Many fans are curious about Gene Roddenberry's financial success in April 2026. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What was Gene Roddenberry's Net Worth?

Following his military service, Roddenberry flew for Pan American World Airways. In 1947, he was involved in his third plane crash, which occurred over the Syrian Desert and killed about 14 people. Roddenberry left Pan Am in the spring of 1948. Early the next year, he applied for a position with the Los Angeles Police Department and was assigned to the traffic division. After 16 months in that role, he was transferred to the newspaper unit. Roddenberry soon became the speech writer for the chief of police, as well as the LAPD liaison for the television series "Dragnet."

Gene Roddenberry was best known as the creator of the "Star Trek" franchise, which began in 1966 on NBC. Before that, he wrote scripts for several shows, including "Highway Patrol" and "Have Gun – Will Travel," and created the show "The Lieutenant." Roddenberry remained involved with the "Star Trek" media franchise until his passing in 1991. On September 4, 1986, Roddenberry became the first writer/producer to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1990, he was honored with theJack BennyMemorial Award of lifetime achievement by the March of Dimes. Roddenberry died from a cardiopulmonary arrest on October 24, 1991. His widow, Majel Barrett, died on December 18, 2008. Upon her death, portions of Gene and Majel's cremated remains were launched into space as part of a NASA mission.

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry was born on August 19, 1921, in El Paso, Texas, as the first child of Caroline and Eugene. As a baby, he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where his father was given a police commission. In LA, Roddenberry attended Los Angeles City College as a young adult, majoring in political science and developing an interest in aeronautical engineering.

Gene Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer, and futurist who had a net worth equal to $500 million at the time of his death. That amount, which is after adjusting for inflation, includes the estimated value of the future rights and intellectual property value (merchandise, licensing) of the "Star Trek" franchise. That franchise, which would go on to generate billions of dollars in royalties and box office receipts after Gene's death.

Gene was married twice. His first marriage, to Eileen-Anita Rexroat, lasted from 1942 to 1969. His second marriage, to Majel Barrett, lasted from 1969 until his death. According to the terms of his will, the majority of his estate was left to Majel Barrett. He also left a share of his trust and $500,000 to each of his children. Several legal battles would eventually reveal that Gene had hidden a portion of Star Trek's rights in a separate trust that benefited his first wife. A Los Angeles court eventually overturned his first wife Eileen's claims to 50% of his assets. One of his children, a daughter, Dawn, lost $500,000 when she contested the trust.

At the time of his death, Gene Roddenberry's liquid estate (real estate, financial accounts, short-term assets) was worth $30 million. That's the same as around $70 million after adjusting for inflation today.

After obtaining a pilot's license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Roddenberry enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in late 1941, just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He graduated in the summer of 1942 as a second lieutenant. Roddenberry was subsequently stationed in Hawaii with the Thirteenth Air Force. In 1943, the plane he was piloting overshot the runway and killed two men; although he was absolved of responsibility, Roddenberry was sent back to the United States to spend the rest of his military career. He went on to fly all over the country as a plane crash investigator.

In summary, the total wealth of Gene Roddenberry reflects strategic moves.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.