Rex Tillerson’s Net Wealth in 2025

Quick Answers to Key Questions

• What is Rex Tillerson’s net wealth in 2025? Rex Tillerson’s net wealth is estimated at $300 million as of 2025, according to sources like Forbes, Mac Issues, and CitiMuzik. This figure reflects his assets, primarily from his ExxonMobil career, adjusted for charitable contributions and liabilities.
• What are the main sources of his wealth? Tillerson’s wealth stems largely from his 41-year tenure at ExxonMobil, including a $180 million retirement package, stock sales, and compensation as CEO, alongside investments in real estate and diversified financial holdings.
• How has his wealth changed since leaving office? Since leaving his role as U.S. Secretary of State in 2018, Tillerson’s net wealth has remained stable at around $300 million, reflecting prudent financial management and a low-profile approach to new ventures.

This article provides an in-depth exploration of Rex Tillerson’s net wealth, focusing on his assets, investments, philanthropy, and the trajectory of his financial status after a high-profile career in both the private sector and public service.

Rex Tillerson, a prominent American energy executive and former U.S. Secretary of State, has amassed significant wealth through his long career at ExxonMobil and his brief tenure in government. As of 2025, his net wealth stands as a testament to his success in the oil industry, strategic financial decisions, and a disciplined approach to wealth management post-public service. This comprehensive analysis delves into the components of Tillerson’s net wealth, examining his earnings, investments, real estate, and philanthropy, while exploring how his financial portfolio has evolved since leaving office.

Breaking Down Rex Tillerson’s Net Wealth

Net wealth is defined as the total value of an individual’s assets minus their liabilities. For Tillerson, this includes his earnings from ExxonMobil, real estate holdings, investment portfolios, and other assets, offset by any debts and charitable contributions. Below is a detailed breakdown based on authentic data from sources like Forbes, Mac Issues, and CitiMuzik.

1. Earnings from ExxonMobil

Tillerson’s primary source of wealth is his 41-year career at ExxonMobil, where he rose from a production engineer to Chairman and CEO.

• Compensation as CEO: During his tenure as CEO from 2006 to 2016, Tillerson’s annual compensation was substantial. For example, his compensation package was $40.5 million in 2012, $28.1 million in 2013, $33.1 million in 2014, and $27.2 million in 2015, as reported by NetWorthBro. In his final year as CEO, he earned $27.5 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
• Retirement Package: Upon leaving ExxonMobil to become Secretary of State in 2017, Tillerson received a $180 million retirement package, which included deferred stock that would have been paid out over a decade. ExxonMobil sold these shares (approximately 2 million, valued at $174 million in January 2017, per CNBC) and placed the proceeds into a cash trust, paying Tillerson over 10 years, as outlined in Forbes and CNBC reports.
• Stock Sales: Tillerson directly held ExxonMobil stock worth $54 million, which he sold in 2017 to comply with government ethics laws, avoiding immediate capital gains tax by reinvesting in diversified funds or Treasury bonds, per CNBC and TIME. Forbes estimates that nearly $230 million of his wealth remains tied to ExxonMobil equity, reflecting dividends and stock value appreciation over the years.
• Total Contribution: His ExxonMobil earnings, including salary, bonuses, stock, and retirement payouts, account for the bulk of his wealth, estimated at over $250 million of his total net wealth.

2. Real Estate Holdings

Tillerson’s real estate portfolio adds significant value to his net wealth.

• Texas Ranches: Tillerson owns two ranches in Texas, including a cattle and horse ranch in Bartonville, Texas, as noted in the Washington Post. The total value of his Texas real estate is over $15 million, according to Forbes, with CAKnowledge estimating his real estate portfolio at nearly $100 million, including a $50 million ranch and a $14 million property in Austin, Texas, where he resides with his family.
• Passive Income: Tillerson pledged to remove himself from business decisions related to his Bartonville ranch but continues to receive passive income from it, as disclosed in his 2017 financial filing reported by the Washington Post.

3. Investment Portfolio

Tillerson’s investments outside ExxonMobil contribute to his diversified financial holdings.

• Diversified Funds and Cash Accounts: Forbes reports that Tillerson holds at least $15 million in diversified funds and cash accounts, a result of reinvesting proceeds from his ExxonMobil stock sales into conflict-free investments like mutual funds and Treasury bonds.
• Municipal Bonds and U.S. Stocks: He owns over $2 million in Texas municipal bonds and more than $2 million in individual U.S. stocks, including shares in companies like Apple, Caterpillar, and Goldman Sachs, per Forbes.
• International Investments: Tillerson has stakes in companies across 15 countries, including Japan (e.g., Honda, worth over $50,000), France (e.g., Total S.A.), the Netherlands (e.g., Royal Dutch Shell, worth over $15,000), and China (e.g., Alibaba, worth $15,000–$50,000), as detailed by Forbes. He also invested in companies in Switzerland, the UK, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, and Denmark, with a minimal stake in Russia’s Yandex (less than $15,000).
• Tax Deferral Advantage: The sale of his ExxonMobil shares and other stocks to meet government ethics requirements allowed Tillerson to defer capital gains taxes. If he holds these replacement investments until death, his heirs could inherit them on a “stepped-up” basis, potentially avoiding taxes entirely, as explained by tax expert Robert Willens in CNBC.

4. Philanthropic Contributions

Tillerson’s charitable activities impact his net wealth by reducing his liquid assets.

