George RR Martin Net Worth, Early Life, Education

George RR Martin is an American novelist and screenwriter who has an estimated net worth of around $120 million.

He is best known for his epic fantasy series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire,’ which was adapted into the hugely popular HBO television series ‘Game of Thrones.’

George RR Martin Net Worth

George R.R. Martin has amassed an immense net worth estimated at around $120 million as of 2023. The bulk of his wealth comes from the phenomenal success of his A Song of Ice and Fire novels and the associated HBO series Game of Thrones.

With over 90 million books sold worldwide, Martin earns steady revenue from book sales and publishing rights. He also earned approximately $15 million per season for Game of Thrones by authoring the source material.

Furthermore, Martin has a lucrative development deal with HBO worth eight figures. He also owns an independent movie theater and invests wisely in real estate.

Though already wealthy from book sales, the TV adaptation has made Martin immensely rich and significantly increased his net worth over the past decade. Given his multiple current projects, his wealth is expected to grow in the coming years.

Early Life and Education

George Raymond Richard Martin was born on September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. He grew up in a working-class family as the eldest of three children.

As a child, Martin enjoyed reading and writing his own stories. He went on to attend Mary Jane Donohoe School and later Marist High School.

In the 1960s, Martin attended Northwestern University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1970. He also completed a master’s degree in journalism from the same university in 1971.

Even as a student, Martin was deeply involved in writing fiction and comic books.

Career Beginnings as a Writer

After graduation, Martin briefly worked as a VISTA volunteer before taking up a position as a journalist with the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. However, he continued to write fiction on the side.

In the mid-1970s, after a stint as a journalism professor, Martin decided to pursue a full-time career as a writer.

Martin’s first success came with his 1977 novella ‘A Song for Lya,’ which was nominated for a Hugo and Nebula awards. That helped establish his reputation in the science fiction and fantasy genres.

However, Martin wrote various novels and short stories while working extensively in Hollywood.

A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones

Martin started work on his most famous creation, A Song of Ice and Fire, as a trilogy in 1991. The first novel, A Game of Thrones, was published in 1996 to great acclaim, nominated for the Nebula Award, and won the Locus Award.

With its gritty realism and intricate plotting, the epic fantasy series became a massive hit with readers. HBO acquired the rights to adapt A Song of Ice and Fire into a television series titled Game of Thrones in 2007 as the books gained more popularity.

Premiering in 2011, Game of Thrones became one of the most watched and acclaimed shows worldwide. Martin himself wrote several episodes per season for the first four seasons. The show’s success dramatically increased book sales and Martin’s fame.

Sources of Income

The primary source of Martin’s massive net worth is the global sales of his extremely popular A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novels. With 90 million copies sold as of 2017 and print runs in the tens of millions, Martin earns significant royalties from his books. The paperback box set alone had sold over 5.2 million copies by 2012.

Martin’s second primary source of income is the record-breaking HBO series Game of Thrones. He earned approximately $15 million per season from the show by authoring the adapted source material. The show’s merchandising also contributes to his royalties.

Other sources of income include his new multi-million dollar five-year deal with HBO to develop new shows and content. Martin also co-produces some of the Game of Thrones prequel shows, adding to his earnings.

Salary and Earnings

George R.R. Martin’s primary source of income is the wildly successful A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy book series. With over 90 million copies sold globally, Martin earns steady royalties from book sales numbering in the tens of millions.

The HBO adaptation of Game of Thrones also contributed massively to Martin’s wealth. He earned about $15 million per episode for the later seasons by owning the adapted source material rights. Martin also signed a mega deal with HBO in 2022, rumored to be worth nine figures, for developing new shows and content.

Other sources of Martin’s income include the Wild Cards anthology royalties, appearance fees at conventions and interviews, real estate investments, and his ownership of an indie cinema theater.

Though already successful as a novelist, the popularity of Game of Thrones brought Martin’s net worth to astronomical heights over the past decade. Given his continued work, his fortune is expected to keep rising.

Personal Life and Relationships

Martin has been married twice, first to Gale Burnick from 1975 to 1979 – this marriage ended in divorce. In 2011, he married longtime partner Parris McBride, whom he first met during a convention in 1975.

Martin has no children, though he remains close to his nieces and nephews. He has focused intensely on his writing career over having a family. He met his current wife, Parris, in 1975, but they did not marry until 2011 after spending over 35 years together.

Martin owns a house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lives with Parris and their two cats. Though he worked for a time in Hollywood, he prefers the relative seclusion of Santa Fe, where he can concentrate on writing.

Business Ventures

Martin has been involved in other business ventures, contributing to his massive net worth. He invested in real estate and co-founded the Wild Cards anthology series. He also launched Stagecoach Foundation, a nonprofit supporting amateur filmmaking in New Mexico.

In 2022, Martin signed a five-year deal with HBO to develop new content for their various television channels and streaming platforms. This deal is estimated to be worth eight figures.

With the final books in A Song of Ice and Fire still unpublished, Martin’s popularity and wealth will likely continue rising as eager fans await the epic fantasy saga’s conclusion. His intricate imaginary world and complex characters have earned him enormous fame and fortune.

Philanthropy

George R.R. Martin has also been involved in meaningful philanthropic activities.

In 2017, Martin pledged $4.5 million towards a permanent scholarship fund called Scholarship2030 at his alma mater, Clarion West Writers Workshop. This fund aims to provide tuition assistance for aspiring genre writers to attend the workshop.

Martin donated $1 million in 2018 towards the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, which rescues and provides shelter for captive-bred wolves and wolf dogs. That aligns with Martin’s active support for wildlife conservation.

The Stagecoach Foundation, launched by Martin, provides grants and support to amateur filmmakers in New Mexico. Martin also uses his Jean Cocteau Cinema venue for fundraising screenings for nonprofit groups.

FAQs on George RR Martin Net Worth

How many books has George R.R. Martin sold?

Martin has sold over 90 million copies of his A Song of Ice and Fire book series worldwide as of 2017. The books have been enormously successful.

Is George R.R. Martin married?

Martin married his longtime partner, Parris McBride, in 2011 after dating for over 35 years. He was previously married briefly from 1975-1979.

Does George R.R. Martin has children?

George R.R. Martin does not have any biological children. He remains focused on his writing career.

What is George R.R. Martin doing now?

Martin has several projects, including working on the final books in A Song of Ice and Fire, co-developing Game of Thrones prequel TV shows for HBO, and working on new shows under his major deal with HBO.

Final Thoughts

George R.R. Martin’s net worth stems from his phenomenally successful novels, involvement in the Game of Thrones TV series, and other business ventures and investments. His unique literary creativity and business acumen have led him to become one of the wealthiest authors in the world.

Martin’s contribution to fantasy literature as the creator of A Song of Ice and Fire has cemented his status as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.