Ian Thorpe at a Glance
- Net Worth: $6 Million
- Birthdate: October 13, 1982
- Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Nationality: Australian
- Profession: Olympian, Broadcaster, Entrepreneur
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
- Olympic Medals: 5 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze
What is Ian Thorpe’s Net Worth?
Ian Thorpe has a net worth of $6 million in 2025. His fortune stems principally from a historic swimming career that converted athletic dominance into lucrative corporate sponsorships, followed by a successful transition into media broadcasting and business entrepreneurship. While swimming prize money provided the foundation, his long-term financial security was built on multi-million dollar endorsement deals with global brands like Adidas, Qantas, and Audi.
Post-retirement, Thorpe diversified his income streams. He commands a significant salary as a premium sports commentator for networks such as Channel Nine and the BBC, particularly during major events like the Paris 2024 Olympics. Additionally, he generates revenue through his equity stakes in corporate wellness startups and strategic property investments in Sydney’s exclusive Eastern Suburbs.
Early Life
Ian James Thorpe was born in Milperra, a suburb of Sydney, to a family of athletes. His father, Ken, was a promising cricketer, and his mother, Margaret, was a netballer. Despite his future dominance, Thorpe’s introduction to swimming was complicated by a severe chlorine allergy, which forced him to swim with his head out of the water for much of his childhood. He attended East Hills Boys High School, where his growing frame—eventually reaching size 17 feet—became an obvious advantage in the water. By age 14, he became the youngest male ever to represent Australia, sparking a national obsession that would define his adolescence.
Career
Thorpe’s professional trajectory began in earnest at the 1998 World Championships in Perth, where he won gold in the 400m freestyle at just 15, becoming the youngest individual male World Champion in history. This victory set the stage for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the pressure on the teenager was immense. He delivered three gold medals and two silver medals, breaking world records and becoming the face of the Games. His performance in the 4x100m freestyle relay, where he overtook the American team in the final lap, remains one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history.
He continued his dominance through the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, becoming the first person to win six gold medals at a single World Championship. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Thorpe competed in the “Race of the Century” in the 200m freestyle, defeating Pieter van den Hoogenband and Michael Phelps to take gold. He secured another gold in the 400m freestyle, cementing his status as Australia’s greatest Olympian. Following Athens, Thorpe took a hiatus and eventually announced his retirement in 2006 at the age of 24, citing a waning motivation for the sport.
Thorpe attempted a comeback for the 2012 London Olympics but failed to qualify at the Australian trials. This marked the definitive end of his competitive swimming career. He immediately transitioned into broadcasting, joining the BBC’s commentary team for the London Games, where he was praised for his technical insight. Since then, he has remained a fixture in global swimming coverage and has taken on various ambassadorial roles, including for the Invictus Games and Australian Marriage Equality.
Real Estate
Thorpe’s property portfolio is focused exclusively on the high-end Sydney market. In November 2025, he listed his luxury apartment on Edgecliff Road in Woollahra with a price guide of $2.8 million. He had purchased the three-bedroom residence in July 2023 for $2.79 million, utilizing it as a base while renovating other assets.
His primary holding is a boutique townhouse on Ocean Street, also in Woollahra. He purchased this property in 2017 for $2.75 million. The residence, located in a converted colonial manor, features north-facing terraces and access to a shared pool. Thorpe has previously attempted to sell this property with a price guide nearing $3.7 million, reflecting the significant capital appreciation in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Personal Life
Thorpe is known for his privacy but has become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health. After years of speculation regarding his sexuality, he publicly came out as gay in a 2014 interview with Michael Parkinson. This decision allowed him to become a powerful voice for inclusion in sport.
He was previously in a long-term relationship with model and entrepreneur Ryan Channing from 2015 to 2019. Channing passed away tragically in 2022. As of late 2025, Thorpe is single and has expressed an openness to starting a family in the future. He dedicates significant time to philanthropy, particularly through the Fountain for Youth, an organization he founded to support health and education for Indigenous Australian children.
