Dean Koontz | Novelist | $200 million

When it comes to thrillers, Dean Koontz’s work is among the finest. Over the course of his career, a number of his books ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list. He has had a total of 14 paperbacks and 14 hardcovers that reached the coveted top spot—making him part of a small group of authors who were able to achieve the same feat. Dean Koontz is also among the richest authors, with over 450 million books sold worldwide.

His $200-million net worth didn’t come overnight, however. To avoid needing money loans, the author worked as a tutor and teacher. In 2000, Dean and Gerda spent $9 million on Pelican Hill, an exclusive enclosed community in Newport Beach, California. However, Dean and Gerda sold the house to businessman and reality star Glenn Stearns in June 2020 for $50 million.