It’s hard to say how long a typical gamer’s career lasts, but when passion strikes, players give their all to the game they love. Yet, 17-year-old Diego Palma, who’s only been pro for two years, is already thinking about retirement.
At first, just wanting a PC like the pros, young Diego Palma took on side jobs to save up and build his own computer. When Fortnite launched, Diego dove in and started learning the game. That was his first step into the gaming world.
In 2018, at just 13, Diego convinced his parents to let him compete at the Fortnite Royale 2018 tournament at Oakland Esports Arena. What started as fun quickly turned serious when he placed second in North America, winning $500 (about 11.5 million VND). One of the organizers immediately spotted his talent.
A year later, at 14, Diego signed with 100 Thieves, a pro gaming org known for photoshoots, ads, and regular livestreams as part of his contract.
Shortly after turning pro, Diego scored his first major win, finishing fifth at the Fortnite World Cup. Together with his friend Brendan Falconer, they took home a total of $900,000 (around 20.7 billion VND) in prize money.
Overall, in just two years as a pro, Diego Palma has earned over $646,000 (nearly 15 billion VND). Despite his young age, he’s already planning to retire early and has hired a financial planner to help.
“I’m not flashy and don’t need a ton of money. I want to make sure I have a plan for the future. My dad set up an investment account for me, and I also hired a financial planner for my retirement plan.”
Diego also chose online courses to better balance schoolwork with his gaming schedule.
