Jessi Combs, an accomplished American metal fabricator, race car driver, and reality TV personality, held a net worth of $1 million until her untimely passing in 2019.
On October 9, 2013, she made history by shattering the women’s land speed record in the Alvord Desert, Oregon, achieving a remarkable speed of 404.709 mph aboard the North American Eagle (NaE) Supersonic Speed Challenger.
Sadly, Jessi lost her life on August 27, 2019, in a tragic accident during her pursuit to break the female land speed record. She was 36 years old. The record she aimed to surpass was 512 MPH, set by Kitty O’Neil back in 1972.
$1 Million: Image source (Celebrity Net Worth)
Quick Facts
| Category | Richest Athletes › Race Car Drivers |
|---|
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
| Birthdate | Jul 27, 1983 – Aug 27, 2019 (36 years old) |
| Birthplace | Black Hills |
| Gender | Female |
| Profession | Actor |
| Nationality | United States of America |
Early Life
Born on July 27, 1983, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jessi Combs made a pivotal decision after completing high school.
Despite receiving a scholarship offer for a prestigious interior design program, she opted to stay close to home.
Instead, she pursued her passion by enrolling in the Collision and Refinishing Core Program at Wyo Tech. Demonstrating her commitment and talent, Jessi graduated at the forefront of her class in 2004.
TV Career
Combs’ blend of charm and automotive expertise propelled her into the realm of television. Initially rising to prominence as a co-host on “Xtreme 4×4,” part of Spike TV’s ‘Powerblock,’ she spent four years immersed in the world of truck building and racing.
Following a car accident in 2007, she transitioned away from “Xtreme 4×4” to helm various other car-centric programs such as “Overhaulin’,” “Truck U,” and “2 Guys Garage.”
However, it was her role as a co-host on Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters” that truly defined her television career. Stepping in for Kari Byron during her maternity leave, Combs not only demonstrated her technical prowess but also showcased her innate on-camera charisma.
Professional Racing Career
Apart from her television endeavors, Combs solidified her reputation as a formidable contender in the realm of racing.
She engaged in various racing competitions such as the Baja 1000, the King of the Hammers, and the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles—an exclusively female rally in Morocco, clinching the distinction of being the inaugural woman to secure a position at the Ultra4’s King of the Hammers.
Additionally, she triumphed in the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger in 2013, establishing a record-breaking official run of 398.954 mph.
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Death and Legacy
Tragically, Jessi Combs died on August 27, 2019, while attempting to break her own land-speed record in a 52,000 horsepower jet-powered car in Oregon’s Alvord Desert.
She was posthumously awarded the title of “the fastest woman on four wheels” by the Guinness World Records in June 2020, with a recorded speed of 522.783 mph.
Combs was a passionate advocate for women in the automotive and racing industries. She worked with a number of initiatives aimed at encouraging women to explore careers in these fields.
She also started her own line of women’s welding gear.