Scott Adams, the creator of the internationally recognized comic strip Dilbert, has an estimated net worth of $20 million in 2025. Known for his satirical take on office culture, Adams transformed his comic into a global phenomenon. But his career has also been marked by controversy, public backlash, and personal challenges, including a recent terminal health diagnosis.
Here’s a detailed look at his earnings, early career, major life events, family, and recent health update.
Early Life and Education
Scott Raymond Adams was born on June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York, making him 67 years old as of 2025. Raised in a small town, Adams showed artistic talent at an early age, winning his first drawing competition when he was just 11. Despite his love for cartooning, he pursued a more traditional academic path, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hartwick College in 1979. He later completed an MBA from U.C. Berkeley in 1986.
How ‘Dilbert’ Made Scott Adams a Millionaire
Adams began drawing Dilbert while working at Pacific Bell in the 1980s. His daily routine involved waking early to draw before heading to his job. Launched in 1989, Dilbert was originally published by United Media and drew inspiration from Adams’ own corporate experiences. His characters resonated with office workers worldwide.
By 1991, Dilbert was featured in 100 newspapers. By 1996, the strip had reached 800 publications. At its peak around 2000, Dilbert was syndicated in over 2,000 newspapers across 57 countries and translated into 19 languages. This massive popularity brought Adams a stream of income from:
- Syndication rights
- Book sales
- Merchandise
- Speaking engagements
- A short-lived but Emmy-winning UPN TV series (1998–2000)
Adams’ first royalty check was a mere $368, but within a few years, his comic made him a multimillionaire.
Other Ventures and Business Projects
Apart from his cartooning success, Adams founded Scott Adams Food, Inc., a vegetarian food company. A vegetarian himself, he launched products like the Dilberito and Protein Chef meals, though the company didn’t achieve the same success as his comic.
He also dipped into acting and media. Adams made a cameo in Babylon 5 and NewsRadio, and appeared on various talk shows, including Real Time with Bill Maher and The Joe Rogan Experience.
His writing extends to nonfiction and philosophy. His books God’s Debris (2001) and The Religion War (2004) reflect his interest in metaphysical questions and systems thinking.
Political Commentary and Controversy
In 2015, Adams gained renewed attention for predicting that Donald Trump would win the U.S. presidency, based on Trump’s communication and persuasion tactics. His blog became a hit, eventually evolving into a YouTube series called Coffee with Scott Adams, which grew to 95,000 subscribers and over 27 million views.
However, Adams’ political commentary became increasingly divisive. In 2020, he made bold and incorrect predictions about COVID-19 and political violence. Things escalated in February 2023 when Adams made remarks during a YouTube broadcast that were widely condemned as racist. This led to:
- Universal Press Syndicate dropping Dilbert
- Major publications like The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times discontinuing the comic
This significantly damaged Adams’ professional brand and limited his syndication revenue, contributing to a decline in public influence.
Personal Life and Family
Scott Adams married Shelly Miles in 2006 aboard a yacht in San Francisco. He adopted her two children, Savannah and Justin. Tragically, Justin died from a fentanyl overdose in 2018 at the age of 18. Scott and Shelly divorced in 2014 but remained amicable.
In 2019, Adams announced his engagement to Kristina Basham, a model and social media influencer. They married on July 11, 2020. Kristina also has two daughters from a previous relationship. Despite maintaining a relatively private life, Adams has occasionally shared personal anecdotes on his livestreams and blog.
Health Update: Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
In May 2025, Adams publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. In a heartfelt message to his audience, he shared that he was given only a few months to live. This news came as a shock to fans and critics alike, and has led to a flood of responses across social media from both supporters and detractors.
Adams also suffers from focal dystonia, a condition that affects his motor skills and limits his ability to draw. He adapted by using a digital graphics tablet. Additionally, he previously underwent surgery in 2008 to treat spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that affected his voice.
Real Estate and Lifestyle
At the height of his fame, Adams lived in San Francisco and Marin County. In 2009, he moved to Danville, California, where he built a custom 7,000-square-foot mansion. The house features:
- An indoor basketball court
- A resort-style pool
- A Dilbert-shaped wall
- A one-acre backyard
This property reflects the wealth and creativity Adams accumulated through years of comic strip success.
Final Thoughts
Scott Adams’ career has been a blend of creative brilliance, business ambition, and polarizing commentary. With a net worth of $20 million, he remains a figure of both admiration and controversy. As he faces his final chapter battling terminal cancer, the legacy of Dilbert and his unique footprint in American pop culture remain undeniable.
