Dancing With the Stars first appeared on televisions across America in 2005, but Len Goodman‘s career started long before that. After years of hard work on stage and off stage, the dancer amassed a huge net worth before his death at age 78 due to bone cancer on April 22, 2023.

“It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” his manager, Jackie Gill, confirmed in a statement to BBC on April 24, 2023. “A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”

At the time of his death, the TV personality was surrounded by his loved ones at a hospice in Kent, England. Len is survived by his wife, Sue Barrett, and his son, James William Goodman, from a previous relationship. 

Scroll below for more details on the net worth and legacy he left behind. 

What Was Len Goodman’s Net Worth At the Time of His Death?

Len’s net worth was estimated to be $18 million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He wasn’t always planning to become a professional dancer. The Dancing With the Stars judge was an apprentice welder and only started dancing when he was 19 when a doctor recommended it following a foot injury. 

“I had an old Scottish doctor who told me to go ballroom dancing. He said it was very good for your feet because you’re going up and down a lot. My girlfriend arranged for it all to happen,” Len told The Guardian in 2006. “I really didn’t want to go, I kicked up a right fuss. But once I’d been for a couple of weeks, I really loved it. I realized I had a bit of a talent for it.” 

Len Goodman Death
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From there, his professional career began; Len won various competitions and ultimately retired in his late 20s. 

After years on television, Len mainly made his fortune by serving as the head judge on DWTS, where it is estimated he made $1.2 million per season. He missed two seasons of the show over the years, one being season 29, which he was unable to attend, as he was in the U.K. and unable to travel due to strict COVID-19 travel restrictions. He also judged the British version of the show, Strictly Come Dancing, from its inception in 2004 until 2016. 

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When Did Len Goodman Announce His Retirement? 

In November 2022, the ballroom coach announced that he would be leaving DWTS after season 31.

“This will be my last season judging Dancing With the Stars,” he said during an episode of the series at the time. “I’ve been on the show since it started in 2005, and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show, but I’ve decided I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.”

On top of his career judging talented celebrities, Len also owned Len Goodman’s Dance School, one of the longest-running dance schools in Kent.