If you're a regular visitor to this site, you are probably looking forward to the day when your bank account holds millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions… or even BILLIONS of dollars.

But have you ever thought about how your life might actually change when you eventually make those millions and billions of dollars? It begs the question – What do insanely rich people experience and know that is shut off to non-millionaires? Perhaps more importantly, how does life change at the various levels of wealth? What can someone who has $50 million actually do that someone with $15 million can NOT do? What does the billionaire know that the hundred-millionaire can only dream of?

To get some insight into these questions, we can look at a Reddit forum post that asked the following question:

What do insanely wealthy people buy that ordinary people know nothing about?

The question got hundreds of interesting responses, but a user with the handle "a1988eli" posted an answer that turned out to be particularly amazing. To start out, a1988eli says we need to separate wealth into five distinct levels/gradients:

• Level 1: $10 million – $30 million 
• Level 2: $30 million – $100 million
• Level 3: $100 million – $1 billion
• Level 4: $1 billion – $10 billion
• Level 5: $10 billion+

You're gonna drool over what he says about the life of someone at Level 4, $1-10 billion. It's mind-boggling. Oh, and before you get too excited about Level 5, he actually doesn't spend too much time on the lifestyles of these insanely lucky few because, according to a1988eli, anyone with more than $10 billion basically lives the life of a head of state. A life that is essentially unimaginable unless you are a King or the President of an extremely wealthy country. The first four levels, on the other hand, are a bit more conceptually ascertainable… even for us mere mortals.

(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

I'm gonna cut and paste exactly what he says for each level because it's all really amazing. Again, I want to credit a1988eli for everything you are about to read:

Level 1: $10 million – $30 million

(liquid net worth, not including primary residence)

At this level, your needs are met. You can live very comfortably at a 4-star/5-star level. You can book a $2000 suite for a special occasion. You can fly first class internationally (sometimes). You have a very nice house, you can afford any healthcare you need, and no emergency financial situation can destroy your life. But you are not "rich" in the way that money doesn't matter. You still have to be prudent and careful with most decisions unless you are on the upper end of this scale, where you truly are becoming insulated from personal financial stress. (Business stress exists at all levels). The banking world still doesn't classify you as 'ultra high net worth.'

Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Level 2: $30 million – $100 million

At this point, you start playing with the big boys. You can fly private (though you normally charter a flight or own a jet fractionally through Net Jets or the like), You stay at 5-star hotels, you have multiple residences, you vacation in prime time (you rent a ski-in, ski-out villa in Aspen for Christmas week or go to Monaco for the Grand Prix, or Cannes for the Film Festival–for what its worth, rent on these places can run $5k-20k+ per NIGHT.), you run or have a controlling interest in a big company, you socialize with Congressmen, Senators, and community leaders, and you are an extremely well-respected member in any community outside the world's great cities. (In Beverly Hills, you are a minor player at $80 million. Unless you really throw your weight around and pay out the nose, you might not get a table at the city's hottest restaurant). You can buy any car you want. You have personal assistants and are starting to have 'people' that others have to talk to to get to you. You can travel ANYWHERE in any style. You can buy pretty much anything that normal people think of as 'rich people stuff.'

JEAN CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET/AFP/Getty Images

Level 3: $100 million – $1 billion

I know it's a wide range, but life doesn't change much when you go from being worth $200mm-$900mm. At this point, you have a private jet, multiple residences with staff, elite cars at each residence, ownership or significant control over a business/entity that most of the public has heard of, if it's your thing, you can socialize with movie stars/politicians/rock stars/corporate elite/aristocracy. You might not get invited to every party, but you can go pretty much everywhere you want. You definitely have 'people' and staff. The world is full of 'yes men.' Your ability to buy things becomes an art. One of your vacation homes may be a five-bedroom villa on acreage in Cabo, but that's not impressive. You own a private island? Starting to be cool, but it depends on the island. You just had dinner with Senator X and Governor Y at your home? Cool. But your billionaire friend just had dinner with the President. You have a new Ferrari? Your friend thinks their handling sucks and has a classic, only-five-exist-in-the-world-type of car. Did I mention women? Because at this level, they are all over the place. Every event, most parties. The polo club. Ultra-hot, world-class, smart women. Power and money are an aphrodisiac, and you have it in spades. Anything you want from women at this point, you will find a willing and beautiful partner. You might not emotionally connect, but damn, she's hot. One thing that gets rare at this level? Friends and family who love you for who you are. They exist, but it is pretty damn hard to know which ones they are.

Level 4: $1 billion – $10 billion

At $1b, life changes. You can buy anything. ANYTHING. In broad terms, this is what you can buy:

ACCESS. You can now just ask your staff to contact anyone, and you will get a callback. I have seen this first hand and it is mind-blowing the level of access and respect $1 billion+ gets you. In this case, I wanted to speak with a very well-known billionaire businessman (call him billionaire #1 for a project that interested billionaire #2. I mentioned that it would be good to talk to billionaire #1, and B2 told me that he didn't know him. But he called his assistant in. "Get me the xxxgolf club directory. Call B1 at home and tell him I want to talk to him." Within 60 minutes, we had a callback. I was in B1's home talking to him the next day. B2's opinion commanded that kind of respect from a peer. Mind-blowing. The same is true with access to almost any Senator/Governor of a billionaire's party (because, in most cases, he is a significant donor). You meet on an occasional basis with heads of state and have real conversations with them. Which leads to,

INFLUENCE. Yes, you can buy influence. As a billionaire, you have many ways to shape public policy and the public debate, and you use them. This is not in any evil way. The ones I know are passionate about ideas and are trying to do what they feel is best (just like you would). But they just had an hour with the Governor privately, or with the Secretary of Health, or the buy ads or lobbyists. The amount of influence you have can be heady.

TIME. Yes, you can buy time. You literally never wait for anything. Travel? You fly private. Show up at the airport, sit down in the plane, and the door closes, and you take off in 2 minutes and fly directly to where you are going. The plane waits for you. If you decide you want to leave at any time, you drive (or take a helicopter to the airport and you leave. The pilots and stewardesses are your employees. They do what you tell them to do. Dinner? Your driver drops you off at the front door and waits a few blocks away for however long you need. The best table is waiting for you. The celebrity chef has prepared a meal for you (because you give him so much catering business, he wants you VERY happy), and he ensures service is impeccable. Golf? Your club is so exclusive there is always a tee time and no wait. Going to the Super Bowl or Grammy's? You are whisked behind velvet ropes and escorted past any/all lines to the best seats in the house.

EXPERIENCES. Dream of it and you can have it. Want to play tennis with Pete Sampras (not him in particular, but that type of star)? Call his people. For a donation of $100k+ to his charity, you could probably play a match with him. Like Blink-182? There is a price where they would simply come play at your private party. Love art? Your people could arrange for the curator of the Louvre to show you around and even show you masterpieces that have not been exhibited in years. Love Nascar? How about racing the top driver on a closed track? Love science? Have a dinner with Bill Nye and Neil dGT. Love politics? Have Hillary Clinton come speak at a dinner for you and your friends, just pay her speaking fee. Your mind is the only limit to what is available. Because donations/fees get you, anyone.

The same is true with stuff. You like pianos? How about owning one Mozart used to compose music on? This is the type of stuff you can do.

IMPACT. Your money can literally change the world and change lives. It is almost too much of a burden to think about. Clean water for a whole village forever? Chump change. A dying child need a transplant? Hell…you could just build and fund a hospital and do it for a region.

RESPECT. The respect you get at this level is just over the top. You are THE MAN in almost every circle. Governors look up to you. Fortune 500 CEOs look up to you. Presidents and Kings look at you as a peer.

