What is Wilbur Smith's net worth? One of world's most successful authors dies at 88
South African author Wilbur Smith, globally acclaimed for his historical fiction novels, tragically died at the age of 88 years on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Smith became a household name with a staggering 49 titles to his name as his valorous adventure stories gripped readers and took them on a journey to the jungles of Africa, Ancient Egypt, and World War II. Mokhiniso Smith, his fourth wife, was by his side when he died. The cause of his death is yet to be ascertained. His publisher Bonnier Books UK released a statement saying, "Global bestselling author Wilbur Smith died unexpectedly this afternoon at his Cape Town home after a morning of reading and writing with his wife Niso by his side."
The statement further added, "The undisputed and inimitable master of adventure writing, Wilbur Smith’s novels have gripped readers for over half a century, selling over 140 million copies worldwide in more than thirty languages." The author wrote bestselling books like 'When The Lion Feeds', 'River God', 'Birds of Prey', 'Warlock', 'The Seventh Scroll', among many others. His novels have been translated into many languages across the world and even adapted into successful movies like 'Mountain of Diamonds', 'Shout at the Devil', 'Gold' and 'Dark of The Sun'. Considered one of the most successful authors of all time, Wilbur Smith had a sizeable net worth to his name.
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What is Wilbur Smith's net worth?
Born on January 9, 1933, in Kabwe, Zambia, Wilbur Smith grew up at a cattle ranch. He later pursued his graduation from Rhodes University in South Africa in 1954. He started his career as an accountant but gradually ventured into his true passion, writing. In fact, he published his debut novel 'When The Lion Feeds' in 1964, while still working as an accountant. The novel went on to become a massive bestseller and inspired 15 sequels as it traced an ambitious family's fortunes for more than two centuries.
According to Idol Net Worth, Wilbur Smith's net worth is estimated to be around a whopping $100 Million. The author maintained a relatively low profile in personal life and was not seen indulging in luxury and extravagance quite often. He gained a reputation as a prominent conservationist and managed his own game reserve in Seychelles. Smith also held a pilot's license and was a certified scuba diver.
Smith married four times and his fourth wife Mokhiniso 'Niso' Smith stood by him till the end. He married his first wife Anne Rennie, a secretary at a Presbyterian Church in Salisbury Rhodesia, on July 5, 1957, and the couple had two children together before divorcing in 1962. Smith married his Jewel Slabbart on August 28, 1964, after being introduced at a party in Salisbury. The couple had a child together but the marriage eventually ended in a divorce. He then met and married Danielle Thomas, who was also a divorcee, in 1971. Tragically, she would succumb to cancer in 1999, after battling the disease for six years.
In his 2018 memoir 'On Leopard Rock', Wilbur Smith had notably shared, “I want to be remembered as somebody who gave pleasure to millions."
