Willie Mays Net Worth 2025 - MLB Career & Financial Legacy

Willie Mays net worth is $8 million at the time of his death in 2024. He earned a significant portion of his wealth from his 22-year baseball career with the New York and San Francisco Giants. Mays made more than $1 million from his playing contracts, with his highest salary reaching $180,000 in 1973.

Besides his baseball earnings, he also earned money through endorsements, working with brands like Coca-Cola and Wheaties. After retirement, Mays continued to generate income through various business ventures and public appearances, adding to his financial success.

Quick Overview of Willie Mays

Full Name	Willie Howard Mays Jr.
Nickname	“Say Hey Kid”
Gender	Male
Net Worth	$8 million at the time of his death
Salary Range	$7,500 (1951-1957) to $180,000 (1973)
Date of Birth	May 6, 1931
Place of Birth	Westfield, Alabama, USA
Date of Death	June 18, 2024 (aged 93)
Cause of Death	Heart failure
Profession	Former professional baseball player (Outfielder)
Spouses	1. Marghuerite Wendell Chapman2. Mae Louise Allen
Children	1 Son, Michael Mays (Adopted)
Parents	Father: Cat Mays Mother: Annie Satterwhite
Education	Fairfield Industrial High School

Willie Mays Net Worth

Willie Mays net worth was $8 million at the time of his passing in 2024. As one of the greatest baseball players ever, Mays earned his wealth not only from his successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB) but also through endorsements and business ventures.

Over his 22-year career, primarily spent with the New York and San Francisco Giants, Mays achieved remarkable success on the field, winning numerous awards and leading his team to a World Series title. His income continued after retirement, with deals and appearances keeping his financial success strong well into his later years.

Year Range	Salary per Year
1951-1957	$7,500
1958	$65,700
1959-1963	$100,000
1964	$105,000
1965	$125,000
1966-1969	$150,000
1970-1972	$165,000
1973	$180,000

Willie Mays Salary

Willie Mays made more than $1 million during his baseball career from salaries and contracts. His biggest salary was in 1973 when he earned $180,000, which would be about $1.2 million today.

Mays was among the highest-paid players in MLB and stayed at the top for 10 seasons. As his fame grew, so did his salary. Over the years, he became one of the most well-paid and well-known players in the game.

Willie Mays Earnings: From Baseball to Charity Foundation

Here’s a list of Willie Mays’ sources of income, highlighting the different ways he earned money throughout his career and life:

Baseball Career Earnings: Over $1.1 million in salaries and contracts from his 22-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB). His highest salary was $180,000 in 1973, which would be worth about $1.2 million today.
Endorsements Deals: Mays earned significant income through endorsement deals with brands like Coca-Cola, Wheaties, and Ford. His popularity as an athlete and his iconic status in baseball made him a highly sought-after endorser during his playing years.
Post-Retirement: After retiring from playing, Mays worked as a hitting instructor for the New York Mets until 1979. He also worked in the casino industry as a greeter and special assistant to the president at Bally’s Park Place Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Later, he returned to the San Francisco Giants as a special assistant to the president and general manager.
Charitable Contributions: Mays founded the Say Hey Foundation, a charity focused on promoting youth baseball, which provided additional income opportunities.

Willie Mays House and Lifestyle

Willie Mays has maintained a lavish lifestyle, particularly in his choice of real estate. For many years, he has lived in a 5,000-square-foot home located in the prestigious neighborhood of Atherton, California—an area known for its affluent residents and luxurious homes.

While the exact purchase price and timing of the home’s acquisition are unclear, it is known that the property is currently valued at around $7 million. This upscale home represents a significant portion of his wealth and lifestyle.

Remarkable Career Journey of Willie Mays

Willie Mays had a legendary career in baseball. Known for his incredible skills, he became one of the greatest players of all time. His journey from the early years to retirement is filled with achievements and memorable moments. Here is a timeline of his remarkable career.

1948: Started with the Chattanooga Choo-Choos and joined the Birmingham Black Barons.
1950: Signed by the New York Giants and played for Trenton Giants (.353 average).
1951: Promoted to Minneapolis Millers (.477 avg), debuted with the Giants.
1951: Won NL Rookie of the Year with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs.
1954: Won NL MVP with 41 home runs, led the Giants to the World Series.
1954: Made the famous “The Catch” in the World Series.
1955: Hit 51 home runs and stole 24 bases.
1958: The Giants moved to San Francisco.
1972: Retired after 22 seasons in Major League Baseball.
1956: Mays clashed with manager Bill Rigney but still hit 36 homers and stole 40 bases.
1957: Improved relationship with Rigney; won Gold Glove, finished top-five in several stats, and joined the 20–20–20 club.
1958: Moved to San Francisco, hit .347, and shared NL Player of the Month honors.
1959: Despite injuries, hit .313 with 34 homers and led the league in steals. Giants finished third.
1960: Struggled with Candlestick Park’s wind but still hit .319 with 29 homers.
1961: Hit 4 home runs in a game, finished with 40 homers and 123 RBIs.
1962: Led the Giants to a tie for first, hit 49 homers, and finished second in NL MVP voting. Giants lost to the Yankees in the World Series.
Record Contract & 1963: Signed $105,000/year contract, hit 16th-inning HR for a 1–0 win, reached 400 HR.
1964-1965: MVP: Named Giants’ captain, won 1965 NL MVP with 52 HRs, hit 500th HR.
1966-1969: Records: Set NL record with 512 HRs, hit 600th HR in 1969.
Player of the Decade: Named 1960s Player of the Decade, hit 3,000th hit in 1970.

