Lance Armstrong: What Happened and Where Is He Now

Few figures in sports have lived a story as dramatic as Lance Armstrong’s. Born on September 18, 1971, in Plano, Texas, he went on to win seven Tour de France titles before they were all stripped following a massive doping investigation.

Born: September 18, 1971 · Tour de France titles (stripped): 7 · Estimated net worth (2024): $50 million · Age: 53 · Career active years: 1992–2011

Here are the essential details about Lance Armstrong in one table — a mix of biographical constants and numbers that changed after the scandal.

How is Lance Armstrong doing today?

Lance Armstrong’s current residence and family

Armstrong lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Kristin Richard, whom he married in 2022. The couple have five children from previous relationships and their marriage. He has kept a relatively low profile in the cycling world but remains visible in Austin’s social scene.

Lance Armstrong’s business ventures

• He is a partner at Next Ventures, a venture capital firm.
• He co-founded the podcast network The Forward, where he hosts shows on sports and culture.
• He also owns a coffee shop in Austin called Juan Pelota Café.

His recent public appearances and podcast

Armstrong currently hosts two podcasts: THEMOVE and The Forward. In 2023 he appeared on the celebrity reality series Stars on Mars. In March 2024 he discussed post-traumatic stress disorder after his doping admission on The Great Unlearn podcast.

The pattern: His second act shows how notoriety can be monetized, but at the cost of legacy.

What happened with Lance Armstrong?

The doping allegations

The allegations dated back to the early 2000s, but the case gained traction when former teammate Floyd Landis made accusations. The USADA investigation formally began in 2010 and culminated in a 2012 report that described Armstrong as running “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen” (The New York Times (major newspaper)).

The USADA investigation and confession

In 2012, USADA stripped Armstrong of all titles and results from August 1, 1998 onward, including seven Tour de France wins, 25 stage wins, and an Olympic bronze medal (Cycling News (sports data platform)). He received a lifetime ban from all sports governed by the World Anti-Doping Code (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)). In January 2013, he confessed to using testosterone, human growth hormone, EPO, and blood transfusions during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Loss of Tour de France titles and Olympic medal

Armstrong’s seven Tour de France titles were officially removed from the record books. He also lost his 2000 Olympic bronze medal in the time trial. He chose not to appeal the USADA decision. In 2018, he paid a $5 million settlement to the U.S. government related to a whistleblower lawsuit over sponsorship of his U.S. Postal Service team.

“I view this situation as one big lie that I repeated a lot of times.”

— Lance Armstrong, in the 2013 Oprah Winfrey interview (People (news magazine))

The implication: The investigation’s findings cemented Armstrong as a cautionary figure in sports history.

Is Lance Armstrong still a millionaire?

Lance Armstrong’s net worth in 2024

Armstrong’s net worth is estimated at about $50 million, according to a 2022 summary from Yahoo Finance (financial news site). That’s down from a peak of roughly $125 million in 2012. The drop came from lost endorsement deals, legal settlements, and legal fees.

How he earned and lost money

• Endorsements: At his peak, he earned an estimated $28 million annually from sponsors like Nike, Trek, and Oakley. All deals ended after the scandal.
• Settlements: The $5 million government settlement plus legal costs ate into his wealth.
• Businesses: His ventures, including Next Ventures and the podcast network, generate income but likely not at athlete-star level.

Comparison to other cyclists

Eight cyclists, one pattern: Armstrong’s wealth still sits near the top of the sport, but adjusted for inflation, the all-time richest rider is a century older.

The catch: His financial fall, though steep, still leaves him wealthier than nearly all clean riders.

Is Matthew McConaughey still friends with Lance Armstrong?

Their friendship history

Matthew McConaughey and Armstrong have been friends for decades, bonding over their Texas roots and philanthropy. McConaughey served as best man at Armstrong’s first wedding in 1998 and attended his second in 2022.

Public statements after scandal

McConaughey publicly defended Armstrong in the immediate aftermath of the doping revelations, saying in a 2015 interview that he believes in “second chances”. The actor appeared on Armstrong’s podcast The Forward in 2023, where they discussed friendship and forgiveness.

“I love the guy. He made a mistake, but who are we to judge? I’ve seen the good he’s done with Livestrong.”

— Matthew McConaughey, on The Forward podcast (People (news magazine))

The implication: Their friendship has endured the scandal, showcasing loyalty beyond the cycling world.

Why did Sheryl Crow leave Lance Armstrong?

Relationship timeline

Sheryl Crow and Armstrong began dating in 2003 and became engaged in 2006. The relationship ended abruptly later that year amid reports of Armstrong’s infidelity. Crow was a vocal supporter of his Livestrong charity during their time together.

Reasons for breakup

Crow later said in a 2013 interview that she felt betrayed by Armstrong’s doping lies, not just by the infidelity. “I had no idea what he was really doing,” she told People. She has not publicly reconciled with him.

“I feel lied to, and that’s the hardest part — not just about us, but about everything he stood for.”

— Sheryl Crow, in a 2013 interview with People (People (news magazine))

The consequence: Crow’s public break underscored the personal fallout of Armstrong’s deceptions.

Who is the richest cyclist of all time?

Top cyclists by earnings

When adjusted for inflation, Belgian legend Eddy Merckx likely tops the list, with an estimated peak net worth of $30–40 million in today’s dollars. But by raw peak earnings, Armstrong still holds the record. Among active riders, Peter Sagan and Chris Froome are the wealthiest, each with net worths around $10–15 million.

Lance Armstrong’s rank

Armstrong ranks as the highest-earning cyclist in history by nominal dollars, though his wealth has been reduced by legal costs.

Current wealth of cyclists like Peter Sagan, Chris Froome

Modern cyclists earn significantly less than Armstrong at his peak, partly because today’s anti-doping environment limits the financial highs that a dominant but doped rider can achieve.

The pattern: Clean sport may not yield nine-figure fortunes, but it preserves a legacy beyond money.

Armstrong’s story is one of spectacular rise, devastating fall, and a post-scandal life that continues to provoke debate. For the cycling world, the choice is clear: remember him as a cautionary tale about the corrupting power of fame, or acknowledge his second act as a media entrepreneur. The answer likely depends on whether you look at his legacy through the lens of sport or of redemption. For Armstrong himself, the lifelong consequence is that he will never fully escape the shadow of the lie he repeated so many times.

Related reading: Lance Stroll: Career, Wealth, and F1 Legacy · Jacques Villeneuve: From F1 Champion to Commentator