PERSPECTIVE. The wealthiest person I have spent time with makes about $400mm/year. I couldn't get my mind around that until I did this: OK–let's compare it with someone who makes $40,000/year. It is 10,000x more. Now, let's look at prices the way he might. A new Lambo–$235,000 becomes $23.50. First-class ticket internationally? $10,000 becomes $1. A full-time executive-level helper? $8,000/month becomes $0.80/month. A $10mm piece of art you love? $1000. Expensive, so you have to plan a bit. A suite at the best hotel in NYC $10,000/night is $1/night. A $50million home in the Hamptons? $5,000. There is literally nothing you can't buy except,

LOVE. Sorry to sound so trite, but it is nearly impossible to have a normal emotional relationship at this level. It is hard to sacrifice for another person when you are never asked to sacrifice ANYTHING. Money can solve all problems for someone, so you offer it because there is so much else to do. Your time is SOOOO valuable that you ration it. And that makes you lose connections with people.

Level 5: $10 billion+

With a net worth of $10 billion and up, your life is basically no different than that of an elite head of state. You live a life that is essentially unimaginable unless you are a King or the President of an extremely wealthy country. Think the King of Saudi Arabia, Vladimir Putin, or the King of Thailand. Money, time, wants, needs… nothing matters, and nothing is in your way or is unattainable.

Instead of owning multiple private jets, you own an airline.

Instead of owning a fleet of cars, you own the entire luxury car company.

You own a military.

Wars have been started over your emotions.

You have the ability to put people you dislike in prison forever… or worse.

————–

So there you have it! Now, when you go out and make your fortune, you'll know exactly what to expect at each level of success.

Which level of success do you think sounds most appealing? You might assume everyone would say Level 5, but perhaps not. Having that much money might not have such an awesome impact on your children and your children's children. Let us know in the comments which level you're aiming for!

Oh, and as always, when you do make tons and tons of money, please don't forget to invite your friends here at CNW to hang out at pool parties and go on private island vacations 🙂

Read more: How Does Your Life Change As You Go From Millionaire, To Hundred Millionaire, To Billionaire And Beyond???

And then came Hulk Hogan.

The British-born, Oxford-educated journalist who once envisioned himself as the anti-Murdoch of the digital age saw his empire collapse under the weight of one of the most bizarre and consequential lawsuits in American media history. Bankrupted by a former pro wrestler, secretly targeted by a Silicon Valley billionaire, and forced to sell off his company piece by piece, Denton would emerge from the wreckage with his reputation in tatters—but surprisingly, with millions still in the bank.

John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images

From Financial Times to Gossip Titan

Nick Denton began his career at the Financial Times in the 1990s, reporting on finance and the emerging world of tech startups. In 1998, the paper sent him to San Francisco to cover the dot-com boom. Rather than just observe the internet revolution, Denton decided to join it. He co-founded two early tech sites, including the startup First Tuesday, and by 2000 had sold one of them for $50 million. He was, by any definition, a natural internet entrepreneur.

In 2002, working out of his Manhattan apartment, Denton launched Gawker.com, a snarky, gossip-driven blog aimed at the New York media elite. It quickly became a must-read for its biting tone and fearless attitude toward sacred cows. It published what others wouldn't—and bragged about it.

As traffic soared, Denton expanded Gawker into a full-fledged media network. He launched or acquired blogs like:

• Gizmodo (tech)
• Lifehacker (productivity)
• Jezebel (feminism)
• Deadspin (sports)
• Kotaku (gaming)
• io9, Fleshbot, and others

Each site carried Gawker's voice—unapologetic, unfiltered, and irreverent. Writers were encouraged to publish internal memos, leaked videos, private messages, and the occasional celebrity meltdown. Gawker wasn't just ahead of the curve—it was the curve.

By the early 2010s, the network attracted tens of millions of readers each month. The company was reportedly valued at more than $400 million, and Denton's 30% ownership stake made him, on paper, worth over $120 million.

The Stories That Made—and Unmade—Gawker

Gawker branded itself as the antidote to traditional media. It broke stories that major outlets were too cautious—or too polite—to touch. It published:

• A leaked video of Tom Cruise describing Scientology
• Evidence of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack
• Josh Duggar's Ashley Madison account
• Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server

Its ethos: tell the truth, no matter how uncomfortable, and let the chips fall where they may.

"Nick's intention was always to do what British newspapers had done forever," former Gawker COO Gaby Darbyshire once said. "Shine a bright light on dark corners."

But there were signs of overreach. In 2007, Gawker outed billionaire investor Peter Thiel as gay in an article titled "Peter Thiel is totally gay, people." In 2015, the site published a controversial—and later retracted—story about a Condé Nast executive allegedly soliciting a male escort. Critics accused Gawker of crossing lines for clicks. Denton didn't always disagree. But he also believed that Gawker was doing what the press was supposed to do: challenge power, not protect it.

Hulk Hogan Knocks Gawker and Denton Out

In 2006, Hulk Hogan slept with Heather Clem, the wife of Bubba the Love Sponge, a Florida shock jock and Hogan's best friend. Unbeknownst to the wrestler, Bubba secretly hid a camera and microphone in the room to film the encounter. Hogan was not aware that he was being recorded and did not consent to having the tape released. But it was released. In October 2012, it was posted on Gawker.com despite pleas from Hogan's legal team that the footage was taken without his permission.

When Gawker refused Hogan's request to take the video down, he sued. What initially seemed like a celebrity privacy case soon took on massive legal and financial implications.

Unbeknownst to Denton, Hogan's legal fees were being secretly paid by Peter Thiel, who had spent nearly a decade plotting revenge for his 2007 outing. Thiel bankrolled not only Hogan's lawsuit but also other suits against Gawker as well.

In March 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $140 million in damages—$115 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages. Denton was personally liable for at least $10 million. It was a death sentence for the company.

John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images

Gawker's $135 Million Sale

In June 2016, Gawker Media filed for bankruptcy due to its overwhelming legal debts. Two months later, Gawker Media was sold at auction for $135 million to Univision Communications, the Spanish-language media giant looking to expand its footprint in English-language digital publishing. The sale included nearly all of Gawker's properties—Gizmodo, Jezebel, Deadspin, Lifehacker, Kotaku, io9, and others—but notably excluded Gawker.com, which was shut down permanently as part of the deal.

Nick Denton, who held an estimated 30% stake in Gawker Media at the time of the sale, reportedly walked away with $15.4 million.

The purchase was made through Univision's newly formed Fusion Media Group, which absorbed Gawker Media's assets and staff. Univision rebranded the surviving properties under the Gizmodo Media Group umbrella, and many of Gawker's top editors stayed on—at least initially. However, over the next few years, editorial tensions, restructuring, and budget cuts eroded much of the original staff and spirit.

As for Gawker.com, the brand lay dormant for several years until it was briefly revived in 2021 by BDG (Bustle Digital Group), which had acquired the domain. That reboot was short-lived. In early 2023, Bumble, the dating app company, quietly acquired the Gawker domain as part of a broader brand repositioning strategy, though no editorial relaunch has followed.

• Meanwhile, most of Gawker Media's former verticals have splintered or changed hands again:
• Gizmodo, Kotaku, and Jezebel passed from Univision to private equity firm Great Hill Partners in 2019 and now operate under G/O Media.
• Deadspin underwent a mass staff exodus in 2019 over editorial interference and has since struggled to recapture its former influence.
• Lifehacker continues to operate under G/O Media but with a completely new editorial team and tone.

Denton's Bankruptcy & Hogan Settlement

Denton filed for personal bankruptcy on August 1, 2016. He listed approximately $150 million in liabilities, most of it tied to the Hogan judgment, and listed his key assets as his 30% Gawker stake and his Manhattan apartment. And if you recall from a moment ago, he earned a reported $15.4 million when Gawker Media was acquired.

In 2017, Denton and Hogan reached a confidential settlement that fully resolved the judgment. As part of the deal, Hogan dropped the $10 million in punitive damages against Denton. Denton also affirmed under oath that he had no involvement in leaking additional Hogan tapes to the press, a key clause in the agreement. We have no idea how much Hogan received from Denton. But just to reiterate, a year before the settlement, Nick received $15.4 million (pre-tax). Could one presume that Nick paid a good portion of his after-tax windfall to Hogan to bring the chapter to a close?

