I am of the opinion that there were contradictions as to how wealthy Blake was. In the first episode, Krystal's friend quotes Blake's wealth as being equal to $200 million dollars. We also learned that Blake owned 70% of Denver-Carrington. Even if Blake's entire net worth was tied up in the company and he had no debts, that placed the value of the company at $285 million or $200 million divided by .70.

However, we know that Blake owned the house, his football team, and other holdings. So, let's say that he had 70% of his assets tied up in Denver-Carrington. That would reduce the value of the company to $200MM with Blake owning 70%, or $140MM in company stock and having $60M in net worth else where, assuming that he was debt free. Even in 1980, though, $200MM would have been small potatoes for a major oil company.

However, I think it's safe to assume that Blake had a lot of debts. It seemed like his company ran on a high level of debt because his Middle East losses almost crippled him financially. His debt service on these lost holdings left him scrambling. For example, maybe Denver Carrington was a billion dollar company with Blake owning 70%, or $700MM, but having $500MM in debts. That would explain his net worth of $200M, but also explain why the Middle East crisis left Blake in such a bind.

However, consider this too: With Blake on the verge of going bankrupt, a $9MM loan from Cecil kept him from losing everything. Blake also told Steven that he wanted a job on a rig, that he had 22 of them. 22 oil rigs is not that much for a multinational oil empire. Also, he must have been leveraged to the hilt if he was worth $200MM but a $9MM loan saved him from the poorhouse. It seems like Blake could have raised $9MM pretty easily if he needed too unless every dollar was already spoken for.

When Krystle traded in her engagement ring and furs, she handed over a check of $4.5MM to Blake before Alexis throws them out of the house...

I found some strange facts in the pocket book "DYNASTY" By Eileen Lottman:

Blake is supposed to have started the company with two empty hands, being the son to a poor priest who had died young....

In the actual show - Tom Carrington is still alive until episode 100 (season 5) and he is not a priest.

According to his will, his fortune of $500MM is to be divided into equal parts between Blake, Alexis and Dominique. That makes $166MM each....In that case Blake's fortune would have almost doubled up!!!

Later on Dominique lends Blake $50MM to save the company...



The question lingers:
How BIG was Denver Carrington Co. ?????

The Lottman novels should be considered apocryphal.

Blake's wealth, according to Shapiro's Unauthorized Biography, is $200 million in 1984.

BTW, Blake could still build a company from the ground up, as implied. Not the first rich kid to reject his family's wealth. (Never thought I'd be comparing Blake Carrington to Bliss Colby!)

Jason Colby's wealth and holdings are outlined by Jeff in the first episode of the Colbys.

I couldn't agree more!!!!!!

Well, lets face it, 200million or not, Blake has way more money than us (I assume). Dynasty was never known for a factual show, and when the storyline needed it, facts were changed to suit the events. But let's remeber Dynasty was just pure fun, and not to be taken verbatum!!

Who was?