Frank Gifford Net Worth

Frank Gifford’s Net Worth: A Look at the Football Legend’s Life and Legacy

Frank Gifford was a celebrated American football player and sportscaster. His net worth, a combined figure with his wife Kathie Lee Gifford, reached an impressive $60 million at the time of his passing. This article delves into the life and career of Frank Gifford, examining his journey from the football field to the broadcast booth, his personal life, and his lasting impact on the world of sports and entertainment. We will explore his early life, college and NFL careers, broadcasting achievements, personal relationships, and the details of his estate.

Early Life and Family

Born Francis Newton Gifford on August 16, 1930, in Santa Monica, California, Frank Gifford’s upbringing was marked by challenges. His parents, Weldon (an oil driller) and Lola, moved frequently due to the economic hardships of the Depression. He grew up with his siblings Frances, Winona, and Waine. This transient lifestyle saw the family relocate nearly 30 times before Frank attended high school. These experiences shaped his character, instilling resilience and a strong work ethic. Kathie Lee Gifford revealed after his death that his family faced poverty, even resorting to eating dog food at times.

College Career at USC

Despite his desire to attend the University of Southern California (USC), Gifford initially faced an academic hurdle. His grade point average wasn’t high enough to secure a scholarship. He began his collegiate career at Bakersfield Junior College, where he excelled, earning a spot on the Junior College All-America team. His performance there improved his grades, paving the way for his admission to USC. At USC, Gifford became a standout player. In his senior year, he rushed for an impressive 841 yards on 195 carries. This performance earned him All-American honors in 1951. He was also a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and graduated in 1952. His college years laid the foundation for his successful football career.

NFL Career with the New York Giants

Frank Gifford’s professional football career began in 1952 with the New York Giants. He played both offense and defense, demonstrating versatility and skill. His impact on the Giants was significant. Gifford earned the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award in 1956, a testament to his outstanding performance. That same year, he played a crucial role in the team’s victory over the Chicago Bears, securing the NFL title. A serious head injury sustained in 1960, following a hit by Philadelphia Eagle Chuck Bednarik, led to a brief retirement. However, Gifford returned to the Giants in 1962, transitioning to a flanker position. Over 12 seasons with the Giants, he played in 136 regular-season games, earning Pro Bowl selections every year from 1953 to 1959 and again in 1963. He was a First-Team All-Pro six times, and his #16 jersey was retired by the Giants in 2000, solidifying his legacy with the team.

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Broadcasting Career and ‘Monday Night Football’

After retiring from professional football in 1964, Gifford transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting. He began his broadcasting career covering various sports, including football, basketball, and golf, for CBS. In 1970, ABC sought to hire him for the debut of “Monday Night Football,” but his existing contract with CBS led to his friend Don Meredith being hired instead, after Gifford’s recommendation. In 1971, Frank Gifford joined “Monday Night Football” as the play-by-play announcer, a role he held for 27 years, becoming a familiar and respected voice for millions of viewers. He was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2012, recognizing his significant contributions to sports television. In 1986, Al Michaels became the play-by-play announcer, and Gifford transitioned to color commentary alongside O.J. Simpson and Lynn Swann. Dan Dierdorf joined him for the remainder of his tenure. After his departure in 1997, Boomer Esiason took over his role. Gifford also worked on pregame shows and covered other sporting events for ABC, including the Olympics.

Personal Life and Relationships

Frank Gifford’s personal life included several marriages. He married Maxine Avis Ewart, his college sweetheart, on January 13, 1952. Together they had three children: Jeff, Kyle, and Victoria. The couple divorced in 1976. Victoria later married Michael LeMoyne Kennedy. Gifford’s second marriage was to fitness trainer Astrid Lindley in 1978, which ended in divorce. His most well-known marriage was to Kathie Lee Johnson (née Epstein) on October 18, 1986. They had two children, Cody and Cassidy. His personal life was occasionally touched by controversy, including an affair in 1997, which was captured by a tabloid.

In 1997, Gifford was involved in a scandal when the “Globe” magazine paid a former flight attendant, Suzen Johnson, to entice him into a hotel room equipped with hidden recording devices. The resulting photos caused a media frenzy. The “National Enquirer” criticized the “Globe” for entrapping Gifford. Earlier, there were rumors of an affair with Johnny Carson’s second wife.

Death and Legacy

Frank Gifford passed away on August 9, 2015, at the age of 84, at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut. The cause of death was attributed to natural causes. Months later, his family revealed that he had suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries, highlighting the risks associated with football. The family chose to study his brain after his death, in hopes of contributing to CTE research and raising awareness. Gifford’s legacy extends beyond his athletic and broadcasting achievements. He is remembered for his talent, professionalism, and the impact he made on the lives of those around him.

Estate and Financial Details

Frank Gifford’s will provides insight into his financial status and distribution of assets. His liquid assets were valued at $10 million. He allocated $500,000 each to his children Jeffery and Victoria, and placed $1 million in a trust for his son Kyle, who had been seriously injured in a 1979 car accident and lived with Frank and Kathie Lee. Kathie Lee Gifford inherited the couple’s $22 million Connecticut home and a Key Largo residence. Furthermore, $300,000 was left to Cody and Cassidy’s former nanny, Christine Maria Gardner, who was named as their potential guardian should Kathie Lee pass away. The remaining $7.7 million of the estate went to Kathie Lee, who also served as the executor.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Frank Gifford received numerous awards and honors recognizing his achievements. In 1997, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sports Emmys, and he also won the award for Outstanding Host or Commentator in the 1976-1977 season. He was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for “NFL Monday Night Football.” He won the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award in 1995 and a Disney Legends Award in 2008. Posthumously, he was inducted into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame in 2017. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975 and the University of Southern California Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. During his professional football career, he was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and earned the NFL MVP in 1956 and the Pro Bowl MVP in 1959. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 and served as the honorary co-captain of Super Bowl XLVIII.

Real Estate Holdings

Frank Gifford and his wife, Kathie Lee, made several significant real estate investments. In 1998, they built a $3.9 million home in Key Largo, Florida. In March 2018, Kathie Lee listed the 11,419-square-foot, eight-bedroom home for $10.5 million. In 1999, they purchased a 6,600-square-foot home in Nantucket for $5.8 million. Before that, they had bought a smaller home in the area in September 1998, but they sold it a few months later for $1.5 million because they preferred a waterfront property.