Here's another point to consider: In 2004, Nick paid $1.9 million for a condo in New York. He did not sell that condo to pay his debts. He did put it up for rent in May 2016 for $15,000 per month, but he actually continued to own this home until 2025. He listed it in March 2025 for $3.5 million and sold it in June 2025 for $4.3 million.

Legacy

Nick Denton's rise and fall marked a defining chapter in the evolution of online media. Gawker Media helped pioneer the modern blog format, weaponized traffic-driven journalism, and reshaped the rules of celebrity and tech reporting. It also sparked one of the most consequential debates in the history of the First Amendment: what happens when freedom of the press collides with the privacy of public figures—and the resources of billionaires.

That debate remains unresolved.

Denton himself largely retreated from public life after the Hogan settlement, but the ripple effects of his downfall continued. Peter Thiel, the secret backer of the Hogan lawsuit and architect of Gawker's demise, emerged with his reputation as a fierce and calculating power player intact. He went on to deepen his involvement in conservative political causes and build out his business empire. As of 2025, Thiel's net worth is estimated at $23 billion, thanks largely to his longtime stake in Palantir Technologies, the data analytics firm he co-founded that now services major government and defense contracts.

Hulk Hogan, the man at the center of the scandal that brought down Gawker, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest. While many remember him as a wrestling legend, his name also became attached to one of the most shocking courtroom victories in media history.

As for Gawker, what remains is mostly digital dust. Its content survives in screenshots and archives. Its style—snarky, fast, fearless—has been absorbed, rebranded, and sanitized by newer outlets. The brand itself has changed hands multiple times, but its soul never quite made the journey.

Denton may no longer be a mogul, but his influence is undeniable. Gawker showed how the internet could democratize journalism—and how quickly that ideal could unravel when it ran up against money, ego, and the courts.

Read more: Hulk Hogan Body Slammed Nick Denton And Gawker From $400 Million Media Empire To Bankrupty Oblivion

It might just be the best gig in sports: minimal playing time, infinitesimal injury risk, and a front-row seat to every game, all while making a fortune. In fact, some backup QBs have made careers (and tens of millions) out of holding a clipboard.

Below, we highlight several current and former quarterbacks who exemplify just how lucrative long-term backup duty can be, complete with eye-popping earnings, modest stat lines, and humorous anecdotes showing how little they actually played.

Chase Daniel (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Chase Daniel – $42 Million for 5 Starts

Chase Daniel has become the poster child for the career backup QB. Spanning 14 seasons with five NFL teams (Saints, Chiefs, Eagles, Bears, Lions, Chargers), Daniel backed up stars like Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes without ever being a long-term starter. He only had five career starts and attempted just 274 passes in the NFL. That's less than some QBs throw in a single season.

Despite the sparse playing time, Chase Daniel has banked around $42 million over his career, which ranks him among the top 65 highest-paid QBs ever. That comes out to roughly $8.3 million per game started. By 2018, he had just two career starts and 78 pass attempts, while punters like Johnny Hekker had thrown more passes. Each of his nine touchdown passes is worth over $4.6 million in salary. Daniel is hailed as the ultimate con man — earning more per throw than most people make in a decade.

Drew Stanton – $32 Million to Be a Mentor

Drew Stanton spent 14 seasons in the NFL as the consummate backup. He held the clipboard for Matthew Stafford in Detroit and Carson Palmer in Arizona. He had a brief starting stint in 2014 when Palmer got hurt, going 5–3, but that was the exception. After 2014, he only started five more games.

Despite just 17 career starts, Stanton earned nearly $32 million, or about $1.9 million per start. His lifetime stat line includes a 20:24 TD:INT ratio and just 38 total games played. The Cardinals and Browns paid handsomely for his leadership and preparedness, not his performance. He represents the type of backup who sticks around for his veteran presence more than anything else.

Brock Osweiler – $41 Million and a Ring

Brock Osweiler is best known as Peyton Manning's apprentice in Denver, who stepped in for a 5–2 run in 2015. That cameo earned him a four-year, $72 million deal with the Texans. But he underperformed, going 8–6, and was traded after just one season. Cleveland paid him nearly $16 million not to play a single down. He bounced to Miami and had a brief stint with the Dolphins, but his starting days were mostly over.

With 30 starts and a 15–15 career record, Osweiler earned about $41 million. That works out to around $1.38 million per start. In the end, he was paid superstar money for average results, all stemming from one good run in Denver. It was the ultimate example of "flash in the pan" leading to cash in the bank.

Kevin Kolb – $29 Million for a Flash of Promise

Kevin Kolb was once seen as Donovan McNabb's successor in Philadelphia. He showed flashes of potential, enough for the Cardinals to give him a $63 million contract in 2011. But injuries and inconsistency plagued his Arizona tenure. He started just 14 games over two seasons before concussion issues ended his career.

Kolb played in 34 games total (21 starts) and earned about $29 million, which breaks down to $1.38 million per start — the same as Osweiler. In hindsight, he got rich off a half-season of promise. It's a reminder that being in the right place at the right time can lead to generational wealth in the NFL.

Charlie Whitehurst – $17.5 Million Without Breaking a Sweat

Charlie Whitehurst, aka "Clipboard Jesus," is legendary among backup QBs. He spent his first four years in San Diego without throwing a single pass. Seattle still gave him a two-year, $8 million deal in 2010. He made a few spot starts but never impressed. Later stints in San Diego, Tennessee, and Cleveland followed the same pattern.

He ended his career with just nine starts across 11 seasons and earned about $17.5 million. At one point, the Chargers paid him over $5 million without him attempting a single pass. He went more than 2,000 days between being drafted and throwing his first NFL pass. If there's a Hall of Fame for doing the bare minimum on the field while getting rich, Whitehurst is first-ballot.

Matt Flynn – $19 Million for One Glorious Game

Matt Flynn had one brilliant game — 480 yards and six touchdowns in Week 17 of 2011 — and it changed his life. Seattle signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract based almost solely on that performance. But rookie Russell Wilson beat him out in training camp. Flynn threw just nine passes for Seattle.

He went on to start a few games for the Raiders and Packers, but the shine had worn off. Still, he earned about $19 million for just seven starts, making him one of the most overpaid backups in NFL history based on total playing time. That one game alone set him up for life.

Matt Flynn (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Luke McCown – $17.3 Million and a Commercial Deal

Luke McCown spent 14 years in the NFL with just 10 career starts. His 2–8 starter record didn't scream long-term potential, but teams loved his professionalism and attitude. He backed up Byron Leftwich, Josh Freeman, and Drew Brees, and rarely saw the field.

McCown might be better known for starring in a Verizon commercial comparing himself to a backup generator. It was a clever bit of self-awareness. He earned more than $17 million in his career, largely by staying healthy and holding a headset.

Chad Henne – $39.7 Million and Two Rings

Chad Henne started off as a starter in Miami and Jacksonville, but his second act in Kansas City was pure backup bliss. He served as Patrick Mahomes' safety net, rarely entering games except in blowouts or preseason. From 2014 to 2020, he didn't start a single game, but kept getting paid.

He eventually made a playoff appearance, subbing in for Mahomes and leading a game-clinching drive in 2021. Henne retired after winning two Super Bowls and earning close to $40 million across 15 seasons. He played smart, stayed ready, and got rewarded.

The Enviable Life of the Backup QB

These quarterbacks earned well over $250 million combined, and most of them barely played. While fans debate starter stats and playoff wins, these guys quietly collected millions by being good teammates, studying film, and being ready for emergencies that usually never came.

Backup quarterback might just be the best job in America. No hits, no blame, plenty of cash, and maybe even a Super Bowl ring or two. They didn't get the glory. But they got something better: a long, wealthy career with almost zero damage to their bodies or reputations.

Being the second-string never looked so smart.

