How much is Anthony Bourdain Worth? Anthony Bourdain Net Worth in 2026

Anthony Bourdain’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at $16 million. The chef, author and television host died on June 8, 2018, and his legacy has continued through posthumous books, documentaries and tributes.

Net worth	About $16 million at the time of death (estimates vary)
Annual income	Earnings came from television, book sales and appearances
Born	June 25, 1956, New York City
Died	June 8, 2018, Kaysersberg, France
Country	United States
Occupations / sources of wealth	Chef, author and television personality
Known for	Kitchen Confidential and the shows No Reservations and Parts Unknown

How much was Anthony Bourdain worth?

Anthony Bourdain’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at about $16 million. It came mainly from television hosting, bestselling books and his earlier restaurant career. Estimates vary.

Legacy and estate

• June 8, 2018: Bourdain died in Kaysersberg, France, aged 61, while working on Parts Unknown.
• 2018: Parts Unknown won the Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series or Special, and he also won a posthumous Emmy shared with Roads and Kingdoms.
• 2019: The first Bourdain Day was proclaimed in June, and an auction of his personal items in October raised $1.8 million.
• 2021: The documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain premiered at Tribeca and was released on July 16. The book World Travel: An Irreverent Guide was completed with Laurie Woolever.
• 2026: A biographical film, Tony, was reportedly released in August, and an animated Get Jiro series is reportedly scheduled for October.

How Anthony Bourdain made money

• Television: Hosting fees for A Cook’s Tour, No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown.
• Books: Royalties from Kitchen Confidential and a long list of nonfiction and fiction titles.
• Restaurant career: Earlier income as executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan.
• Appearances and judging: Guest judge spots on Top Chef and a seat on ABC’s The Taste.

Career timeline

1. 1978: Graduates from the Culinary Institute of America.
2. 1998: Becomes executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan.
3. 2000: Publishes the New York Times bestseller Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.
4. 2001: Publishes A Cook’s Tour; Bon Appetit names him Food Writer of the Year.
5. 2002 to 2003: A Cook’s Tour airs for 35 episodes on Food Network.
6. 2005 to 2012: Hosts Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel.
7. 2010: Publishes Medium Raw.
8. 2011 to 2013: Hosts The Layover.
9. 2013: Moves to CNN with Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and begins judging The Taste on ABC.
10. 2014: The 2013 season of Parts Unknown wins a Peabody Award.
11. 2016: Publishes the cookbook Appetites.

Early life and background

Anthony Bourdain was born on June 25, 1956, in New York City, the son of Pierre Bourdain, a classical music industry executive, and Gladys Bourdain, a staff editor at the New York Times. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey.

His interest in food began on a family vacation in France, when he ate his first oyster on an oyster fisherman’s boat. He attended Dwight-Englewood School and Vassar College, which he left after two years. While still in college he worked in seafood restaurants in Provincetown, Massachusetts, which inspired him to pursue cooking.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978 he ran several restaurant kitchens around New York City.

Watch on Alux

Watch: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain net worth FAQ

What was Anthony Bourdain’s net worth when he died?

Anthony Bourdain’s net worth at the time of death was estimated at about $16 million. Estimates vary.

How did Anthony Bourdain make money?

Mainly through television shows, bestselling books such as Kitchen Confidential, and his earlier career as a restaurant chef.

When did Anthony Bourdain die?

Anthony Bourdain died on June 8, 2018, in Kaysersberg, France, aged 61.

Where was Anthony Bourdain from?

He was born in New York City and grew up in Leonia, New Jersey.

What is Anthony Bourdain’s legacy?

His books and shows shaped modern food and travel storytelling. Posthumous works include the 2021 documentary Roadrunner and the book World Travel.

How was Anthony Bourdain’s net worth estimated?

Estimates draw on reported television and book earnings and other known income. They are approximate.

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How we estimate net worth

Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.

Last updated: October 2026.