Drew Peterson once embodied a stable, middle-class American life. As a decorated police sergeant with a 30-year career, he enjoyed a comfortable salary, a pension, and the respect of his community. Today, his name is synonymous with two horrific crimes, and his financial standing reflects a life completely dismantled.

The story of Drew Peterson’s net worth isn’t about investments or business ventures; it’s a stark chronicle of how a fortune built over decades can be obliterated by legal battles stemming from murder. From a suburban family man to a notorious inmate, his finances have collapsed in lockstep with his public image. This overview breaks down what’s left of his wealth and the criminal convictions that reduced it to virtually nothing.

What Is Drew Peterson’s Net Worth in 2025?

Estimating Drew Peterson’s current net worth is difficult, but all sources agree it is minimal. Most reports place his net worth between $10,000 and $50,000. This figure, a mere fraction of what he once possessed, is almost entirely tied to the remnants of his police pension.

This financial ruin is the direct result of astronomical legal fees. Defending himself against multiple felony charges, including the murder of his third wife and the solicitation of murder of a prosecutor, required years of expensive legal representation. The costs effectively liquidated his savings, property, and any other assets he had accumulated.

The Foundation of His Fortune: A Career in Law Enforcement

Before his name became infamous, Drew Peterson built his wealth through a long and seemingly respectable career. For over 30 years, he served with the Bolingbrook, Illinois, Police Department, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant. This was the primary engine of his financial life.

Unlike many public figures, Peterson had no known side businesses, significant stock portfolios, or real estate ventures. His income and assets were derived almost exclusively from his police salary and the benefits that came with it. This steady, predictable career provided him with a solid financial foundation that would later be completely erased.

The turning point for both Peterson’s life and his finances was the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. While he has never been charged in connection with her case, the intense media scrutiny led authorities to re-examine the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

What followed was a catastrophic legal storm that consumed his entire fortune. * 2012 Murder Conviction: Peterson was found guilty of murdering Kathleen Savio. The lengthy investigation and high-profile trial incurred massive legal bills, forcing him to sell his home and liquidate his assets. He was sentenced to 38 years in prison. * 2016 Solicitation Conviction: While already incarcerated, Peterson was convicted of trying to hire someone to kill prosecutor James Glasgow, who had put him behind bars. This second trial and conviction added more legal expenses and an additional 40 years to his sentence, sealing his financial fate.

A Look at Peterson’s Remaining Assets and Income

Today, Drew Peterson’s financial picture is bleak and confined by prison walls. His ability to earn or manage money is practically nonexistent, leaving him with only meager resources.

His annual income is estimated to be less than $5,000, cobbled together from two sources. He earns a minuscule wage from prison work assignments, reportedly around 20 cents per hour. The only other financial lifeline is his police pension, a small portion of which is managed by his family to cover his basic needs. He no longer owns a home or any other valuable property.

Life Behind Bars and Its Financial Realities

Currently serving his sentences at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois, Drew Peterson has no realistic path to financial recovery. With a combined sentence of 78 years, he will spend the rest of his life in prison, removing any possibility of future earnings or rebuilding his net worth.

His day-to-day existence is a stark contrast to his former life. The financial freedom he once enjoyed has been replaced by the rigid, controlled economy of the prison system. His story serves as a powerful example of how criminal actions lead not only to a loss of liberty but also to complete and irreversible financial devastation.

The Lasting Consequence of a Fallen Officer

Drew Peterson’s financial journey is a cautionary tale. It demonstrates how a lifetime of stable earnings and a comfortable retirement can be completely wiped out when confronted with the overwhelming cost of a criminal defense. His net worth did not disappear due to bad investments or market downturns; it was systematically dismantled to pay for the consequences of his own actions. Ultimately, the story of his wealth is a grim reminder that the true cost of his crimes can’t be measured in dollars, but in the lives destroyed and the freedom he will never regain.