US tennis star Jessica Pegula could surpass Michael Jordan in wealth via inheritance

American tennis star Jessica Pegula is poised to potentially surpass Michael Jordan as the wealthiest athlete in the world, not through her own considerable on-court earnings, but through the immense fortune of her billionaire parents.

Reports suggest that if Pegula inherits her parents' estimated $9.3 billion fortune, she would dwarf the current net worth of basketball legend Michael Jordan, who is valued at approximately $4 billion. Her parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, have amassed their wealth primarily through energy ventures and significant investments in professional sports. They are well-known owners of the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, among other sports franchises.

While Pegula has achieved significant success in her tennis career, accumulating over $25.4 million in prize money and ranking 18th among women's tennis earners, this figure pales in comparison to her family's vast assets. Her on-court achievements include winning the 2024 US Open, the 2026 Dubai Championship, and the Charleston Open, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 4.

Even with siblings who will share the inheritance, Pegula's individual share is projected to be in the billions. This potential financial standing, driven by family wealth rather than athletic earnings, would place her in an entirely different stratosphere of financial success within the sports world.