Read more: The Best Job In Sports? These Eight Backup Quarterbacks Earned Fortunes From The Sidelines

However they happened, what are the largest drug busts of all time? What was the dollar value of the drugs that were found, and what happened to the people who got busted? The answers are pretty insane.

#2: The Hayward California Heroine Bust of 1991

Back in May 1991, U.S. Customs agents began following four suspected members of a heroin smuggling cartel. Seven months earlier, the suspected smugglers rented a warehouse supposedly to import porcelain from China. The warehouse, which was rented under the business name "Join Sun Corp," was located in the Bay Area city of Hayward, just a few minutes south of the city (and port) of Oakland.

Agents painstakingly observed every person and delivery that came and went to that warehouse 24 hours a day for over a month. Finally, on Thursday, June 20, 1991, agents waited for three men to enter the warehouse before making their move, once and for all. Heavily armed cops stormed the warehouse from the front, back, and roof, but the three suspects did not put up a fight and were quickly put under arrest.

Customs and DEA agents had long suspected that this crew was importing China White heroin from Thailand instead of innocent porcelain from China. After Thailand, agents believed that the heroin was sent to Taiwan, then Oakland by barge. At the port of Oakland, the drugs were offloaded onto trucks and transferred to Join Sun Corp's warehouse. Upon searching the warehouse, the agents were not surprised to find quantities of heroin. But no one was prepared for the actual amount of heroin they ended up collecting. When it was all totaled up, Join Sun Corp's warehouse was storing 59 boxes filled with 1,059 pounds of China White Heroin. Street value?

$4-6 billion

FYI, the DEA's entire budget for 1991 was $875 million.

DEA agents would later estimate that this bust amounted to 5% of the world's annual production of heroin at the time. In the end, four men connected to the ring were tried, convicted, and sentenced to federal prison. They each received long enough sentences that they are all still locked up today, 26 years later.

CARLOS JULIO MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images

#1: The Sylmar California Cocaine Bust of 1989

Sylmar is a quiet suburban community located in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. On September 28, 1989, local police received an anonymous tip from a "concerned citizen" about suspicious behavior that was occurring at a nondescript storage facility in the middle of a residential neighborhood. The tipster reported that several very large tractor-trailers had been making frequent deliveries to the storage unit. The tipster described the trucks as being "as big as two school buses."

Keep in mind that this was at the height of both the American crack epidemic and the Colombian drug cartel empire. As such, DEA agents at the time were on the lookout for exactly this kind of suspicious activity. After all, who needs to have frequent "school bus" size deliveries at their storage unit?

After receiving the tip, agents followed a car that left the storage unit the next day. That car drove 30 miles southeast to a city called Baldwin Park, at which point the driver noticed the tail and took evasive action. Police eventually pulled the car over and found 20 kilograms of cocaine in the trunk. That was enough probable cause to get a search warrant for the storage unit.

A Six Dollar Padlock

Armed with a search warrant and a battalion of police, DEA agents made their move two days after receiving the original tip. However, it turned out that they did not need an army of police to crack this case. On the day of the raid, DEA agents used a simple bolt cutter to break a $6 padlock on the unguarded storage unit.

Once inside, the agents ended up seizing over 20 tons of cocaine and $10 million in cash. Street value?

$13 billion

Even decades later, this incident still holds the record for being the largest drug bust of all time.

The drugs had been compiled into bricks, which were then wrapped in plastic and placed into dozens of cardboard boxes. If the cardboard boxes had been stacked together, ironically, they would have been the size of roughly two school buses.

The amount of cocaine found in this single bust was more than all of the cocaine that was seized in the entire previous year in Los Angeles. It was so much cocaine that the DEA had to re-evaluate its method of destroying the drug. The DEA typically incinerated seized drugs in a local lab. Twenty tons was just too much for the incinerators to handle. The LA district attorney at the time claimed that the amount of cocaine that was discovered could have gone on to produce an estimated 1.4 billion crystals of crack. Of which, a large percentage would have been bound for Rick James' music studio. Notebooks discovered during the raids showed that the drugs were originally produced in Columbia by the Medellin (Pablo Escobar) and Cali Cartels. The cocaine was transported to Juarez, Mexico, then El Paso, Texas, then Los Angeles, all by truck.

Six Mexican citizens, who had been renting the storage unit for over two years, were arrested later that day at a hotel in Beverly Hills.

A seventh man, James Romero McTague, the manager of the storage warehouse, was arrested shortly thereafter. McTague's father-in-law, a Mexican national, was the mastermind of the entire operation and the direct connection to the drug lords in Colombia.

All eight men involved were sentenced to life in prison without parole. The US District Court Judge in charge of sentencing told Mr. McTague that he was guilty of "one of the most horrendous crimes that has ever been committed against the American people."

It Gets Crazier

Keep in mind that when DEA agents busted the storage unit on that fateful September day, they discovered 20 tons of cocaine. Evidence produced at trial showed that prior to the bust, this group had smuggled 77 tons of cocaine in the previous four months alone! Street value?

$50 billion

Honorable Mentions: Other Record-Breaking Drug Busts Around the World

While the Sylmar cocaine haul and Hayward heroin sting still stand as the two largest drug busts in U.S. history, plenty of international seizures — and some more recent U.S. busts — have rivaled or even exceeded them in sheer volume, street value, or audacity. Here are some of the most jaw-dropping:

🇲🇽 Manzanillo, Mexico – 2007

Authorities seized 23 tons of cocaine from shipping containers arriving at the port of Manzanillo. The drugs, believed to be bound for the U.S., had an estimated street value of $2.7 billion — making this the largest cocaine bust in world history. Officials originally found 11 tons, then discovered another 12 hidden in a second container.

🇮🇳 Mundra Port, India – 2021

Indian customs agents intercepted 2.99 tons of Afghan-origin heroin disguised as talcum powder in shipping containers. The bust, valued at $2.7 billion, is one of the biggest heroin seizures ever recorded globally. The drugs had transited through Iran and were traced to international smuggling networks tied to South Asia and the Middle East.

🇺🇸 Philadelphia, USA – 2019

Customs agents at the Port of Philadelphia uncovered nearly 20 tons of cocaine aboard the cargo ship MSC Gayane. The bust — the largest in U.S. history since Sylmar — had a street value of roughly $1.3 billion. Eight crew members were arrested for orchestrating a smuggling route from South America to Europe and the U.S.

🇮🇹 Salerno, Italy – 2020

Italian authorities discovered 84 million Captagon pills — a powerful amphetamine — hidden inside industrial machinery shipped from Syria. The haul weighed 14 tons and was worth over $1 billion. Investigators believe the operation was tied to Syrian traffickers, potentially with connections to terrorist groups.

🇱🇦 Bokeo Province, Laos – 2021

In a single roadside stop, police seized 55 million meth pills and 1.5 tons of crystal meth from a single truck. This was the largest methamphetamine bust in Southeast Asian history, underscoring the growing output from labs in the Golden Triangle region. Officials described the seizure as "by far the largest" ever recorded in the area.

🇲🇽 Tijuana, Mexico – 2010

Mexican troops raided a stash house in Tijuana and uncovered 105 tons of marijuana — the largest weed bust in the country's history. The bales were wrapped in plastic, marked with colorful logos (including one of Homer Simpson), and had a combined value of around $300 million.

Read more: The Two Largest Drug Busts In US History

Born in Haiti and raised in New York City, Dr. Tabuteau's path to success didn't follow the typical billionaire playbook. He started as a promising young medical student who could have easily pursued a prestigious career in surgery. Instead, he made a sharp—and surprising—turn into finance, combining his deep medical knowledge with business savvy. That decision would eventually help him build a multibillion-dollar company focused on treating disorders of the brain and nervous system, from major depression to Alzheimer's-related agitation.

