Alex Honnold is an American rock climber. He is best known for his free solo climbs. He is the first person to free-solo El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park. The 37-year-old’s estimated net worth is $2 million.
Surprise Sports brings you Alex Honnold’s net worth, earnings, biography, work, wife, and more.
Alex Honnold’s Biography
| Full Name | Alexander Honnold |
| Profession | Professional Rock Climber |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1985 |
| Birth Place | Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 37 |
| Height | 180 cm |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Sanni McCandless (m. 2020) |
| @alexhonnold |
Early Career
Alex Honnold’s early career as a climber was marked by a combination of passion, dedication, and a willingness to embrace an unconventional lifestyle. Born in Sacramento, California, in 1985, Honnold began climbing at the age of five in indoor gyms and quickly developed a deep love for the sport.
By the time he was ten, he was climbing several times a week and participating in youth climbing competitions at both national and international levels. Despite his early involvement, Honnold described himself as neither naturally gifted nor exceptionally strong compared to his peers, attributing his progress to sheer persistence and constant practice.
After graduating from Mira Loma High School in 2003 with an impressive academic record, Honnold enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, to study civil engineering. However, personal challenges during his first year—his parents’ divorce and the death of his grandfather—led him to skip classes frequently in favor of bouldering alone at Indian Rock.
By age 19, he dropped out of college entirely to pursue climbing full-time. Living out of his mother’s old minivan and later a tent or bicycle, Honnold traveled across California to climb wherever conditions were favorable.
Honnold’s breakthrough came in 2007 when he free-soloed Yosemite’s Astroman and the Rostrum in a single day, replicating Peter Croft’s legendary 1987 feat. This achievement brought him recognition within the climbing community. That same year, he upgraded his lifestyle slightly by purchasing a Ford Econoline van, which became his mobile base as he dedicated himself fully to climbing.
In 2008, Honnold stunned the world with his free solo ascent of Zion National Park’s Moonlight Buttress and later the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome in Yosemite—both monumental achievements that cemented his reputation as one of the most daring climbers of his generation.
Professional Career
Alex Honnold’s professional career has been defined by groundbreaking achievements in free solo climbing, a discipline that involves scaling massive rock faces without ropes or safety equipment. He first gained significant attention in 2007 with his free solo ascents of Yosemite’s Astroman and the Rostrum in a single day, feats that mirrored legendary climber Peter Croft’s 1987 accomplishment.
The following year, Honnold elevated his reputation further with his free solo of Zion National Park’s Moonlight Buttress and Yosemite’s Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome, the latter being hailed as one of the most impressive ropeless ascents ever completed.
Honnold’s career-defining moment came on June 3, 2017, when he became the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. This 3,000-foot ascent along the Freerider route took him just under four hours and required years of meticulous preparation and practice.
The climb was documented in the Academy Award-winning film Free Solo (2018), which brought him global recognition and showcased his extraordinary mental and physical discipline. The ascent has been widely regarded as one of the greatest athletic achievements in history.
Beyond El Capitan, Honnold has continued to push boundaries in climbing. In 2012, he completed Yosemite’s “Triple Solo,” scaling Mount Watkins, Half Dome, and El Capitan in under 24 hours. He also set a speed record on El Capitan’s Nose route with Tommy Caldwell in 2018, completing it in under two hours.
In addition to his climbing feats, Honnold has ventured into scientific expeditions, such as his 2022 first ascent of Greenland’s Ingmikortilaq sea cliff to support climate research.
Throughout his career, Honnold has maintained a humble approach to his achievements while advocating for environmental sustainability through the Honnold Foundation. His work continues to inspire climbers and non-climbers alike, cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of climbing.
Wife
Alex Honnold is married to Sanni McCandless, an entrepreneur and life coach. The couple met in 2015 at one of Honnold’s book signings in Seattle, where Sanni left her phone number for him. Their relationship developed quickly, with Sanni joining Alex on climbing trips across Europe just six months after they met.
Their love story gained widespread attention through the documentary Free Solo (2018), which chronicled Honnold’s historic free solo ascent of El Capitan and included intimate glimpses into their relationship. Despite initial doubts about balancing their romance with Alex’s intense climbing focus, the two forged ahead, navigating the pressures of both the climbing world and public scrutiny.
Alex proposed to Sanni on Christmas Day in 2019, and they married on September 12, 2020. They now live in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they’ve built a family together. The couple has two daughters: June, born in February 2022, and Alice Summer, born in February 2024.