1971: Played 1st base and hit 15 HRs; led the league in OBP.
1972: Struggled, hit .184, and clashed with manager. Traded to the Mets, and hit a game-winning HR in debut.
1973: Hit 660th HR, announced retirement in September.
All-Star Games: 24 appearances, 2 MVPs, holds records for hits, runs, and stolen bases.

Willie Mays Catch: A Legendary Moment in the 1954 World Series

Willie Mays made one of the most famous catches in baseball history during the 1954 World Series. In Game 1, he made a running, over-the-shoulder catch in center field to rob Vic Wertz of a potential extra-base hit. This catch, known as “The Catch,” helped preserve the Giants’ lead and is still celebrated as one of the greatest plays in the sport.

Willie Mays Early Life and Education

Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, a small, mostly black town near Fairfield. Growing up, he had a strong love for sports and was a standout athlete in multiple disciplines.

He attended Fairfield Industrial High School, where he excelled in basketball, leading local all-black schools in scoring.

He also played football, showing his versatility by playing quarterback, fullback, and punter. Despite turning 18 in 1949, Mays didn’t graduate until 1950, a detail that remains a bit of a mystery in his life. His early experiences with sports shaped him into the talented athlete he would later become.

Willie Mays Parents

Willie’s father, Cat Mays, was a skilled baseball player with the local black team at the iron plant. His mother, Annie Satterwhite, was an accomplished high school basketball and track star. However, Willie’s parents never married, and they separated when he was just three years old.

He was raised by his father and aunts Sarah and Ernestine, and his mother. Sarah played a significant role in his upbringing, taking him to the African Methodist Episcopal Church every Sunday. While Cat Mays worked as a railway porter and later in the steel mills, he introduced Willie to baseball at an early age, playing catch with him at just five years old.

Willie Mays Wife

Willie Mays had two significant marriages in his lifetime.

His first wife, Marghuerite Wendell Chapman, became his wife in 1956. The couple adopted a baby boy named Michael in 1959.

Unfortunately, their marriage ended in separation in 1962 and divorce in 1963. After their divorce, Marghuerite took full custody of their son, Michael, for most of the time.

Eight years later, Mays married Mae Louise Allen, a child welfare worker from San Francisco. They had an on-and-off relationship, which started in 1961 when Wilt Chamberlain gave Mays her phone number.

They married in 1968. Mae was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1997, and Mays took care of her until she passed away on April 19, 2013.

Willie Mays Children: He Adopted a Son

Willie Mays had one child, a son named Michael Mays. In 1959, he and his first wife, Marghuerite Wendell Chapman, adopted Michael when he was just five days old.

After Mays and Marghuerite separated in 1962 and divorced in 1963, Michael was primarily raised by his mother. Although Mays didn’t have any other biological children, he remained close to Michael throughout his life.

Willie Mays Cause of Death

Willie Mays passed away on June 18, 2024, at the age of 93, Willie Mays health became unconscious and he died due to heart failure. He passed away at a care home in Palo Alto, California. His death marked the loss of one of the greatest baseball players of all time, leaving behind a legendary legacy in the sport.

One day before his death, he releases his final public statement. He said in that statement;

He chose to stay in California and not attend the MLB at

Rickwood Field game between the Giants and Cardinals later that week on June 20.

Many people paid tribute to him. President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama honored him. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and California Governor Gavin Newsom also shared their condolences. Fans visited Mays’ statue outside Oracle Park to pay their respects.

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FAQs

Q. Did Willie Mays have a son?

Yes, Willie Mays had an adopted son named Michael Mays, born in 1959.

Q. What is Willie Mays doing now?

He is no longer alive. Willie Mays passed away on June 18, 2024, at the age of 93.

Q. What was Willie Mays net worth when he passed away?

Willie Mays’ net worth at the time of his death was $8 million.

Q. What is Willie Mays net worth today?

His current net worth is still $8 million. However, his highest salary during his baseball career was $180,000 in 1973, which would be worth about $1.2 million today when adjusted for inflation.