LeBron James Exclusive Interview: My Net Worth Is Far Less Than $1.2 Billion, Marriage Is Not a Perfect Fairy Tale

On September 19th Beijing time, Lakers superstar LeBron James gave an in-depth interview to Complex, covering many topics such as his new passion for golf, family life, retirement plans, pre-game habits, and net worth. Amusingly, James referred to himself as broke, dismissing the rumors of a $1.2 billion fortune.

At the start of the interview, the host asked if James had turned off international data during his trip to China. James replied that he had, since the hotel provided Wi-Fi. Below are the main highlights of the interview—

On the Appeal of Golf

James: It’s because it’s challenging, man. I wanted a real challenge, and I actually enjoy that feeling of being a bit “uncomfortable” — the process itself is quite interesting. Also, golf courses are one of the few places I go where I’m not bothered by a lot of people.

On When He Realized His Talent

James: I wouldn’t say I felt it the first time I competed, although I did have a unique feeling then. At that time, I just knew I was faster and stronger than others — well, maybe not “stronger,” since I was still skinny back then. But when I played organized football for the first time, I played six games total, won MVP that year, and scored 18 touchdowns in those six games. Then in the fall, I played organized basketball for the first time, and our team went undefeated 6-0 and won the championship. I still remember the coach gave MVP awards to everyone, but anyone with eyes knew I was the real MVP — and I was happy about it.

I think the moment I truly realized I was special was in eighth grade. I went to the AAU national championship in Orlando, Florida, and did things I couldn’t do the summer before — I finally dunked in a game. We won many matches we weren’t expected to win, and the moves I pulled off on the court were things I only dreamed about weeks earlier. That’s when I thought, “Wow, this is really happening.” So I believe that moment marked the start of realizing my talent.

On the Secret to Marriage

James: You might think our marriage is “perfect like a fairy tale,” but honestly, it’s not like that, man. No marriage is perfect, but if you’re willing to face the tough times and get through them together, it’s all worth it. We’ve been together since high school, so life definitely hasn’t been smooth every day. That’s how every relationship is, especially when you’ve been together over 20 years.

So first is communication, second is honesty. Third, sometimes you have to accept feeling “uncomfortable” in a relationship — you can’t always think “I’m in charge” or “It’s either my way or no way,” that won’t work. People say “Happy wife, happy life,” and that’s true, but it works both ways — “Happy husband, sweet relationship.”

On the Toughest Defender

James: That would be a friend I grew up with, who’s like a brother now, named Derek Tafer. We grew up in the same neighborhood; he’s older than me, about the same age as Maverick (my business partner), two or three years older. Back then, he was stronger than everyone — a 10-year-old lefty who was stronger than anyone else. You knew what he was going to do, but you just couldn’t stop him.

He still thinks he can beat me up now. When he sees this interview, he’ll probably say, “I can still beat you.” But the truth is, he can’t beat me anymore.

On Some Superstitions Before Games

James: My performance is usually steady unless something feels off. For example, before every game, I lay out my jersey the same way; when choosing shoes, sometimes I consider who I’m playing against — if I’m matched up with a specific player, I might wear a particular pair because of my competitive nature or even just the shoe color.

Yeah, the color! A certain colorway from a certain year. But if during warm-up something feels wrong or the shoes feel uncomfortable, I’ll definitely run back to the locker room to change, even if the game is about to start. If I play badly in the first quarter, I’ll change shoes too. But I haven’t changed shoes many times, since I rarely have a bad first quarter.

On Retirement

James: I haven’t hinted at anything before. Of course, I know I’m past my career peak, that’s obvious. I definitely won’t play 23 years, that’s for sure, and I won’t play another 10 years either. So I am preparing for the end of my career, but it’s not time yet. I’m very lucky to have achieved what I have today.

Like you said, 23rd season, new signature shoes, starting golf — don’t think just because I’m trying new things, I’m retiring. Before, when I used chopsticks, people said, “He’s retiring”; when I wore a bigger T-shirt, people said, “He’s retiring”; now I play golf, and people say, “He’s retiring.” Golf is just a new hobby I want to try. Sure, one day I’ll retire, but not now.

On Life Before Fame

James: It was a long time ago, but I still remember some childhood moments. I remember running around the neighborhood like a normal kid — running wild, playing hide and seek, and a game called “free frog”: you throw the ball up, whoever catches it runs to the “end zone”; also playing ball on monkey bars — just the simplest childhood stuff.

That completely disappeared when I became an adult. It ended around the time I won the state championship in my freshman year and started sophomore year. That normal life was over.

I definitely sometimes miss those moments. Like sometimes I want to sneak into a movie theater before the show starts or take my daughter to an amusement park — she really wants to go, but I have to tell her, “Baby, I love you, but I really can’t.” The nanny can take her, but I can’t, because if I go, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it properly and it would make her feel uncomfortable.

But it’s okay, I always find time to do what I love and I’m not trapped by fame. I’m not sitting here complaining, “Someone help me get out.” I love my life now. My family takes care of each other, and we always find moments to enjoy life together. Clearly, I wouldn’t trade my current life for anything.

On Net Worth

James: My net worth is much less than the $1.2 billion reported online. I only have a few thousand dollars in my bank account, really just that much. Most of my stuff is free; I’m broke. Now my kids have most of the money — they’re the wealthy ones, they’re supporting me. I have nothing, just a broke guy.

On Goals Beyond Basketball

James: My goal is to keep building the best storytelling company — our “Uninterrupted” has been doing that and never stopped. We produce all kinds of shows, podcasts, movies, TV series, and animation — every genre. But I want to make it like Pixar.

I want people to think “Go to Uninterrupted” first when they have creative ideas to pitch. This idea actually comes from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” — Will Smith’s story, and the storytelling style of rappers like Biggie and Nas — those are my inspirations. I want to build not just an “athlete-only platform,” but a place where anyone who wants to create content thinks, “I need to talk to Uninterrupted and LeBron’s team.”