The title of the world’s richest actress belongs to Jami Gertz, whose fortune surpasses that of any other celebrity globally, despite her not-so-successful film career. While the richest male actor, Tyler Perry, has built a $1.4 billion empire through his own studio and the Madea franchise, Gertz’s wealth is over five times that amount, reaching an astounding $8 billion (over ₹66,000 crore). This figure eclipses the combined wealth of Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, who are among the wealthiest celebrities in their own right.
Gertz’s net worth significantly exceeds that of the next three richest actresses: Taylor Swift at $1.6 billion, Rihanna at $1.4 billion, and Selena Gomez at $1.3 billion. Madonna completes the top five, but she is not a billionaire. Interestingly, all the actresses in the top five have primarily accumulated their wealth through ventures outside of acting, with Gertz excelling in business investments while the others have made their marks in music and beauty industries. The first actress known for her film roles, Reese Witherspoon, ranks seventh, while Indian actress Juhi Chawla is the only Indian in the top 10, boasting a net worth of $550 million, according to the Hurun Rich List.
Who is Jami Gertz?
Born in Chicago in 1965, Gertz began her acting career in the 1980s after being discovered in a talent search. She debuted in film with Endless Love in 1981 and gained prominence with her role in Less Than Zero in 1987. That same year, she starred in the cult classic The Lost Boys, which remains one of her most recognized performances.
Despite being a lead actress, Gertz struggled to achieve significant box office success, leading her to take on supporting roles in high-profile films like Twister in the 1990s. Although she faced criticism for her performance in Twister, receiving a nomination for Worst Supporting Actress at the Razzies, she found acclaim for her work on the television series Ally McBeal, earning an Emmy nomination. Gertz made her most recent appearance in a cameo role in the 2022 film I Want You Back.
How Did Jami Gertz Amass Her Wealth?
Jami Gertz’s immense wealth can be attributed to her savvy business investments rather than her acting career. In 1989, she married billionaire businessman Tony Ressler, and together, they co-own the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team and the Atlanta Hawks basketball team. Additionally, Gertz has made significant investments in various businesses, contributing to her status as the world’s richest actress.