Fran Tarkenton
Retired NFL Quarterback
Current Networth - $300 Million
Personal Stats
| Name | Fran Tarkenton |
|---|---|
| Role | Former NFL Quarterback, Entrepreneur, TV Personality |
| Industry | Sports |
| Net Worth | $300 Million |
| Gender | Male |
| Nationality | American |
| Place of Birth | Richmond, Virginia, USA |
| Married | No |
| No. of Children | 4 |
| Height | 6’0’’ |
Table of Contents
- About Fran Tarkenton
- Businesses Owned
- Early Life
- Family
- What Is Fran Tarkenton’s Net Worth?
- What Business Does Fran Tarkenton Own?
About Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton is a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback best known for being a pioneer of the mobile quarterback style. He played 18 seasons in the NFL, mainly with the Minnesota Vikings, and is also associated with the New York Giants. When he retired in 1978, he held several all-time records for passing, including most yards, touchdowns, and completions.
Tarkenton helped lead the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowls VIII, IX, and XI). One of his best seasons was in 1975, when he was named NFL MVP after throwing for over 2,900 yards and 25 touchdowns.
After football, Tarkenton became a successful entrepreneur. He founded multiple companies in tech and financial services and became a respected business speaker and TV personality. His post-NFL success has significantly added to his overall net worth.
Businesses Owned
Tarkenton Companies
GoSmallBiz.com
Tarkenton Financial
Liger
Early Life
Fran Tarkenton had a disciplined and goal-oriented early life shaped by a religious upbringing, a strong sense of leadership, and early exposure to sports.
- Fran Tarkenton was born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, to a devout Methodist family.
- His father, Dallas Tarkenton, was a Methodist minister. His mother, Frances Tarkenton, supported the family’s repeated transfers and shifts as his father served at different churches.
- The family later moved to Athens, Georgia, where Fran spent most of his childhood.
- Growing up in a religious household, he held strong values on discipline, communication, and leadership traits that shaped both his athletic and business careers.
- Fran attended Athens High School, where he started playing organized football and quickly stood out for his quick thinking and agility as a quarterback.
- He was also active in baseball and basketball, but football became his clear path forward.
- In 1958, he enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he played quarterback for the Bulldogs.
- During his junior year in 1959, he led Georgia to a Southeastern Conference Championship, cementing his place as one of the top college quarterbacks in the country.
- Fran graduated with a degree in business administration, a field he would later lean into heavily during his post-football career.
- He was drafted in 1961 by the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the starting quarterback in their inaugural game, a rare achievement for a rookie at the time.
Family
Fran Tarkenton’s family life has largely been out of the public eye as he has largely kept personal matters out of the spotlight.
- Fran is the son of Dallas Tarkenton, a Methodist pastor, and Frances Tarkenton. His father’s role as a preacher influenced Fran’s public speaking skills and helped him remain grounded throughout his fame.
- He has been married twice. His current wife is Linda Sebastian Tarkenton, whom he married in the 1980s.
- He was previously married to Anna Elaine Merrrell, but the marriage ended in divorce.
- Fran has four children, three from his first marriage to Anne: Hayley, Matthew, and Melissa; and a daughter named Hayley from his second marriage to Linda.
- One of his children is Matthew Tarkenton, who followed in Fran’s footsteps in business. Matthew is an executive at Tarkenton Companies and often collaborates with his father on ventures in finance and entrepreneurship.
- His other children have kept a low profile and are not in the public eye.
- Fran has spoken about the importance of family in his life, noting in interviews that his children were his biggest supporters during his transition from football to business.
- While not all of his children are public figures, the family is known to be close-knit, with Fran occasionally mentioning them in speeches and interviews.
- Tarkenton’s upbringing in a church-going, Southern household emphasized the importance of faith, integrity, and personal discipline all throughout his life.
- He often credits his family, especially his father, for shaping his values and work ethic.
Fran Tarkenton’s career spans professional football, business, and broadcasting. He was the first NFL quarterback to exceed 3,500 career completions and 47,000 passing yards. After retiring from the NFL in 1978, Tarkenton built a business empire in software, insurance, and consulting.
He founded Tarkenton Financial and GoSmallBiz.com, both of which provide services to small businesses and financial professionals. These companies have been central to his post-football income.
Tarkenton also co-hosted That's Incredible!, a popular TV show in the 1980s, and appeared on various sports analysis programs. His diverse career path has resulted in a successful professional career.
| Net Worth | $300 Million |
|---|---|
| Yearly Income | $5-10 Million (estimated from business ventures and celebrity appearances) |
| Profession | Former NFL Quarterback, Entrepreneur, TV Personality |
| No. of Businesses | 4 |
| No. of Awards | 1× NFL MVP (1975), 9× Pro Bowl, Hall of Fame (1986), |
| No. of Houses | 1 |
| No. of Cars | NA |
What Is Fran Tarkenton’s Net Worth?
