What is Bill Wichrowski's net worth? The real reason behind 'Deadliest Catch' captain's 'Wild' Bill nickname

Season 17 has put the cast and crew of 'Deadliest Catch' to the ultimate test and Captain 'Wild' Bill Wichrowski is no exception
Captain Bill Wichrowski of 'Deadliest Catch' (@captainwildbill_official/ Instagram)
Captain Bill Wichrowski of 'Deadliest Catch' (@captainwildbill_official/ Instagram)

For the captains of the 'Deadliest Catch', Season 17 might just prove to be their most intense season yet. Between the unpredictable weather and Covid-19, the captains and crew find that their livelihood is now on the line.

During uncertain times like these, the personal motto of Captain 'Wild' Bill Wichrowski rings true — "hard work and honesty". This season puts the captains to the ultimate test and looks like Captain Wichrowski's unconventional ways might be just what they need.

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He was a part of the Navy

Although a seasoned fisherman, Captain Bill began his career when he joined the Navy and moved to the West Coast. After his four years of military service, he was soon drawn to the Bering Sea, with the intention of making a fortune. He has worked his way to the top and has captained multiple shipping vessels such as Cape Caution, Zone Five, Artic Eagle, Sandra Five, Kodiak and Summer Bay.

He had a falling out with his son, Zack Larson

Having spent most of his time at sea, Captain Wichrowski rarely found himself at home, which ultimately led him to not being there for his son, Zack Larson. From Larson taking his mother's last name to the two of them not getting along while on the Summer Bay, it was tough watching their strained relationship play out.

While Captain Wichrowski thought sending money home and providing for his family was enough, for Larson not having a father around while growing up seemed like a far greater loss. To top it off, Captain Wichrowski's relationship with deckhand Nick McGlashan further put a strain on their relationship, seeing that the captain treated him far more like a son than he did his own. McGlashan was later found to be heavily abusing drugs. However, the captain supported him through his treatment, with a joke being made that he was now 'Mild Bill', seeing that a lot of his crew was in recovery and working on their spirituality.

However, over the years, father and son seemed to have reconciled and while Larson doesn't work with his father anymore, it's probably for the best. But for Captain Wichrowski and Larson, the death of McGlashan was truly a heartbreaking one, with Larson even sharing a heartfelt eulogy on his Instagram.


He got his nickname 'Wild Bill' because...

While his website mentions that he got his nickname because "he has been known to use unconventional methods", there might just be more to this story. As revealed by fellow captain Johnathan Hillstrand on Larry King, there is one particular story about how that name came about.

As seen in the video, Hillstrand mentions that some of Captain Wichrowski's crew got into a fight with a few people. Seeing that this could potentially harm their business, Captain Wichrowski fired off his AR-15 and demanded that his crew place their hands on the tables.

For those whose knuckles were bloody, a sign that they'd been a part of the fight, he came down hard on their hands and had them fired.



 

His net worth is...

As reported by Celebrity Net Worth, Captain Wichrowski has a net worth of $3M, since he is fisherman, a TV personality and even has his own line of merchandise.


Catch Season 17 of 'Deadliest Catch' on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on Discovery. You can also stream the same on Discovery+.

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