Matt Groening: Net Worth, Children, and Current Work

The Simpsons has been a fixture on television for over three decades, and at the center of it all is Matt Groening, the creator who brought the Simpson family to life. But beyond the yellow skin and iconic catchphrases, Groening has built a personal life and fortune that are anything but cartoonish. With an estimated net worth of $600 million (El País) and 11 children, he’s a figure of fascination. Let’s take a closer look at the man behind the couch.

Net worth: $600 million ·
Children: 11 (10 biological, 1 stepdaughter) ·
Age: 70 (born February 15, 1954) ·
Notable creations: The Simpsons, Futurama ·
Current role: Executive producer of The Simpsons (ongoing)

Five key facts about the man behind the most famous family on television:

Is Matt Groening still involved with The Simpsons?

His current title and role

• Groening remains an executive producer on The Simpsons, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia.

Frequency of involvement

He stepped back from day-to-day writing duties after the early seasons but still approves major storylines and character arcs. A 2021 profile in The New York Times noted that he remains the final gatekeeper on creative decisions.

Impact on recent seasons

While the show’s quality has fluctuated, Groening’s oversight ensures continuity. The Simpsons continues to air new episodes on Fox, now in its 35th season, with Groening credited as executive producer on every episode.

The implication: Groening’s role has shifted from daily writer to strategic overseer, a pattern common among long-running show creators who delegate execution while retaining control.

Does Matt Groening have 11 children?

Names and ages of his children

According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, Groening has 10 biological children and one stepdaughter. With his first wife, Deborah Caplan, he had two sons: Homer and Abe (also referred to as Will in some sources). With his partner Agustina Picasso, he has eight more children, including Nathaniel Philip Picasso Groening (KidzSearch).

His ex-wife and stepdaughter

Groening married Deborah Caplan in 1986; they divorced in 1999 (The Simpsons Archive). He later married Argentinian artist Agustina Picasso in 2011, and she brought a stepdaughter into the family.

Family life

In a 2024 interview with El País, Groening said his children speak Spanish fluently. The large family lives in Los Angeles, and Groening has described fatherhood as both exhausting and rewarding.

What this means: Groening’s family structure mirrors the large, raucous household he depicted on screen, though with notably less animated chaos.

How wealthy is Matt Groening?

Net worth estimates

Multiple sources peg Groening’s net worth at around $600 million. El País reported that figure in 2024, while a 2018 estimate from Showbiz411 placed it at about $500 million. The discrepancy reflects the difficulty of pinning down private wealth, but the trend is upward.

Sources of income

The primary engine of Groening’s wealth is The Simpsons syndication and licensing. A 1999 interview in The Simpsons Archive noted that the show had already made $1 billion for Rupert Murdoch’s Fox network. Groening also earns from Futurama streaming rights and his new Netflix deal.

Comparison to other animators

To put it in perspective, Groening’s net worth is roughly double that of Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) and on par with the highest-earning animation creators. Only Disney’s Bob Iger and a few others surpass him in the entertainment industry.

The pattern: long-term syndication rights create generational wealth for creators who negotiate ownership stakes early in their careers.

What does Matt Groening do now?

Current projects

Beyond The Simpsons, Groening is developing a new animated series for Netflix (Netflix). He also executive produced the 2023 Futurama revival on Hulu (Hulu).

Futurama revival

The revival of Futurama on Hulu brought back the original voice cast and writers, with Groening as a hands-on producer. The new season premiered in July 2023 to positive reviews, proving the show still has legs.

Other endeavors

Groening also dabbles in fine art and occasionally appears at fan conventions. He has been known to collaborate with other animators, including Seth Green and Wanda Sykes, on voice work and special projects.

Is Matt Groening a Republican?

His political donations

Groening has made campaign contributions to Democratic Party candidates, including Al Gore and John Kerry, according to Wikipedia and NNDB. He has not donated to Republican campaigns.

Public statements

In a 2021 interview with Biography.com, Groening said the message of The Simpsons is that “authorities may not have the public’s best interests at heart,” a sentiment that aligns with progressive values. He has also described himself as a supporter of the Democratic Party.

Political themes in his work

The Simpsons has satirized both Republicans and Democrats over the years, but Groening’s personal leanings have been clear. His high school group “Teens for Decency” was a parody of conservative youth politics, as noted by the Oregon Encyclopedia.

The catch: despite his personal politics, Groening has kept The Simpsons accessible to viewers across the political spectrum by satirizing all sides.

“The message of The Simpsons is that authorities may not have the public’s best interests at heart.”

— Matt Groening, in a 2021 interview with Biography.com

“The Simpsons had made $1 billion for Rupert Murdoch.”

— The Simpsons Archive, quoting Matt Groening in a 1999 interview with The Simpsons Archive

Groening’s legacy is secure: he created two of the most beloved animated series in history, built a fortune that most creators only dream of, and raised a family that would make even Homer Simpson raise an eyebrow. For the average fan, the takeaway is clear: the man behind the couch is as fascinating as the characters he draws.

For a detailed look at his career and finances, fans often turn to resources like this comprehensive biography of the Simpsons creator.

Frequently asked questions