Rosey Grier holds a net worth of $5 million in 2025. This former NFL star turned his success on the football field into a diverse career spanning acting, music, ministry, and writing. His journey from sports to wealth shows how athletes can build lasting financial security through smart career moves.
Rosey Grier Net Worth
Rosey Grier’s net worth stands at $5 million as of 2025. This wealth comes from his work across multiple industries over seven decades. While not as wealthy as modern NFL stars who earn millions per season, Grier built steady wealth through consistent work in sports, entertainment, and public speaking.
His financial growth shows the value of career diversity. Unlike many former athletes who struggle after retirement, Grier smoothly moved between football, television, music, and ministry.
Grier earned most of his money through:
- NFL salary ($42,000 at peak in 1960s dollars)
- Television and film roles
- Music recordings
- Book royalties
- Public speaking fees
- Ministry work
Who Is Rosey Grier?
Born July 14, 1932, in Crockett, Georgia, Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier grew up in a family of 12 children. Standing 6’5″ and weighing over 280 pounds, his natural size and strength made him perfect for football. He played college football at Penn State before joining the NFL.
Grier earned fame as part of the “Fearsome Foursome,” the Los Angeles Rams’ dominant defensive line of the 1960s. His football skills brought him initial wealth and opened doors to entertainment opportunities.
Beyond sports, Grier became known for his role in American history when he helped subdue Sirhan Sirhan after the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968. Grier was working as Kennedy’s bodyguard that night.
Now in his 90s, Grier continues to inspire through his ministry work. His life story shows remarkable adaptability, moving from rural Georgia to NFL stardom to Hollywood to ministry.
Career Highlights
Grier’s football career began at Penn State, where he became an All-American defensive tackle. The New York Giants drafted him in 1955, paying him around $7,000 per year. After five seasons with the Giants, he joined the Los Angeles Rams, becoming part of the legendary “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line alongside Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, and Lamar Lundy.
His football achievements include two Pro Bowl selections (1956, 1960) and All-Pro honors. During the 1960s, his salary peaked at approximately $42,000 per year. An injury ended his football career in 1967.
Grier smoothly moved to Hollywood, appearing in over 70 television shows and movies. His acting career included roles in “The Thing with Two Heads” (1972), “Carter’s Army” (1970), and TV shows like “Daniel Boone,” “The Wild Wild West,” and “I Dream of Jeannie.”
Music gave Grier another revenue stream. He recorded several albums including “Rosey Grier Presents” and had a minor hit with “It’s All Right to Cry” from the “Free to Be… You and Me” album.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Grier became known for needlepoint and macramé, publishing a book titled “Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint for Men” in 1973. This unique skill became part of his brand and opened unexpected income opportunities.
By the 1980s, Grier shifted focus again, becoming an ordained minister and founding the Rosey Grier Ministries.
Four Main Income Sources
NFL Earnings
Grier’s 12-year NFL career provided his financial foundation. In the 1950s and 60s, NFL salaries were much lower than today’s multi-million dollar contracts. When Grier started with the New York Giants in 1955, he earned approximately $7,000 per season ($75,000 in today’s dollars).
By the time he joined the Los Angeles Rams and became part of the “Fearsome Foursome,” his salary increased to roughly $42,000 annually (about $400,000 in today’s money). This income gave Grier financial stability and investment capital.
NFL players of Grier’s era didn’t benefit from the massive television deals and merchandising revenue that today’s players enjoy. However, his football fame opened doors to more lucrative opportunities.
Entertainment Income
After football, Grier built a substantial acting career spanning three decades:
Films like “The Thing with Two Heads” (1972) and “Carter’s Army” (1970) paid him between $10,000 to $25,000 per role—significant money in the 1970s.
Television appearances on shows such as “Daniel Boone,” “The Wild Wild West,” and “I Dream of Jeannie” brought steady income through the 1970s and 80s.
Grier also hosted his own television show, “The Rosey Grier Show,” which added to his media earnings.
His music career included several albums and the children’s song “It’s All Right to Cry,” generating royalties over many years.
Books and Unique Skills
Grier surprised many fans by embracing needlepoint and other crafts, turning these hobbies into money-making ventures:
“Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint for Men” (1973) became an unexpected hit, selling thousands of copies and earning royalties for years.
