Ever wondered how much money your favorite wrestling superstar has? Bret “The Hitman” Hart isn’t just famous for his moves in the ring. He’s a legend who changed wrestling forever. And fans always want to know: what is Bret Hart net worth today?
The journey of Bret Hart’s money story is pretty amazing. From growing up in a wrestling family to becoming a WWF superstar, his path to wealth had many twists and turns. Just like his wrestling career, his finances saw some big wins and tough losses over the years.
So how much is The Hitman really worth in 2025? Most trusted sources put Bret Hart net worth between $7 million and $14 million. That’s quite a range! But in this article, we’ll break down exactly how he made his money, where it went, and what he’s doing with it now.
The Early Years: Building the Foundation
Bret Hart wasn’t born rich, even though his family was famous in wrestling. Growing up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he was one of 12 kids raised by wrestling promoter Stu Hart and his wife Helen Hart. The Hart House family mansion might have been big, but with so many siblings like Owen Hart, Diana Hart, Bruce Hart, Keith Hart, Smith Hart, Ross Hart, Wayne Hart, and Dean Hart, money was often tight.
The young Hitman got his first taste of earning money in his dad’s company, Stampede Wrestling. Starting in the late 1970s, Bret earned just a few hundred dollars per week. Sometimes, he’d make only $50-100 per match! This small beginning taught him a lot about the business side of wrestling. Working alongside future stars like Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith, Bret learned to save what little he earned.
Growing up as a Hart meant learning tough money lessons early. Stu Hart ran a tight ship with the family finances. “Dad always told us wrestling money comes and goes,” Bret once shared in an interview. “Save for the slow times.” This advice would prove super important later in his career when big money started rolling in. The Hart Dungeon, their family’s training facility, wasn’t just where they learned wrestling moves – it’s where they learned life lessons about working hard for every dollar.
WWF/WWE Career: The Peak Earning Years
When Bret joined the WWF (now called WWE) full-time in 1984, his paychecks started growing. At first, he made around $75,000-$100,000 yearly as part of The Hart Foundation tag team with Jim Neidhart. But by 1992, when he became WWF Champion, Bret’s salary jumped to over $500,000 per year! Vince McMahon saw Bret as a top star who could lead the company after Hulk Hogan left.
Champions in WWF made serious bonus money. Every time Bret defended his title at major shows like WrestleMania venues or Madison Square Garden, he earned extra cash. Pay-per-view events were huge for wrestlers’ income. While exact numbers aren’t public, wrestling experts estimate top stars like Bret, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels could make $100,000-$250,000 for a single main event match! This was way more than Steve Austin earned in his early days.
The pink and black attire Bret wore wasn’t just his trademark look – it was a money-making machine. His wrestling merchandise sales were among the highest in the company during the mid-1990s. Shirts, action figures, video games, and those famous sunglasses all added to his wealth. WWE superstars typically earned 5-25% of their merchandise sales as royalties. For a popular star like Bret, this meant hundreds of thousands in extra income each year. His Sharpshooter signature move wasn’t just putting opponents in pain – it was putting cash in his bank account!
The Montreal Screwjob: Financial Implications
The Montreal Screwjob in 1997 wasn’t just a shocking wrestling moment – it hit Bret Hart’s wallet hard. After Vince McMahon double-crossed him in Montreal, Quebec, Bret lost his championship and his remaining WWF contract value was in question. He was supposed to be paid for several more months despite leaving for WCW. This messy situation created immediate money problems.
Behind the scenes, there were intense negotiations about what Bret was owed. While the exact Montreal Screwjob settlement remains private, wrestling insiders believe McMahon eventually paid most of what was owed in the contract. But Bret lost out on merchandise sales that would’ve continued had he departed on good terms. This was especially painful since his WWF merchandise was still selling well despite the controversy.
The long-term impact on Bret’s brand value was mixed. On one hand, the incident made him more famous than ever. On the other hand, it damaged his relationship with WWE for over a decade, cutting him off from wrestling royalty payments and WWE Hall of Fame compensation he might have received earlier. Martha Hart, Owen’s widow, has mentioned how the incident changed the financial trajectory for the entire Hart family. The documentary “Wrestling with Shadows” captured this turning point, later becoming another small income source for Bret through wrestling documentary rights.
WCW Contract: The Big Payday
Bret’s move to WCW (World Championship Wrestling) in 1997 came with the biggest paycheck of his career. His WCW salary was reportedly around $2.7 million per year – a massive amount for any wrestler at that time! This three-year deal was guaranteed money, meaning he’d get paid even if he didn’t wrestle. For Bret, it seemed like financial security after the Montreal Screwjob incident.
Compared to other wrestling contracts of that era, Bret’s deal was impressive but not the highest. Hulk Hogan was making about $5 million yearly, while stars like Sting and Randy Savage had similar deals to Bret. Even so, this was much more than most WWE superstar salaries at the time. The late 1990s were the golden age for wrestling paychecks during the “Monday Night Wars” between WCW and WWF.
But Bret’s WCW run didn’t boost his overall wealth as much as it should have. Why? His time there was filled with poor storylines and a career-ending injury from a kick by Goldberg. The company misused his talents, and he never became as big a merchandise seller as he was in WWF. Plus, high taxes and living expenses ate into his earnings. When WCW folded in 2001, Bret was still owed money on his contract, but insurance covered most of it through a wrestling injury settlement. This period added to his net worth but came with a high personal and professional cost.
