How Bugha Spent His First $3,000,000 After Winning the Fortnite World Cup
Fortnite phenomenon Bugha, the 2019 winner of the Fortnite World Cup, nailed a life-changing prize of $3 million. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how he managed and spent all his newfound wealth, from family support to personal investments and indulgences.
Paid Off the Family House
One of the very first things Bugha did with his prize money was paying off his family's house. He pulled out $200,000—portioned out into two $100,000 pieces—and covered the mortgage. Well, this gesture was pretty much a thank-you to his parents for all their support throughout his gaming journey. According to Bugha, they allowed him to focus on gaming rather than engage in other sports, which had made his success in esports possible.
Spending money on a Tesla Model S
Still only 16, Bugha rewarded himself with a nice shiny car: a Tesla Model S with a price tag of nearly $100,000. He knew that cars depreciate in value, but he loved the look of a Tesla—it wasn't very "gamer-esque" with an electric engine. At this point, looking back, Bugha now says if he knew then what he knows now, he would have picked another, very nice car; probably an Audi RS 7 or RS Q8.
In-house Gym and Streaming Setup
With this newfound wealth, Bugha invested some $50,000 in home and personal improvements. This included setting up his in-home gym and his dedicated streaming room at his parents' house. This renovation in the basement had dual PCs fitted with RTX 4090s, set up a new desk, advanced lighting, and changed the floor completely. He topped it off by upgrading his setup with a SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Keyboard, Logitech G Pro Superlight 2 Mouse, and a Sennheiser Headset.
Up-Scaling Wardrobe in Luxury.
Bugha took his style game to the extreme, spending nearly $75,000 on clothes and accessories. Among the items that he bought were some high-end watches: an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and a Rolex GMT Master II. The latter is fondly referred to as "Batman" because it has a blue and black bezel. Just these two watches ran for about $45,000. Other items Bugha added to his wardrobe were designer shoes and clothing to give himself a classier and yet much simpler look.
Moving to Dallas for Zero Ping
In search of optimal conditions to play games, Bugha moved to Dallas, Texas, so he could enjoy the zero-ping environment. He said he had paid off some $50,000 for his rent at a new home overlooking the Dallas cityscape. That was a life change that had given him an ideal setup for competitive gaming.
Convenience of DoorDash
With his parents no longer cooking meals, Bugha began to rely on food delivery services, which he estimated ran him a staggering $100,000 on DoorDash this past year. From gourmet meals to McDonald's, Bugha enjoyed a wide range of culinary delights delivered right to his door.
Investing for the Future
Knowing that a professional gaming career could be short, Bugha did the intelligent thing: He hired an accountant and financial advisor. He invested in cryptocurrency, stocks, and opened a Roth 401(k). Proper money sense and thinking about the future, he says, is important—it's what he does to ensure good use for his winnings.
Conclusion: Sensible Spending and Saving for the Future
Bugha's story serves as a museum of what esports can turn into. It also goes a long way in showing the importance of wise financial planning. He has shown a rather well-balanced approach: giving back to the family, indulging in some luxury purchases, and letting his $3 million winnings work toward his future.
Bugha's story serves not just as inspiration but as a practical guideline for aspiring people on how to handle sudden wealth. Whether gamer or one who is very curious about the lives of esports champions, Bugha's experiences offer a huge education in responsible spending and investment.
