Charles Elwood “Chuck” Yeager was born on 13 February 1923, in Myra, West Virginia USA, of part-German descent, and is a retired United States Air Force General, and test pilot. He is the first pilot ever confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in flight. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Chuck Yeager? As of early-2017, sources estimate a net worth that is at $1.5 million, mostly earned through his career in the military. He began serving with the United States Army Air Force during World War II, and eventually became a pilot and rose through the ranks. All of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
Chuck Yeager Net Worth $1.5 million
Yaeger attended high school in Hamlin, West Virginia. His first experience with the military was joining the Citizens Military Training Camp for two summers during 1939 and 1940. He enlisted as a private in the US Army Air Force (USAAF) in 1941, becoming an aircraft mechanic. He was not eligible for flight training originally, but changes in the system helped him get accepted. In 1943, he was promoted to lieutenant and became part of the 357th Fighter Group. He initially trained as a fighter pilot, flying Bell P-39 Airacobras, and then P-51 Mustangs and would get a victory and eight missions before getting shot down in France. He escaped to Spain and was awarded a Bronze Star for helping another fellow airman escape. Chuck was reinstated to flying combat and reported directly to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. – he became the first pilot to down five enemy aircraft in a single mission during 1944. He finished the war with 11.5 official victories, including one against a jet fighter. He was promoted to captain before the end of his tour.
After World War II, Chuck remained in the Air Force and became a test pilot at what would become Edwards Air Force Base. He graduated from Air Materiel Command Flight Performance School, and would then set his sights on trying to break the sound barrier. He broke the record in 1947 achieving a speed of Mach 1.07, thanks to which achievement he was awarded the MacKay and Collier Trophies the following year. He was also awarded the Harmon International Trophy – the plane he flew is now part of the Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum.
Yaeger’s achievements did not end there as he continued to break many records, even earning a Distinguished Service Medal in 1954. He held several wing and squadron commands during his military career. In 1962, he would be promoted to colonel and would become the first commandant of the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School. In 1969, he was promoted to brigadier general and even advised the Pakistan Air Force two years later.
In 1975, Yeager retired from the Air Force though continued to be involved in test pilot efforts. After his retirement, he continued to set general aircraft performance records in the 1980s and the 1990s. He became part of the documentary “The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club”. He fully retired from military test flying though in the 65th anniversary of breaking the sound barrier in 2012, when he rode in a McDonnel Douglas F-15 Eagle.
For his personal life, it is known that Chuck married Glennis Dickhouse in 1965 and they had four children. Glennis passed away in 1990.
Victoria Scott D'Angelo (m. 2003), Glennis Yeager (m. 1945–1990)
Children
Don Yeager, Susan Yeager, Sharon Yeager Flick, Michael Yeager
Parents
Susie Mae Yeager, Albert Hal Yeager
Siblings
Pansy Lee Yeager, Roy Yeager, Doris Ann Yeager, Hal Yeager Jr.
Nicknames
Charles Elwood Yeager , Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager , Charles E. Yeager , Charles Yeager , Gen. General Charles E. 'Chuck' Yeager , General Chuck Yeager , Glamorous Glennis , Glamorous Glen III
The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club, The Right Stuff, Smokey and the Bandit II
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Trademark
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Glamorous Glen III
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Glamorous Glennis
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Fact
1
In 1976 he received a unique Congressional Silver Medal, "equivalent to a noncombat Medal of Honor, for contributing immeasurably to aerospace science by risking his life in piloting the X S - 1 research airplane faster than the speed of sound on October 14, 1947." (U.S. Public Law 94-179, December 23, 1975).
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Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan.
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General Yeager has written two best-selling books.
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General Yeager still holds many aviation records - time to climb - FAI.
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Father of Susan Yeager, Michael Yeager, Don Yeager, and Sharon Yeager Flick.
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Became an ace (shot down at least five planes) in a single engagement during World War Two.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Flying Without Fear
1985
TV Movie
The Right Stuff
1983
Fred (as General Chuck Yeager)
Smokey and the Bandit II
1980
Party Guest (as Charles Yeager)
Goodyear Playhouse
1953
TV Series
Stunts
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jet Pilot
1957
aerial stunts - uncredited
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Right Stuff
1983
technical consultant - as Gen. General Charles E. 'Chuck' Yeager
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
National Memorial Day Parade
2012
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club
2009
Video documentary
Himself
Thunder in the Desert
2005
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Realizing 'The Right Stuff'
2003
Video documentary short
Himself
The Real Men with 'The Right Stuff'
2003
Video documentary short
Himself
Rocket Science
2002
TV Series documentary
Himself
Presidential Inaugural Gala
1989
TV Movie
Himself
Reaching for the Skies
1988
TV Series
Himself
Good Morning America
1987
TV Series
Himself
Looney Tunes 50th Anniversary
1986
TV Special
Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1985
TV Series
Himself
Late Night with David Letterman
1982-1985
TV Series
Himself
Spaceflight
1985
TV Series documentary
Himself
I Dream of Jeannie
1966
TV Series
Himself
What's My Line?
1964
TV Series
Himself - Contestant
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Nova
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself
War Stories with Oliver North
2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
100 Years of the World Series
2003
Video documentary
Himself
Ronnie Dearest: The Lost Episodes
1988
Video documentary short
Himself
Speed
1984
Documentary short
Himself (uncredited)
Known for movies
The Real Men with 'The Right Stuff' (2003) as Himself
The Right Stuff (1983) as Fred
Looney Tunes 50th Anniversary (1986) as Himself
The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club (2009) as Himself