Gore Vidal Net Worth

Gore Vidal is an author, playwright, screenwriter and political activist with an estimated net worth with $12. The controversial writer generated his net worth probably after outraging the critics with his third book, The City and the Pillar (1948), which was the first major America book to mention homosexuality.


Vidal wrote his first novel, Williwaw, (based on World War II), at the age of nineteen. After generating success of Williwaw, Vidal composed The City and a Pillar a couple years later.

The novel sat uncomfortably with critics, particularly with the book reviewer, Orville Prescott, of the New York Times. Prescott was so appalled by the of homosexual content, that he refused to review the novel – or allowed the New York Times to review Vidal's next five novels.

At the time of the book release, there was much speculation surrounding the novel as the story was dedicated to "JT". It was revealed years later that The City and a Pillar was based on a love affair Vidal had with James Jimmy Trimble III, who was killed in the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

Undeterred by his semi-tainted writing career, Vidal wrote several mystery novels in the early 50's under the pen name of Edgar Box. The novels were so successful that it financed Vidal for more than a decade.

To add to his success, Vidal wrote the play, Visit to a Small Planet (1955) which was a Broadway triumph and he was the screenwriter of the epic film Ben-Hur (1959). It was reported that Ben-Hur was the highest earning film of that year, generating $17, 300, 000 at the box office.

By the 60's Vidal wrote three novels: Julian (1964); Washington D.C (1967) and Myra Breckinridge (1968), a satirical transsexual comedy. He also wrote The Best Man (1960), which was a film and Broadway success.

Vidal is arguably more respected as an essayist and even the harshest critic gave praises to his work. British novelist Martin Amis admits "Essays are what he is good at … [h]e is learned, funny and exceptionally clear-sighted. Even his blind spots are illuminating." Vidal received the National Book Award for his collection of essays, United States (1955-1992).

Llike his grandfather, Thomas Gore (a Democratic Politian), Vidal is classed as a prominent political figure. In 1960, Vidal was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress, losing an election New York's 29th congressional district. However Vidal went on to become one of the chairmen of the People's Party from 1970-1972. Additionally, he campaigned against Jerry Brown for the Democratic primary election to the United States Senate from California.

During his political career, Vidal had certainly made emeries along the way which includes a 40-year feud with Conservative author and commentator William F. Buckley. Never the one to hold his tongue, Vidal described George W. Bush as 'the stupidest man in the United States.'

How much is Gore Vidal Worth?

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Brian Warner

Prior to launching Celebrity Net Worth, Brian spent seven years as the Managing Editor of one of the largest entertainment portals on the internet. Before that, Brian attended Georgetown University where he double majored in finance and marketing. A native of Northern California, Brian currently resides in Los Angeles. Follow him on Google+.