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5 of the richest swimmers in the world in 2024 – net worths, ranked

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They’ve given up much of their lives to spend hours in the water, putting their bodies through gruelling training sessions in the hopes that they can beat records and be among the world’s best swimmers.

But as well as achieving Olympic and World Championship glory, some particularly talented swimmers get to enjoy another benefit: a rewarding bank balance. While ascending to the dizzying heights of their chosen sport, many notable swimmers cash in on their personal brand to do endorsements for big-name companies – some even manage to turn their hand to investing and entrepreneurship. And, after retirement, they might start a new career as motivational speakers, commentators or entertainers, all of which continue to pad their wallets long after they swim their last lap.

Here are five of the richest swimmers in the world right now, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

5. Caeleb Dressel

Estimated net worth: US$5 million

Caeleb Dressel shows off his personalised Toyota Supra supercar in December 2021. Photo: @caelebdressel/Instagram
Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Caeleb Dressel has confirmed that he’ll be taking part in the Paris Olympics later this year. The swimmer, 27, excels in freestyle, breaststroke and butterfly, with his adaptability in the water drawing comparisons to swimming great Michael Phelps.

His endorsements include deals with Speedo, Toyota, Hershey’s and Coca Cola, per Sportskeeda. Dressel is married to his high school sweetheart Meghan; the two welcomed their first child together earlier this year.

4. Katie Ledecky

Estimated net worth: US$5 million

Katie Ledecky celebrates Bloomingdale’s 150th anniversary at New York’s The Polo Bar in September 2022. Photo: @katieledecky/Instagram
At just 27 years old, Ledecky is already considered one of the most successful female swimmers of all time. She racked up seven gold medals – and three silvers – over three Olympic Games, making her the most decorated woman in swimming history.

Adding to her medal count is the Presidential Medal of Freedom that US President Joe Biden recently awarded her with. “I know this is a national kind of award, but to me it feels almost local. I get to come home for this for a couple of days. This is my community,” Ledecky commented, per the New York Post.

3. Sarah Sjöström

Estimated net worth: US$12 million

Sarah Sjöström appears in a promotional portrait for Vitamin Well Sweden in April. Photo: @sarahsjostrom/Instagram
The only person on this list who isn’t American, Swedish swimming sensation Sjöström, 30, is not only preparing to defend her 50-metre freestyle win at the Paris Olympics later this year, she also holds the women’s world record for it. With that many achievements, you can bet her wallet is bulging: she has US$12 million in her bank account, per Sportskeeda. Swimming news website SwimSwam recognised her as the top earning swimmer in the 2021 International Swimming League (ISL) season; she earned US$265,125 in prize money that season alone.

She competed in her first Olympics when she was 14 and has since dominated her sport, reportedly earning her the nickname “Gold Bae” among her fellow athletes for the amount of gold medals she has to her name.

2. Mark Spitz

Estimated net worth: US$20 million

Retired US swimmer Mark Spitz poses for a portrait in Westwood, California, in 2012. Photo: Reuters
Spitz is widely considered one of the best swimmers of all time, with the talented athlete holding the record for the most gold medals won at a single Olympic Games for 36 years, per the Olympics website.
Now 74, Spitz has continued to grow his wealth after retiring from the pool through corporate endorsements, motivational speaking events and even investing, per his website. He also dabbled in TV, appearing in commercials and working as a commentator.

1. Michael Phelps

Estimated net worth: US$100 million

Michael Phelps promotes Pfizer’s Covid vaccine in this January 2023 post. Photo: @m_phelps00/Instagram
Michael Phelps – “arguably the greatest Olympian ever”, per the Olympics website – has 28 medals, 23 of which are gold – more than double the number of his closest rivals. No other athlete has come close to achieving the Olympic success that Phelps has.

According to economic media company Capitalism.com, the swimming sensation continues to make around US$10 million from endorsements after hanging up his Speedo – for the second time. Some of his lucrative partnerships include deals with Beats by Dre, Subway, Omega, Visa, Under Armour and Wheaties.

Per Time magazine, Phelps first retired in 2012, but came back to the pool and eventually retired again in 2016. When asked about another potential return, Phelps told Sports Illustrated that he was happy with his decision: “I’d rather have a healthy body in 20 years than kill myself more now. To me, it’s a no-brainer.”

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