net worth is an estimated $3 million.

Who is OJ Simpson?

OJ Simpson (born Orenthal James Simpson) is a former American football and NFL player, actor, and television personality. He was also tried for the murders of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. OJ was acquitted of the murders in a criminal court. His case was called the trial of the century.

Early Life

Orenthal James Simpson (commonly known as O.J. Simpson) was born in San Francisco, California, in 1947 to Eunice, a hospital administrator, and Jimmy L. Simpson, a chef.

In 1952, his parents separated, and his father left the family when OJ was still very young. Simpson’s mother raised him and his three other siblings by herself.

Simpson and his family lived in San Francisco in the housing projects of the Potrero Hill neighborhood.

In his teenage years, Simpson joined a Persian Warriors street gang and then spent time at the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center. He was also arrested two other times. 

Education

O.J. Simpson graduated from Galileo High School (currently Galileo Academy of Science and Technology) in San Francisco in 1995. At Galileo, he played for the school football team.

He enrolled at City College of San Francisco in 1965, where he played football and made the Junior College All-American team.

He attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he played football before joining the National Football League (NFL).

At USC, Simpson was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy as a junior and won the award and the Walter Camp Award as a senior in 1968.

Professional football career

Simpson’s pro career in football started after he joined the Buffalo Bills in 1969. He signed a 5-year, $650,000 contract, which was huge for professional sports in that era.

For five consecutive years (1972 to 1976), O.J. Simpson topped 1,000 yards rushing. 

In 1977, injuries cut his season short.

Before the 1978 season, the Bills traded Simpson to San Francisco 49ers. Simpson played with the 49ers for two seasons (1978 and 1979) and retired. 

Entertainment career

After a successful career in football, Simpson transitioned to acting and entertainment. He appeared in films in the 1970s and 80s, such as 

• The Cassandra Crossing (1976)
• Capricorn One (1978)
• The Towering Inferno (1974)
• The Klansman (1974)

His other famous films include:

• Why (1971)
• Roots (1977)
• Cocaine and Blue Eyes (1983)
• Back to the Beach (1987) 
• The Naked Gun trilogy (1988, 1991, 1994)
• Frogmen (1994)
• Juiced with O. J. Simpson (2006)
• Who Is America? (2018)

O.J Simpson Cases

Simpson's life took a turn for the worse when he was accused and charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994. 

He was acquitted of the criminal charges in 1995 following a lengthy criminal trial, the People v. Simpson 1995. He was found liable for the deaths in a civil trial and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.

In December 2001, the FBI searched Simpson’s Miami house suspecting possession of drugs and money laundering. They discovered equipment that could be useful for stealing satellite TV programming, and he faced a lawsuit in federal court.

In September 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas with several charges, including kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, assault, and armed robbery (of sports memorabilia). After trial in December 2008, he was sentenced to 33 years of imprisonment at Lovelock Correctional Center.

OJ Simpson was released on October 1, 2017, after being granted parole, having served almost nine years in prison. In December 2021, Simpson was released from parole early, effectively making him a completely free man.

How did OJ Simpson make his money?

OJ Simpson made most of his money through his football career, acting roles, endorsements, and investments. 

1. Pro NFL Football

OJ Simpson was an NFL pro footballer from 1969 to 1979. He was one of the highest-paid football players during his time in the NFL and made significant earnings from football and endorsements. When the Bills drafted him, OJ signed a 5-year, $650,000 contract (around $4.5 million today after adjusting for inflation).

2. Entertainment Career 

After his career in football, Simpson transitioned to acting and entertainment. He appeared in many films in the 1970s and 80s, such as The Cassandra Crossing (1976), Capricorn One (1978), The Towering Inferno (1974), The Klansman (1974), and Who Is America? (2018).  

Besides acting, Simpson also worked as a commentator for Monday Night Football and The NFL on NBC. He also appeared in Saturday Night Live’s audience in its second season and hosted an episode during its third season.

3. Endorsements

OJ Simpson earned more from endorsements with companies such as Hertz, Chevrolet, and Pioneer Chicken. The Chevrolet deal was worth $250,000, and the Hertz slogan Go, O.J., Go! almost became his trade name. 

In 1992 OJ's monthly income was about $55,000 ($92,000/month today) or roughly $1.1 million per year today, which largely came from his Hertz endorsement contract.  

