Mike Tyson: Burned Through $500 Million And With Over 1,300 Women

Mike Tyson, once crowned the “King” of boxing, wrote a dark chapter in his illustrious career by squandering his fortune and reputation on a life of excess. Now, at the age of 58, the former heavyweight champion is working odd jobs to make ends meet.

“My Talent Is Self-Destruction”

That’s how Tyson describes himself in his autobiography, “Undisputed Truth”, where he recounts the highs and lows of his life. Born in 1966 in the United States, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at just 20 years old. While his talent was extraordinary, his life outside the ring was equally controversial, filled with scandals and reckless behavior.

An Unparalleled Spendthrift

In the ring, Tyson was known for his aggressive style, rarely defending and always pressing to knock out his opponents. Outside the ring, however, his spending habits were just as aggressive.

In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in early 2024, Tyson admitted:
“I could burn through $5 million in just a few days. Yeah, I was an outrageous spender. But do I regret it? Never. Those were some of the best times of my life.”

Indeed, Tyson lived a life many could only dream of. During his prime, he amassed a fortune of $500 million, an astronomical amount over two decades ago. However, that fortune was completely wiped out by his extravagant lifestyle.

Tales of Lavish Spending

Tyson bought a $2.2 million gold bathtub as a gift for his second wife.
He spent nearly $200,000 on two Bengal tigers and an additional $200,000 per year to care for them.
On a whim, he once dropped $173,000 at a jewelry store in Las Vegas on items he never used.

Tyson also owned multiple multi-million-dollar mansions across the United States, including a massive estate in Connecticut with 52 rooms. After his first bankruptcy, he sold the mansion to rapper 50 Cent for $4.4 million.

Shelly Finkel, Tyson’s former manager, recalled:
“Mike was one of the few people I’ve known who would throw money at anything that made him happy. He owned so many luxury cars that he couldn’t even remember where they were parked. I had to track them down for him.”

A Life of Hedonism

In his autobiography, Tyson openly confessed to a life of indulgence that few could imagine:
“There were times when I’d party with 10 women in a Las Vegas hotel room. I’d be naked except for my heavyweight championship belt. I was like a candle burning at both ends. I trained like a beast, but I partied just as hard.”

The former champion admitted to having been with over 1,300 women in his lifetime, a lifestyle that, along with his spending, contributed to the complete collapse of his wealth and career.

Conclusion

From the pinnacle of the boxing world to scraping by to make a living, Mike Tyson’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked excess and indulgence. Despite his fall from grace, Tyson remains a legendary figure whose life offers profound lessons in both greatness and self-destruction.