Rupert Boneham Net Worth

Rupert Boneham has become a widely famous reality TV celebrity who was ultimately voted as the fan favorite in the Survivor series, in fact securing 85% of votes in his favor out of the total votes. 

He has appeared in various seasons of the Survivor series, such as All Stars, where he ranked 8th, and Heroes vs. Villains, where he ranked 4th. 

It was during the Pearl Island season that he became one of the most popular contestants and was widely called “Gentle Giant” for possessing a huge beard and distinctive appearance. 

Having gained such widespread attention and popularity through his multiple appearances on the show, he succeeded in launching various charitable initiatives to raise funds for cancer patients and struggling families. 

Today, we discuss his current net worth and career in this article after his rise from reality TV personality to philanthropist and political candidate.

Rupert Boneham’s net worth and career

Boneham has amassed an estimated net worth of $3.8 million, primarily derived from his success as a reality TV personality and his real estate investments. 

He first garnered widespread fame through his appearance on Survivor: Pearl Islands in 2003. His subsequent appearances on other seasons of the show further enhanced his celebrity status and financial assets. 

Aside from reality television earnings, Boneham is also a real estate investor and runs a nonprofit organization focused on vocational training for troubled teens. 

Rupert Boneham at the 4th annual Rupert’s Kids Ride (Source: Instagram)

His mentorship programs and youth initiatives likely do not generate much profit but rather channel his reality TV wealth towards social impact.

Outside of his activism and real estate, Boneham has made minor acting appearances on shows like Yes Dear Half & Half and in movies such as A Million Ways to Die in the West. 

While none of these roles were financially significant, they allowed him to further capitalize on his persona as the “gentle giant” from Survivor.

Now 59 years old, the majority of Boneham’s $3.8 million net worth derives from intelligent investments in property alongside his enduring fame as a beloved reality TV icon. 

Though comfortable financially, his focus remains on guiding troubled teens and leveraging his platform to drive positive change rather than simply accruing higher wealth. His is a story of using unlikely reality TV fame for social good.

Rupert Boneham was a fan favorite on ‘Survivors’

Boneham emerged as one of the most beloved and iconic contestants in Survivor history across his four appearances on the show in Pearl Islands, All Stars, Heroes vs. Villains, and Blood vs. Water. 

With his signature tie-dyed shirt, long hair, and bushy beard, he cut a distinctive figure from the start. But it was his outdoorsmanship, work ethic around camp, and pirate-like resourcefulness that earned him the nickname of the “Gentle Giant.” 

He quickly became the provider for his tribes, spending hours fishing and foraging for fruit and other food. While not the strongest strategically, he played with his heart on his sleeve and a sense of old-fashioned honor that appealed to viewers. 

Whether stealing shoes from the opposing Morgan tribe in Pearl Islands or calling out Russell Hantz for his duplicity in Heroes vs Villains, Boneham stayed true to his values.

Ultimately, it was his good-hearted nature and dedication to his fellow castaways that made him a fan favorite across all his seasons. 

His final act of nobility occurred when he volunteered to switch places with his wife Laura on the chopping block in Blood vs Water, sacrificing himself so she could continue in the game. 

Few Survivor contestants have matched his popularity on the show over four seasons. America became so enamored with the gentle giant that he won $1 million in a fan vote prize after All-Stars, affirming his status as one of the franchise’s most beloved characters ever.

Rupert Boneham ran for the position of governor of Indiana 

In 2012, Boneham attempted a foray into real-life politics when he declared his candidacy for Governor of Indiana under the Libertarian Party. 

Having spent over 20 years mentoring and working with at-risk youth after his reality TV fame, Boneham felt he could make a real difference in public office. Central to his campaign was a focus on job creation, particularly in leveraging Indiana’s agricultural base. 

Boneham proposed that farmers could grow new crops like hemp and bamboo to allow for clothes and goods to be manufactured within the state. 

Rupert Boneham announcing that he is running for the governor of Indiana (Source: Indy Star)

He also wanted to boost the economy by dividing Indiana into regions and concentrating development on their specific industries – manufacturing in the north and agriculture in the south.  

While always considered an underdog, Boneham brought name recognition and outside-the-box thinking to the race. He touted his understanding of “daily life” for many Hoosiers over the institutional knowledge of career politicians. 

Unfortunately, while securing around 4% of the votes, he lost the election to Republican Mike Pence and Democrat John Gregg.

Rupert Boneham’s organization ‘Rupert’s Kids’

Long before becoming the beloved “Gentle Giant” on Survivor, Boneham devoted his life to mentoring and empowering troubled youth. In 1983, he began working with mentally disabled children in Texas. 

He later moved to Indiana and, in 1991, purchased an abandoned house, transforming it into a vocational training center for expelled students.  

After winning $1 million from a popular fan vote on Survivor’s All-Stars season in 2004, Rupert allocated much of those winnings to establish his nonprofit – Rupert’s Kids. 

His organization aims to help at-risk teens and young adults released from the correctional system become positive and productive members of society.

Rupert’s Kids provides critical mentoring, instilling work ethic, communication abilities, and life skills in these vulnerable youth. The goal is to enable them to overcome obstacles and past mistakes to realize their self-worth and potential.

Participants also gain hands-on work experience through Rupert’s Park Adoption Program, a partnership with the city of Indianapolis focused on maintaining public green spaces.

Now, for over 15 years, Boneham has continued to impact lives through his Rupert’s Kids charitable organization. His own improbable story from reality TV underdog to million-dollar winner fuels his passion for guiding troubled teens. 

Boneham firmly believes in empowering youth to discover their hidden talents so they can recognize their value and contribute to their communities.