Some of the world’s most stunning actresses are worth about half a billion dollars. Here is a list of the richest actresses in the world, along with their current net worth and a brief biography.
Women who become successful actresses may discover that it is a financially rewarding profession, and many of those at the top of their fields are extremely wealthy.
With their faultless performances, these exceptional females have carved out a place for themselves not only in Hollywood but also in the hearts of fans.
Richest Actresses of All Time
All of the wealthiest actresses on this list have made a fortune on both big and small screens, and many have collaborated on multiple projects during their careers.
It takes a lot of work to become a successful actress in the world, yet a few exceptional women have made it there. Those who have long-term contracts with popular television shows or are in high demand for feature films are on the opposite extreme of the spectrum.
1. Dina Merrill – $5 Billion
Dina Merrill, a trendsetter and entrepreneur, has a net worth of $5 billion, making her the richest actress of all time.
Merrill owes much of her riches to her pedigree; the actress was the only child of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the Post Cereal heiress.
She did, however, find success playing on stage, television, and the big screen, appearing in over 20 films over her career.
2. Jami Gertz – $3 Billion
Jami Gertz, an actress and charity worker, has an amazing $2 billion net worth, which she owes primarily to her marriage to billionaire Tony Ressler, co-founder of Ares Management and former Milwaukee Brewers owner.
Gertz’s acting career began in the 1980s, with roles in “Square Pegs,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Family Ties,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “The Lost Boys,” to name a few. She subsequently took a few years off from acting and relocated to France, where she worked as a perfume designer for Lanvin.
3. Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen – $500 Million
The Olsen twins have a combined net worth of $500 million, making them two of the world’s richest actors. The fraternal twins grew up on film, playing Michelle Tanner on “Full House.”
They created an empire with their label Dualstar Entertainment, which produced the blockbuster home videos “The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley.”
The extremely successful movies spawned a variety of spinoff books and products, generating approximately $1 billion in retail revenue each year.
These iconic actresses have grown up to become award-winning fashion designers and co-creative directors for the Italian shoe label Superga.
4. Jessica Alba – $400 Million
Jessica Alba, an actress turned entrepreneur, has built a name for herself both on and off television.
Though Alba originally featured in the 1994 comedy “Camp Nowhere,” audiences throughout America became familiar with her name thanks to her breakout appearance on the short-lived television series “Dark Angel.”
Since then, she has appeared in other films, including “Fantastic Four,” “Good Luck Chuck,” and “The Love Guru.” Her most recent part came in the film “El Camino Christmas.”
5. Victoria Principal – $350 Million
Victoria Principal, best known for her role as Pamela Barnes Ewing on the wildly popular television drama “Dallas,” had no intention of becoming an actress, despite several early commercial appearances.
Principal was born in Japan to a military family and spent a lot of his childhood around the world. The actor decided to come to Los Angeles and pursue an acting career after being involved in a vehicle accident while in college.
6. Jennifer Aniston – $320 Million
Jennifer Aniston, America’s beloved girl next door, rose to prominence as the stunning Rachel Green on the classic 1990s sitcom “Friends,” which ran for ten seasons.
During the show’s final three years of production, Aniston reportedly got $1 million per episode. She went on to star in several major movie pictures and small independent films, such as “Office Space,” “He’s Just Not That Into You,” and “The Yellow Birds.”
7. Julia Roberts – $250 Million
Julia Roberts, an Academy Award-winning actress is one the richest actresses in the world. She became to Hollywood celebrity with appearances in “Steel Magnolias,” “Pretty Woman,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “Erin Brockovich.”
Her portrayal in “Erin Brockovich” garnered her an Oscar and a $20 million paycheck, making her the first actress to receive such a large sum for her work.
8. Sandra Bullock – $250 Million
Sandra Bullock, an Academy Award-winning actress, was born to a German opera singer and a vocal coach.
She made her theatrical debut in a German opera when she was five years old. Her breakout role, however, did not arrive until 1994, when she co-starred with Keanu Reeves in “Speed”.
9. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – $200 Million
Julia Louis-Dreyfus rose to prominence by making America laugh as Elaine Benes on the popular sitcom “Seinfeld.” However, her professional career began with Chicago’s Second City comedy troupe.
Louis-Dreyfus’ most recent work includes an award-winning performance in HBO’s “Veep,” for which she received six Emmy nominations, ranking her among the finest female performers.
10. Jane Fonda – $200 Million
Jane Fonda, the daughter of famed actor Henry Fonda and New York socialite Frances Seymour Brokaw is among the richest actresses of all time.
She began her acting career with her father at Omaha Community Theatre, where she studied under renowned instructor Lee Strasberg.
She received Academy Awards for her performances in “Klute” and “Coming Home” and was nominated for Best Actress seven times.
