Jessica Pegula: Tennis Star with a $9.3 Billion Family Fortune
How a billionaire's daughter is making her own mark in professional tennis.
1Jessica Pegula's Tennis Career
Jessica Pegula, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, is competing at the 2026 U.S. Open with a chance to become the first American woman to reach the top WTA ranking since Serena Williams. The 32-year-old has earned over $26 million in prize money and secured endorsements with major brands like IBM and Hyatt. Despite her family's $9.3 billion net worth, Pegula has worked to establish her own identity in tennis, describing herself as a 'late bloomer' in the sport.
2The Pegula Family Empire
Jessica's father, Terry Pegula, built his fortune in the oil and gas industry, founding East Resources in 1983 with a $7,500 loan. After nearly 30 years, he sold the company to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in 2010. The Pegulas later expanded into professional sports, purchasing the NHL's Buffalo Sabres for $189 million in 2011 and the NFL's Buffalo Bills for $1.4 billion in 2014. Today, their combined net worth stands at approximately $9.3 billion.
3From Humble Beginnings
Terry Pegula grew up in rural Pennsylvania, the son of a truck driver and coal miner. He studied Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Penn State before launching his energy company. Jessica emphasizes that her family wasn't wealthy during her childhood, only achieving billionaire status when she was 17. She credits her father's blue-collar work ethic as a major influence, saying he instilled the value of persistence in the family.
4Challenges of Wealth in Sports
Jessica has worked to overcome perceptions that her family's wealth made her tennis career easier. She notes that most of her development occurred before her family's financial success. 'Some people think it's really easy for me because my dad is wealthy, but that didn't happen till I was 17 or 18,' she told The Times. The athlete maintains that reaching the top of tennis requires talent and hard work regardless of background.
5Current Tournament Performance
At the 2026 U.S. Open, Pegula defeated No. 31 seed Leylah Fernandez to advance to the fourth round, where she'll face Romania's Sorana Cirstea. A deep run could potentially move her closer to the No. 1 ranking. Despite being older than her top-ranked competitors (Sabalenka, 28 and Rybakina, 27), Pegula believes her best tennis may still be ahead of her as she pursues her first Grand Slam title.
6Other Wealthy Tennis Families
The Pegulas aren't alone among tennis' high-net-worth families. Emma Navarro, ranked No. 26, is the daughter of finance billionaire Ben Navarro ($3.2B net worth). Like Jessica, Emma emphasizes her family's work ethic over their wealth. However, tennis history also features stars like the Williams sisters, who rose from modest Compton beginnings to build their own fortunes through the sport.
7The Cost of Tennis Success
While tennis can be prohibitively expensive, with coaching, equipment and club memberships often costing thousands annually, the sport has produced rags-to-riches stories. Serena Williams built a $400 million fortune through prize money and endorsements, while Venus Williams has amassed over $50 million. These examples show that while family wealth can provide advantages, ultimate success still depends on athletic talent and dedication.
8Legacy Beyond Wealth
Jessica Pegula's story highlights how family values can outweigh financial advantages in sports. Her father's motto—'Work hard, love what you're doing, and treat people right'—has guided her approach. As she competes at the highest levels, Pegula represents a new generation of athletes proving that while wealth may open doors, sustained success requires the same determination as any other competitor.
Original article: Fortune — Jessica Pegula: Tennis Star with a $9.3 Billion Family Fortune