Making it big in Hollywood is no easy feat – especially if you’re an actress. As of 2022, only 32.5% of actors employed in the United States are women, while a whopping 62.5% are men. So, who are the lucky few who have managed to make it big in Hollywood and who is considered the richest actress in the world as of 2022? While you may expect actresses like Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, and Sofia Vergara to be on this list, even they did not make the cut! Let’s look at the top 10 most successful actresses to date.
1. Jami Gertz
Net worth: $3 billion
The richest actress in the world as of 2022 is Jami Gertz, with a celebrity net worth of $3 billion. This American actress is best known for her work in the ’80s and ‘90s, making appearances in Twister, Sixteen Candles, Square Pegs, The Lost Boys, Diff’rent Strokes, and Family Ties. While her most recent acting endeavor was an appearance in 2022’s Amazon original movie, I Want You Back, this actress is far from well-known in Hollywood today.
So, how did she gain the title of the richest actress in the world? This is primarily thanks to her marriage to billionaire Tony Ressler, the co-founder of Ares Management, an American investment management company. Ressler was also the previous owner of the Milwaukee Brewers before Mark Attanasio. So, while Jami Gertz did not make all of her money due to a successful acting career, she is still technically the richest actress in the world!
2. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Net worth: $500 million
While twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have not acted since the early 2010s, these actresses earned enough money in their young careers to last them a lifetime. While the Olsen twins are currently award-winning fashion designers, they were some of the most successful young actresses of all time. Beginning their acting careers on the sitcom Full House when they were less than a year old, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen would go on to co-own their label, Dualstar Entertainment Group
3. Jessica Alba
Net worth: $350 million
Jessica Alba is one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood. This Golden Globe winner made her big screen debut in 1994 but truly shot to stardom in 2000 with her role in the sci-fi TV series Dark Angel. She is also well-known for her role as Sue Storm in the Fantastic Four films. Although Jessica Alba has achieved fantastic success in her acting career, her role as a businesswoman has perhaps been her most successful one to date. Jessica Alba launched The Honest Company in 2012, which went on to become a multimillion-dollar business. Most famous for its line of baby products, The Honest Company focuses on providing parents with clean, naturally-derived products at affordable prices. At a current net worth of $350 million, it’s safe to say that Jessica Alba may eventually become the richest actress in the world.
4. Julia Roberts
Net worth: $250 million
Pretty Woman star Julia Roberts is practically ageless, with several blockbuster films under her belt and no sign of slowing down anytime soon. In addition to Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts is best known for her roles in Steel Magnolias, Erin Brockovich, and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Not only did her role as Erin Brockovich earn her an Oscar, but it also earned her the title of the highest paid actress of that time, with a $20 million paycheck.
5. Victoria Principal
Net worth: $250 million
Victoria Principal is best known for her nine-year role as Pamela Barnes Ewing on Dallas. This American actress had leading and minor roles in several TV movies and TV series until 2001, when she had her last credited acting gig in the TV series Titans. So, how did Victoria Principal make her $250 million fortune? This entrepreneur launched her natural skincare brand Principal Secret in 1989, which became a $1.5 billion business. Victoria Principal sold her company in April 2019 for an undisclosed amount, which is estimated to be between $100-$200 million.
6. Jennifer Aniston
Net worth: $240 million
Inarguably one of the most popular actresses of all time, it is no wonder that Jennifer Aniston is one of the richest actresses in the world. While she earned massive fame and popularity through her long-standing role as Rachel Green on Friends, this five-time Golden Globe winner’s success didn’t stop there. Jennifer Aniston has starred in several blockbusters and independent films and is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world.
7. Sandra Bullock
Net worth: $220 million
It should be no surprise that the mega-talented Sandra Bullock is one of the richest actresses in the world. After her breakthrough role in 1994’s action-thriller Speed, this American actress would star in several high-grossing films, including While You Were Sleeping, Miss Congeniality, and 2009’s The Blind Side, which would earn her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
8. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Net worth: $200 million
While this Seinfeld star made it big by making audiences laugh as Elaine Benes, along with richest actor Jerry Seinfeld, she is one of the top nominated actresses in the world. This Screen Actors Guild Award winner has won more Primetime Emmy Awards than any actor or actress to date. In addition to Seinfeld, Julia Louis Dreyfus is known for her three-year stint on Saturday Night Live, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep.
9. Jane Fonda
Net worth: $200 million
This Golden Globe award winner is known as a film icon and has won just about every award you can think of. Already famous for being the daughter of actor Henry Fonda, she would truly rise to fame in the 1960s for her roles in the comedies Period of Adjustment and Sunday in New York. She became highly successful in the early 1980s due to the release of her workout video Jane Fonda's Workout, which would become the highest-selling VHS tape of the 20th century.
10. Miley Cyrus
$160 million
Miley Cyrus may have been destined for fame with Billy Ray Cyrus as her father, but she truly made a name for herself due to her immense talent. Breaking out as a teen icon in the TV series Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus would go on to have several highly successful albums and hold the record for the most US Billboard 200 top-five albums in the 21st century by a female artist.
