What Is Usain Bolt's Net Worth and Salary?
Usain Bolt, the renowned Jamaican sprinter, boasts a substantial net worth of $90 million. At the height of his career, he was not only the fastest man on earth but also one of the highest-paid athletes globally, particularly during Olympic years. Bolt earned $20-30 million annually leading up to the Olympics, making him the highest-paid track and field athlete in history. A considerable portion of his income emanated from endorsements, with Puma being his biggest benefactor, paying $9 million yearly for him to wear their shoes everywhere. He also had lucrative deals with Visa, Nissan, and Gatorade. Additionally, Bolt was paid sizeable appearance fees ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 for participating in track events worldwide. His autobiography, which was published in 2010, fetched him a multi-million dollar advance from Harper Collins.
Early Life
Born on August 21, 1986, in Sherwood Content, Jamaica, Usain St. Leo Bolt is the son of Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt, who ran a local grocery store. He grew up with his siblings, Sadiki and Sherine, often playing football and cricket in the streets. After attending Waldensia Primary School, where he quickly emerged as the fastest runner, Bolt continued his education at William Knibb Memorial High School. There, his talent was recognized by the cricket coach, and Bolt shifted his focus to track and field under the guidance of Dwayne Jarrett and Pablo McNeil, a former Olympic sprinter.
Early Competitions
In 2001, Bolt made his international debut at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Hungary. Although he didn't qualify for the finals, Bolt set a personal best of 21.73 seconds in the 200m. He then went on to set championship records at the CARIFTA Games in the 200m and 400m, and continued his record-setting performances at the Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships. Bolt is one of the few athletes to have won world championships at youth, junior, and senior levels. His extraordinary performances led the Prime Minister of Jamaica to arrange for him to move to Kingston to train with the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association.
Rise to Fame
At 15, Bolt became the youngest world junior gold medalist by winning the 200m race at the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston. He also secured two silver medals as part of the Jamaican sprint relay team. His success continued with four gold medals at the 2003 CARIFTA Games and another gold at the 2003 World Youth Championships. By his senior year in high school, Bolt had broken numerous records and was gaining fame in Jamaica. His focus then shifted towards securing a spot on the Jamaican Olympic Team.
(Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Olympics
In 2004, Bolt turned professional with the help of coach Fitz Coleman. Despite a hamstring injury, he was selected for the Jamaican Olympic Squad and competed in the Athens Olympics. Though eliminated in the first round due to his injury, Bolt's career continued to ascend. He declined scholarships from American colleges to stay loyal to Jamaica, opting to train at the University of Technology of Jamaica. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt won three gold medals. He followed these victories with five gold medals and two silver medals in World Championships and continued to excel at the 2012 London Olympics, defending his titles and setting new records. By the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Bolt had won additional gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4 x 100m relay events. He retired in 2017, shifting his ambitions towards football but eventually retiring from sports entirely in 2019.
Personal Life
Bolt, known for his relaxed and fun-loving personality, announced in January 2020 that he and his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, were expecting their first child, a daughter. The couple welcomed twin boys in June 2021. Bolt is also a fan of reggae music and video games such as "Call of Duty", "Mario Kart", and "Mortal Kombat". In July 2019, he ventured into the music industry as a dancehall music producer. Despite his achievements, Bolt revealed he struggled with scoliosis during his childhood.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Endorsements and Other Income
At his peak, Bolt was among the highest-paid athletes, with annual earnings hovering around $20 million, primarily from endorsements. Bolt had deals with brands like Gatorade, Nissan, Visa, Hublot, Virgin Media, and Puma, with the latter contributing $9 million annually. Bolt's earnings also included appearance fees and prize money. From June 2017 to June 2018, he earned $31 million, with only $1 million from on-track efforts, the remainder generated through endorsements.
Car Collection
Bolt has always had a penchant for fast cars, owning a collection that includes Ferraris (F430, 458, California), a BMW M3, a customized Jeep Wrangler, an Audi SUV, several Nissan GT-Rs, and a Chevy Camaro.
Bolt Mobility
Usain Bolt co-founded Bolt Mobility, a Miami-based electric vehicle company. The company operated 5,000 scooters in various US cities and Paris, France. In 2019, Bolt Mobility introduced the B-Nano, a two-seater electric car with a base price of $999. The company secured $30 million in venture capital funding in March 2020. However, in July 2022, Bolt Mobility ceased operations.
