Jessica Watson is an Australian sailor who has a net worth of $5 million. Watson set a world record for being the youngest person to sail solo around the world. She completed a solo global circumnavigation at the age of 16.
She journeyed approximately 23,000 nautical miles in 210 days, battling harsh weather, dangerous storms, unpredictable waves, and, worst of all, loneliness. Watson has received numerous awards and recognition over the years, and fans are now curious about her lifestyle and wealth.
What is Jessica Watson Net Worth?
| Jessica Watson Net Worth: | $5 Million |
| Age: | 30 Years Old |
| Date of Birth: | 18 May 1993 |
| Height: | 1.63 m |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Last Update: | 2024 |
Jessica Watson’s Net Worth Growth
| Net Worth in 2024 | $5 Million |
| Net Worth in 2023 | $3 Million |
| Net Worth in 2022 | $2.2 Million |
| Net Worth in 2021 | $1.3 Million |
| Net Worth in 2020 | $1 Million |
Early Life
Jessica Watson was born on May 18, 1993, in Gold Coast, Queensland, to Roger and Julie, who worked as realtors and therapists, respectively. She is the second of four children, with an older sister, Emily, and two younger siblings, Tom and Hannah.
Watson’s love for the open waters began when the couple sold their business and home to live on a 16-meter cabin cruiser with their four children.
Jessica Watson Career
Watson rose to prominence and acclaim at the age of 16 when she solo-sailed around the world in 210 days without assistance. On May 15, 2010, she completed her journey with various unimaginable hardships.
She completed a 210-day sailing trip at the age of 16, unofficially breaking the record for the youngest person to sail nonstop and unassisted around the world (she was too young to be officially recognized by the World Speed Sailing Record Council).
Watson completed 6000 coastal miles and 6000 ocean miles in preparation for her solo voyage, according to the Australian Museum. She also crewed on a variety of vessels, including serving as captain on a crew sailing between Australia and New Zealand across the Tasman Sea.
Though she still sails as a hobby, her famous sailboat, ‘Ella’s Pink Lady,’ was purchased by the Australian government in 2011 for $300,000. It is now on permanent display at the Queensland Maritime Museum in Brisbane.
Jessica Watson Current Lifestyle
Watson decided to pursue a business career and earned a Diploma in Project Management from the Australian Institute of Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication with honors from Deakin University.
Then she earned her Master of Business Administration in 2017. Watson worked as a management consultant for a Melbourne accounting firm in 2019. Watson was a founding member of the marine start-up Deckee.com and is a sought-after corporate speaker.
She currently works as a management consultant for Deloitte’s Human Capital team.
How Did Jessica Watson Earn Her Fortune?
Apart from her being a sailor, one must consider all of the different ways Watson earns, which also include her regular job at Deloitte with an expected annual salary of around $98,000 per year.
Furthermore, the proceeds from the sales of Jessica’s two books are likely to boost her income. She has also been compensated in the form of royalties for her contribution to the Netflix biopic. As a result, one can assume she has been earning a good living and is doing well as a sailor.
Finally, public honors and awards are partly motivated by monthly stipends or prize money. However, because Watson is a well-known personality, she is likely to receive a higher fee for her corporate events.
Jessica Watson’s Other Works
Watson has written two best-selling novels, including her autobiography, “True Spirit: The ” published in 2010. She has also published ‘Indigo Blue,’ a young adult fiction novel. Sir Richard Branson narrated the documentary she shot while at sea, and a film adaptation of Jessica’s story will be released on Netflix on February 3rd, 2023.
Jessica Watson Unknown Facts
- Watson became a storyteller after overcoming early dyslexia struggles on her popular blog.
- Watson was homeschooled for much of her life, growing up on a boat and later a double-decker bus.
- Watson was met at the end of the voyage by the then-Prime Minister, who proclaimed her an Australian hero but she disagreed and said she was an ordinary girl with great determination.
- Watson joined the United Nations World Food Programme as a Youth Ambassador after returning from the voyage.
- Watson took the stage and competed in Dancing with the Stars in 2012.
- Watson still enjoys sailing after twelve years, but she describes it as a hobby now.
Jessica Watson Awards and Achievements
- Watson received the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s “Spirit of Sport” award, as well as “Young Performer of the Year” in 2010.
- Watson was named Young Adventurer of the Year by the Australian Geographic Society in 2010.
- The National Geographic Society chose Watson as one of ten international “2010 Adventurers of the Year,” and she was the only sailor in the group.
- Watson was named Young Australian of the Year in 2011.
- Watson was awarded the Order of Australian Medal (OAM) in 2012 for her contributions to sailing and as a role model for young Australians.
- Watson received the Jane Tate trophy for being the first female captain.
- The Exploration Museum in Hsavk, Iceland, presented Watson with the Leif Erikson Young Explorer Award in 2015.
- Watson was inducted into Australia’s Sailing Hall of Fame in 2022.
Personal Life
Jessica’s longtime partner, Cameron Dale, died of a stroke in 2021. The couple met in 2011 during the Sydney to Hobart Campaign, an Australian sailing race, and began dating soon after.
Summary
As of 2024, Jessica Watson’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. Her net worth increased significantly between 2022 and 2023 and Watson makes the majority of her money as a successful sailor.
She inspired a nation by becoming the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. Whether it was her youth or the fact that many doubted her ability to succeed, more than 75,000 people, including the Prime Minister, and a massive flotilla.
