Mike Tyson is a multi-millionaire again — here's how he spends his money

   
  • Mike Tyson made and spent a fortune.

  • The 56-year-old earned $30 million paydays in boxing at the peak of his powers.

  • And prior to filing for bankruptcy, he spent on a wild list of things that included pet tigers.

Mike Tyson, 56, remains one of the world's most famous athletes.

Mike Tyson.

 

Mike Tyson.Photo by Getty Images

At the peak of his powers, he was earning approximately $30 million per fight.

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

 

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.Photo by Getty Images

His resume includes fights against Trevor Berbick, Tony Tucker, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Frank Bruno, Buster Douglas, Donovan Ruddock, Evander Holyfield, and Lennox Lewis.

Mike Tyson knocks Trevor Berbick out in the second round to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

 

Mike Tyson knocks Trevor Berbick out in the second round to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.Photo by Getty Images

 

Mike Tyson made — and lost — a lot of money in his life. According to Forbes, he generated $400 million from career earnings in boxing …

How much money does Mike Tyson have? Mike Tyson net worth.

 

How much money does Mike Tyson have? Mike Tyson net worth.Photo by Getty Images

 

… but in 2003 he declared bankruptcy, having squandered the money due to "reckless spending," as characterized by the same publication.

Mike Tyson.

 

Mike Tyson.Photo by Getty Images

There are a wealth of stories through the years that detail Tyson's wild desire to live fast, party hard and spend his money extravagantly.

How much money has Mike Tyson made and spent.

 

How much money has Mike Tyson made and spent.Photo by Getty Images

Tyson once invited 700 people to help him celebrate his 30th birthday party, for a cost of $580,000. Among those on the guest list was future US President Donald Trump, who had helped promote some of his past fights.

Donald Trump and Mike Tyson.

 

Donald Trump and Mike Tyson.Photo by Getty Images

It is estimated that Tyson spent $6.3 million on cars alone. One of these vehicles included a Bentley Continental SC worth $720,000. He also had a Lamborghini, Cadillac Escalade, and Hummer H2.

Mike Tyson and his Bentley in 2000.

 

Mike Tyson and his Bentley in 2000.Photo by Getty Images

To go with his luxury cars, Tyson also developed a penchant for high-end houses. He once bought a $4 million estate in Connecticut that he tried, unsuccessfully, to sell for $32 million two years later. He also had properties in Nevada and California.

One of Mike Tyson's houses.

 

One of Mike Tyson's houses.Photo by Getty Images

Mike Tyson bought three bengal white tigers as pets in the 1990s. Later, court documents showed he owed $8,100 to care for them when filing for bankruptcy.

Mike Tyson and a pet tiger.

 

Mike Tyson and a pet tiger.Photo by Getty Images

Tyson said on a podcast in 2020 that one of his pet tigers once attacked a woman trespassing at his house. "She was just fucked up," he said. "I didn't know what they could do to a person's flesh," he added. "I loved them … [but] I shouldn't have had them in my house. I was wrong." Tyson paid her $250,000.

Mike Tyson and his pet tiger.

 

Mike Tyson and his pet tiger.Photo by Getty Images

He, famously, also adores pigeons. He kept them as pets as a teenager. He told Graham Bensinger he got into his first fistfight when a neighborhood bully tried "to steal" a pigeon from his living room. Tyson begged for the bird back. The bully apparently punched him, ripped the bird's head off, and threw the blood at a young Tyson.

Mike Tyson and pigeons.

 

Mike Tyson and pigeons.Photo by Getty Images

 

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Tyson knocked that bully out, apparently, but it wasn't the only person he fought over a pigeon. Tyson also KO'd a garbage man who threw away a dead bird of his. "I rushed him and caught him flush on the temple with a titanic right hand," Tyson said. "He was out cold, convulsing on the floor."

Mike Tyson and his pigeons.

 

Mike Tyson and his pigeons.Photo by AP

Tyson's spending didn't stop at exotic animals. He reportedly gifted a gold bathtub that set him back more than $2 million to then-wife Robin Givens.

