Kitty O Neil Net Worth, Age, Height, Wiki, Family

Kitty O Neil Net Worth, Age, Height and more
 

Kitty O'Neil's net worth in 2023 was estimated to be $4 million. She was a renowned American stuntwoman and racer, often referred to as "the fastest woman in the world."

An illness during her early childhood left Kitty deaf, and further health issues in her adulthood cut short her career in driving.

Despite her setbacks, O'Neil had a successful career as a stuntwoman and race driver, which led to her portrayal in a television movie and even as an action figure. She held the women's absolute land speed record until 2019.

Kitty's net worth struggled due to sponsorship issues. She was contracted to break only the women's land speed record and was not allowed to exceed 400 miles per hour, as per her contract. Her sponsor, toy company Marvin Glass and Associates, obtained an injunction to stop further speed runs by Kitty as they were preparing a Hal Needham action figure.

Kitty eventually stepped away from stunt and speed work in 1982 after witnessing her stunt colleagues being killed during performances. She retired with a remarkable achievement of setting 22 speed records on land and water, earning an estimated annual salary of $1 million.

Kitty was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 24, 1946, to an Army Air Forces officer father and a Cherokee mother. At just five months old, she lost her hearing due to simultaneous childhood diseases.

In her early life, Kitty trained as a diver under coach Sammy Lee but faced setbacks due to injuries and illness, which ended her Olympic aspirations. She later competed in swimming events at the 1965 Summer Deaflympics.

Her career saw her participating in racing events both on water and land, including the Baja 500 and Mint 400. She transitioned to stunt work in the mid-1970s, training with renowned stuntmen like Hal Needham, Ron Hambleton, and Dar Robinson.

In 1976, she made history by becoming the first woman to work with Stunts Unlimited, a leading stunt agency.