Today, Axsome Therapeutics is worth roughly $5 billion and climbing. Its lead drug, Auvelity, is a first-of-its-kind antidepressant already helping patients who previously had no options. Another drug, Symbravo, just received FDA approval in early 2025 to treat migraines. And more breakthroughs are coming. As for Dr. Tabuteau? Quietly and relentlessly, he's built one of the most impactful biotech success stories of the decade, all while keeping an incredibly low public profile.

(Photo by Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Early Life: From Haiti to the Ivy League and Wall Street

Herriot Tabuteau's story began in Haiti, where he was born before immigrating to the U.S. at the age of nine. Settling in New York City, the young Tabuteau quickly showed an academic spark. He attended Xavier High School He went on to Wesleyan University, graduating in 1989 with a degree in molecular biology and biochemistry. Not stopping there, Tabuteau earned his M.D. from Yale School of Medicine in 1994, where his honors thesis focused on neurobiology (studying drug-resistant epilepsy).

Rather than taking the typical route of patient care or surgery (his mentors thought he'd be a neurosurgeon), Tabuteau made a surprising pivot – he jumped into finance. Armed with his medical expertise, he became a healthcare analyst at Goldman Sachs and later joined a healthcare-focused hedge fund. This unusual blend of medical and Wall Street experience set the stage for his next big move.

Founding Axsome: A Mission to Tackle CNS Disorders

In 2012, Dr. Tabuteau founded Axsome Therapeutics with a clear mission: to find better treatments for debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. He saw huge unmet needs in conditions like depression, chronic pain, and Alzheimer's disease, especially the agitation that affects many Alzheimer's patients.

In 2015, Tabuteau took Axsome public, raising funds to fuel its research. Early investors had to buckle up for a wild ride. The company had no approved drugs initially, but Tabuteau promised revolutionary approaches for CNS illnesses. Over the next few years, Axsome's stock saw explosive growth – by 2021, the stock had skyrocketed over 500% since its IPO, giving Axsome a market cap of about $2.2 billion. That early success was driven by optimism around Axsome's pipeline, particularly one drug that would become the company's superstar: AXS-05.

Breakthrough Drug AXS-05: From Alzheimer's Agitation to Depression Relief

One of Axsome's first big innovations was AXS-05, a novel combination pill aimed at two tough problems: Alzheimer's disease agitation and depression. Alzheimer's agitation is a serious symptom – patients may become extremely distressed, aggressive, or hard to care for, and no FDA-approved treatment existed for this condition. Dr. Tabuteau set out to change that. AXS-05 showed such promise in early studies that the FDA granted it Breakthrough Therapy status for Alzheimer's agitation, speeding its development. By late 2020, Axsome had launched the final trials needed for approval, aiming to bring this medication to market for Alzheimer's patients by 2023.

But AXS-05 had another surprise up its sleeve: it turned out to be a game-changer for depression as well. In clinical trials, AXS-05 (which combines the active ingredients dextromethorphan and bupropion) delivered rapid relief for people with major depressive disorder. This was no ordinary antidepressant – it works through a novel mechanism modulating NMDA receptors, unlike traditional SSRIs. In fact, AXS-05 (branded Auvelity for depression) became the first new oral antidepressant of its kind approved in over 60 years. Psychiatrists hailed Auvelity's 2022 FDA approval as a major milestone, noting its rapid-acting benefits (often easing depressive symptoms within one week) and innovative chemistry.

Axsome launched Auvelity in late 2022, finally giving millions of depression sufferers a fresh treatment option. It was a banner moment for Tabuteau's company – their first internally developed drug to hit the market and a validation of his years of effort. And they weren't stopping there.

Building a Portfolio: More Therapies on the Horizon

With Auvelity approved, Axsome quickly evolved from an R&D outfit into a commercial-stage company. Dr. Tabuteau strategically expanded Axsome's portfolio by acquiring an existing drug called Sunosi in 2022. Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy or sleep apnea, and Axsome bought it from Jazz Pharmaceuticals to gain an immediate market presence. This move instantly gave Axsome a revenue-generating product and a foothold in sleep medicine.

In January 2025, Axsome won FDA approval for another key drug, Symbravo (formerly AXS-07), to treat migraines. Meanwhile, AXS-12 for narcolepsy and AXS-14 for fibromyalgia are both showing strong results in trials and could soon be approved as well. And AXS-05 is expected to make headlines again—this time as the first-ever approved treatment for Alzheimer's-related agitation.

Skyrocketing Stock and a $1.1 Billion Fortune

Axsome went public in 2015 at $9 per share, giving it a valuation of $180 million. As I type this article, Axseom's stock is trading at around $103 per share, giving the company a valuation of $5 billion.

Dr. Tabuteau owns 7,351,729 shares, approximately 15% of the total outstanding shares. As I type this article, his shares are worth around $760 million.

However. Just a few weeks ago, on February 21, 2025, the stock price hit $137. At that point, his shares were worth $1,007,186,873, briefly giving him billionaire status. Tabuteau is one of the very few Haitian-born (and Black) self-made billionaires in the United States.

Remarkably, despite his newfound wealth and success, Tabuteau remains as press-shy as ever. He hasn't given a media interview since 1998, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a recent photo of him. There are exactly THREE photos of him available in Getty Images. The most recent (the one we used in this article) is from May 2019. Clearly, he prefers to let Axsome's work speak for itself—and it's speaking volumes.

Improving Lives and Looking Ahead

Dr. Herriot Tabuteau's rise from immigrant student to billionaire CEO is a testament to the impact one determined innovator can have. He saw patients suffering with no solutions and vowed to change that, leveraging his rare mix of medical and financial savvy. Today, Axsome Therapeutics is delivering hope: a faster-acting antidepressant giving relief to those who didn't respond to older meds, a new migraine pill for people who can't afford to lose a day to pain, and the potential first-ever remedy for the devastating agitation of Alzheimer's.

It's not often you hear about a billionaire who earned their fortune by helping people – but that's exactly what's happening here. And Dr. Tabuteau isn't done yet. With several more drugs in the pipeline and new indications on the horizon, Axsome's story (and Tabuteau's net worth) could climb even higher in the coming years. For now, this once under-the-radar doctor has proven that doing good can go hand-in-hand with doing well. As Axsome improves countless lives, its founder's incredible journey shows no signs of slowing down – and we'll be cheering him on every step of the way!

Read more: Meet The Under-The-Radar Immigrant Black Doctor Who Became A Billionaire By Revolutionizing Alzheimer's Treatment

Harrison Ford was paid $22 million for the role — the equivalent of nearly $43 million today after adjusting for inflation. That still stands as the highest single-movie salary of his entire career. At the time, Harrison's net worth was around $50 million. Today, he's worth closer to $300 million.

In the film, Harrison's wife, "Grace Marshal," is played by Wendy Crewson. His daughter, "Alice Marshall," was played by Liesel Matthews. During the filming, Liesel would have been 12 years old. At the film's red carpet premiere, which took place on July 21, 1997, in Century City, California, Liesel would have been 13. Below is a photo of Wendy, Harrison, and Liesel on the night of the premier. I bet Harrison had no idea that his teenage co-star was technically already 10 times richer than him…

Harrison Ford, Wendy Crewson, & Liesel Matthews (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

A Short Hollywood Career With a Long Shadow

Born Liesel Anne Pritzker in Chicago in 1984, she adopted the stage name Liesel Matthews (borrowing her brother Matthew's name) when she began acting professionally. Before "Air Force One," she was best known for her starring role in the 1995 Alfonso Cuarón-directed adaptation of "A Little Princess." The performance earned her a Young Artist Award nomination and positioned her as one of the most promising young talents in Hollywood.

But her acting career was remarkably brief. After "Air Force One" and one final role in the 2000 indie film "Blast," she quietly stepped away from the industry altogether. By then, she'd already begun focusing on something far more lucrative — and far more personal.

