What Is Wally Amos's Net Worth?
Wally Amos is an American television personality, entrepreneur, and author best known as the founder of the Famous Amos cookie brand. Despite his prominent career, Wally Amos's net worth is estimated to be $20,000. Alongside his entrepreneurial ventures, he has also authored ten books.
Early Life
Wallace Amos Jr., known as Wally Amos, was born on July 1, 1936, in Tallahassee, Florida. Raised in Florida until age 12, Amos moved to New York City after his parents' divorce to live with his Aunt Della Bryan. It was Aunt Della who introduced him to baking, influencing his iconic chocolate chip cookie recipe. After dropping out of high school, Amos joined the United States Air Force, where he served from 1954 to 1957 at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. During his service, he earned his GED and was honorably discharged.
Career
Wally Amos began his career working in the mailroom at William Morris Agency in New York City. He became the first African American talent agent at the agency, representing notable clients such as Diana Ross, The Supremes, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and Simon & Garfunkel. He often wooed potential clients by sending them his homemade chocolate chip cookies.
In 1975, Amos founded Famous Amos Cookies in Los Angeles, California, kickstarting the business with a $25,000 loan from Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy. The store quickly gained popularity, leading Amos to become a recognized figure. By 1981, he made a guest appearance as himself on the TV series "Taxi."
At its peak in 1982, Famous Amos Cookies generated $12 million in revenue, equivalent to $30 million today. However, the company's success was short-lived. Due to declining sales, Amos eventually sold stakes in the company to keep it afloat. Despite various attempts to revive his business ventures, including launching Uncle Wally's Muffin Company in 1999 and The Cookie Kahuna in 2014, Amos continues to face financial difficulties.
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Other Ventures
Wally Amos is also a dedicated advocate for adult literacy. His friend and publicist, John Rosica, introduced him to Literacy Volunteers of America, an organization where Amos has volunteered extensively. In 1987, he hosted a TV series produced by Kentucky Educational Television titled "Learn to Read," aimed at teaching adults to read.
Personal Life
Wally Amos has been married to Christine Amos-Harris since 1979. Christine assisted in designing the original packaging for Famous Amos Cookies. The couple has four children: Michael, Gregory, Sarah, and Shawn Amos. Shawn is a successful blues musician. The family lived in Hawaii from 1977 to 2018 before relocating to Columbia, South Carolina.
Wally Amos Broke
In 2017, facing financial hardship, Wally Amos launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000 for basic living expenses. The campaign highlighted the financial difficulties following his latest business venture, The Cookie Kahuna, which left him struggling to pay rent and afford food.
