A High Stakes Life: What is the Real Net Worth of Vanessa Selbst?

Vanessa Selbst net worth and financial ventures

When estimating Vanessa Selbst’s net worth, the first thing you should be aware of is this: estimating the exact net worth of a professional poker player can be challenging because of variables like undisclosed earnings and sponsorship deals, as well as personal investments. But as of 2022, various sources estimate Vanessa Selbst's net worth to be approximately $6 million. This figure considers her tournament winnings, sponsorships, and other financial endeavors.

But there was a point when Vanessa Selbst was at the peak of her game (and fame), and it is said that her total earnings in live tournaments was at $11,727,178 (some sites dispute this figure, saying it is $11,906,247 – either way, it is almost $12 million). She also won the best live cash of $1,823,430. We should note that she has won in numerous other tournaments, final tables, and games, and we aren’t sure of the estimate of these winnings. In all respects, her net worth at her peak could very well have been more.

In 2018, as mentioned, she sought a new challenge and desired more stability, and Vanessa transitioned from professional poker to the finance sector. She then joined the aforementioned Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest hedge funds, leveraging her analytical skills in a new domain.

Her last known tournament was the World Poker Tour in Niagara Falls in 2020, and she competed in the $4,700 +300 No Limit Hold’Em Main Event, where she netted a total prize of $14,915 and came in 22nd place.

Highlights of Vanessa Selbst’s poker career

Believe it or not, Vanessa Selbst was reluctant at first to get into poker. Her foray into the world of poker began during her undergraduate years, where she participated in home games and local cash games at the Foxwoods Casino. But her competitive spirit and strategic mindset quickly drew attention – and her meteoric rise gave her instant fame and recognition and propelled her to the professional circuit. She quickly gained a massive following of fans and enthusiasts eager to see what she was going to do next! Over her career, she amassed over $11.9 million in live tournament earnings, positioning her as a world-class poker player – and earning her the distinction of being the highest-earning female poker player in history.

All in all, even though she has many notable achievements, her World Series of Poker (WSOP) accomplishments are particularly noteworthy. In other words, her WSOP bracelets have cemented her fame and reputation, not only among heavy poker enthusiasts, but also among the ordinary populace. Vanessa Selbst was able to secure a grand total of three WSOP bracelets in open events, which is quite a record, especially for female players. Her victories include:

But aside from the World Series of Poker, Vanessa Selbst's prowess was evident in other major tournaments. For instance, in 2010, she clinched the top spot at the Partouche Poker Tour Main Event in France, managing to secure her biggest prize to date: a staggering $1.82 million. But this is definitely not the last. She also made history by winning the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) Main Event at Mohegan Sun consecutively in 2010 and 2011, a feat unparalleled in the tour's history. Her back to back win earned her a total of $750,000 in 2010, and when she returned to defend her title a year later, she took home an amazing win of $450,000.

Vanessa Selbst has also been the proud winner of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure High Roller in 2013 and has earned the merit of being the very first female to participate in a so-called Super High Roller event. She took 3rd place. All these results have placed Vanessa Selbst in the Top 100 of the All Time Money List.

Although she officially retired from poker at the age of 34 – which completely shocked her followers and industry insiders alike - she still sometimes took part in tournaments. She explained her decision to retire in a Facebook post, saying she was parting ways with PokerStars and “poker in general.” She still managed to play at the WPT Borgata event, winning $40,000 and coming in at the 14th spot, and she also took part in the WPT Fallsview Main Event. But as she stated, her main reasons for quitting – and being the ambassador and ‘face’ of PokerStars – was that it became too much of a cross to bear and it wore her down. In short, playing poker had lost all the fun for her – and this is understandable, considering the daily pressure she was under.

Being a two-degree holder (and one of them a law degree, at that), it wasn’t that difficult for Vanessa to find a job and a source of daily income. Last we heard, she was able to secure a job as a hedge fund manager at Bridgewater Associates, and she was also one of the founders of the charity Venture Justice, which has been a fighter for justice and erstwhile causes.

But at the end of the day, Vanessa still adores poker – and we think that’s why she became one of the teachers on the official platform LearnWPT, which provides its members access to strategies, content, and tips on how to improve their game. She also made her return in 2021 to the online poker world via PartyPoker New Jersey, a fully regulated poker website.

Vanessa Selbst’s early life and education: from Brooklyn to Yale to the big leagues

Vanessa Selbst was born on the 9th of July, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York, and she exhibited a proclivity for highly-analytical thinking from a young age – in fact, she may have been gifted with a unique ability and talent with logic and numbers, which doesn’t surprise us one bit! She initially enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) but later transferred to Yale University after a year of studies. While at Yale University, she earned a degree in Political Science.

As the icing on top of the proverbial cake, she took a year off after graduating and went to Spain for a Fulbright scholarship. But her academic pursuits didn't stop there – once she returned to the States, she worked for a year with McKinsey & Company, but she then went back to Yale Law School and obtained her Juris Doctor (JD) in 2012. Additionally, during her time at Yale, Selbst was actively involved in the Yale Queer-Straight Alliance, showcasing her commitment to advocacy and social justice. She is a lesbian and a strong supporter of various human rights causes, including, of course LGBTQ issues. She has been happily married since 2013 to Miranda Foster, and they had a baby boy in 2018. She is active on social media, particularly Instagram, and has widely posted about her life journey and milestones since leaving the poker limelight.

Personal life and advocacy

As we discussed, Vanessa Selbst's personal life is as dynamic as her professional career. In 2013, she married her long-time partner, Miranda Foster. The couple welcomed their first child in 2018, a baby boy – and we also believe it was a milestone that influenced Selbst's decision to step back from the demanding travel schedule of professional poker.

Throughout her stellar career, Selbst has been a vocal advocate for social justice, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. She has founded Venture Justice, a charitable foundation aimed at investing in nonprofit causes and organizations that champion social equality.

Vanessa Selbst’s legacy and impact

Needless to say, Vanessa Selbst's impact on the poker world is profound. She was able to shatter glass ceilings and proved that skill and determination can transcend gender barriers in the world of poker. Her outstanding brilliance, combined with her unwavering commitment and dedication to advocacy, has inspired a new generation of poker players, and even those outside the poker world continue to be awed by her achievements. Even after her retirement from professional poker, Vanessa’s legacy endures, reminding the world of the heights that can be achieved as long as a person has passion combined with perseverance.

Vanessa Selbst's journey from the poker tables to the finance sector and the fight for causes she believes in exemplifies a life lived with true purpose and adaptability. Her estimated net worth is a reflection not just of her financial success - but also the indelible mark she has left on multiple industries. Most importantly, the world of poker will never be the same, and she continues to inspire new generations with her prowess and talent – and the causes dear to her heart.