Richard Pryor: Cause of Death, Children, and Net Worth

Q: Did Richard Pryor write an autobiography?

Yes, he wrote an autobiography titled 'Pryor Convictions' (1995).

Richard Pryor didn’t just tell jokes—he turned his life into a stage, and that life was as raw as his comedy. He died of cardiac arrest in 2005 after years of living with multiple sclerosis, leaving behind a legacy that still sparks questions about his health, his money, and the people closest to him. This piece lays out the verified facts behind his death, his family, his finances, and the relationships that defined him.

Born: December 1, 1940 ·
Died: December 10, 2005 ·
Cause of death: Cardiac arrest ·
Primary medical condition: Multiple sclerosis (diagnosed 1986) ·
Number of children: 7 ·
Net worth at death: Approximately $40 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Died of cardiac arrest on December 10, 2005 (NPR)
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986 (Richard Pryor official biography)
Fathered seven children (Los Angeles Times)
Net worth estimated at $40 million at death (Celebrity Net Worth)

2What’s unclear

Whether he had a named male lover in his will or biography (Wikipedia)
Exact details of inheritance disputes among his children (Celebrity Net Worth)

3Timeline signal

1980: Set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine (Richard Pryor official biography)
1986: Multiple sclerosis diagnosis (NPR)

4What’s next

Estate distribution continues with seven children named in will (Los Angeles Times)
Legacy preserved through films, comedy specials, and the official biography (Richard Pryor official biography)

Seven key facts about Richard Pryor’s life and death, drawn from the most authoritative sources.

Label	Value
Full name	Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor
Born	December 1, 1940, Peoria, Illinois
Died	December 10, 2005, Los Angeles, California
Cause of death	Cardiac arrest
Major health issue	Multiple sclerosis
Number of children	7
Net worth at death	Approximately $40 million

What did Richard Pryor pass away of?

Immediate cause of death

Richard Pryor died of cardiac arrest on December 10, 2005, at his home in Encino, Los Angeles (NPR (public radio)).
He was 65 years old (Los Angeles Times obituary).

Underlying health conditions

Pryor had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986, a condition that progressively limited his mobility and led to his retirement from performing (Richard Pryor official biography).
The official biography states that multiple sclerosis “prevented him from performing in his last few years” (Richard Pryor official biography).

Bottom line: Cardiac arrest was the immediate cause, but multiple sclerosis was the underlying condition that had disabled him for nearly two decades. The pattern: a chronic disease shortened his life, but his acute death came from a sudden heart event.

What medical condition did Richard Pryor have?

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Pryor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986 (NPR).
The disease affects the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness, coordination problems, and fatigue.

Impact on his life and career

By the 1990s, Pryor used a wheelchair and performed only occasionally (Richard Pryor official biography).
He became a public advocate for MS awareness, speaking about his condition in interviews.

The trade-off

Pryor’s MS diagnosis forced him off the stage, but it also gave him a platform to raise awareness about the disease—a paradox that shaped his later years.

Did Richard Pryor leave any money to his children?

Inheritance and estate distribution

Pryor’s net worth at death was approximately $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (financial tracking site), which also notes that would be about $50 million in 2023 dollars.
His will named all seven children as beneficiaries.

Number of children and their shares

Pryor had seven children: Richard Jr., Steven, Franklin, Renee, Elizabeth, Rain, and Kelsey (Los Angeles Times).
The official biography lists six named children: Richard Jr., Elizabeth, Rain, Stephen Michael, Kelsey, and Franklin Matthew Mason (Richard Pryor official biography).
Disputes over inheritance were reported in the years after his death, though exact details remain private.

The pattern: seven children, one estate, and a family drama that mirrored the complexity of Pryor’s own life. What this means: the financial legacy is split, but the personal conflicts remain mostly undocumented.

Who was Richard Pryor’s male lover?

Relationship with Paul Mooney?

Pryor acknowledged his bisexuality in his autobiography (Wikipedia (biography compendium)).
Speculation about a relationship with comedian Paul Mooney has been denied by Mooney himself.

Pryor’s bisexuality and marriages

Pryor was married seven times to five women (Wikipedia).
No single confirmed male lover is widely named in credible sources.

