Who is George R. R. Martin? What is his net worth?

While some writers excel at imagining stories that are unique and enthralling, there are a few gifted minds who can envision a different world altogether. Their imagination runs amok with new lands, new people, and new concepts that are unknown to the reality we live in. One such writer is George R.R. Martin. His works and legacy span a wide range of projects from massively successful TV shows to even video games.

Quick answer: George R. R, Martin is a writer, and creator of the Game of Thrones universe. His current net worth is estimated to be around $120 million.

Also Read: George R. R. Martin procrastinates writing The Winds of Winter in a Simpsons gag

Who is George R.R. Martin?

Credits: Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)

Born in 1948, George Raymond Richard Martin has always been an avid reader and writer. He started out by writing short stories and has now built an empire of new worlds and ideas that are adapted into Emmy-winning TV shows. George R.R. Martin’s book did not just break records in sales but also spawned shows that exceeded expectations in the fantasy realm.

He hails Marvel’s Stan Lee as his literary influence as he grew up reading comics extensively. Even as a child, he imagined varied worlds and scenarios where his creativity and innovation shone brightly. It seemed like he had no interest in reality as his one foot was always rooted in fiction. When it came to education, Martin understandably chose to pursue a career in writing by enrolling in the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University for an M.S. in Journalism.

Stan Lee’s influence led him to write fan fiction and columns for fanzines. Thus, he entered the world of fandom and got his big break by selling his work to magazines. Who knew a fanfic writer would go on to spawn a fandom so massive that it blurs regional lines? Before trying his hand at intricate novels, he also wrote screenplays and scripts that never saw the light of day.

Also Read: When is House of the Dragon Season 2 coming out? Everything we know about the second season

George R. R. Martin’s net worth

Credits: Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)

• George R.R. Martin’s Net Worth: $120m (as of 2024)

Martin found that, unlike episodes and movies, writing books does not compromise his imagination. He was inspired by the Lord of the Rings fantasy and wanted to do something in that genre. He had previously written horror and science-fiction stories that started gaining traction. George R.R. Martin has sold over 90 million books in his career so far with A Song of Ice and Fire collection having the largest slice of the pie.

George R.R. Martin’s wife

Image: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

• Parris McBride is George R.R. Martin’s second wife. They got married in 2011.

At the heart of George R. R. Martin’s personal life is his wife, Parris McBride, an accomplished woman in editing and publishing. They first met in 1975 at the Kublakhan Sci-Fi convention in Nashville where they sparked an immediate connection and became friends. Despite that, he decided to marry Gale Burnick the same year, which he described as an “Oops.”

A little time after his divorce in 1979, somewhere in the 1980s Martin got into a relationship with Parris. Long-distance relationships can be difficult and they both wanted the other to move. In the end, George won and Parris moved to New Mexico. Since then, their relationship has grown, fostering a deep understanding and admiration for one another’s passions and personalities.

After 3 decades of being in a relationship, Martin and Parris McBride decided to tie the knot and married on February 15th, 2011 at their home in Santa Fe. The couple doesn’t have any kids since Martin believes his characters in the stories are his children. They have remained devoted partners and have supported each other’s professional and personal endeavors. Parris has been a crucial influence on GRRM’s most popular series of fantasy novels. She saved two of the fan’s favorite characters, Arya and Sansa Stark from the author’s habit of killing anyone he wants.

Parris is a philanthropist supported by her husband and they work together to support various organizations like Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary which helps rehabilitate wolf dogs, Pearl Foundation which helps writing students, The Food Depot in New Mexico which provides no-cost, healthy food across nine counties in Northern New Mexico, and many others.

George R. R. Martin’s books

His books in the Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon universe include over 20 titles mentioned below,

1. Blood of the Dragon
2. A Game of Thrones
3. The Hedge Knight
4. A Clash of Kings
5. A Storm of Swords
6. Path of the Dragon
7. Quartet
8. Arms of the Kraken
9. The Sworn Sword
10. A Feast for Crows
11. Hunter’s Run
12. The Mystery Knight
13. A Dance with Dragons
14. The Lands of Ice and Fire
15. The Princess and the Queen
16. The Rogue Prince
17. The World of Ice & Fire
18. The Sons of the Dragon
19. Fire & Blood
20. The Rise of the Dragon
21. The Winds of Winter
22. A Dream of Spring
23. Blood & Fire

In 2007, HBO acquired the rights to turn Martin’s work into a TV show. They didn’t realize what a crucial project they were embarking on. From seasonal payouts of the show alone, Martin made over $200m. Currently, his net worth stands at $120 million with more to be added as House of the Dragon releases more seasons. Martin understands the fans’ need to have accurate adaptations, so he remains involved in the TV projects to help the showrunners craft a more accurate adaptation.

Also Read: George R. R. Martin keeps book versions of his characters separate from their TV counterparts when writing