Book reviews by
Shalini

Stephen King’s Net Worth, King of Horror’s Incredible Wealth

One of the most respected and accomplished authors of all time, Stephen King has accumulated impressive wealth over the years. From his bestselling books to successful movie deals, discover just how much the master of horror is worth.

Stephen King with glasses in grey t-shirt
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 03: Stephen King attends Meet the Creators at Apple Store Soho on June 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

The King of Horror or perhaps the Emperor; Stephen King’s Net Worth

Stephen King’s net worth is estimated to be $500 million US dollars. That’s an impressive sum, especially when you consider that King didn’t always have money. In fact, he once lived in a trailer with his family. So how did he go from poverty to riches?

Most of King’s wealth comes from his prolific writing career. He has published over 60 novels, many of which have been adapted for film and television. King is one of the most adapted authors in history. Some of his most famous works include The Shining, Misery, Carrie, and The Stand. His books have sold over 350 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time.

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King also earns a healthy sum from his many movie and TV adaptations. He has also made millions from movies like Misery, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Dark Tower. In total, King has earned over $500 million dollars from his writing career.

King lives a relatively modest lifestyle, despite his impressive wealth. He and his wife live in a small town in Maine, where they have resided for many years. He is an avid collector of books, movies, and music. However, he does not own any extravagant homes or cars. In fact, he is known to drive a used Volvo.

American Red Cross Logo
Stephen King is known to share some of his fortune by supporting several NGOs

King has also been generous with his wealth, donating millions of dollars to various charities over the years. He is a strong supporter of literacy programs and has given away over 1 million books to schools and libraries. He has also donated money to cancer research, the Red Cross, and various relief efforts.

King is known for his philanthropy, and he and his wife have donated some of their properties to charitable organizations. In 2016, they donated a building in Bangor that was used as a homeless shelter, and in 2019, they donated a building in downtown Bangor that was used as a community center.

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Money Not the Motivator

While Stephen King’s net worth is impressive, it is clear that he is not in it for the money. He is a talented writer who has entertained millions of readers throughout his career. He is also a generous man who has used his wealth to help others. For these reasons, Stephen King is truly worth his weight in gold.

Infamous Clow from the movie IT based on the book by Stephen King
The Novel IT was published in 1986

The Business Model of Authoring

As an author, Stephen King earns money primarily through royalties and book sales. When one of his books is sold, he receives a certain percentage of the sale price as a royalty. For example, if a book sells for $10, he might earn a 50-cent royalty. This may not seem like much, but it quickly adds up when you consider that he has sold over 350 million books!

In addition to royalties, authors also earn money from advances. An advance is a sum of money that is paid to the author before the book is even published. This money is then deducted from the author’s future royalties. For example, if an author is given a $10,000 advance for a book that will be published next year, they will not receive any additional royalties until they have earned $10,000 in sales.

While Stephen King is a very successful author, it is important to remember that most authors do not earn nearly as much money. In fact, the average author earns less than $50,000 per year. This is why it is so important for authors to have a strong business model.

Career Highlights

  • Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie, was published in 1974 and received instant success. In fact, it sold over 1 million copies in total.
  • The Shining, published in 1977, is considered by many to be one of King’s best works. In 1980, it was adapted into an acclaimed movie by Stanley Kubrick.
  • In 1982, King published Different Seasons: a book comprising four novellas. OneNovella was adapted into the movie Stand by Me in 1986.
  • IT, a novel about a group of children who are terrorized by a clown named Pennywise, was published in 1986. It was adapted into both a miniseries and a movie in 2017.
  • In 1996, King’s novel “Desperation” was published. It tells the story of a demonic entity that takes over the citizens of a small town. The story was adapted into a TV movie in 2006.
  • In 2003, King’s novel From a Buick 8 was published. The book is about a car with supernatural powers and has not yet been made into a movie or TV show.
  • King’s novel Joyland was published in 2013 and is about a haunted amusement park. It has not been adapted into any other medium.
  • In 2018, King released The Outsider, a novel based on a man who is wrongfully accused of a crime. The story is being adapted into an HBO miniseries that will air in 2020.
Paperback Cover of Stephen King's The Outsider 2020

Greatest Financial Success

One of his most successful books is “It,” which has sold over 22 million copies and was adapted into a successful film in 2017. The film grossed over $700 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing horror film of all time.

Another notable financial success for King is the “The Dark Tower” series. The book series has sold over 30 million copies and has been adapted into a film and a television series. The 2017 film adaptation of “The Dark Tower” grossed over $111 million worldwide.

Re-investing Income in Properties

Stephen King is known to have a significant real estate portfolio. He and his wife Tabitha own several properties in Maine, including the large Victorian house in Bangor where they live.

This large house also serves as an office for his publishing company, Philtrum Press. Tabitha and Stephen also own a summer home on the coast of Maine, a rental property, and a number of other properties in the area.

In addition to these properties, King has been known to invest in real estate outside of Maine. One example is his home in Florida, which he purchased in the 1990s, and later sold in 2018 for $17 million. It is unknown how much he purchased it for but it is fair to assume he made a good return on his investment.

Overall, Stephen King’s real estate portfolio is a mix of personal properties and investments, and he has a history of giving back to the community by donating properties to charitable organizations.

Front Gate of Stephen King's House

King’s Private Life

Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine on September 21, 1947. He grew up in a working-class family and was the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. He began writing stories at a young age and had his first short story published in a men’s magazine while he was still in high school.

In 1971, King graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in English. He married his wife, Tabitha Spruce, in 1971 and the couple has three children together. They currently live in Bangor, Maine.

Personal Struggles Overcome

King has had a few personal struggles throughout his life. In 1999, he was hit by a car while walking near his home in Maine and suffered serious injuries that took him over a year to recover from. He also struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs in the late 1970s and early 1980s but has been sober since 1986.

What Can We Learn From Stephen King’s Career?

Here are three things you can learn from Stephen King’s successful career:

1. Master your craft

No matter how successful you become, it is always important to continue honing your craft. Stephen King is a prime example of this. He has been writing for over four decades and is still putting out new material. By constantly improving your skills, you will be able to stay ahead of the competition and maintain a successful career.

2. Create Content In Multiple Forms

Writing books that are likely to be adapted into movies or TV shows can also be a great way to increase your earnings. Stephen King has had several of his novels adapted into successful films and TV shows. By creating content in multiple forms, you will be able to reach a wider audience and earn more money.

3. Royalties Are A Great Way To Earn Passive Income

Having a strong business model is important for any author, but especially for those who want to earn a good living from their writing. By earning per-sale royalties, you can earn money even when you are not actively working. This is a great way to generate passive income and build long-term wealth.

Entrance to and old bookstore

Stephen King’s Bestsellers

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Stephen King’s Net Worth (Final Thoughts)

One way that authors can earn more money is by self-publishing their books. This allows them to keep a larger percentage of the book’s sale price, as they do not have to share the royalties with a publisher. Additionally, self-published authors can also set their own book prices, which gives them more control over their earnings.

Another way that authors can earn more money is by writing books that are likely to be adapted into movies or TV shows. This is because they often receive a portion of the profits from these adaptations. For example, Stephen King earned $30 million dollars from the miniseries adaptation of The Stand.

While there is no guaranteed path to success as an author, there are certainly ways to increase your earnings. By self-publishing your books and writing books that are likely to be adapted, you can give yourself a much better chance of earning a good living from your writing.

Shalini Laghari
Shalini (1)
My name is Shalini and I love reading a lot. On this blog I review most of the books I have read. Hope you enjoy.
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