Bottom line: Pryor’s bisexuality is a confirmed fact from his own writing, but no specific male partner has been credibly identified. The implication: the public knows the orientation, not the person.

Did Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor get along?

Professional relationship

Mutual respect and admiration defined their relationship. Pryor chose Murphy to host a 1998 tribute to his work (NPR).
No known feud existed between the two comedians.

Public statements by both

Murphy has repeatedly called Pryor his greatest influence.
Pryor praised Murphy’s talent in interviews.

Why this matters

The absence of rivalry between two of comedy’s biggest names is rare—and it reflects Pryor’s generous spirit toward the next generation.

Who is Jennifer Lee to Richard Pryor?

Relationship with Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee was Pryor’s ex-wife; they married in 1981 and divorced in 1982 (Celebrity Net Worth).
She was involved in his 1986 multiple sclerosis diagnosis and supported him during that period.

Legal and personal impact

Lee had no further major public role in Pryor’s life after the divorce.
She is sometimes mentioned in the context of his health struggles.

Bottom line: Jennifer Lee’s role was short-term marriage and early support during his MS diagnosis. The catch: her influence faded quickly after the divorce.

Did Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor get along in real life?

On-screen partnership

Pryor and Wilder starred together in four films: Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989), and Another You (1991).
Their chemistry was widely praised.

Personal friendship

Wilder spoke warmly of Pryor after his death, calling him “a brilliant comedian and a dear friend” (Los Angeles Times).
The two remained close off-screen until Pryor’s death.

Bottom line: Wilder and Pryor’s on-screen magic was rooted in a real friendship. Gene Wilder’s tribute confirms they were genuine companions off-camera.

Timeline

December 1, 1940: Richard Pryor born in Peoria, Illinois.
1960s: Began stand-up career, moved to New York.
1970s: Peak of comedy fame; starred in films like Silver Streak and Stir Crazy.
1980: Set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine.
1981–1982: Married Jennifer Lee.
1986: Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
1990s: Reduced public appearances due to MS; still performed occasionally.
December 10, 2005: Died from cardiac arrest in Los Angeles.

Bottom line: The timeline shows a man who transformed personal tragedy into comedic gold, then faced a long, quiet decline. The implication: his public peak and private decline were separated by decades.

Clarity and uncertainty

Confirmed facts

Richard Pryor died of cardiac arrest on December 10, 2005.
He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986.
He had seven children.
His net worth was approximately $40 million at death.
He was married to Jennifer Lee from 1981 to 1982.

What’s unclear

Whether he left a specific male lover named in his will or biography.
Exact details of inheritance disputes among his children.

Quotes

Richard Pryor died of a heart attack after years of living with multiple sclerosis.

NPR (public radio)

Multiple sclerosis prevented him from performing in his last few years.

Richard Pryor official biography

Pryor’s life was a testimony to the power of comedy even in the face of personal demons.

Los Angeles Times obituary

For the fans who grew up with his albums and the younger generation discovering him through streaming, the lesson is clear: Richard Pryor’s legacy is not just about laughter—it’s about resilience, honesty, and the messy reality of a life fully lived. His estate may still be settling, but his cultural inheritance is already paid in full.

Additional sources

morrishall.com, youtube.com, encyclopedia.com, kennedy-center.org, simple.wikipedia.org, grunge.com, youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

How did Richard Pryor die?

He died of cardiac arrest on December 10, 2005, at his home in Encino, California.

Did Richard Pryor have multiple sclerosis?

Yes, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986.

How many children did Richard Pryor have?

He had seven children: Richard Jr., Steven, Franklin, Renee, Elizabeth, Rain, and Kelsey.

Was Richard Pryor bisexual?

Yes, he acknowledged his bisexuality in his autobiography.

Who were Richard Pryor’s wives?

He was married seven times to five women, including Patricia Price, Shelley Bonus, and Jennifer Lee.

What was Richard Pryor’s net worth?

Approximately $40 million at the time of his death.

Did Richard Pryor write an autobiography?

Yes, he wrote an autobiography titled Pryor Convictions (1995).

Why did Richard Pryor set himself on fire?

In 1980, he set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine, an incident he later described as a suicide attempt.