Steve Bartkowski Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Steve Bartkowski Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Steve Bartkowski is a former NFL quarterback celebrated for his dynamic career as the No. 1 pick and his enduring legacy in Atlanta.

Introduction

Steven Joseph “Steve” Bartkowski was born on November 12, 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa. Renowned as the first overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, he built a reputation as a quarterback characterized by arm strength, resilience and franchise-changing impact. He is estimated to hold a net worth of approximately $1.5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.  In his personal life, he is married to Sandee (née Oliver) and the couple have raised two sons.

Quick Facts

From Promising Beginnings to NFL Trailblazer

Bartkowski’s journey began at Buchser High School in Santa Clara, California, where his natural athleticism and arm cannon caught attention. He advanced to the University of California, Berkeley, where in his senior year he led the nation in passing with 2,580 yards and earned consensus All-American honors. 

In 1975, the Atlanta Falcons selected Bartkowski as the No. 1 overall pick. The team entrusted him to reshape a franchise that had been struggling. He responded by claiming NFL Rookie of the Year honors, throwing for 1,662 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Defining moments in Steve Bartkowski’s journey include:

• Leading the nation in passing as a senior at Cal and becoming an All-American.

• Being selected first overall in the 1975 NFL Draft and immediately impacting the Falcons.

• Guiding Atlanta to its first playoff victory in franchise history in 1978. 

• Posting back-to-back 30+ touchdown seasons in 1980 and 1981 — an elite quarterback achievement. 

• Battling injury, adapting to post-playing life and finding new roles in business and mentorship.

The Core Pillars of Wealth

Despite a prolific career, Bartkowski’s net worth remains modest relative to modern NFL stars. The core pillars of his wealth include:

• NFL Salary and Contracts: His professional earnings stem from his playing years with Atlanta (1975–1985) and a final stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 1986. 

• Business and Advisory Roles: Post-career, he joined the Atlanta Falcons Board of Advisors, lent his name to community and business initiatives and later entered business development with a construction firm.

• Investments and Assets: Public filings indicate holdings in companies such as Preferred Apartment Communities Inc. (ticker APTS) where he served as a director.

Steve Bartkowski Relationships & Family Life

His personal life has remained relatively private but grounded. He and Sandee Bartkowski (née Oliver) were married in 1980 after meeting several years earlier.  They have two sons, Philip and Peter. Their elder son Philip is married to Robin Fortin, sister of former Falcons lineman Roman Fortin. 

Key insights into Steve Bartkowski’s relationships and personal life:

• Married Sandee Bartkowski in 1980; Sandee later pursued photography and art professionally under the name Sandee O. 

• Sons Philip and Peter followed paths beyond the playing field and joined their father’s business efforts. 

• The Bartkowski family resides outside Atlanta and maintains ties to charitable and community initiatives. 

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Steve Bartkowski leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• A deep connection to his football legacy: frequent attendance at Falcons games and roles mentoring younger players.

• Engagement in business development and construction-sector roles, leveraging his team-leadership skills.

• A history of personal health battles: he overcame colon cancer and became a vocal advocate for early screening.

• A quiet approach to wealth: despite a high-profile playing career, his estimated net worth remains modest and he seems to lead a grounded post-NFL life.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Bartkowski’s net worth figure often cited is ~$1.5 million, though multiple sources suggest it could be lower or include various asset valuations.

Estimated Breakdown

Analysis:
Bartkowski’s relatively modest net worth highlights a key evolution in professional sports: quarterbacks of his era, despite elite performance, did not secure the mega-contracts typical of today’s players. His income streams post-football, while respectable, have been less visible and less headline-grabbing than modern athlete investments or branding deals. In that context, maintaining a stable business career and staying involved in football leadership roles reflects smart personal-finance stewardship rather than spectacular wealth accumulation.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Steve Bartkowski remains a beloved figure in Falcons lore and college-football history. His ascent from a raw rookie to franchise-defining quarterback, his resilience through injuries and his post-playing commitment to mentorship all contribute to his enduring legacy. He is often cited as a player who helped lay the foundation for the Falcons’ later success. 

His philanthropic narrative—particularly his openness about battling colon cancer and advocating for early detection—boosts his image as more than just a former athlete. 

In the public’s eye, Bartkowski is viewed as a player who maximised his opportunities, shifted into business and community-centric roles, and kept his personal life measured and meaningful.

Conclusion

From his birthdate on November 12, 1952 to a career that spanned collegiate stardom to NFL prominence, Steve Bartkowski carved a meaningful path. His estimated net worth of about $1.5 million reflects a life of professional accomplishment and prudent stewardship. Guided by a lifelong partnership with his wife Sandee and supported by two sons, his personal life underscores stability and purpose. While the game has changed dramatically since his heyday, Bartkowski’s story remains timeless: a quarterback who rewrote his franchise’s history, embraced the next chapter with grace, and turned his birthday each year into a celebration of journey, legacy and renewed purpose.