Chris Kyle Net Worth

What was Chris Kyle's Net Worth?

Christopher Kyle was an American Navy SEAL sniper who had a net worth of $2 million at the time of his death in 2013. Chris Kyle served four tours in the Iraq War. He received numerous awards and commendations for his service and acts of heroism. He published a bestselling autobiography, "American Sniper," in 2009, which was later adapted into the 2014 film, which starred Bradley Cooper.

Early Life

Christopher Scott Kyle was born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas, and raised in a family that emphasized self-reliance, discipline, and outdoor life. The eldest of two sons, Kyle spent much of his childhood hunting, ranching, and working with livestock alongside his father. These experiences shaped both his physical skills and his sense of identity.

Kyle attended high school in Midlothian, Texas, where he developed an interest in rodeo sports. After graduating, he worked as a professional bronc rider and ranch hand, occupations that reflected his rural upbringing. He later enrolled at Tarleton State University, where he studied Ranch and Range Management for two years before leaving college to pursue a military career.

Military Career and SEAL Training

Kyle initially planned to join the U.S. Marine Corps, but after speaking with a recruiter, he opted instead to pursue the more selective path of becoming a Navy SEAL. He entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1999 and graduated with the March 2001 class. Upon completion, he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 and trained as a sniper.

Iraq War Service and Decorations

Over the course of his military career, Kyle served four combat tours in Iraq, participating in many of the conflict's most intense operations. He earned a reputation as an exceptionally effective sniper and was credited with one of the highest confirmed kill counts in U.S. military history, a distinction that earned him both admiration and controversy.

Kyle received numerous military honors, including one Silver Star and four Bronze Stars with Valor, recognizing acts of bravery under fire. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2009 after injuries sustained during his service brought his military career to an end.

Photo by Cpl. Damien Gutierrez/via Creative Commons/Wikimedia

Post-Military Work and Craft International

After leaving the Navy, Kyle co-founded Craft International, a tactical training company that provided instruction to military personnel, law enforcement officers, and private security contractors. The company focused on firearms training, situational awareness, and protective operations, and it became a significant part of Kyle's post-service identity.

Kyle was also involved in veteran support efforts, including work with the FITCO Cares Foundation, a nonprofit that offered fitness and rehabilitation programs for wounded veterans and those suffering from PTSD. He frequently spoke publicly about the challenges faced by returning service members and advocated for peer-based support.

"American Sniper" and Public Profile

In 2012, Kyle published his autobiography, "American Sniper," which quickly became a bestseller. The book spent 37 weeks on "The New York Times" bestseller list and brought Kyle widespread national attention. The memoir detailed his combat experiences, personal struggles, and views on warfare, patriotism, and military service.

Some stories included in the book, particularly accounts involving alleged shootings during Hurricane Katrina and a separate self-defense incident in Texas, were never independently verified. Kyle was never charged with any crimes related to those claims, but the stories contributed to ongoing debate about the accuracy and tone of parts of his memoir.

Death and Criminal Case

On February 2, 2013, Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were shot and killed at a shooting range in Erath County, Texas. The shooter, Eddie Ray Routh, was a former Marine who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had a documented history of mental health issues. Kyle and Littlefield had taken Routh to the range in an effort to help him cope with PTSD.

After the shootings, Routh fled to his sister's home and confessed. He was later arrested following a brief police pursuit. In 2015, Routh was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors argued that Routh's actions were deliberate, while the defense cited severe mental illness. The jury ultimately rejected the insanity defense.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Kyle's memorial service was held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where thousands gathered to honor him. He was buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, and large crowds lined Interstate 35 as his funeral procession traveled from Midlothian to the capital.

Kyle is survived by his wife, Taya Kyle, and their two children. His life was later depicted in the 2014 film "American Sniper," directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, whose performance earned an Academy Award nomination. The film became a major box office success and reignited public discussion about Kyle's life, military service, and the personal costs of war.

In Texas, Kyle has been commemorated through public honors, including the naming of a stretch of highway after him and an official proclamation by Governor Greg Abbott declaring February 2 as "Chris Kyle Day." His legacy remains complex and deeply polarizing, reflecting both admiration for his military service and ongoing debate about the stories he told and the cultural impact of his fame.

Jesse Ventura Lawsuit

In his 2012 autobiography, "American Sniper," Kyle described a bar altercation that allegedly took place in San Diego in 2006 following a Navy SEAL wake. Kyle wrote that he punched a man he identified only as "Scruff Face" after the individual made disparaging remarks about the SEALs and U.S. military operations.

Jesse Ventura was not named in the book. Unfortunately, while on a promotional book tour, Chris appeared on the "Opie and Anthony" radio show. During the interview, the hosts and co-host Jim Norton asked Chris about an alleged bar fight against Jesse in which Kyle knocked Ventura out. By re-telling the story, Kyle inadvertently indicated that Ventura was "Scruff Face."

Ventura denied the incident ever occurred and sued Kyle for defamation in 2012, arguing that the story damaged his reputation, harmed his earning power, and effectively ostracized him from the SEAL community. After Kyle was killed in 2013, the lawsuit continued against his estate.

In July 2014, a Minnesota jury found in Ventura's favor, awarding him $500,000 for defamation and $1.3 million for unjust enrichment, for a total of $1.8 million. The verdict drew national attention, in part because it involved statements made in a bestselling memoir and because the defendant was deceased.

The judgment did not stand. In June 2016, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the jury's verdict, citing legal and procedural errors, without ruling on whether Kyle's account was true or false. With a new trial pending, both sides entered settlement negotiations.

In December 2017, the case was resolved through a confidential out-of-court settlement. Ventura confirmed that he received compensation but declined to disclose the amount, stating that the money did not come from Kyle's widow or his estate. The settlement brought an end to a five-year legal battle that had become one of the most contentious and closely scrutinized episodes associated with Kyle's legacy.

[The photo of Chris Kyle on this page was taken by Cpl. Damien Gutierrez and was licensed through Creative Commons/Wikimedia]

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