Skip to main content

Dr. Seuss is known as one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century. To this day, his books are beloved by everyone around the world. Born Theodor Seuss Geisel in 1904. The author took on the name Seuss when he was caught drinking during his time at Dartmouth College, which just happened to be the Prohibition period in America. The writer took on the honorific Dr. a few years later to appease his father, who had desperately wanted him to get into medicine.

Dr. Seuss wrote children’s books for over 60 years and continues to be one of the most loved and recognizable names in children’s literature. He was so widely successful that his net worth, nearly 30 years after his death, is massive.

Dr Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel, 1904 - 1991
Dr Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel, 1904 – 1991 | Gene Lester/Getty Images

This is why Dr. Seuss started writing children’s books

Dr. Seuss had a very different career before he began writing children’s books. The animator actually had a long and successful career in advertising before he penned his very first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, in 1937.

He found his way into children’s literature because it was one of the only genres he was permitted to enter into because of his ad contracts. His first book wasn’t exactly well-received. In fact, it was rejected by no less than 27 publishers before it was finally published.

From there, Dr. Seuss would go on to write Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and many more.

‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ is Dr. Seuss most popular book

Out of the 43 or more books that Dr. Seuss wrote throughout his lifetime, one book remains his most popular. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, which was published on January 22, 1990. It was also the last book that Dr. Seuss published when he was still alive.

The whimsical children’s book chronicles a life’s journey and its challenges. Upon the initial publication of the book, it immediately hit The New York Times Best-Selling Fiction Hardcover list.

Since the book is wildly popular, there have been talks about a film adaptation for years. Recently, Deadline announced that J.J. Abrams would be producing an animated version of Oh, The Places You’ll Go! It is scheduled to open theatrically in 2027.

Related

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’: Taylor Momsen Says Filming This 1 Scene ‘Was a Huge Turning Point’ in Her Life

Dr. Seuss’s net worth is still massive

When the prolific writer was still alive, his books and their varied adaptations and characters made him a ton of money. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the cartoonist was worth $75 million. Dr. Seuss died of cancer in 1991 at age 87. However, his death has not lessened his impact on children’s literature, and his estate continues to make millions each year.

The late author’s Seussville is still thriving, thanks to seven-figure television and film deals. His books are also still best-sellers. Dr. Seuss sold nearly six million books in the United States in 2020.

According to Forbes, Dr. Seuss’ net worth in 2020 is $33 million.