The Pritzker Empire: Hotels, Credit Bureaus, and Billions

The Pritzkers are a family synonymous with old-school, generational wealth. Liesel is one of twelve surviving grandchildren of A.N. Pritzker, a Chicago financier who laid the foundation for the dynasty. Her father, Robert Pritzker, created a conglomerate of manufacturing companies that evolved into the Marmon Group, a multibillion-dollar holding company. Her uncle, Jay Pritzker, founded Hyatt Hotels in 1957 — which today owns or manages more than 1,200 properties in 70+ countries.

The family has also held major stakes in Braniff Airlines, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and TransUnion, the credit bureau that tracks the financial data of millions of Americans.

By the 1990s, the total Pritzker fortune was estimated at around $15 billion — largely held in complex family trusts, private deals, and low-profile partnerships.

The $6 Billion Lawsuit That Changed the Family Forever

While attending Columbia University in 2002, Liesel Pritzker filed a bombshell $6 billion lawsuit against her father and 11 older cousins. She alleged that her inheritance had been misappropriated — that the money set aside for her and her brother Matthew had quietly been folded into the broader family fortune without their consent.

The lawsuit shocked the famously private Pritzkers and brought their internal financial dealings into public view for the first time.

By 2005, the case was settled. The family agreed to divide the empire into 11 equal parts. As a result, ten new Pritzkers appeared on the Forbes 400 list in one fell swoop — including Liesel. She and her brother each received around $280 million in cash, plus control over additional trusts worth another $170 million each. Today, the 41-year-old Liesel is worth $1.5 billion. That makes her five times richer than Harrison Ford today 🙂

Unclear if Liesel and her father, Robert Pritzker, ever patched things up. Unfortunately, he died in 2011.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is Liesel's first couson. In fact, J.B. was named after her father — his full name is Jay Robert Pritzker. J.B.'s father, Donald Pritzker, was Robert's younger brother. Donald died of a heart attack in 1972 while playing tennis at a Hyatt hotel in Honolulu. He was just 39 years old. J.B. was only seven at the time.

Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Fortune

From Heiress to Impact Investor

After the dust settled, Liesel Pritzker Simmons could have faded into quiet billionaire anonymity. Instead, she chose purpose.

Along with her husband, Ian Simmons — heir to the Montgomery Ward department store fortune and a descendant of early Erie Canal developers — she co-founded the Blue Haven Initiative, a family office focused on impact investing. The goal? To use her wealth not just to make returns, but to drive measurable social change.

Through Blue Haven, the couple has pledged tens of millions toward sustainable startups and ethical financial institutions. Some of their notable investments include:

• EcoPost, a Kenyan company that transforms plastic waste into durable building materials
• Karibu Homes, an affordable housing developer in Nairobi
• Numerous green energy and fintech ventures across Africa and South Asia

Liesel also founded Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO), a global network that supports microfinance efforts through the nonprofit Opportunity International. The organization provides small loans, insurance, and training to millions of entrepreneurs — most of them women — working their way out of poverty.

She may have disappeared from movie screens, but Liesel Pritzker Simmons didn't fade. She turned inherited billions into impact, privilege into purpose — and may just be the most quietly powerful former child star of all time.

Read more: The Richest Actor In 1997's "Air Force One" Wasn't Harrison Ford… It Was His 12-Year-Old Co-Star

Most golf fans see them as background players, maybe even glorified luggage handlers. But that couldn't be further from the truth. A good caddie is part meteorologist, part psychologist, and part strategist. They know the wind before it hits the fairway. They read greens like novels. They talk a golfer down from a triple-bogey meltdown and help them lock in on the next shot like nothing happened. And when the final putt drops? They quietly step aside and disappear into the crowd.

But what do they earn for all that work? Are they millionaires in polos, or road-weary nomads scraping by for a cut of someone else's winnings? The truth lies somewhere in between—and for the lucky few, the numbers might just blow your mind.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

No Salary, No Problem

Unlike players with endorsement deals or office workers with W-2s, PGA Tour caddies are independent contractors. That means no base salary, no benefits, no pension—just a handshake, a hustle, and a heavy bag.

Still, most top-level caddies negotiate a weekly base pay of $1,000 to $1,500. That covers travel, lodging, food, and their general availability throughout the week. Multiply that by 25 to 30 tournaments a year, and you're looking at a base income of $25,000 to $45,000—a modest sum, considering the time commitment and physical toll.

But that's just the beginning.

Bonuses

While a caddie's weekly base pay keeps the lights on, the real windfall comes from performance-based bonuses. These bonuses are typically structured around the golfer's finish: 5% of earnings for making the cut, 7% for a top-10 finish, and 10% for a tournament win. These numbers aren't set in stone—they're negotiated individually—but they've become the industry standard.

With PGA Tour prize purses reaching record highs in 2024, those percentages can translate into serious cash. This year's Players Championship offered a $25 million purse, with $4.5 million going to the winner. If the winner's caddie took the standard 10%, that's a $450,000 paycheck—for one tournament.

Take Ted Scott, who caddies for world #1 Scottie Scheffler. In 2024, Scheffler won seven PGA Tour events and earned over $29 million in prize money. Based on standard percentages, Ted Scott easily made over $5 million just in bonuses, enough to make him one of the top 20 PLAYERS for the year.

Even caddies outside the top tier are doing well. Bryan Kopsick, who works for journeyman pro Ben Silverman, earned an estimated $150,000 in 2024. His deal reportedly included $2,000 per week plus 8% of earnings—a solid return considering Silverman finished 110th on the money list.

And, of course, the legends still loom large. During his prime, Tiger Woods gifted his longtime caddie Steve Williams a Ford GT after a win at Doral. Between gifts and bonuses, Williams reportedly earned over $1 million annually, eventually amassing a net worth of $20 million—more than most PGA pros ever make.

Or look at Michael Greller, the former math teacher who became Jordan Spieth's caddie. Since joining Spieth in 2013, Greller has earned an estimated $5–7 million, with some seasons topping $1.5 million.

In short, if your player plays well, you get paid well. And if they win big? You might just become a millionaire with a bib.

The Complicated Income

While the path to a six-figure salary is clear for caddies, there are also traps along the path. Caddies operate as independent contractors. This means they negotiate their deals directly with the golfer. While the newly formed Association of Professional Tour Caddies is trying to work with the PGA Tour for better healthcare and retirement benefits, the caddie is kind of like his/her own one-person business. The income listed above doesn't include a government cut, social security, or health insurance deductions. There certainly isn't a pension.

There's also the issue of travel. Caddies often foot the bill for getting to a tournament. In the past, PGA Tour stops were clustered and drivable. Today, the schedule spans five continents—early-season Hawaii, then Asia, Europe, and beyond—making airfare, lodging, and meals a recurring hit to a caddie's wallet.

Caddies often work seven days a week, walking the course looking for the slightest advantage for their golfer/boss. The hard work offers plenty of reward if things go right, and not much security if things go wrong. Still, it's easy to see why so many seek so few opportunities to carry someone's bag on a Sunday.

Oh, and one more small piece of interesting trivia: The richest person at the 2014 US Open was a caddie. That year, amateur golfer Maverick McNealy chose his father to carry his bag. His dad? Scott McNealy, billionaire co-founder of Sun Microsystems.

Read more: How Much Does A PGA Tour Caddie Make?

If you've ever wondered which games drive the most revenue—whether it's the penny slots that seem harmless until you're $300 deep, or the high-roller baccarat tables tucked behind velvet ropes—you're not alone. The answer is more surprising than you might think. While table games like blackjack and craps certainly light up the casino floor with energy, it's the quiet hum of slot machines, running relentlessly 24/7, that truly moves the needle. In fact, slot machines alone contribute roughly half of all gaming revenue on the Las Vegas Strip.

In this story, we break down the most recent revenue numbers from Las Vegas Strip casinos to show just how much money they're pulling in every month—and which games are doing the heavy lifting. From old-school staples like roulette to billion-dollar slot machines, here's what's really driving Vegas's never-ending jackpot.