Other products Simpson endorsed included Honey Baked Ham, Calistoga Water Company's line of Napa Naturals soft drinks, and Dingo cowboy boots. 

4. Entrepreneurship and Investments 

Chuck Barnes helped OJ Simpson form business relationships with Chevrolet and ABC in his early football career. By 1971, New York wrote Simpson already had enough wealth to retire if he wanted to.

O. J. Simpson was also the president and CEO of O. J. Simpson Enterprises. He owned hotels and restaurants, and when he divorced Brown in 1992, Simpson had a net worth of $10.8 million in assets and more than $1 million in annual income.

5. Real Estate

Simpson has investments in real estate, including rental properties and a golf course. He had a significant rental income from properties he owned in California and Florida, which added to his overall net worth. According to legal filings submitted after his 1992 divorce, half of OJ Simpson’s net worth ($10.8 million) came from the value of his Brentwood estate. He bought the estate in 1977 for $650,000 (roughly $2.5 million today). 

6. Pension Money

After he turned 55, OJ became eligible to receive a pension from the NFL. OJ had held off on taking his pension payments until he was 65 to receive a larger monthly payment (about $10,565/month instead of $4,034). The NFL began paying him $10,565 per month in 2012, and since he could not access/use this money while in prison, it accumulated to about $602,000.

OJ also reportedly has a fully funded personal pension worth around $2-5 million depending on how the assets performed. 

In addition, OJ also has a Screen Actor's Guild pension that pays him around $1,700 per month or more.

OJ’s pension income can not be touched by legal judgment or bankruptcy, making it completely off-limits to the Goldman family.

FAQ

What is OJ Simpson's current net worth?

OJ Simpson's estimated net worth is $3 million.

How did OJ Simpson make money post-prison?

After his release from prison in 2017, OJ Simpson has mainly relied on his pension income and endorsement deals to make money. He has also appeared in a few television shows and movies.

What was OJ Simpson's career?

OJ Simpson had a successful football career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and setting multiple records during his time in the NFL. He later transitioned to acting and appeared in films such as The Naked Gun series, and Capricorn One.

What type of rental income did OJ Simpson have?

OJ Simpson had a significant rental income from properties he owned in California and Florida. He owned several rental properties, including an L.A. condominium, a Miami townhouse, and a golf course in Florida.

What are the sources of OJ Simpson's pension income?

OJ Simpson's pension income comes from the NFL. He played for the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers during his football career and retired in 1979. He also has pension income from assets and investments.

What are the endorsements and memorabilia sales associated with OJ Simpson's net worth?

OJ Simpson had several endorsement deals throughout his career, including deals with Hertz, Chevrolet, Pioneer chicken, and Honey Baked Ham. His other endorsement deals include Calistoga Water Company's line of Napa Naturals soft drinks and Dingo cowboy boots. 

In recent years, Simpson has sold autographed memorabilia, including footballs, jerseys, and helmets. He has also appeared in commercial ads, including car insurance and sports collectibles.

What assets does OJ Simpson have ownership of?

OJ Simpson's assets include several rental properties, a golf course, and a pension from the NFL. He also has ownership of various personal belongings and memorabilia, including his Heisman Trophy and other football awards.

What are the investment accounts associated with OJ Simpson's net worth?

There is limited information available regarding OJ Simpson's investment accounts. However, he has been known to invest in real estate, particularly rental properties.

What are the felony charges associated with OJ Simpson?

In September 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas with several felony charges, including kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, assault, and armed robbery (of sports memorabilia).

How did the OJ Simpson trial affect his net worth?

The OJ Simpson trial had a significant impact on his net worth. While he was acquitted of the criminal charges, he was found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages. Creditors attempted to seize his assets, including his home and personal belongings, to pay the damages. Simpson declared bankruptcy in 1997.

Takeaway

OJ Simpson's net worth is estimated at $3 million, but it has been a topic of interest for many years. 

While he was one of the highest-paid NFL football players of his time and made significant earnings from endorsements, his legal troubles significantly impacted on his net worth.

Simpson has mainly relied on his pension income and endorsement deals to make money since his release from prison in 2017.

OJ Simpson’s story serves as a reminder that no amount of wealth can make up for poor choices and the consequences that come with them.  

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