Lance Armstrong Net Worth 2024- Career, Wife, Age, Height, and …
Lance Armstrong’s name was once synonymous with athletic greatness and triumph over adversity. The American cyclist’s seven consecutive Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005 cemented his status as one of the most dominant athletes of his era.
However, Armstrong’s legacy has been irrevocably tarnished by a doping scandal that ultimately led to the stripping of his Tour titles and a lifetime ban from competitive cycling.
Who is Lance Armstrong?
Lance Edward Armstrong was born in Richardson, Texas, on September 18, 1971. He first gained attention as a teenage triathlete, winning the national sprint-course triathlon championship in 1989 and 1990.
Armstrong turned professional in 1992, joining the Motorola Cycling Team. He quickly made a name for himself on the international stage, winning the World Road Race Championship in 1993 and several prestigious European races throughout the mid-1990s.
Armstrong’s career took a dramatic turn in 1996 when he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer at the age of 25. The cancer had spread to his lungs and brain, leaving his survival chances in doubt.
However, after undergoing aggressive treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, Armstrong was declared cancer-free in early 1997. He returned to cycling later that year, joining the US Postal Service team.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lance Edward Armstrong |
| Date of Birth | September 18, 1971 |
| Birthplace | Richardson, Texas, USA |
| Age (2024) | 52 years old |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Spouse | Anna Hansen (married 2022) |
| Children | 5 (Three with Kristin Richard, two with Anna Hansen) |
The Tour de France Dominance
Armstrong’s comeback was nothing short of astonishing. In 1999, he won his first Tour de France title, the first of seven unprecedented consecutive victories from 1999 to 2005. During this dominant stretch, Armstrong established himself as one of the greatest cyclists ever, winning the grueling three-week race against the world’s top competitors.
Armstrong’s Tour de France success was all the more remarkable given the persistent doping allegations that swirled around him throughout his career. Despite repeatedly denying the use of performance-enhancing drugs, the cyclist’s reputation began to unravel in the late 2000s as former teammates and other witnesses came forward with allegations of systematic doping on the US Postal Service team.
The Doping Scandal and Downfall
In 2010, former teammate Floyd Landis admitted to doping and accused Armstrong of the same. This sparked a federal investigation led by the U.S. Justice Department. Though the criminal case was ultimately dropped in 2012, the scandal grew.
In 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) formally charged Armstrong with running a massive doping program during his cycling career. Armstrong chose not to contest the charges, citing the potential toll on his family.
View this post on Instagram
As a result, he was stripped of all his achievements from August 1998 onward, including his seven Tour de France titles. The International Cycling Union (UCI) upheld USADA’s decision, ending Armstrong’s competitive career.
In a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in January 2013, Armstrong finally admitted to doping, confessing that he had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his record-breaking run of Tour de France victories. The admission shattered Armstrong’s reputation and legacy, transforming him from an inspirational cancer survivor and sports hero to a disgraced, fallen icon.
Where is Lance Armstrong Now?
Armstrong’s life and career underwent a dramatic transformation following the doping scandal. He lost an estimated $75 million in endorsement deals and sponsorships. He was involved in several legal battles, including a whistleblower lawsuit that resulted in him paying the U.S. government $5 million in 2018.
Despite the fall from grace, Armstrong has remained active in business and philanthropy. He owns a coffee and bike shop in his hometown of Austin, Texas. He has invested in various ventures, including a lucrative early stake in Uber that reportedly “saved” his family financially. Armstrong is also involved with the Livestrong Foundation, the cancer charity he founded in 1997, though he is no longer officially associated with the organization.
Age, Physique, and Personal Life
At 52, Lance Armstrong remains physically fit, standing 5’9″ and weighing around 165 pounds. After his cycling career ended, he continued participating in various athletic pursuits, including triathlon competitions.
Armstrong has had a tumultuous love life. He was married to Kristin Richard from 1998 to 2003, and they had three children—a son and twin daughters.
He later dated singer Sheryl Crow, to whom he was briefly engaged, before settling down with yoga instructor Anna Hansen, with whom he has two more children. Armstrong and Hansen were married in 2022.
Professional Career and Net Worth
Armstrong’s professional cycling career spanned two decades, from his triathlon successes in the late 1980s to his final Tour de France appearance in 2010. During his peak years, he was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning up to $20 million annually from endorsements and prize money.
Though the doping scandal and ensuing legal battles have taken a significant financial toll, Armstrong is still estimated to have a net worth of around $50 million.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Peak Earnings (annually) | Up to $20 million from endorsements and prizes |
| Net Worth (2024) | Approximately $50 million |
| Major Financial Hit | Lost $75 million in endorsements post-doping scandal |
This is primarily due to his early investment in the ride-sharing company Uber, which reportedly earned him between $20 and $30 million. Armstrong owns several properties, including homes in Austin, Texas, and Aspen, Colorado.
Company, Investments, and Charity
Armstrong has been involved in various business ventures and charitable initiatives outside of cycling. In 2001, he provided financial backing to launch Wonders & Worries, a non-profit organization in Austin that supports children with a parent suffering from a severe illness.
Armstrong also owns a coffee shop called “Juan Pelota Cafe” and a bike shop named “Mellow Johnny’s” in Austin, Texas. He has invested in the American bicycle component manufacturer SRAM Corporation and has a small stake in Trek Bicycle Corporation.
If that which was 10 years ago feels like yesterday, then won’t 10 years from now feel like tomorrow?
Get busy friends. 🔨
And CAPTURE memories!
(via The Great Unlearn Podcast with @CalCallahanTGU) pic.twitter.com/ilQyqeATbA
— Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) May 4, 2024
Perhaps Armstrong’s most significant contribution has been through the Lance Armstrong Foundation, later rebranded as Livestrong. The charity, which he founded in 1997 after his cancer diagnosis, has raised over $500 million to support people affected by cancer. The iconic yellow Livestrong bracelets became a ubiquitous symbol of the foundation’s work and Armstrong’s inspirational journey.
| Business/Investment | Details |
|---|---|
| Uber Investment | Early investment, reported to have earned between $20-$30 million |
| Juan Pelota Café | Coffee shop owned by Armstrong in Austin, Texas |
| Mellow Johnny’s | Bike shop owned by Armstrong in Austin, Texas |
| SRAM Corporation | Invested in American bicycle component manufacturer |
| Trek Bicycle Corporation | Small ownership stake |
| Wonders & Worries | Financial backer for a non-profit supporting children with ill parents |
Contact and Social Media
Despite the controversies that have marred his public image, Lance Armstrong remains an active public figure. He hosts a cycling-focused podcast called “The Move” and has appeared on various media outlets to discuss his experiences.
Armstrong maintains a presence on social media, though he is not as active as he once was. He can be found on Twitter (@lancearmstrong) and Instagram (@lancearmstrong), with a combined following of over 600,000 people.
Conclusion
Lance Armstrong’s story is of extraordinary athletic achievement, personal triumph, and a fall from grace. While his cycling accomplishments have been stripped away, his impact on the world of sports and his work with the Livestrong Foundation continue to leave a lasting legacy, for better or worse.