What was Roald Dahl's net worth?
Roald Dahl was a renowned British novelist, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot with a net worth of $20 million at the time of his passing. His books, known for their dark humor and unsentimental themes, have sold over 250 million copies globally. Some of his most famous works include 'James and the Giant Peach,' 'The BFG,' 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' and 'Matilda.'
Early Life and Education
Born on September 13, 1916, in Cardiff, Wales, Roald Dahl was the son of affluent Norwegian immigrants, Harald and Sofie. He had four sisters, but tragedy struck early when one sister died from appendicitis, and his father passed away weeks later. Growing up in a bilingual household where Norwegian was spoken, Dahl attended Norway's Lutheran state church. He had his schooling at the Cathedral School in Llandaff, Wales, before moving to St. Peter's boarding school in Somerset, England. By 13, he was at Repton School in Derbyshire, where he faced harsh conditions and corporal punishment. Despite these challenges, he developed an interest in literature, cricket, golf, and photography.
After his schooling, Dahl went on an expedition to Newfoundland, Canada, before joining the Shell Petroleum Company, taking up posts in Kenya and Tanganyika where he lived lavishly.
World War II
In 1939, while in Africa, Dahl was commissioned as a lieutenant in the King's African Rifles, commanding a platoon of indigenous troops. Later, he joined the Royal Air Force, becoming a fighter pilot and then an intelligence officer, eventually rising to the rank of wing commander. A flying accident in 1940 led to severe injuries, and by 1946, he was deemed unfit for service and left the RAF.
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Beginning of Writing Career
Dahl's writing career took off in 1942 with the publication of his wartime adventures in the Saturday Evening Post under the title 'Shot Down Over Libya.' His first children's book, 'The Gremlins,' came out in the following year. His early works included adult short stories, collected in books like 'Someone Like You' and 'Kiss Kiss.'
Children's Books
From 'James and the Giant Peach' in 1961, Dahl carved his niche as a children's author. His other notable works include 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' 'The Twits,' 'The BFG,' 'The Witches,' and 'Matilda.' His stories, often reflecting his own school experiences, feature fantasy elements, dark humor, and a recurring theme of children triumphing over abusive adults. Themes of class and societal barriers are evident in works like 'Fantastic Mr. Fox.' In 1983, his literary contributions earned him the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. Many of his books have been adapted into films, further solidifying his legacy.
Screenwriting
In the 1960s, Dahl ventured into screenwriting, penning scripts for movies like the James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice' and the musical 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,' both based on Ian Fleming's novels. He also adapted his own work for the screen, although an incomplete script for 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' led to a final product, 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,' which he famously disowned. Other screenwriting credits include the BBC children's TV series 'Jackanory,' the thriller 'The Night Digger,' and episodes for the British anthology series 'Tales of the Unexpected.'
Controversies
Despite his literary success, Dahl faced significant criticism for his racist, misogynistic, and anti-Semitic remarks. In a 1983 review of 'God Cried,' he accused Jewish people of turning from victims to oppressors and criticized 'Jewish financial institutions.' His portrayal of female characters often fueled allegations of misogyny, depicting women as evil or imperious.
Personal Life
Roald Dahl married actress Patricia Neal in 1953, and they had five children together. Their son Theo suffered from hydrocephalus after a taxi accident as a baby, leading Dahl to co-develop the WDT valve to treat the condition. Their daughter Olivia died from measles at seven, and Neal suffered three cerebral aneurysms but recovered. The marriage ended in 1983 after Dahl's affair with Felicity d'Abreu Crosland, whom he married thereafter. Dahl passed away in November 1990 from a rare blood cancer. His charitable work lives on through Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, assisting sick children throughout the UK.
Estate
Upon Dahl's death, a major portion of his estate was inherited by his widow Felicity. The Roald Dahl Story Company, managed by her and her three children, continues to generate significant royalties and revenue.
Netflix Deals
In November 2018, Netflix acquired the animated rights to 16 of Dahl's books for $1 billion. By September 2021, Netflix completed its acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company outright for $500 million.