As of April 2025, Fran Tarkenton’s net worth is estimated at $300 million.
Tarkenton made millions during his 18-year NFL career, but built most of his wealth through entrepreneurship. He founded several companies, including GoSmallBiz, which helps small businesses with planning and legal support, and Tarkenton Financial, a firm that sells retirement products. One of his earlier ventures, KnowledgeWare, made over $58 million in revenue by the early 1990s.
Tarkenton also makes money from public speaking, book sales, and investments. His speaking fees are high, and he’s written several books like ‘Every Day is Game Day.’ He is known to own a large amount of stock in companies like Apple, reportedly worth over $100 million, and his real estate is estimated at around $15 million. These investments continue to grow and add to his net worth every year.
In recent years, Tarkenton’s net worth has stayed steady at around $300 million. Though he’s not as active in the public eye, his businesses and investments still bring in strong income. With a smart mix of entrepreneurship, public speaking, and long-term investments, he has built a solid financial legacy well beyond his football career.
What Business Does Fran Tarkenton Own?
Fran Tarkenton is the founder and CEO of Tarkenton Companies, a portfolio of businesses across various industries, including software, finance, marketing, and consulting. He has founded and led over 20 businesses, and here are some of his notable ventures:
- Tarkenton Companies: This is the umbrella organization encompassing several of Tarkenton's ventures, focusing on technology, consulting, and strategic services.
- Tarkenton Financial: Founded in 2003, this firm provides marketing and financial products for independent insurance agents and financial advisors, specializing in retirement planning solutions.
- GoSmallBiz.com: Launched in 1996, GoSmallBiz offers tools and services for small businesses, including website building, CRM, and legal services, operating on a subscription model.
- Tarkenton Private Capital: An early-stage investment firm that supports startups and innovative ventures, particularly in the Southeastern corner of the USA.
- Perpetual Wealth Systems: This venture specializes in premium financing, allowing clients to secure life insurance without liquidating investments or significantly altering cash flow.
- Liger: A full-service marketing firm that joined hands with Tarkenton Companies in 2023, focusing on branding, marketing, and content development for B2B enterprise partners.
- Tarkenton Software/KnowledgeWare: Tarkenton founded Tarkenton Software, which later merged with KnowledgeWare, a company specializing in computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools. He served as president until the company was sold to Sterling Software in 1994.
- Tarkenton Teleconferencing: A company providing teleconferencing solutions, supporting business communications.
What Brands Does Fran Tarkenton Endorse?
Fran Tarkenton has been involved in brand endorsements, mostly within the business and insurance sectors. Here are some brands and products Fran Tarkenton has endorsed:
- Tony Robbins' Personal Power Program: In the 1990s, Fran Tarkenton appeared in an infomercial alongside motivational speaker Tony Robbins, promoting Robbins' "Personal Power" self-improvement program.
- 1-800-BAR-NONE: Tarkenton endorsed 1-800-BAR-NONE, a company that offers auto loans to individuals with less-than-perfect credit.
- Research Games' Fran Tarkenton’s Pro Football Board Game: In the late 1960s, he promoted this football-themed board game, which featured him in advertisements and included his endorsement.
- LegalShield: Fran Tarkenton has been associated with LegalShield through his company, GoSmallBiz. LegalShield offers affordable legal plans for small businesses, and GoSmallBiz provides business consulting services. Together, they offer a combined service package to support small business owners. While Tarkenton may not have formally endorsed LegalShield in the traditional sense, his company's collaboration with LegalShield indicates a partnership aimed at assisting small business owners.
- SmallBizClub.com: A content and resource platform for business owners.
Fran Tarkenton’s Real Estate Portfolio
Fran Tarkenton has invested in real estate but tends to keep the specifics of his holdings private. Known properties include:
- Atlanta, Georgia: His primary residence is located in an exclusive, upscale neighborhood. This home has been his base for years and reflects his long-standing ties to the city, where much of his business activity is centered.
Fran Tarkenton's Cars
As of now, there is no publicly available information detailing the specific cars that Fran Tarkenton owns. While he has been a prominent figure in both sports and business, details about his personal vehicle collection have not been disclosed in public records or interviews.
What’s Next for Fran Tarkenton?
Fran Tarkenton continues to lead his businesses and remains active in speaking engagements via thought leadership events in entrepreneurship.
He regularly writes blog posts and contributes to business publications. Tarkenton also mentors startup founders and shares insights on business podcasts.
Though retired from the spotlight of sports broadcasting, he remains a respected figure in business and sports circles.
FAQs
How did Fran Tarkenton become a millionaire?
While he earned well in the NFL, most of his wealth came from his businesses like GoSmallBiz and Tarkenton Financial.
Is Fran Tarkenton still involved in business?
Yes, he actively leads Tarkenton Companies and continues to mentor startups and speak at business events.
Did Fran Tarkenton win a Super Bowl?
No, he led the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances but didn’t win a championship.
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