R. L. Stine Net Worth: R.L. Stine, creator of the Goosebumps and Fear Street book series, has a net worth of $200 million. He is referred to as the “Stephen King of children’s fiction” and has sold more than 400 million books globally, ranking him as one of the highest-selling writers of all time.
His frightening tales have influenced television shows, films, and video games, which have considerably increased his fortunes. Aside from novel writing, Stine has also been a screenwriter and producer, adding to his wealth. His long-term writing career continues to shape the children’s horror literature world.
R. L. Stine Bio/Wiki
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Lawrence Stine |
| Nickname | R.L. Stine, Jovial Bob Stine |
| Date of Birth | October 8, 1943 |
| Age | 82 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Columbus, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Author, Screenwriter, Producer |
| Genres | Horror, Thriller, Children’s Fiction |
| Famous Works | Goosebumps, Fear Street, Blind Date |
| Education | Ohio State University (B.A. in English) |
| Years Active | 1967–present |
| Spouse | Jane Waldhorn (m. 1969) |
| Children | Matthew Stine |
| Net Worth | $200 million (as of 2025) |
Who Is R. L. Stine?
R.L. Stine, often referred to as the “Stephen King of children’s literature,“ is a world-renowned author, screenwriter, and producer best known for creating the Goosebumps and Fear Street series. Born on October 8, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio, Stine developed a passion for storytelling at a young age.
His career began in humor writing, but he later transitioned into horror, captivating millions of young readers with his spooky yet entertaining books. With over 400 million copies sold worldwide, his books have been translated into numerous languages, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Beyond literature, Stine’s influence extends to television, movies, and video games, with adaptations of Goosebumps and Fear Street becoming pop culture staples.
He has also written for television, co-creating Eureeka’s Castle for Nickelodeon. His work has inspired a new generation of horror writers, proving that his legacy in children’s literature is both enduring and impactful.
R. L. Stine Early Life
R.L. Stine was born Robert Lawrence Stine on October 8, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in a modest household with his parents, Lewis Stine, a shipping clerk, and Anne Stine, a homemaker. He had two younger siblings, Bill and Pam.
As a child, Stine developed a love for storytelling when he stumbled upon an old typewriter in his attic at the age of nine. He began typing short stories and joke books, which sparked his lifelong passion for writing.
Stine attended Cassingham Elementary School and Bexley High School before enrolling at Ohio State University in 1961. While at college, he became the editor of the school’s humor magazine, The Sundial, where he honed his comedic writing skills.
In 1965, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and later moved to New York City to pursue a writing career. His early years in publishing were focused on children’s humor and joke books, but his transition to horror would later make him a household name.
R. L. Stine Family
R.L. Stine was born into a middle-class Jewish family in Columbus, Ohio. His parents, Lewis Stine and Anne Stine, worked hard to provide for their three children. His father was a shipping clerk, while his mother was a homemaker who instilled the importance of creativity and education in her children.
Stine grew up with his younger siblings, Bill and Pam, in a supportive household. Despite financial struggles, his family encouraged his passion for writing from an early age, which played a key role in shaping his future career.
In his personal life, Stine has been married to Jane Waldhorn since June 22, 1969. Jane is a writer and editor who co-founded Parachute Press, the publishing company that helped launch Stine’s most famous book series.
The couple has one son, Matthew Stine, born in 1980, who is a music producer and owner of 27 Sound Entertainment. Stine and his family have maintained a relatively private life despite his immense success, but he often credits Jane for supporting his career and helping him become one of the world’s most successful children’s authors.
R. L. Stine Education
R.L. Stine attended Cassingham Elementary School and later Bexley High School in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. During his early school years, he developed a love for reading and writing, often creating short stories and joke books for fun.
Though he wasn’t particularly interested in academics, he excelled in creative writing and enjoyed entertaining his classmates with humorous stories. His passion for storytelling continued to grow, and by the time he finished high school, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in writing.
In 1961, Stine enrolled at Ohio State University, where he majored in English. During his college years, he became the editor of the university’s humor magazine, The Sundial, which allowed him to refine his comedic writing skills.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1965, Stine moved to New York City to begin his writing career, initially focusing on children’s humor books before transitioning into the horror genre that would make him famous.
R. L. Stine Career
R.L. Stine began his career writing humor books for children under the pen name “Jovial Bob Stine.” He worked for Scholastic Magazines, where he wrote joke books and created the popular kids’ humor magazine “Bananas,” which ran from 1975 to 1984. Stine spent years crafting entertaining stories before making a shift to the horror genre.
His first horror novel, “Blind Date,” was published in 1986 and became a success, leading him to write more suspenseful books. In 1989, he launched the “Fear Street” series, a collection of horror novels for young adults that would go on to sell over 80 million copies worldwide.
In 1992, Stine created his most famous series, “Goosebumps,” which became a massive hit, selling over 400 million copies and being translated into more than 30 languages.
Over the years, Stine has continued writing new Goosebumps and Fear Street books while also working on various projects, including the Mostly Ghostly series and anthologies. His ability to mix humor and horror has cemented him as one of the most influential children’s authors of all time.
