Chris Kyle Biography: Military, Age, Net Worth, Death, Wife, Children, Brother, Height, Parents

Christopher Scott Kyle, known as Chris Kyle, was a United States Navy SEAL sniper recognized as the deadliest in U.S. military history, credited with over 160 confirmed kills during four tours in the Iraq War between 1999 and 2009.

Nicknamed “The Devil of Ramadi” by insurgents, Kyle earned a reputation for exceptional marksmanship and was awarded honors including a Silver Star and four Bronze Stars with “V” devices. After surviving numerous combat incidents, he left the military in 2009 to focus on his family and founded Craft International, a tactical training company.

In 2012, he published his bestselling autobiography, American Sniper, which was later adapted into a major motion picture directed by Clint Eastwood.

Profile

• Full Name: Christopher Scott Kyle
• Stage Name: Chris Kyle
• Born: 8 April 1974
• Died: 2 February 2013
• Age: 38 years old
• Birthplace: Odessa, Texas, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: United States Navy SEAL sniper
• Height: 1.88m
• Parent: Wayne Kenneth Kyle and Deby Lynn (née Mercer) Kyle
• Siblings: Jeff Kyle
• Spouse: Taya Kyle (m. 2002–2013)
• Children: Colton Kyle, McKenna Kyle
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life And Education

Christopher Scott Kyle was born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas, United States, to Wayne Kenneth Kyle and Deby Lynn (née Mercer) Kyle. He grew up alongside his younger brother, Jeff Kyle, on a ranch in rural North Central Texas, where he developed strong hunting skills from an early age.

Kyle attended high school in Midlothian, Texas, graduating in 1992, and went on to study agriculture at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, for approximately two years before leaving to work as a ranch hand. He was of White ethnicity and was raised in a Christian family.

Career

Chris Kyle was enlisted in the United States Navy on August 5, 1998, initially aiming to join the Marine Corps special operations but was persuaded by a Navy recruiter to pursue the SEALs instead. After completing basic training and intelligence specialist courses, he overcame an initial medical disqualification and graduated from the demanding Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in 2001.

Assigned to SEAL Team 3 as part of the sniper element, Kyle began a distinguished military career, serving four tours in the Iraq War and taking part in major operations in Baghdad, Fallujah, and Ramadi.

Throughout his service from 1999 to 2009, Kyle became renowned as the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history, with over 160 confirmed kills. He earned the nickname “The Devil of Ramadi” from Iraqi insurgents, who placed a bounty on his head.

Kyle demonstrated extraordinary skill in long-range engagements, with his most notable shot recorded at 2,100 yards. His combat bravery earned him two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with “V” devices. Despite surviving multiple injuries and IED attacks, he later transitioned to a training role as chief instructor for Naval Special Warfare sniper training and contributed to developing the Navy SEAL sniper manual.

Following his honorable discharge in 2009, Kyle sought to rebuild his family life and address the personal toll of war. He established Craft International, a tactical training company for military and law enforcement personnel.

In 2012, he published American Sniper, a bestselling memoir that recounted his wartime experiences and insights into the sniper profession. The book was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Clint Eastwood.

Tragically, Kyle was killed on February 2, 2013, at a Texas shooting range by a fellow veteran suffering from PTSD.

Social Media

Chris Kyle does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Chris Kyle was married to Taya Renae Kyle (née Studebaker), an author, military family advocate, and political commentator. The couple met in 2001 and married in 2002, later welcoming two children, Colton and McKenna.

Tragically, on February 2, 2013, Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were shot and killed at Rough Creek Lodge shooting range in Texas by Eddie Ray Routh, a former Marine struggling with PTSD, whom they were trying to support.

Net Worth

Chris Kyle had an estimated net worth of around $2 million at the time of his death in 2013. His earnings stemmed from his distinguished career as a Navy SEAL sniper, the success of his bestselling autobiography American Sniper, which remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 37 weeks, and his post-military ventures, including the founding of Craft International, a tactical training company serving military and law enforcement professionals.