(Photo by: Visions of America/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Bottom Line: Nearly $1 Billion per Month (on the Strip Alone)

On the Las Vegas Strip—the heart of Vegas gaming—casinos collectively pull in roughly $700–900 million in gaming revenue each month. In December 2023, for example, the Strip's nonrestricted casinos earned about $905.4 million in gaming revenue. To put that in perspective, the full year of 2023 delivered a total gaming win of $8.90 billion on the Strip, averaging around $742 million per month. This monthly haul, edging close to the $1 billion mark, underscores just how lucrative Vegas gaming has become.

Which Games Does The Money Come From?

But where does all that money come from? Surprisingly—or maybe not, if you've ever spent an hour mesmerized by spinning reels—it's the humble slot machine that brings in the lion's share. In December 2023, slot machines of all types raked in about $446.1 million, making up roughly 49.3% of the total gaming revenue on the Strip. Even penny slots, which lure players in with the promise of low-stakes fun, quietly pulled in around $82.3 million—accounting for nearly 9.1% of the overall revenue (or about 18% of all slot revenue). While high-roller table games like blackjack and baccarat certainly steal the spotlight with their glamour and high stakes, it's these blinking, buzzing machines in the corners that are the real cash cows of Vegas.

Here's a breakdown of the major game categories on the Las Vegas Strip for December 2023:

• Slot Machines (All Types): $446.1 million
  – 49.3% of total gaming revenue
• Penny Slots (1¢ machines): $82.3 million
  – ~9.1% of total (about 18% of all slot revenue)
• Blackjack (21): $84.6 million
  – ~9.3% of total gaming revenue
• Baccarat: $218.7 million
  – ~24.2% of total gaming revenue
• Roulette: $35.0 million
  – ~3.9% of total gaming revenue
• Craps: $35.1 million
  – ~3.9% of total gaming revenue
• Poker Rooms (rake & tournament fees): $14.9 million
  – ~1.6% of total gaming revenue
• Sports Betting (sportsbook win): $24.3 million
  – ~2.7% of total gaming revenue
• Other Games (keno, bingo, etc.): Approx. $20.1 million
  – ~2.2% of total gaming revenue

Total Gaming Revenue (Las Vegas Strip, Dec 2023): $905.4 million

The MGM

For a real-world example, consider the MGM Grand—one of the flagship resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board's December 2023 report, the MGM Grand pulled in a total gaming revenue of about $86.3 million that month. Out of that total, slot machines alone raked in roughly $45.1 million, accounting for over half of the casino's earnings. The remaining revenue was generated primarily from table games, which brought in about $32.2 million, while sports betting added around $5.4 million and other games (like poker and keno) contributed roughly $3.6 million.

From the constant chime of slot machines to the strategic bets at blackjack and the high-stakes allure of baccarat, Vegas casinos are a blend of tradition and innovation. As the Strip continues to set new records, the insights into its revenue streams remind us that whether you're a casual player or a high-roller, every bet contributes to a city built on the promise of winning big—even if it's just for the house.

Read more: How Much Does A Vegas Casino Make Every Month… And From What Games?

Below, we count down the ten wealthiest members, including their estimated net worth and the stories behind how they earned or maintain their riches. These profiles read like a tour through American enterprise – from hospital empires and software fortunes to car alarm innovations – showing that power in Washington often comes with a very healthy bank account.

These are the 10 Richest Members of Congress:

#10. Suzan DelBene (D–Washington): $70–126 million

Tech Executive Turned Legislator

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington made a name (and a fortune) for herself in the technology sector before entering politics. DelBene was a Microsoft executive in the 2000s, leading the company's mobile and digital marketing efforts, and she later co-founded two tech start-ups. Her time in the tech industry was lucrative – she and her husband accumulated significant stock holdings, including at least $1 million in Microsoft shares alone. By the time DelBene ran for Congress in 2012, she was able to invest personal funds into her campaign, and upon winning, her wealth put her near the top of the House in net worth. Today, DelBene's assets span tech stocks, mutual funds, and real estate funds. Now serving as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, DelBene leverages both her tech savvy and financial savvy in Congress.

#9. Pete Ricketts (R–Nebraska): $79–170 million

Scion of the Ameritrade Dynasty

Nebraska's Senator Pete Ricketts comes from a family of billionaires and has leveraged that pedigree into both business and politics. Ricketts is the son of Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade. Pete himself served as an executive in the family business and later, with his siblings, became a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. By the time he entered public life – first as Nebraska's governor, and now as a U.S. senator – Ricketts had accumulated a fortune in his own right. Despite technically being a multimillionaire rather than a billionaire like his father, Ricketts is undeniably one of the richest people in Congress.

#8. Dan Goldman (D–New York): $150–180 million

Legal Scion of the Levi Strauss Fortune

Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, is an heir to the Levi Strauss & Co. jeans fortune – his great-grandfather was an early president of the company. This family wealth helped catapult Goldman into politics. After a stint as a federal prosecutor, he ran for Congress in 2022, largely self-funding his campaign. His wealth is managed in trusts and investments that have grown from the denim empire his family built. Goldman uses both his legal acumen and financial independence to advocate for progressive policies – one of the rare Democrats whose personal portfolio is as blue-chip as his district.

#7. Michael McCaul (R–Texas): ~$200 million

Heir to a Broadcasting Fortune

Congressman Michael McCaul's path to great wealth came through marriage. His wife, Linda, is the daughter of Clear Channel Communications founder Lowry Mays. The Mays family sold the media company, and the proceeds flowed into family trusts that benefit McCaul. Unlike some of his ultra-wealthy peers in Congress, McCaul didn't build a business himself – he married into money. Still, he has used his independence and legal background to rise to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

#6. Mark Warner (D–Virginia): $215–250 million

Telecom Tycoon Turned Senator

Senator Mark Warner built a lucrative career as a tech and telecom entrepreneur before entering public service. In the 1980s, he co-founded a venture that invested early in cellular technology and startups, including Nextel. Warner parlayed that success into politics, becoming Virginia's governor and then a U.S. senator. Now in his third term, Warner is one of the most financially successful members of Congress, with a net worth reflecting decades of strategic tech investments.

#5. Nancy Pelosi (D–California): ~$248 million

Strategic Investor and Powerbroker

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's wealth comes largely from her husband Paul Pelosi's savvy investing. Their portfolio includes real estate, tech, and media stocks – notably in Apple, Alphabet, and Disney. While Pelosi herself lists modest assets, Paul's trading has fueled enormous wealth growth over the years. Pelosi's fortune has made her one of the richest women in Washington and a lightning rod for debates about financial transparency in Congress.

(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

#4. Vern Buchanan (R–Florida): ~$249 million

Auto Dealership Mogul

Vern Buchanan built his fortune the old-fashioned way – by selling cars. The Florida Republican owned nearly 20 car dealerships at one point and parlayed his profits into investments in real estate and finance. A true self-made millionaire, Buchanan's net worth is estimated at just under $250 million. He's one of Congress's wealthiest members and a frequent advocate for pro-business policies.

#3. Dave McCormick (R–Pennsylvania): $120–290 million

Hedge Fund Chief with a Rancher's Persona

New to the Senate in 2025, Dave McCormick earned his wealth as the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. A West Point grad and Army vet, McCormick combines military credentials with private-sector riches. His disclosures revealed an eye-popping array of assets – from hedge fund shares to farmland. With a net worth estimated between $120 and $290 million, McCormick enters Congress already among its richest members.

#2. Darrell Issa (R–California): $300 million

Tech Entrepreneur Turned Politician

California Republican Darrell Issa made his fortune in car alarms. He founded Directed Electronics and developed the Viper alarm system, famously voicing the "Please step away from the car!" line himself. After selling his company for a massive payout, Issa invested in real estate and bonds. When he returned to Congress in 2021, he brought with him one of the largest fortunes on Capitol Hill – a net worth well into the hundreds of millions.