Parenthood has brought new dimensions to their relationship, with Alex embracing fatherhood wholeheartedly and working to balance his adventurous lifestyle with family responsibilities. Their journey as a couple reflects a shared commitment to growth, adventure, and supporting each other through life’s challenges.
Alex Honnold’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Alex Honnold’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million. Honnold is one of the greatest rock climbers of all time. His average yearly income is approximately $200k.
Career Earnings
| Income Source | Details | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship Deals | Includes partnerships with The North Face, Black Diamond, La Sportiva, and Goal Zero. | ~$100,000–$150,000 annually. |
| Speaking Engagements | Charges $45,000–$125,000 per event for live or virtual talks. | ~$50,000–$100,000 annually. |
| Book Royalties | From his memoir Alone on the Wall and other publishing projects. | ~$20,000–$30,000 annually. |
| Documentary Revenue | Earnings from appearances in Free Solo and other media projects. | Significant one-time boost post-2018. |
| Climbing Competitions | Prize money from professional climbing events. | Minimal compared to other sources. |
| Other Ventures | Investments in climbing gyms and sustainable business ventures. | Undisclosed but supplementary. |
Total Annual Income
Alex Honnold earns an estimated $200,000–$270,000 per year from these combined sources. Despite his financial success, he donates approximately one-third of his income to the Honnold Foundation to support solar energy initiatives.
Endorsements
Alex Honnold has secured several high-profile endorsements throughout his career, aligning with brands that reflect his adventurous lifestyle and values. His most notable partnership is with The North Face, which has been a long-term sponsor and provides him with gear, travel support, and financial backing through a game-changing five-year contract.
Honnold has also collaborated with Whoop, a fitness wearable brand, and TradingView, a financial trading platform. The TradingView partnership included a promotional campaign that creatively linked the calculated risks of climbing to those of trading.
In addition to these, Honnold has worked with other outdoor and climbing-related companies like Black Diamond, La Sportiva, and Goal Zero, which supply him with equipment and support his expeditions. While he lost sponsorship from Clif Bar in 2014 due to concerns about the risks of free soloing, Honnold has continued to attract brands that resonate with his ethos of preparation, sustainability, and adventure.
Career Stats
| Climbing Achievement | Details | Year |
|---|---|---|
| First Free Solo of El Capitan | Freerider route (3,000 feet, 5.13a) in 3 hours, 56 minutes | 2017 |
| Free Solo of Half Dome | Regular Northwest Face (2,000 feet, 5.12a) | 2008 |
| Yosemite Triple Crown | Mount Watkins, El Capitan, and Half Dome in 18 hours, 50 minutes | 2012 |
| Speed Record on The Nose (El Capitan) | Completed with Tommy Caldwell in 1 hour, 58 minutes, 7 seconds | 2018 |
| First Free Ascent of Ingmikortilaq | 3,750-foot sea cliff in Greenland with Hazel Findlay | 2022 |
| Free Solo of El Sendero Luminoso | 1,750-foot route (5.12d) in Mexico in ~3 hours | 2014 |
| First Repeat of Astroman & Rostrum Linkup | Free soloed both routes in a single day | 2007 |
| Salathé Wall Solo Speed Record | Cut over eight hours off the previous record, completing it in 11 hours, 18 minutes | 2024 |
| Hardest Climbing Grade Achieved | Redpointed up to 5.14d (Arrested Development, Mount Charleston) | Various |
| Hardest Boulder Grade Achieved | Bouldered up to V12 (The Mandala, Bishop, CA) | Various |
FAQs
1. Who is Alex Honnold?
Alex Honnold is an American professional rock climber renowned for his free solo ascents, where he climbs without ropes or safety gear. He gained global fame for his historic 2017 free solo of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo.
2. What is Alex Honnold’s most famous climbing achievement?
Honnold’s most famous achievement is his free solo ascent of the 3,000-foot Freerider route on El Capitan in Yosemite in 2017. This climb, completed without ropes or equipment, is regarded as one of the greatest feats in climbing history.
3. What is the Honnold Foundation?
Founded by Alex Honnold in 2012, the Honnold Foundation supports solar energy projects worldwide. It focuses on providing sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities, improving lives while reducing environmental impact.
4. What climbing grades has Alex Honnold achieved?
Alex Honnold has redpointed up to 5.14d (9a) and bouldered up to V12 (8A+). These grades highlight his technical skill and strength, making him one of the most accomplished climbers globally.
5. Is Alex Honnold married?
Yes, Alex Honnold married Sanni McCandless in September 2020. The couple has two daughters: June, born in 2022, and Alice Summer, born.