R. L. Stine Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 176 lbs (80 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black (now graying) |
| Body Type | Average |
| Distinct Features | Glasses, receding hairline |
R. L. Stine Wife/Girlfriend and Relationship status
R.L. Stine has been married to Jane Waldhorn since June 22, 1969. Jane is a writer and editor who co-founded Parachute Press, a publishing company that has played a key role in developing and publishing many of Stine’s books.
Their long-lasting marriage has been a testament to their shared love for literature and storytelling. Jane has been instrumental in shaping Stine’s career, helping to manage and expand his publishing success.
The couple has one son, Matthew Stine, born on June 7, 1980. Matthew has pursued a career in the music industry and owns 27 Sound Entertainment, an independent record label.
Despite Stine’s fame and success, he has kept his personal life relatively private, maintaining a strong and supportive family life while continuing his prolific writing career.
R. L. Stine Net Worth
R.L. Stine net worth is estimated to be around $200 million. He has amassed his fortune primarily through his successful career as an author, screenwriter, and producer.
His books have been translated into dozens of languages, further expanding his global reach. Additionally, the “Goosebumps” franchise has spawned TV shows, movies, video games, and merchandise, all contributing to his impressive wealth.
Beyond book sales, Stine has earned significant income from film and television adaptations. The “Goosebumps” films, starring Jack Black, grossed hundreds of millions at the box office, while the Netflix “Fear Street” trilogy introduced his stories to a new generation.
Additionally, Stine has written various standalone novels, graphic novels, and anthologies, ensuring a steady flow of royalties. His continued involvement in publishing, combined with lucrative licensing deals and media adaptations, keeps his net worth growing year after year.
R. L. Stine Plan and Goals
Despite his decades-long success in children’s horror fiction, R.L. Stine has no plans to slow down. He continues to write new books for both his iconic “Goosebumps” and “Fear Street” series, ensuring that new generations of readers can enjoy his spine-chilling stories.
Stine has also expanded his work into graphic novels and digital formats, embracing new ways to reach younger audiences. With the resurgence of interest in classic horror franchises, Stine has expressed his excitement about creating more TV and film adaptations based on his books.
Looking ahead, Stine’s goal is to continue inspiring young readers with engaging and thrilling stories. He has mentioned in interviews that he loves interacting with his fans and wants to encourage kids to read more.
Additionally, he has hinted at new horror series in the works, keeping fans eager for fresh content. With an ever-growing audience and a passion for storytelling, R.L. Stine’s influence on children’s horror literature remains stronger than ever.
R. L. Stine on Social Media
| Platform | Handle/Username | Followers (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter (X) | @RL_Stine | 8.7K |
| @rl_stine | 84.4K | |
| R.L. Stine | 611.4K |
Fun Facts about R.L. Stine Net Worth
Started Writing at Age 9 –
Stine discovered a typewriter in his attic and immediately started writing short stories and joke books.
Used to Write Humor Books –
Before horror, he wrote joke books and humorous children’s stories under the name “Jovial Bob Stine.”
Created a Kids’ Magazine –
He founded and edited a kids’ humor magazine called Bananas, which ran from 1975 to 1984.
His First Horror Book Was an Accident –
His publisher suggested he try horror, leading to his first horror novel, Blind Date (1986).
Fear Street Came Before Goosebumps –
Fear Street (1989) was his first major horror book series before Goosebumps (1992).
Sold Over 400 Million Books –
His books have been translated into over 35 languages, making him one of the best-selling children’s authors ever.
The “Stephen King of Children’s Literature” –
Due to his horror success, he has been compared to the famous horror writer.
The Goosebumps TV Show Boosted His Popularity –
The Goosebumps series (1995-1998) brought his stories to TV, gaining him an even bigger audience.
He Was Portrayed by Jack Black –
In the Goosebumps movies (2015 & 2018), Jack Black played a fictionalized version of Stine.
He Writes Every Day –
Even in his 80s, Stine writes daily, keeping his horror stories alive for new generations.
Frequently Asked Questions about R.L. Stine Net Worth
What is R.L. Stine’s real name?
His real name is Robert Lawrence Stine.
What is R.L. Stine’s net worth?
R.L. Stine has an estimated net worth of $200 million.
What is R.L. Stine most famous for?
He is best known for writing the Goosebumps and Fear Street book series.
How many books has R.L. Stine written?
He has written over 300 books, including horror, humor, and children’s fiction.
Did R.L. Stine write books before Goosebumps?
Yes, he wrote joke books, humor stories, and the Fear Street series before launching Goosebumps in 1992.
Is R.L. Stine still writing books?
Yes, he continues to write new Goosebumps and Fear Street books.
Has R.L. Stine’s work been adapted into movies or TV shows?
Yes, Goosebumps was a TV series in the 1990s, and two Goosebumps movies starring Jack Black were released in 2015 and 2018. The Fear Street series was adapted into a Netflix film trilogy in 2021.
Conclusion of R.L. Stine Net Worth
R.L. Stine has solidified his place as one of the most influential children’s horror authors of all time. With his Goosebumps and Fear Street series captivating generations of readers, his impact on the literary world is undeniable.
His ability to blend suspense, humor, and thrills has made his books timeless favorites. Beyond writing, his work has inspired TV shows, movies, and a lasting fanbase.
Even after decades in the industry, Stine continues to create new stories, proving that his imagination knows no bounds. His legacy as the “Stephen King of children’s literature” remains strong, ensuring his work will be enjoyed for years to come.