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

#1. Rick Scott (R–Florida): $300–550 million

Healthcare Empire and Investments

Senator Rick Scott is the richest member of Congress thanks to his tenure building the Columbia/HCA hospital empire. Though he left amid legal controversy, he exited with $300 million in stock and severance. He famously spent $63 million of his own money on his first election. Since then, his investments have only grown. Now serving his second term in the Senate, Scott's wealth is estimated between $300 million and $550 million.

Read more: The 10 Richest Members Of Congress – And How They Earned Their Fortunes

Gruden was originally hired by ESPN in 2009. His $6.5 million salary came thanks to a 2014 contract extension that could have run through 2021 but had an opt-out if he ever went back to NFL coaching. And as it turned out, Gruden exercised that opt-out in 2018.

Jon Gruden returned to the NFL's Oakland Raiders in 2018 with a massive 10-year, $100 million contract, one of the richest coaching deals in NFL history. His tenure started with bold roster moves, including trading star pass rusher Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper for draft picks. However, the on-field results were mixed—after a 4-12 debut season, the team improved slightly but never reached the playoffs under Gruden.

In October 2021, Gruden abruptly resigned after leaked emails revealed offensive language, including misogynistic, racist, and homophobic remarks. The fallout was significant, with Raiders owner Mark Davis later stating that Gruden's departure severely impacted the team's progress. Gruden sued the NFL, alleging the league orchestrated the leak, and the Nevada Supreme Court agreed to review his case.

Gruden should have stayed at ESPN. Even if he earned the same $6.5 million for the next 10 years, 2014 to 2024, that would have been $65 million in earnings. Then, using all comparable comparisons, in 2024 he could have signed a new deal that would be paying him $18-20 million today, either with ESPN or a rival network.

Take the career trajectory of Stephen A. Smith as a comparison. On our 2015 list of the highest-paid ESPN personalities, Stephen barely ranked in the top 10 with a salary of $2 million. Stephen's salary was eventually bumped to $8 million per year. Then $13 million. When his contract was up in June 2024, Stephen A. turned down a 5-year, $90 million offer from ESPN. That would have been $18 million per year.

In March 2025, Stephen signed a 5-year, $100 million deal with ESPN. His $20 million salary now makes him the highest-paid person at ESPN.

Meanwhile, after resigning from the NFL, Gruden briefly served as a consultant for the New Orleans Saints and, in 2024, launched a show with Barstool Sports that almost certainly does not pay anywhere near even his former $6.5 million salary.

Mitchell Leff/BIG3/Getty Images

Highest Paid ESPN Personalities 2025:

#1: Stephen A. Smith – $20 million per year.

In March 2025, Smith signed a new five-year contract worth at least $100 million total, reportedly the largest deal ever given by ESPN to on-air talent. This extension was a hefty raise from his previous salary (around $12 million annually) under his last contract. Smith remains ESPN's signature personality as host of First Take and a frequent NBA analyst, and his new deal allows him to scale back some studio duties while expanding into projects like his own podcast and political commentary.

#2: Troy Aikman – $18–18.5 million per year.

The Hall-of-Fame ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback joined ESPN's Monday Night Football in 2022 on a five-year deal reportedly worth about $90–$92.5 million (around $18M+ annually). This was a major jump from Aikman's prior salary (about $7.5 million/year at Fox Sports), where he had been the lead NFL analyst for two decades. ESPN's aggressive pursuit of Aikman (and his play-by-play partner Joe Buck) was aimed at restoring MNF's prestige. Aikman's high pay reflects his status as one of the top NFL commentators and the value ESPN placed on his Super Bowl-winning insight.

#3: Pat McAfee – $17 million per year.

McAfee, a former NFL punter turned multimedia personality, signed a 5-year, $85 million contract with ESPN in 2023. Notably, he took a pay cut to join ESPN – his previous deal with FanDuel was reportedly around $30 million per year (a 4-year, $120M partnership). In moving to ESPN, McAfee traded a higher paycheck for the network's broad platform, and his daily Pat McAfee Show now airs on ESPN. His contract also allows him to continue outside ventures (like his WWE commentary role), leveraging ESPN's exposure to grow his overall brand.

#4: Joe Buck – $15 million per year.

Buck left Fox Sports for ESPN in 2022, signing a reported 5-year deal in the $60–75 million range. (His exact ESPN salary isn't publicly confirmed, but it's believed to be in the $12–15M/year range, a raise from roughly $10M at Fox.) Buck's latest contract came alongside Aikman's move and reunited the duo on Monday Night Football. A renowned play-by-play announcer, Buck has called six Super Bowls and over two decades of World Series broadcasts, making him one of sports media's most recognizable voices – a stature reflected in his salary.

#5: Adam Schefter – $9 million per year.

ESPN's top NFL insider re-signed with the network in 2022 on a five-year deal reportedly worth about $45 million in total. This extension nearly doubled his previous pay (Schefter was already one of ESPN's highest-paid reporters, earning a high seven-figure salary before the new deal). Schefter's contract reflects the value of his NFL news-breaking – he's a central figure in ESPN's NFL coverage (NFL Draft, Sunday NFL Countdown, etc.). Notably, ESPN had competition from sports betting outlets for Schefter's services, which helped drive his salary to these heights. His ability to deliver scoops and real-time NFL updates has made him as financially valuable as many on-air commentators.

#6: Mike Greenberg – $6.5 million

Mike Greenberg co-hosted "Mike & Mike" from 2000 to 2017, then left to host the morning show "Get Up!" Greenberg has spent nearly a quarter of a century at ESPN in a variety of avenues, including television, radio, and podcasts. He was also one of the first hosts of ESPNEWS when that network started. In 2024, ESPN promoted him to host Sunday NFL Countdown, replacing Samantha Ponder. He has also been part of ESPN's NBA coverage (hosting NBA Countdown studio shows on ESPN/ABC) in recent seasons.

#7: Michael Wilbon – $6 million

Wilbon has co-hosted "Pardon the Interruption" alongside Tony Kornheiser for over two decades – the show will celebrate its 25th year in 2025. Wilbon has also contributed to other network shows like NBA Countdown and The Sports Reporters. He wrote his last column for the Washington Post in 2010 and has spent the last nine years focused exclusively on ESPN and ABC.

#8: Tony Kornheiser – $6 million

Tony Kornheiser is one of ESPN's elder statesmen – a former sportswriter who has co-hosted PTI since 2001. Outside of PTI, he hosts The Tony Kornheiser Show podcast (independently) but makes few TV appearances beyond PTI. The longevity of PTI (over two decades) speaks to the popularity of Kornheiser and Wilbon's format. ESPN values Kornheiser's contributions; even amid industry changes, PTI's consistent viewership has kept both hosts secure.

And if you're curious, here's our original list of highest-paid ESPN personalities from 2015:

• #25: Jay Crawford – $600 thousand
• #24: Robert Flores – $700 thousand
• #23: Neil Everett – $700 thousand
• #22: Cari Champion – $1 million
• #21: Rece Davis – $1 million
• #20: Adam Schefter – $1.2 million
• #19: Trent Dilfer – $1.3 million
• #18: Chris Fowler – $1.5 million
• #17: Lindsay Czarniak – $1.5 million
• #16: Skip Bayless – $2 million
• #15: Stephen A. Smith – $2 million
• #15: Kirk Herbstreit – $2 million
• #14: Jay Bilas – $2 million
• #13: Karl Ravech – $2 million
• #12: Steve Levy – $2 million
• #11: Merril Hoge- $2.5 million
• #10: Hannah Storm – $2.5 million
• #9: Mike Tirico – $3 million
• #8: Linda Cohn – $3 million
• #7: Kenny Mayne – $3 million
• #6: Scott Van Pelt- $4 million
• #5: Tony Kornheiser – $4 million
• #4: Brent Musburger – $4 million
• #3: Michael Wilbon – $4 million
• #2: Chris Berman – $5 million
• #1: Jon Gruden– $6.50 million

Read more: Who Are The Highest Paid ESPN Personalities?