• Boy Scouts of America: Tillerson, a longtime volunteer and former national president of the Boy Scouts of America (2010–2012), has supported youth development and education initiatives through this organization, as noted by Mac Issues and Wikipedia.
• Educational Support: He and his wife, Renda St. Clair, have donated to educational institutions, though specific amounts are not publicly disclosed, per Mac Issues.
• Impact on Wealth: While these contributions reduce his net wealth, they align with Tillerson’s values of community service, as highlighted by Mac Issues.

5. Liabilities

Public sources do not detail Tillerson’s personal liabilities, but his financial disclosures suggest minimal debt. His $180 million retirement trust is structured to pay out over a decade, and he is barred from working in the oil and gas industry to maintain these payments, per TIME. This restriction likely ensures financial stability with limited liabilities.

Net Wealth Estimate in 2025

Combining the above components, Tillerson’s net wealth in 2025 is estimated as follows:

• Consistent Estimates: Multiple sources, including Forbes, Mac Issues, CitiMuzik, and Celebrity Net Worth, estimate Tillerson’s net wealth at $300 million as of 2025. This figure aligns with his 2016 estimate of $294.8 million by OpenSecrets and $300 million by Forbes in 2017, indicating stability.
• Historical Context: In January 2017, the Washington Post reported Tillerson’s personal wealth as up to $400 million, though this was based on a range from his financial disclosure. After accounting for stock sales, tax deferrals, and philanthropy, the consensus stabilizes at $300 million.
• Tax Deferral Impact: The tax deferral on his $54 million stock sale and $174 million retirement package, as detailed by CNBC and TIME, has preserved his wealth by avoiding immediate tax liabilities, potentially saving up to $72 million in taxes, per Bloomberg estimates cited by CNBC.

Tillerson’s net wealth of $300 million reflects a balanced portfolio of ExxonMobil-derived wealth, real estate, and diversified investments, adjusted for philanthropy and prudent financial management.

Comparison with Other Public Figures

Tillerson’s net wealth places him among the wealthiest individuals in Trump’s administration but below some other notable figures:

• Trump Administration Peers: Within Trump’s cabinet, Tillerson was the third-richest nominee in 2017, behind Wilbur Ross ($2.5 billion) and Betsy DeVos ($1.25 billion), per Forbes. His $300 million net wealth remains significant but modest compared to these billionaires.
• Energy Sector CEOs: Compared to other oil industry leaders, Tillerson’s wealth is notable but not the highest. For example, ExxonMobil’s current CEO Darren Woods earned $23.6 million in 2021, and Chevron’s CEO Michael Wirth earned $22.6 million, per Celebrity Birthdays, indicating Tillerson’s peak earnings were higher during his tenure.
• Global Billionaires: Tillerson’s $300 million does not place him on Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List, which starts at $1 billion, with the top 10 ranging from $108 billion (Bill Gates) to $342 billion (Elon Musk), per Forbes.

How Tillerson Built His Wealth

Tillerson’s net wealth is the result of a disciplined career in the energy sector and strategic financial decisions:

1. Early Career (1975–1990s): Tillerson joined Exxon in 1975 as a production engineer after earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin. By 1989, he was general manager of Exxon USA’s central production division, per Wikipedia.
2. International Leadership (1990s–2004): He led Exxon’s operations in Yemen, Thailand, and Russia, forging key relationships, including with Vladimir Putin, who awarded him the Order of Friendship in 2013, per Wikipedia.
3. CEO Tenure (2006–2016): As CEO, Tillerson earned tens of millions annually, peaking at $40.5 million in 2012, and oversaw ExxonMobil’s global expansion, per NetWorthBro. His stock holdings grew to $54 million, with a deferred $180 million package, per CNBC.
4. Government Service (2017–2018): Tillerson’s role as Secretary of State required divestment of ExxonMobil stock, preserving his wealth through tax deferrals, as noted by TIME.
5. Post-Office Stability (2018–2025): Since leaving office, Tillerson has maintained a low profile, focusing on private ventures and philanthropy, with his wealth growing modestly through investment returns, per Mac Issues.

Lifestyle and Spending

Tillerson’s lifestyle reflects his wealth but also his grounded roots:

• Residence: He lives in Austin, Texas, in a $14 million property, and owns a $50 million ranch, per CAKnowledge.
• Luxury Assets: Tillerson owns luxury cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Ford, and Bentley models, per NetWorthBro.
• Philanthropy: His focus on youth development through the Boy Scouts and educational initiatives underscores a commitment to giving back, per Mac Issues.

Future Wealth Prospects

Tillerson’s net wealth is likely to remain stable or grow modestly:

• Investment Returns: His diversified investments in mutual funds, Treasury bonds, and international stocks are expected to yield steady returns, per Mac Issues.
• Retirement Trust Payments: The $180 million trust continues to pay out over a decade, providing a consistent income stream, per Forbes.
• Restrictions: Tillerson cannot work in the oil and gas industry without forfeiting trust payments, limiting new income sources, per TIME.
• Philanthropy: Continued charitable giving may reduce his net wealth over time, aligning with his values, per Mac Issues.

Conclusion

Rex Tillerson’s net wealth of $300 million in 2025 reflects a remarkable career at ExxonMobil, strategic financial planning, and a disciplined approach to wealth management after public service. His wealth, built on decades of high earnings, stock holdings, and a lucrative retirement package, has been preserved through tax deferrals and diversified investments. While his tenure as Secretary of State was brief and controversial, Tillerson’s financial legacy remains robust, supported by real estate, international investments, and a commitment to philanthropy. As he maintains a low profile, his wealth is poised for modest growth, balancing financial security with a legacy of community service through organizations like the Boy Scouts of America.