Jared Fogle is a former spokesperson and motivational speaker who became famous for losing weight by eating Subway sandwiches. He was also involved in a scandal that led to his arrest and imprisonment for child pornography and sex crimes. As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be $4 million.
How Jared Fogle Became Famous
His Weight Loss Story
Jared Fogle was born on December 1, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He struggled with obesity since childhood and weighed 425 pounds at his heaviest. In 1998, he decided to change his eating habits and started a diet that consisted mainly of Subway sandwiches. He ate two low-fat sandwiches a day, one for breakfast and one for lunch, and skipped dinner. He also walked a lot and drank water instead of soda.
In one year, he lost 245 pounds and went from wearing size 62 pants to size 34. His story caught the attention of a reporter from the Indiana Daily Student, who wrote an article about him. The article was then picked up by Men’s Health magazine, which featured him in a column called “Stupid Diets That Work”.
His Subway Career
Subway executives saw the Men’s Health article and contacted Fogle to offer him a job as their spokesperson. He agreed and appeared in his first commercial in 2000. He became the face of the company’s advertising campaigns for the next 15 years, promoting their healthy menu options and sharing his personal story.
He also became a motivational speaker and traveled around the country to talk to schools, businesses, and organizations about the benefits of eating healthy and exercising. He established the Jared Foundation in 2004, a nonprofit organization that aimed to raise awareness and prevent childhood obesity.
He appeared in more than 300 commercials for Subway and earned about $2 million per year from his endorsement deal. He also made cameo appearances in movies and TV shows, such as Jack & Jill, Sharknado 2, and WWE Raw.
How Jared Fogle Lost His Fame
His Criminal Charges
In July 2015, Fogle’s home was raided by the FBI as part of an investigation into child pornography and sex crimes. The raid was triggered by the arrest of Russell Taylor, the former director of the Jared Foundation, who was charged with producing and possessing child pornography.
Fogle was accused of receiving and distributing child pornography from Taylor, as well as traveling across state lines to have sex with underage girls. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and receipt of child pornography and one count of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
He was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison in November 2015. He also agreed to pay $1.4 million in restitution to his 14 victims and forfeit $50,000 in assets. He is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado.
His Public Backlash
Fogle’s crimes shocked the public and tarnished his reputation as a role model and health advocate. Subway immediately cut ties with him and removed all references to him from their website and social media accounts. They also donated $1 million to the Partnership for a Healthier America, an organization that fights childhood obesity.
Fogle faced widespread criticism and ridicule from the media and the public. He was mocked on social media platforms, such as Twitter and Reddit, where users created memes and jokes about him. He was also parodied on shows like South Park, Family Guy, Robot Chicken, and Saturday Night Live.
He also faced legal troubles from his ex-wives and former business partners. His second wife, Katie McLaughlin, filed for divorce shortly after his arrest and sued him for negligence and emotional distress. She claimed that he had lied to her about his criminal activities and exposed her and their two children to danger.
His former business partner, Elizabeth Potts Weinstein, also sued him for breach of contract and fraud. She alleged that he had failed to pay her for her services as a public relations consultant and had used her company’s credit card for personal expenses.
FAQ
What is Jared Fogle’s net worth?
Jared Fogle’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million as of 2023.
How much did Jared Fogle make from Subway?
Jared Fogle made about $2 million per year from his endorsement deal with Subway.
How much did Jared Fogle lose from his scandal?
Jared Fogle lost about $15 million from his scandal, including his Subway contract, his assets, his restitution payments, his legal fees, and his potential earnings.
When will Jared Fogle get out of prison?
Jared Fogle’s earliest scheduled release date is March 24, 2029.
What is Jared Fogle doing now?
Jared Fogle is currently serving his prison sentence and has not made any public statements since his conviction.