Retirement Income Streams
After retiring from in-ring action, Bret found new ways to make money. His wrestling memoir “Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling” became a bestseller in 2007. The book deal reportedly earned him a six-figure advance, and wrestling autobiography profits continued for years through royalties. Fans loved his honest telling of behind-the-scenes stories, making it one of the best-selling wrestling books ever.
Bret’s return to the WWE fold in 2010 opened up more money opportunities. His WWE Hall of Fame induction that year wasn’t just an honor – it came with a new legends contract. These deals typically pay retired wrestlers for appearances and merchandise sales. Though smaller than active wrestler contracts, WWE Network royalties provide a steady income stream for legends like Bret whose matches are frequently featured in the archives.
Wrestling convention appearances became another solid income source. Bret can make $10,000-$25,000 for a weekend of autograph signing income at major fan events. His autograph and photo sessions often have some of the longest lines, with fans paying $30-100 for a signature or picture with the Hitman. Wrestling legends autograph value tends to increase over time, especially for beloved figures like Bret who don’t do as many appearances as some other stars.
Real Estate and Investment Portfolio
The Hart family has deep roots in Calgary real estate. Bret owned several properties in his hometown over the years, including a mansion valued at over $1 million. After selling the family’s historic Hart House mansion (which Stu Hart bought for just $25,000 back in 1951!), the proceeds were divided among family members. Bret Hart Calgary real estate investments have generally performed well as the city grew.
Beyond property, Bret made some smart investments outside wrestling. While not as business-focused as some wrestlers, he put money into some Canadian stocks and mutual funds. He also had minority stakes in a few Hart family business ventures, including a small Calgary-based security company. Unlike some athletes who lose fortunes on risky investments, Bret kept things relatively conservative.
His asset management approach reflects his cautious personality. “I never wanted to gamble with my money,” Bret once said in a financial magazine interview. “I saw too many wrestlers go broke chasing get-rich-quick schemes.” This careful strategy with Bret Hart investments meant he preserved much of his wealth even through tough times. The Canadian wrestling icon earnings were managed more carefully than many of his peers, leading to greater long-term financial stability and contributing significantly to Bret Hart net worth today.
Health Challenges and Financial Impact
In 2002, Bret faced a life-threatening stroke that changed everything. Bret Hart stroke recovery took years and cost a fortune in medical bills. Unlike many American wrestlers who struggled with healthcare costs, Bret benefited from Canada’s healthcare system for basic treatment. But specialized care, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments still added up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.
Insurance played a big role in protecting his wealth during this health crisis. Bret had maintained good insurance coverage, partly due to his cautious nature with finances. Still, there were many expenses not covered by insurance. And unlike some wrestlers who went bankrupt from medical bills, Bret managed to maintain most of his savings through this difficult period.
The stroke dramatically affected his earning potential at a time when many retired wrestlers were making good money on the independent circuit. He couldn’t perform or travel for appearances during recovery. Physical limitations meant he couldn’t do as many wrestling school seminars or training sessions as planned. The Bret Hart concussion lawsuit against WWE, related to head injuries during his career, also took time and resources but eventually resulted in an undisclosed settlement that helped offset some medical costs.
The Hitman’s Financial Legacy Today
As of 2025, experts estimate Bret Hart net worth at around $7-14 million. This breaks down to approximately $3-5 million in real estate, $2-4 million in investments and savings, and the rest in ongoing royalties, memorabilia, and business interests. His wrestling icon net worth comparison puts him in the middle range among stars of his era – not as wealthy as The Rock or John Cena, but much better off than many contemporaries who struggled financially after retirement.
When compared to other wrestling legends from his generation, Bret has done relatively well. Hulk Hogan’s net worth is estimated at over $25 million despite numerous setbacks, while Ric Flair has struggled financially despite earning millions. Shawn Michaels, Bret’s famous rival, is believed to have a similar net worth in the $8-10 million range. This puts Bret in good company among the more financially stable retired wrestlers, showing the positive wrestling career financial impact of his careful money management.
The financial wisdom from Bret’s journey offers valuable lessons for current wrestlers and fans alike. First, save during the good years – wrestling careers are short. Second, diversify income through merchandise, appearances, and outside investments. Third, avoid the extravagant lifestyle that bankrupted many stars. And finally, plan for healthcare needs early. Bret Hart financial legacy isn’t just about how much money he made, but how he preserved it through career setbacks, health challenges, and industry changes. The Excellence of Execution’s approach to finances proved almost as skillful as his in-ring technique.
Conclusion
Bret Hart net worth in 2025 tells the story of a wrestling superstar who rode the highs and lows of the industry. From his humble beginnings in Stampede Wrestling to WWF stardom, the Montreal Screwjob, WCW payday, and retirement challenges, Bret’s financial journey mirrors his in-ring career – full of dramatic turns but ultimately successful.
What makes his story special isn’t just the millions he earned but how he managed to keep much of it. Bret’s careful approach to money set him apart in an industry where bankruptcies are common. His estimated $7-14 million fortune represents decades of hard work, smart decisions, and overcoming serious setbacks.
Do you have a favorite Bret Hart moment or match? Are you surprised by his current net worth? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this deep dive into The Hitman’s finances, please subscribe for more articles about your favorite wrestling legends and their lives outside the ring.
