Celebrity Net Worth

Basketball legend Bill Russell earned over $100,000 as a salary in the NBA; the adjusted inflation is valued at $600 million

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Bill Russell is a former American basketball player and here is more about his net worth, salary, records, and endorsements

Bill Russell is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and he also belongs to the famous Boston Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA championships. Considered the ‘perennial opponent’ of the great Wilt Chamberlain, let’s know more about Russell’s life, career, net worth, etc.

Bill Russell Facts

Birth PlaceMonroe, Louisiana
Father’s NameCharles Russell
Mother’s NameKatie Russell
Star SignAquarius
CollegeUniversity of San Francisco (1953-1956)
Net Worth $10 Million
Age87 (Died)
Date of BirthFebruary 12, 1934
Height (ft)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight (kg)100 kgs (220 lbs)
NationalityAmerican
NBA Draft Year1956
NBA Draft PickRound 1/ Pick: 2nd overall
Playing Career1956-1969
Coaching Career1966–1969, 1973–1977, 1987–1988
PositionCenter
TeamsAs a player Boston Celtics (1956-1969)
As a coach – Boston Celtics (1966–1969)
Seattle SuperSonics (1973–1977)
Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)
Wife/GirlfriendRose Swisher (m. 1956-1973)
Dorothy Anstett (m. 1977-1980)
Marilyn Nault (m. 1996-2009)
Jeannine Russell (m. 2019)
ChildrenJacob Russell, Karen Russell, William Russell Jr.
EndorsementsNA
A young Bill Russell while playing for the Boston Celtics. (emaze)

William Felton Russell was the 1956, Round 1, 2nd overall draft pick by the St. Louis Hawks (later Atlanta Hawks). After being drafted by the Hawks, Russell was subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics.

Russell had a legendary NBA career with the Celtics and won eleven NBA Championships (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969) with the team. He was also a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965) and a twelve-time NBA All-Star (1958–1969). Russell was also the 1963 NBA All-Star Game MVP. Undoubtedly, Russell is one of the best Centers of all time.

Moreover, for his legendary career, Russell was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, and again into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. Furthermore, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as a player. Also, in 2006, Russell was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bill Russell Statistics

Points14,522 (15.1 ppg)
Rebounds21,620 (22.5 rpg)
Assists4,100 (4.3 apg)
The Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell made a career of tormenting Wilt Chamberlain. (AP Photo/File)

Bill Russell Achievements

As a player –

  • 11× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969)
  • 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
  • 12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963)
  • 3× All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
  • 8× All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
  • NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969)
  • 4× NBA rebounding champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965)
  • NBA 25th Anniversary Team
  • NBA 35th Anniversary Team
  • NBA 50th Anniversary Team
  • No. 6 retired by Boston Celtics
  • 2× NCAA champion (1955, 1956)
  • NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1955)
  • UPI College Player of the Year (1956)
  • 2× Helms Player of the Year (1955, 1956)
  • 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1955, 1956)
  • WCC Player of the Year (1956)
  • No. 6 retired by San Francisco Dons
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
  • Olympic Gold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics

As a coach –

  • 2× NBA champion (1968, 1969)
President Barack Obama (USA) awards the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to basketball great Bill Russell during a ceremony at the White House in Washington on February 15, 2011. (Copyright: imago/UPI Photo)

Bill Russell Net Worth and Salary

According to sources, Russell was reported to have a net worth of $10 million as of 2022. Most of his net worth is acquired from his salary as a player and a coach.

During his career, Russell was one of the first big earners in NBA basketball. His 1956 rookie contract was worth $24,000. In 1965, Russell received an annual salary of $100,001 ($600k after inflation adjustment). Also, he received an extra $25,000 as a player-coach.

Bill Russell is also one of the NBA players who earned $100 million per season. His salary is valued at $600m in 2024 and he earned more than a billion dollars.

Bill Russell Personal Life

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Russell is the son of Charles Russell and Katie Russell. Unfortunately, Russell’s mother, Katie, died when Russell was just 12 years old. Further, Russell has a brother named Charlie L. Russell.

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Russell married his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, in 1956. However, the couple grew emotionally distant and finally got divorced in 1973.

In 1977, Russell married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968, but they got divorced in 1980.

Further, in 1996, Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault. Their marriage lasted until her death in January 2009.

According to sources, in 2019, Russell married Jeannine Russell. However, it is unknown how Russell and his current wife, Jeannine met.

Notably, Russell has three children named Jacob Russell, Karen Russell, and William Russell Jr.

NBA legend Bill Russell smiles at others along courtside during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. He is sitting with his wife, Jeannine Russell. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS)

Bill Russell Endorsements

There is no information available about Russell’s endorsement deals. Most of his net worth is acquired from his salary as a player and a coach.

FAQs about Bill Russell

What is the age of Bill Russell?
Bill Russell is 87 years old and he was born on February 12, 1934. He died on 31st July 2022.
What is the net worth of Bill Russell?
Bill Russell has a net worth of $10 million.
Where was Bill Russell born?
Bill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana.
Who is the wife of Bill Russell?
Bill Russell is currently married to Jeannine Russell.
In which year was Bill Russell drafted?
Bill Russell was drafted in the year 1956/ Round 1/ Pick: 2nd overall
In what position did Bill Russell play?
Bill Russell played in the position of Center.
How many NBA Championship did Bill Russell win?
Bill Russell has won eleven NBA Championships (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969).

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