Who Is Clive Cussler? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Clive Cussler was born on July 15, 1931, and passed away on February 24, 2020. At the time of his death, he was 88 years old. Cussler established himself as a prominent figure in the literary scene, particularly known for his adventure novels featuring the iconic character Dirk Pitt. Over the years, he authored numerous bestsellers, captivating audiences with his unique blend of history, science, and intrigue.
| Occupation | Explorer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 15, 1931 |
| Age | 88 Years |
| Birth Place | Aurora, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 24 February, 2020 |
| Died Place | Paradise Valley, Arizona, U.S. |
Popularity
Clive Cussler's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While Clive Cussler's physical stats are not widely documented, it's known that he maintained an active lifestyle. His passion for underwater exploration often contributed to his fitness, which reflected in his work as an adventure novelist. As of 2025, Cussler's legacy continues to be celebrated, and his presence is felt beyond mere measurements.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Clive Cussler was married twice in his lifetime. He had a long-lasting union with his first wife, Barbara Knight, from 1955 until their divorce in 1978. He later married his second wife, Janet, in 1999, with whom he shared a life filled with love and exploration. Cussler had three children: two sons, Dirk and Todd, and a daughter, Catherine, who have carried on his legacy in various ways, including literary endeavors and underwater explorations.
In his memoir The Sea Hunters: True Adventures with Famous Shipwrecks, Cussler revealed that his father served in the Imperial German Army on the Western Front during World War I. Furthermore, one of Cussler's uncles served in the Imperial German Air Service and became a flying ace, shooting down 14 Allied aeroplanes.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Clive Cussler's estimated net worth was around $80 million. His fortune stemmed from his successful career as a writer, with many of his novels hitting bestseller lists and selling millions of copies worldwide. Additionally, Cussler earned royalties from film adaptations based on his books, further solidifying his financial success.
Career, Business and Investments
Clive Cussler's career as an author took off with the publication of his first novel, "Pacific Vortex!" in 1976. His passion for adventure and marine archaeology led him to establish the NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency) to promote underwater exploration and preserve America's maritime history. Cussler's literary works, known for their meticulously researched plots involving historical events intertwined with fiction, garnered him a dedicated fan base. Apart from his novels, he worked on screenplays and participated in various media projects, enhancing his reputation in the entertainment industry.
Clive Eric Cussler (July 15, 1931 – February 24, 2020) was an American adventure novelist and underwater explorer. His thriller novels, many featuring the character Dirk Pitt, have been listed on The New York Times fiction best-seller list more than 20 times.
Cussler was the founder and chairman of the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), which has discovered more than 60 shipwreck sites and numerous other notable underwater wrecks. He was the sole author or main author of more than 80 books. He often placed himself into his books as himself.
Social Network
Though Clive Cussler is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through his works and the online communities that celebrate his writing. Fans continue to engage with his novels on social media platforms and literary forums, sharing their favorite moments and discussing the impact of his influence on the thriller genre. His family, particularly his sons, has also maintained a presence in the literary world, often connecting with fans of their father's work.
Cussler's novels almost always begin with a chapter set in the past. These contain none of the novel's main characters and often seem disconnected from the plot until the main characters discover a mystery or secret relating the events of the first chapter to the rest of the story.
This is almost always in the form of a long-lost artifact that is important to the villain's or hero's objectives. Often in the first chapter, a ship or airplane carrying a top-secret, important, or dangerous cargo is lost and never found, until it is recovered by a modern character later in the book.
Education
Cussler's education included a degree in graphic arts from the University of Washington. His background in the arts, paired with his lifelong fascination with maritime exploration and history, greatly influenced his writing style and the thematic elements present in his novels.
He was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout when he was 14 years old. He attended Pasadena City College for two years and then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. During his service with the Air Force, he was promoted to sergeant and worked as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer for the Military Air Transport Service (MATS).
