Michael Strahan is an American television personality, journalist and former professional football player.
He played his entire 15-year professional career as a defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League.
After retiring from the NFL, Strahan became a media personality, appearing as a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday and later serving as a co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America as well as Live! with Kelly and Michael with Kelly Ripa from 2012 to 2016.
He has also launched a men’s clothing line and written a motivational book.
Strahan is known for his gap-toothed smile and has had a successful career as a TV host and commercial spokesman.
| Net worth | $65 million |
| Profession | TV personality, journalist, former professional football player |
| Date of birth | November 21, 1971 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Strahan’s background includes being the son of Louise (Traylor), a basketball coach, and Gene Willie Strahan, a U.S. Army major and boxer.
Raised partly in Houston, Texas, he has a diverse family life, co-parenting his children with ex-wives Wanda Hutchins and Jean Muggli.
Strahan’s children include Tanita, Michael Jr., Sophie, and Isabella, with whom he shares a strong bond despite geographical distances.
Additionally, he has delved into his deep-rooted family history, connecting with his long-lost cousins in Shankleville, an East Texas freedom colony, where his ancestors were formerly enslaved people who built a self-sufficient Black community after the Civil War.
Net worth
Strahan’s net worth is estimated to be around $65 million, according to various sources.
His wealth comes from his successful career in the National Football League (NFL) and his ventures in the media and business sectors.
Strahan played 15 seasons in the NFL, all with the New York Giants, as a defensive end.
He helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII in 2007 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Strahan made $76,335,500 during his NFL career, with his final contract being a 7-year, $46.2 million deal.
After retiring from the NFL, he transitioned to a successful career in television, becoming a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday and co-hosting ABC’s Good Morning America and its spinoff Strahan, Sara and Keke.
Strahan also co-hosted Live! with Kelly and Michael with Kelly Ripa from 2012 to 2016, winning two Daytime Emmy Awards for his work.
He has also ventured into business, launching a clothing line, a skincare and grooming collection and an NFL-backed athleisure apparel brand.
Strahan is also involved in philanthropy and charitable organizations.
Salary and contracts
Strahan’s NFL career earnings totaled $76,837,500, with an average annual salary of $5,122,500.
His contracts included a 7-year, $46,298,000 deal with the New York Giants, a 4-year, $32,000,000 contract, a 4-year, $12,200,000 deal and an entry-level 3-year, $1,087,500 contract.
Notably, Strahan’s final contract with the Giants featured a $15,598,000 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $6,614,000.
Real estate
Strahan has owned and sold several high-end real estate properties over the years.
In 2017, he sold his former home in Los Angeles for $11 million, which was originally listed for $16 million.
The home was previously owned by former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and was sold off-market to Strahan.
Strahan also sold a Brentwood home for $21.5 million.
He has also owned a Cape Cod-style Palisades estate, which was listed for almost $25 million.
In addition to these properties, Strahan has owned a luxe Beverly Hills condo, which he listed for $4.4 million in 2017.
He has also renovated homes, including a Montclair home with his ex-wife Jean before their divorce.
College career
Strahan excelled in college football at Texas Southern University, where he played as a defensive end.
His exceptional skills on the field caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to his successful transition to the NFL.
Strahan’s junior year at Texas Southern was particularly impressive, recording 14.5 quarterback sacks and he continued to excel in his senior year with 19 sacks and 32 tackles for a 142-yard loss, setting school records.
Pro career
Strahan was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants in 1993.
He played in only six games due to injuries, and missed the Giants’ two playoff games.
In 1994, Strahan became the regular starter as right defensive end and responded with 4.5 sacks that season and a team-high 7.5 sacks in 1995.
In 1996, due to injuries on the Giants defensive line, he was moved to the left defensive end.
Strahan started all 16 games at that position and tied for the team lead with five sacks. In 1997, he recorded 14 sacks to finish tied third in the league.
He was named All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time, marking the first of five seasons in which he earned first-team All-Pro accolades and the first of seven Pro Bowl berths.
Strahan, who was also noted as one of the best defensive ends defending against the run, enjoyed his finest season in 2001 when he established the new NFL record with 22.5 sacks and led the league with a career-high 16 forced fumbles.
For his efforts, he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Two seasons later, he added a second NFL sack crown when he registered 18.5 quarterback takedowns.
A torn pectoral muscle put Strahan on the sidelines for the second half of the 2004 season, but he rebounded in 2005 by registering 10 sacks.
The final appearance of his NFL career came during New York’s thrilling 17-14 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
He recorded two tackles, added one assist, garnered one sack and had one pass defensed in the game.
Media career
Strahan’s media career has been a significant part of his post-NFL life.
After retiring from football, he transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming a popular TV personality.
Strahan has hosted several shows, including Live! with Kelly and Michael, Good Morning America and The $100,000 Pyramid.
His charisma and engaging personality have made him a favorite among viewers.
In addition to his hosting roles, Strahan has also ventured into talent management and production with his company, SMAC, which he co-founded with Constance Schwartz-Morini.
He has also been a successful entrepreneur, launching a line of men’s suits and appearing in commercials for major brands.
Accolades
Strahan has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, both in football and media.
In football, he was a four-time first-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2001.
Strahan also holds the NFL single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks in 2001 and was a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
In media, Strahan has won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2015 and 2016 for his work on Live! with Kelly and Michael.
He was also nominated for a Sports Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Analyst in 2019.
Strahan has received 11 nominations and 3 wins in various categories, including Outstanding Morning Program and Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.
Philanthropic efforts
Strahan’s philanthropic endeavors include donating his time and celebrity to fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and supporting numerous charities.
He has filmed holiday promotions and donated his time and celebrity to fundraising for the hospital.
Strahan is also dedicated to many charitable works and donates his hands and heart to numerous charities, including the USO, HELP USA and Merging Vets and Players.
Personal life
Strahan has been married twice. His first wife was Wanda Hutchins, with whom he was married from 1992 to 1996.
They share two children, Tanita and Michael Jr.
His second wife was Jean Muggli, whom he married in 1999 and divorced in 2006.
With Jean Muggli, Strahan has twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia.
Divorce settlement
Strahan and Jean were married from 1999 to 2006, and their divorce was contentious.
Following their seperation, Jean accused Michael of physical and emotional abuse, which he denied.
Michael was ordered to pay Jean $15.3 million as part of the divorce settlement, plus $18,000 a month in child support, later reduced to $13,000.
In 2020, Michael accused Jean of physical and emotional abuse towards their twin daughters, but the claims were soon dismissed.
Jean was arrested in 2021 for violating an order of protection.
