In 2025, Jon Krakauer’s net worth can be estimated at around 10 million dollars. As a result of bestselling books and journalism, however, it is likely that his unrivaled impact on climbing literature is his legacy. Major works such as Into The Wild and Into Thin Air have informed readers on adventure, survival, and humankind’s power to withstand unimaginable circumstances. Not only financial success, but also the stories, written language, and life experiences have uniquely identified him among important nonfiction writers in the United States.
Jon Krakauer: Early Life and Education
Jon Krakauer was born (April 12, 1954) in Brookline, Massachusetts, but raised in Corvallis, Oregon. Jon’s dad was a physician and outdoor enthusiast, exposing Jon to climbing, backpacking and mountain exploration around age 8 and into adulthood. Jon graduated with one diploma from Corvallis high school, 1972. After high school, Jon attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts, where he graduated with a degree in environmental studies in 1976. The years leading up to Jon’s college years appear to have the seeds of a passion and love affair with the outdoors and adventure.
Jon Krakauer: Mountaineering
Early Experiences
After Hampshire, Jon climbed on his summer break and went on a three-week adventure primarily solo in the Stikine Icecap area of Alaska, where he made a first ascent to a new line on Devils Thumb. Then he traveled to Patagonia, where in 1992 he climbed Cerro Torre, which was almost the most technical climb in the world.
Everest “Tragedy” (1996)
Krakauer is probably best known for being in the 1996 Everest death zone. A ferocious storm blasted through as his team was approaching the summit and eventually took the lives of four people. Krakauer was spared, but not before—with his experiences later going on to inspire his bestselling book Into Thin Air. At the end of that season, Everest had amassed a record 15 deaths.
Journalism and Writing Career
Magazine Work
Krakauer began his journalism career in 1983 as a full-time writer for Outside magazine, where he wrote articles on climbing, survival stories, and cultural issues. Other magazines that his name has appeared in over the years include National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Architectural Digest, and Smithsonian.
Breakthrough Books
Eiger Dreams (1990): A series of essays about climbing and climbing experiences around the world
Into the Wild (1996): Told the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man raised in conventional society who decided to abandon civilization in order to live outdoors in the Alaskan wilderness. The book was on The New York Times bestseller list for two years and was made into a film by Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, in 2007.
Into Thin Air (1997): This book, which extended from his Outside article about the Everest disaster, became a worldwide bestseller and was named Time Magazine’s Book of the Year. Based on the book, a television movie aired on ABC in 1997, and a feature film titled Everest was released in 2015.
Later Works
Under the Banner of Heaven (2003): Explored fundamentalist Mormonism and the murders done by the infamous Lafferty brothers. The true crime story was adapted into the Hulu series that premiered in 2022 starring Andrew Garfield. Where Men Win Glory (2009): Chronicle of the life of Pat Tillman as an NFL football player and soldier, and his tragic death in action.
Three Cups of Deceit (2011): Spilled the beans on humanitarian Greg Mortenson being a fraud.
Missoula (2015): A frank look at rape cases in Montana and the flaws in the American legal system.
Personal Life
Krakauer met climber Linda Moore in 1977 and married in 1980; they began as residents of Seattle and finally moved to Boulder, Colorado, in the late 90s and still live and write there.
Real Estate
In 1997, Krakauer purchased a Boulder, Colorado, house for $355,000. They still live in the house as their residence, and the house appreciated quite nicely, which has an impact on Krakauer’s net worth.
Awards and Accomplishments
Into Thin Air was “Book of the Year” by Time.
Into the Wild was on the New York Times bestseller list for two years.
Assorted adaptations in film, documentary, and television.
Jon Krakauer is one of the preeminent names in adventure writing.
Jon Krakauer Net Worth (2025)
Book Revenue/Royalties—Millions of books sold internationally.
Film/TV Adaptation: He earns revenue from films that adapt his books, such as Into the Wild, Everest, and Under the Banner of Heaven.
Journalism—extensive print career at many different publications.
Real Estate—possible appreciated value of Boulder, Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Jon Krakauer’s net worth in 2025?
Jon Krakauer net worth is estimated to be $10 million.
What is Jon Krakauer famous for?
Jon Krakauer is famous for writing Into the Wild and Into Thin Air, both extremely commercially successful international bestsellers and cultural phenomena.
Did Jon Krakauer climb Mount Everest?
Yes, in 1996. Despite reaching the summit of Mount Everest, a blizzard trapped him, leading to the deaths of four climbers from his group.
Did Jon Krakauer have a movie made?
Yes. Into the Wild (2007), Everest (2015), and Under the Banner of Heaven (2022) are his three money-making adaptations, respectively.
Where does Jon Krakauer live?
Jon lives in Boulder, Colorado and continues to write and develop projects for journalism.