He followed with “Rosey Grier’s All-American Heroes” and “Winning,” books that addressed broader audiences.
These books created speaking and appearance opportunities, where Grier could earn $5,000-$10,000 per engagement.
His needlepoint skills made him unique among former athletes and created a brand identity that set him apart.
Ministry and Speaking
In the 1980s, Grier became an ordained Christian minister and founded Rosey Grier Ministries. This career phase brought:
Speaking fees ranging from $7,500 to $15,000 per appearance at churches, conferences, and events.
Book deals for religious and inspirational titles that appealed to his Christian audience.
Donations to his ministry, which supported both his work and personal income.
Ministry work provided Grier with stable income in his later years while allowing him to pursue his spiritual calling.
Lifestyle and Assets
Despite his wealth, Grier lives modestly compared to many celebrities. He owns a comfortable home in Los Angeles valued at approximately $1.2 million. Unlike many sports stars who flaunt luxury cars and jewelry, Grier maintains a relatively simple lifestyle focused on his ministry work.
His most valuable assets include:
- His Los Angeles home
- Royalties from books and music
- Memorabilia from his NFL and entertainment careers
- Potential pension benefits from the NFL
Grier never developed expensive tastes or habits that drained his wealth. This financial discipline helped him maintain millionaire status despite earning far less than modern athletes.
Personal Life and Family
Grier’s personal life includes three marriages. He first married Bernice Lewis, with whom he had a daughter, Sherryl Brown-Tubbs. His second marriage to Margie Grier ended in divorce. In 1980, he married Cydnee Seybert, but they later separated. His most recent relationship was with Wendy Chaney.
A personal tragedy struck in 2019 when his grandson, Rosey Grier III, was shot and killed in Atlanta at age 25. This family loss affected Grier deeply but did not change his commitment to community service.
Now in his 90s, Grier continues to inspire through his longevity and positive attitude. His family connections remain strong, with his daughter Sherryl continuing his legacy of community involvement.
Net Worth Over Time
Grier’s wealth has grown slowly but steadily throughout his life:
1950s-60s: During his NFL career, Grier earned between $7,000-$42,000 annually ($75,000-$400,000 in today’s dollars).
1970s: His acting career peak brought earnings of $25,000-$50,000 per year from various roles and appearances.
1980s-90s: Transition to ministry work and speaking engagements brought more modest but steady income, ranging from $50,000-$100,000 annually.
2000s-2010s: Book royalties, speaking fees, and possible NFL pension benefits maintained his wealth around $3-4 million.
2020s: His net worth stabilized at approximately $5 million through various income streams and potential appreciation of existing assets.
Unlike many modern athletes who make millions quickly then lose it, Grier built wealth gradually through diverse income sources. This approach created financial stability that has lasted into his 90s.
Recent Updates and Community Impact
In recent years, Grier has focused on his health and ministry work. At 92 years old in 2025, he remains one of the oldest living former NFL players. While less active in public appearances, his foundation continues to support inner-city youth programs in Los Angeles.
The Roosevelt Grier Foundation now runs several initiatives focused on:
- After-school programs for at-risk youth
- Sports training for underprivileged children
- Faith-based community outreach
His latest ministry activities include online sermons and virtual appearances that allow him to continue reaching audiences despite his advanced age. These digital adaptations show Grier’s continued ability to evolve with changing times.
In early 2025, Grier received a lifetime achievement award from the NFL Alumni Association, recognizing both his athletic career and decades of community service. This honor came with a monetary prize that contributed to his current net worth.
Conclusion
Rosey Grier’s $5 million net worth represents a lifetime of smart career moves and financial decisions. From football fields to movie sets to church pulpits, he built wealth through constantly adapting to new opportunities. His story proves that lasting financial success comes from more than just big paychecks—it requires vision and versatility.
Unlike many athletes who earned far more but lost everything, Grier created sustainable income streams across seven decades. His approach to wealth-building offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to build long-term financial security. Through changing times and personal challenges, Grier maintained both his wealth and his values, making him a rare success story in the world of sports and entertainment.
