Discover the hidden talents of Joey Chestnut beyond his culinary expertise – he’s not just a foodie, but also a masterful construction engineer. Brace yourself for an exciting journey as we unveil the extraordinary life of this self-made millionaire, exploring the mysteries behind his impressive accomplishments and shedding light on the lesser-known facets of his persona.
Who Is Joey Chestnut?
Joey Chestnut, whose full name is Joseph Christian Chestnut, currently holds the top spot in Major League Eating rankings worldwide.
In just 10 minutes on July 4, 2020, Joey devoured an impressive 75 Nathan’s Hot Dogs and buns.
Not only that, Joey also holds the record for consuming a whopping 141 hard-boiled eggs in just eight minutes.
And let’s not forget his latest achievement – setting a new record by eating 76 hot dogs in 2021. Joey Chestnut truly is a force to be reckoned with in the world of competitive eating.
Early Life and Education
Joseph Christian Chestnut was born to Merlin Chestnut and Alicia Chestnut on November 25, 1983, in Fulton County, Kentucky, United States of America. According to his birthday, he was born under the Sagittarius astrological sign. Joseph is an American national, a raised Christian, and of white ancestry. He attended and graduated from a local high school in his hometown.
Following high school graduation, Joseph enrolled at San Jose State University, where he first began contesting in eating competitions in 2005. He failed to graduate until 2012 because he often traveled for food competitions. One of Joey’s first significant events was an asparagus eating contest. Joey won first place, defeating high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre.
Joey’s Quick Wikipedia
Quick Biography
Answers
Birthday
November 25, 1983
Full Name
Joseph Christian Chestnut
Hometown
Fulton County, Kentucky, United States of America
Lives In
Westfield, Indiana
Net Worth
$3 million
Horoscope/Birth Sign
Sagittarius
Age (2024)
41 years old
Stage Name
Joey Chestnut
Profession
Competitive Eater
Father’s Name
Merlin Chestnut
Mother’s Name
Alicia Chestnut
Number of Children
N/A
Children’s Name
N/A
Husband/Boyfriend
N/A
Wife/Girlfriend
N/A
Birth Year
1983
Trivia
Joey Chestnut is a renowned American competitive eater who ranks first in the world by Major League Eating.
In 2005, Joey Chestnut debuted in the first of numerous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests. He finished third after swallowing 32 hot dogs. Sonya Thomas finished second with 37. Takeru Kobayashi won with a score of 49. Joey won the Golden Palace World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship the same year, setting a new world record of 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes. Joey’s eating career flourished, defeating Sonya Thomas in the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship and finishing second in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship. Both events occurred in 2005.
Joey won the 92nd Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2007. Chestnut beat six-time defending champion Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi by ingesting a world record 66 hot dogs and buns (HDB) in 12 minutes, having previously lost to him in 2005 and 2006. Chestnut won eight straight games from 2007 to 2014, including Nathan’s record of 69 HDB in 2013. Matt Stonie defeated Joey in the 2015 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. From 2007 to 2015, Joey went on to win eight consecutive Nathan’s Contests. After consuming seventy hot dogs, Joey defeated Stonie to win back the title belt on July 4, 2016.
From 2016 to 2023, Joey would take first place, and in 2021, with 76 HDB, it would set the current record. He broke records in 2020 and 2021, finishing 75 and 76 hot dogs in under ten minutes. Despite a protestor interrupting the contest and putting Joey in a chokehold, he won his fifteenth Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest title in 2022. Even so, he consumed 63 hot dogs in ten minutes. In 2024, Joey Chestnut was banned from participating in the contest due to a competing sponsorship with Impossible Foods.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Joey Chestnut’s financial success is nothing short of impressive. Known for his extraordinary eating skills, he has emerged victorious in numerous eating contests, earning him widespread recognition. From the start of his career to his ground-breaking rise to fame, he has accumulated a tremendous fortune. As of this writing, Joey Chestnut’s net worth stands at a staggering $3 million, a testament to his remarkable career. This figure underscores his status as arguably the most successful competitive eater in history.
His financial success extends beyond his eating career, as he has also secured significant funds from commercials and endorsements. In 2024, it was disclosed that Joey had signed a 4-year endorsement deal worth $1.2 million with the vegan food company Impossible Foods. However, this deal, equating to an average annual payment of $400,000, somewhat limits Joey’s participation in Nathan’s Fourth of July contest.
Joey Chestnut’s versatility in competitive eating is truly impressive. He has won several accolades and broken many records, showcasing his diverse range of skills. He holds records for eating hard-boiled eggs (141 in eight minutes), Matzoh balls (78 in eight minutes), bratwurst (70 in 10 minutes), hot dogs (69 in 10 minutes ), pork ribs (13.76 pounds in 12 minutes), steak (4.5 pounds plus sides in under nine minutes), and asparagus (12.8 pounds in 10 minutes). He broke and set a new world record for eating 76 hot dogs. Joey won the first-ever Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, eating 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes in April 2023.
Joey Chestnut Personal Life
Before Joey Chestnut defended his title in the Nathan competition in 2014, Joey proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa. However, for unknown reasons, the couple split up a year later, in early 2015, before their wedding date. Chestnut lives in Westfield, Indiana.
He holds several records for eating hard-boiled eggs (141 in eight minutes), Matzoh balls (78 in eight minutes), bratwurst (70 in 10 minutes), hot dogs (69 in 10 minutes ), and pork ribs (13.76 pounds in 12 minutes).