American women’s tennis player Jessica Pegula has been making headlines for being one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. In fact, even legendary sports icons such as Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, and Lionel Messi pale in comparison to her vast fortune.
According to reports by the Daily Express, based on data from Forbes and Celebrity Net Worth, Michael Jordan tops the list of the 30 richest athletes in the world with a net worth of $2.2 billion. However, even the basketball superstar is humbled by Jessica Pegula’s wealth.
Pegula, who is half-Korean, comes from one of the richest families in the world, with her oil and gas magnate father Terry Pegula holding an estimated net worth of $6.8 billion. Terry is also the owner of various sports teams, including the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
At 29 years old, Jessica is wealthier than retired tennis legends Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova combined. She is also wealthier than Lionel Messi, who was the highest-paid athlete in 2022.
Despite being born in luxury, Pegula is focused on building her own career and achieving her goal of winning a Grand Slam. The American, whose family owns a superyacht called “Top Five II,” has already earned over $8.5 million on the tennis court, however, this is only a fraction of what she stands to inherit.
The five-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist told BBC Sport:
I have never wanted people to think I was given things. I think I have definitely earned my stripes in the tennis world. There are people on the outside who maybe don’t understand, who make assumptions.
In addition to being a professional athlete, Jessica has created her own skincare line called Ready 24 and has served as an ambassador for companies such as Adidas and the sports nutrition brand Ready.
As of now, Pegula is the third-ranked women’s tennis player in the world, and she is determined to make her mark in the sport. Even after her lavish wedding ceremony to long-time partner Taylor Gahagen in October 2021, Pegula continues to work hard and pursue her passion for tennis. (photo: Jimmie48)
