L. Ron Hubbard Net Worth

What was L. Ron Hubbard’s Net Worth?

L. Ron Hubbard, the American author famous for his contributions to science-fiction and fantasy, is best known for founding the Church of Scientology. He had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death in 1986 (adjusted for inflation).

As his movement grew more controversial in the 60s and 70s, Hubbard spent much of his time at sea with an elite quasi-paramilitary group. He later secluded himself in the California desert after an unsuccessful attempt to take over a town in Florida. In his final years, Hubbard lived in a luxury motorhome on a California ranch.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Estate Filing Reveals $26 Million Net Worth

According to an estate filing after his death in 1986, L. Ron Hubbard was worth $26 million, which adjusted for inflation is around $60 million. The majority of this number, precisely $25 million, was attributable to copyright and trademark materials. The remaining $1.3 million was attributed to business investments, particularly in the oil and gas industries. Hubbard signed the will the day before he died, and his net worth had been much higher right before his death.

Hubbard also put an unknown amount of assets into trust for his children, wife, and the Church of Spiritual Technology.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Early Life

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard was born on March 13, 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska. His family moved around the United States and abroad throughout the 1920s. Hubbard attended Union High School in Bremerton, Washington, Queen Anne High School in Seattle, and Helena High School in Montana, but was dropped from enrollment due to failing grades.

After failing the Naval Academy entrance exam, Hubbard was enrolled at the Swavely Preparatory School in Virginia, but was diagnosed with myopia, preventing him from attending the Naval Academy. He then attended the Woodward School for Boys in Washington, DC, and George Washington University, where he ultimately dropped out.

Hubbard’s Prolific Career as a Writer

During the 1930s, Hubbard wrote extensively for pulp fiction magazines and became well-known for his science-fiction and fantasy stories. He used various pseudonyms such as Joe Blitz and Kurt von Rachen. His first full-length novel, “Buckskin Brigades,” was published in 1937, followed by several novelettes for magazines like “Unknown” and “Astounding Science.” Hubbard also wrote the script for the movie serial “The Secret of Treasure Island.” In 1938, he created a manuscript called “Excalibur,” which he claimed would revolutionize the world, but the project went unpublished after he reportedly had a near-death experience during a dental procedure.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Military Career

During World War II, Hubbard served in the United States Navy as an officer. He was briefly in command of two ships; however, due to his impulsive behavior, he was removed from command both times. As a result, Hubbard spent the remainder of his active service in a hospital, where he received treatment for various illnesses.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Controversial Legacy

In the late 40s, Hubbard developed Dianetics, a pseudo-scientific therapeutic process to cure traumas. He launched it to the public in a 1950 issue of “Astounding Science.” Dianetics was heavily denounced by scientific and medical experts for lacking empirical evidence. Hubbard expanded it into Scientology in 1954, whose followers believe in Xenu, an extraterrestrial life-form. Scientology is highly controversial, with followers engaging in criminal infiltration of the US government. Hubbard was convicted of fraud in France in 1978, and Scientology has been accused of being a dangerous cult and manipulative for-profit business.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Life on the Run

L. Ron Hubbard faced numerous legal threats and sought refuge at sea with a group called the Sea Organization. He lived in several locations to evade authorities, including a hotel suite in Daytona Beach, a condo complex in Dunedin, safe houses in California, and an apartment in Hemet after his fraud conviction. Hubbard then roamed the Pacific Northwest with his messengers and wrote new science-fiction books and music. For his final two years, he lived in a luxury motor home on a ranch near Creston, California, and remained involved with the Church of Scientology, earning large amounts of cash.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Personal Life

In 1933, Hubbard married Margaret Grubb and had a son named Lafayette Jr. and a daughter named Katherine. He divorced Grubb in 1947 and married occultist Sara Hollister, with whom he began an affair with his PR assistant. Hollister retaliated with an affair with a Dianetics auditor, which led to their divorce in 1951. In the same year, Hubbard married Mary Sue Whipp and had four children named Diana, Quentin, Suzette, and Arthur. Hubbard suffered from health problems, including chronic pancreatitis, and passed away in 1986 at the age of 74 after a stroke.

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