Bobby Jenks, one of baseball’s most dominant closers and a crucial force in the Chicago White Sox’s 2005 World Series win, has died at 44. He passed away on July 4, 2025, in Sintra, Portugal, after battling a rare form of stomach cancer known as adenocarcinoma.
Jenks broke into the majors in 2005 and quickly became a reliable name on the mound, helping the White Sox clinch their first World Series title in 88 years. Over his career, he was named an All-Star twice and earned a reputation as one of the most dependable relievers in the league.
“We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family today,” said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “None of us will ever forget that ninth inning of Game 4 in Houston, all that Bobby did for the 2005 World Series champions and for the entire Sox organization during his time in Chicago.”
Jenks spent his final year in Portugal with his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, while undergoing treatment. He leaves behind Eleni and their two children, Zeno and Kate, along with four kids—Cuma, Nolan, Rylan, and Jackson—from his previous marriage to Adele Romkee.
With his career cut short and life even shorter, many wonder how much wealth the former MLB star left behind. Here’s a look at Jenks’ net worth, salary, and the assets tied to his name.
What Was His Fortune?
Though his career ended earlier than expected, Jenks still managed to leave behind a respectable fortune. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to fall between $5 million and $7 million.
His earnings came from a combination of his MLB career and a legal settlement in 2019. Jenks reached a $5.1 million agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital and the surgeon involved in his final back surgery.
What was supposed to be a procedure to help him return to pitching instead turned into a nightmare. He later discovered the doctor had been performing two operations at once, a practice Jenks said put both patients at risk.
The surgery left him with complications and lingering pain, effectively ending his career.
How Much Did He Make Yearly From MLB?
During his seven-year run in the majors, Bobby earned over $26 million. Most of that came during his time with the Chicago White Sox, where he pitched from 2005 to 2010 and racked up 173 saves.
His final season in the league came in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox, cut short by a back injury that would ultimately derail his career.
Here’s a quick look at how his salary stacked up over the years:
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2005: $300,000
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2006: $340,000
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2007: $450,000
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2009: $5.6 million
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2010: $7.5 million
In 2011, he signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Red Sox. That contract guaranteed him $6 million per season, though he only pitched in 19 games before undergoing spinal surgery.
After stepping away from the field, Jenks eventually found his way back into the sport as a coach. He worked with several teams, including the Grand Junction Rockies and the Windy City ThunderBolts.
Property
The late MLB star owned multiple homes over the years.
In 2010, he purchased a six-bedroom house in Mesa, Arizona, for $2.05 million.
Before that, he lived with his family in Hinsdale, Illinois, a suburb just outside Chicago. They had moved there in 2006 during his time with the White Sox. He listed the four-bedroom, 3,203-square-foot Hinsdale home for $899,000 in 2011.
Years later, in January 2025, tragedy struck when Jenks’s home in the Palisades area of Los Angeles was destroyed in the California wildfires.
