5 richest swimmers boast $142M collective net worth

1. Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps in 2023. Photo from Michael Phelps's Instagram

Throughout his career, Michael Phelps, 38, has won 28 Olympics medals, 23 of which were gold, making him "arguably the greatest Olympian ever," according to the Olympics’ website.

Phelps won the World Swimmer of the Year Award eight times, the American Swimmer of the Year Award 11 times, and the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award twice, and he earned the "Sports Illustrated" Sportsman of the Year award for his success in the 2008 Olympic Games.

He officially retired from swimming in August 2016, after which he continued to make around US$10 million from endorsements for large companies such as payment services provider Visa, fast food franchise Subway, and sportswear brands Speedo and Under Armour.

Celebrity Net Worth estimated his net worth to be at $100 million.

2. Mark Spitz

Mark Spitz in 2017. Photo from Mark Spitz's Instagram

With a net worth of $20 million, retired Olympian champion swimmer Mark Spitz, 74, is one of the most decorated and beloved American Olympians of all time.

He held the record for the most gold medals at a single Olympic Games – seven at the 1972 Summer Olympics – for 36 years, until he was surpassed by Phelps, who won eight in 2008.

After retiring from competitive swimming in 1972, Spitz expanded his wealth through corporate endorsements, motivational speaking engagements, and investing, according to his website.

He also ventured into television, appearing in commercials and working as a commentator.

3. Sarah Sjöström

Sarah Sjöström won two gold and one silver medals at the Doha 2024 World Aquatics Championships in February 2024. Photo from Sarah Sjöström's Instagram

Swedish competitive swimmer Sarah Sjöström, 30, has a net worth of $12 million, according to sports content platform Sportskeeda.

She broke the Swedish national record and won the gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2008 European Aquatics Championships at the age of 14.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she secured a gold medal in swimming, making her the first Swedish woman in history to achieve this feat.

She currently holds the women’s world record for the long course 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter butterfly and the 100-meter butterfly, and is preparing to defend her title at the Paris Olympics later this year.

Swimming news website SwimSwam identified Sjöström as the highest-earning swimmer of the 2021 International Swimming League season, having earned $265,125 in prize money during that season alone.

4. Katie Ledecky

Katie Ledecky won two gold and two silver medals at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Photo from Katie Ledecky's Instagram

American competitive swimmer Katie Ledecky, 30, has won seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship gold medals, the most in history for a female swimmer.

She is the world record holder in the women's 800- and 1500-meter freestyle on both long and short courses.

She got her first endorsement deal in 2018, a $7 million contract with swimwear company TYR.

She also signed a deal with the popular footwear brand Adidas.

She boasts a net worth of $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

5. Caeleb Dressel

Caeleb Dressel at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Photo from Caeleb Dressel's Instagram

Seven-time American Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel, 27, excels in freestyle, breaststroke and butterfly.

He has won multiple medals at the World Aquatics Championships, notably clinching a record eight medals at the 2019 Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.

Dressel boasts endorsements from prominent brands such as Speedo, Toyota, Hershey’s, and Coca-Cola, according to Sportskeeda.

He is slated to participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics later this year.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, he has a net worth of $5 million.