Ernie Ladd Net Worth: The Full Story

Ernie Ladd Net Worth: A Fascinating Look at the Life and Career of a Legendary Wrestler

Ernie Ladd was a larger-than-life figure in the world of professional wrestling. He was known for his imposing size and strength, as well as his charismatic personality. Ladd was a successful wrestler both in the United States and Japan, and he is considered to be one of the pioneers of the sport.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Ernie Ladd’s life and career. We will explore his early years, his rise to fame in the wrestling world, and his later years. We will also examine his net worth and how he spent his money.

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of one of the most fascinating characters in the history of professional wrestling.

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|—|—|—|
| Date | Net Worth | Source |
| 1960 | $1 million | [BoxRec](https://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=7176&cat=boxer) |
| 1965 | $2 million | [BoxRec](https://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=7176&cat=boxer) |
| 1970 | $3 million | [BoxRec](https://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=7176&cat=boxer) |

Early Life and Career

Ernie Ladd’s childhood

Ernest Ladd was born on January 2, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the youngest of 13 children born to a sharecropper family. Ladd’s father died when he was just six years old, and he was forced to work in the fields to help support his family. Despite his difficult childhood, Ladd excelled in sports, and he eventually earned a football scholarship to Grambling State University.

Ladd’s early wrestling career

After graduating from Grambling State, Ladd turned his attention to professional wrestling. He made his debut in 1961, and he quickly rose through the ranks. In 1965, Ladd won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first African-American wrestler to hold the title.

Ladd’s football career

In addition to his wrestling career, Ladd also played professional football. He played for the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in 1964.

Peak of Career

Ladd’s world title win

Ladd’s greatest achievement in wrestling came in 1965, when he defeated Lou Thesz to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Ladd held the title for nearly a year before losing it to Dory Funk Jr.

Ladd’s feud with Muhammad Ali

One of the most famous feuds in boxing history was between Ernie Ladd and Muhammad Ali. The two men first met in 1964, when Ali defeated Ladd by unanimous decision. The two men would later face off again in 1972, with Ali winning by a technical knockout.

Ladd’s other major matches

In addition to his feud with Muhammad Ali, Ladd also had some other major matches in his career. He defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1969, and he defeated Andr the Giant in a steel cage match in 1974.

Ernie Ladd was a true pioneer in both wrestling and football. He was the first African-American wrestler to hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and he was also a successful football player. Ladd’s legacy will continue to inspire wrestlers and athletes for generations to come.

Later Life and Death

After retiring from wrestling, Ernie Ladd pursued a number of other business ventures. He opened a restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, and also worked as a color commentator for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). In addition, he appeared in a number of movies and television shows, including “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The A-Team.”

Ladd’s other business ventures were not as successful as his wrestling career. His restaurant closed down after a few years, and he was fired from the WWF after making controversial comments about black wrestlers. Ladd also struggled with financial problems later in his life.

In 2007, Ladd was diagnosed with cancer. He died on September 15, 2007, at the age of 69. He was survived by his wife, four children, and eight grandchildren.

Net Worth

Ernie Ladd’s estimated net worth at the time of his death was $10 million. His wealth was accumulated through his wrestling career, as well as his other business ventures.

Ladd’s wrestling career was very successful. He was one of the most popular wrestlers in the world during the 1960s and 1970s. He won numerous championships, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Ladd’s other business ventures were not as successful as his wrestling career. His restaurant closed down after a few years, and he was fired from the WWF after making controversial comments about black wrestlers. Ladd also struggled with financial problems later in his life.

Despite his financial problems, Ladd was able to accumulate a substantial net worth during his lifetime. His wealth was a testament to his hard work and dedication to his career.

Sources of Ladd’s Wealth

Ernie Ladd’s wealth was accumulated through a variety of sources, including his wrestling career, his other business ventures, and his personal investments.

Ladd’s wrestling career was very successful. He was one of the most popular wrestlers in the world during the 1960s and 1970s. He won numerous championships, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Ladd’s other business ventures were not as successful as his wrestling career. His restaurant closed down after a few years, and he was fired from the WWF after making controversial comments about black wrestlers. Ladd also struggled with financial problems later in his life.

Despite his financial problems, Ladd was able to accumulate a substantial net worth during his lifetime. His wealth was a testament to his hard work and dedication to his career.

Ladd’s Spending Habits

Ernie Ladd was known for his lavish spending habits. He owned a number of expensive cars, including a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari. He also had a large home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ladd’s spending habits were not always in line with his income. He often spent more money than he earned, which led to financial problems later in his life.

Despite his financial problems, Ladd was able to enjoy a lavish lifestyle during his lifetime. His spending habits were a reflection of his personality and his love of the good life.

Q: What was Ernie Ladd’s net worth?
A: Ernie Ladd’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million at the time of his death in 2007.

Q: How did Ernie Ladd make his money?
A: Ernie Ladd made his money through a variety of sources, including his professional wrestling career, his acting career, and his business ventures.

Q: What was Ernie Ladd’s wrestling career like?
A: Ernie Ladd had a successful wrestling career that spanned over two decades. He was a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and a one-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion.

Q: What was Ernie Ladd’s acting career like?
A: Ernie Ladd appeared in a number of movies and television shows, including “The Longest Yard”, “The Naked Gun”, and “The A-Team”.

Q: What were Ernie Ladd’s business ventures?
A: Ernie Ladd owned a number of businesses, including a restaurant, a nightclub, and a boxing gym.

Q: What was Ernie Ladd’s legacy?
A: Ernie Ladd was a larger-than-life figure who left a lasting legacy in the world of professional wrestling and beyond. He was a pioneer in the sport, and his larger-than-life personality made him a fan favorite.

Ernie Ladd was a professional wrestler, boxer, and actor who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 2007. He was born in 1938 in Mississippi and began his wrestling career in the 1950s. He was known for his size and strength, and he was often billed as the “world’s strongest man.” Ladd won several titles during his wrestling career, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He also had a successful boxing career, and he fought some of the biggest names in the sport, including Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Ladd retired from wrestling in 1986 and died in 2007 at the age of 68. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995.

Ladd’s net worth was largely due to his success in wrestling and boxing. He also made money from endorsements and appearances. He was a popular figure in the world of sports, and he was known for his charisma and personality. Ladd’s legacy as a wrestler and boxer is still remembered today, and he is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.