Mike Tyson and Robin Givens.

 

Mike Tyson and Robin Givens.Photo by Getty Images

He's been married three times and wed Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer in 2009.

Tyson and his third wife 'Kiki' Spicer.

 

Tyson and his third wife 'Kiki' Spicer.Photo by Getty Images

All his spending came to an end in 2003 when he filed for bankruptcy. One of the casualties was Tyson's lavish Connecticut mansion, which he sold to rapper 50 Cent. Tyson reportedly had debts of $23 million at the time.

Mike Tyson with rappers 50 Cent and Kanye West.

 

Mike Tyson with rappers 50 Cent and Kanye West.Photo by Getty Images

It is unclear what Tyson's net worth currently is, with various publications reporting a figure anywhere between $3 million and $10 million.

Mike Tyson.

 

Mike Tyson.Photo by Getty Images

In the aftermath of his retirement from the ring in 2005, Tyson was arrested for cocaine possession and driving under the influence in 2006. In 2007, he pled guilty to drug possession in an Arizona court. He was previously arrested in 1991 for the rape of an 18-year-old, for which he was convicted in 1992.

Mike Tyson's mug shot for cocaine possession and driving under the influence.

 

Mike Tyson's mug shot for cocaine possession and driving under the influence.Photo by Getty Images

 

He remains a regular at boxing shows as he's seen ringside at the sport's biggest fights.

Mike Tyson in the ring.

 

Mike Tyson in the ring.Photo by Getty Images

 

He taught Serena Williams how to throw punches, and later said he wouldn't "want to get in the ring" with her.

He can also be seen at tennis matches with Spicer.

Mike Tyson and his wife Lakiha Tyson.

 

Mike Tyson and his wife Lakiha Tyson.Photo by Getty Images

 

To slowly rebuild his fortune, Tyson starred in Hollywood movies like 'The Hangover' franchise.

Mike Tyson starred in 'The Hangover'

 

Mike Tyson starred in 'The Hangover'Photo by Getty Images

 

He earned $100,000 for a cameo role he claimed he took "to supply" his "drug habit," he said on an ESPN radio show at the time.

Mike Tyson punch 'The Hangover'

 

Mike Tyson punch 'The Hangover'Photo by Getty Images

 

This period in Tyson's life appeared to be a positive turning point for him. He abstained from drugs and alcohol, and transitioned to a vegan diet, too. "I didn't have a problem with drugs or nothing, I had a problem with thinking … my thinking was broken. That was the solution to my broken thinking — using drugs and living crazy."

Mike Tyson laughs on stage with Jimmy Fallon.

 

Mike Tyson laughs on stage with Jimmy Fallon.Photo by Getty Images

 

He later appeared on a Madonna track, starred in another movie called 'Ip Man 3', and took part in a six-episode docuseries on Animal Planet called 'Taking on Tyson' that focused on the fighter's pigeon racing endeavor. A collaboration with movie director Spike Lee for a one-man show called 'Undisputed Truth' also proved popular.

Mike Tyson and Spike Lee.

 

Mike Tyson and Spike Lee.Photo by Getty Images

 

He then launched a podcast called 'Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson,' on which the legendary boxer is surprisingly candid.

Mike Tyson.

 

Mike Tyson.Photo by Getty Images

 

Another of his business interests includes a cannabis empire he built called Tyson Ranch. It reportedly generates $900,000 per month.

Mike Tyson attends Migos Big Game Weekend at WTR Pool and Grill

 

Mike Tyson.Getty/Johnny Nunez

 

He's even returned to the ring and boxed alongside Roy Jones Jr. for an eight-round exhibition in 2020 that proved popular at the Box Office.

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.

 

Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.Photo by Getty Images

 

Tyson has been linked with another return to the ring — against old rival Evander Holyfield, and even internet celebrity Jake Paul — but it's unclear if he can be coaxed back one more time.

Mike Tyson and Jimmy Kimmell.