What was Billy Brown's net worth? 'Alaskan Bush People' patriarch was paid $500,000 each episode before he died
Billy Brown, the patriarch in the Discovery reality-documentary series 'Alaskan Bush People,' which follows an isolated Alaskan family, died on Sunday, February 7 night after suffering a seizure, at the age of 68. Because of the long-running success of the series, the Brown family has earned and is still earning a big paycheck from Discovery Channel, which in turn helps them live their lifestyle in Washington state.
“We are devastated to hear of Billy Brown’s sudden passing,” a Discovery spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “He has been part of the Discovery family for years — a trailblazer, a lovely man and most definitely one of a kind. Our heart is with his family and those that knew him and loved him as they deal with this devastating loss.”
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Billy's son Bear also confirmed the news on his private Instagram account, according to a People report. “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved patriarch Billy Brown passed away last night after suffering from a seizure,” he captioned a photo of his parents. “He was our best friend – a wonderful and loving dad, granddad and husband and he will be dearly missed.”
He continued, “He lived his life on his terms, off the grid and the land and taught us to live like that as well. We plan to honor his legacy going forward and to continue with his dream. We ask for privacy and prayers during this painful time. God Bless Everyone!”
Despite living off the grid, Billy, along with his wife, Ami, and their seven kids, have been making money after starring in the show which first premiered in 2014. The show revolves around the tight-knit Brown family as they lived off the grid in the Alaskan Wilderness, before eventually leaving the state.
Each member of the Brown family reportedly gets a different paycheck. Billy Brown received about $500,000 for each episode. The rest of the family members make between $40,000 and $60,000. The 66-year-old Billy, 66 and 55-year-old Ami Brown are parents to seven children — sons Matt, 36, Bam Bam, 34, Bear, 31, Gabe, 29, and Noah, 26, and daughters Bird, 24, and Rain, 16.
Matt is the only one no longer regularly appearing on the series, which finished its 12th season in October. According to In Touch Weekly Billy had a total net worth of $6 million alone before his death on February 7, while his family's total net worth stands at $60 million.
When the family lived in Southern California, Brown reportedly called a $2.7 million Beverly Hills mansion their home. After Ami's cancer went into remission in early 2018, the couple relocated to Washington to be closer to her doctors. Unfortunately, the wildfires damaged their property back in October 2020.
The family was quarantining together at home during the Covid-19 pandemic at the time. "I gotta admit, it's hard preparing for something you don't know how big it's gonna get you," Billy said in a scene from an October episode. However, he said his family would "just get back after what we do" and "nothing's gonna stop the Browns."