What Is Shailene Woodley’s Net Worth?
Shailene Woodley, a prominent American actress, has accumulated a noteworthy net worth of $12 million as of 2025. This financial standing is primarily a result of her successful acting career, which includes leading roles in critically acclaimed films and television series. Her roles in blockbuster movies and high-profile television shows have significantly contributed to her financial success.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Shailene Diann Woodley was born on November 15, 1991, in San Bernardino County, California. Her parents, Lori and Lonnie Woodley, both worked in education, with her mother as a school counselor and her father as a school principal. She began her journey in the entertainment industry at the young age of four, starting with modeling. By the age of five, she was already taking acting classes, indicating an early dedication to her craft. At 15, Woodley was diagnosed with scoliosis and had to wear a brace while attending Simi Valley High School during her freshman year. Her early experiences in modeling and acting classes laid the foundation for her future success in Hollywood, contributing to her current net worth.
Woodley made her on-screen debut in 1999 with the TV movie “Replacing Dad,” marking the start of her professional acting career. She followed this with parts in television series such as “The District” and “Crossing Jordan,” gaining valuable experience in the industry. She also secured small roles in various other TV shows and movies, including playing Kaitlin Cooper in “The O.C.” and appearing in episodes of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “CSI: NY,” “Close to Home,” and “Felicity: An American Girl Adventure.” These early roles, though minor, were crucial in building her resume and gaining recognition in the competitive entertainment industry.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Woodley’s big break came in 2008 with the ABC Family series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” where she starred as Amy Juergens, a 15-year-old girl who becomes pregnant. She remained in this role from 2008 to 2013, appearing in all 121 episodes across five seasons. For her portrayal of Amy Juergens, Woodley received multiple nominations for Teen Choice Awards, acknowledging her growing popularity and talent. The show was a significant hit for ABC Family, becoming one of its most-watched series during its run. Critics often praised Woodley’s performance, further enhancing her reputation as a promising young actress. The consistent work and positive reception from “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” played a pivotal role in boosting her early net worth and opening doors for future opportunities.
In 2011, Woodley made her film debut in the critically acclaimed movie “The Descendants,” starring alongside George Clooney. She portrayed Alex, the troubled elder daughter of Clooney’s character, Matt King. Her performance garnered widespread praise, earning her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. She also won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her status as a talented and versatile actress. The success of “The Descendants” and the accolades she received significantly raised her profile in Hollywood, leading to more prominent roles and higher-paying opportunities, thereby increasing her net worth.
Following her success in “The Descendants,” Woodley starred in the 2013 film “The Spectacular Now” alongside Miles Teller. In 2014, Woodley took on the role of Beatrice “Tris” Prior in the film adaptation of the “Divergent” series. The first film, “Divergent,” premiered in 2014 and quickly rose to the top of the box office, demonstrating Woodley’s box office draw. Her role as Tris Prior was a significant step in her career, exposing her to a broader audience and further solidifying her position in the film industry. The financial success of “Divergent” contributed positively to Woodley’s net worth, as she received a substantial salary for her leading role. Later in 2014, Woodley starred as Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old cancer patient, in the film adaptation of John Green’s novel “The Fault in Our Stars.” The film was a major commercial success, grossing over $307 million worldwide. Woodley’s performance was lauded by critics, and she received the Hollywood Film Award for Hollywood Breakout Performance for her role. The success of “The Fault in Our Stars” not only increased her visibility but also significantly boosted her earnings, contributing substantially to her growing net worth.
Woodley reprised her role as Tris in “The Divergent Series: Insurgent” in 2015. The second installment of the series grossed $295.2 million worldwide, demonstrating the continued popularity of the franchise. In 2016, she starred opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Oliver Stone’s “Snowden,” expanding her range as an actress. Later that year, she reprised her role as Tris once again in “Divergent: Allegiant.” While the “Divergent” series did not reach its planned conclusion with a fourth film, Woodley’s involvement in the franchise contributed significantly to her income during those years, enhancing her net worth.
“Big Little Lies” and Subsequent Projects
After a brief break from the screen, Woodley returned to television in 2017 to star as Jane Chapman, a sexual assault survivor, in HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” an adaptation of the novel of the same name. She starred alongside Hollywood actresses such as Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. Her performance was widely praised, earning her nominations for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. The success of “Big Little Lies” not only highlighted her acting abilities but also provided her with a steady income stream over the two seasons she appeared in, contributing positively to her net worth. In 2018, Woodley starred in and produced “Adrift,” directed by Baltasar Kormakur. She played Tami Oldham Ashcraft, a sailor stranded at sea. For her role, she was awarded the Rising Star Award at the 2018 Deauville Film Festival. Her involvement in “Adrift” as both an actress and producer allowed her to gain more financial benefits from the film’s success. The experience in “Adrift” added to her net worth.
In 2019, Woodley starred alongside Sebastian Stan and Jamie Dornan in the romantic drama “Endings, Beginnings.” She began production in mid-October that same year in Mallorca, Spain, on the romantic drama “The Last Letter From Your Lover.” Woodley joined the cast of the film “Prisoner 760” (later released as “The Mauritanian”) in November 2019, co-starring with Jodie Foster and Benedict Cumberbatch. Woodley was also cast in “Girl Named Sue.” She is set to star in the upcoming films “Misanthrope,” “After Exile,” “Arkie,” and “No Baggage,” all in pre-production and development. Her consistent involvement in these projects ensures a continued income stream, contributing to her financial stability and helping to maintain and potentially increase her net worth.
Activism and Other Ventures
Woodley is known for her activism, particularly in the areas of climate and environmental issues. She became interested in environmentalism during high school and started making her own health and hygiene products, such as deodorant and toothpaste. In 2010, Woodley co-founded the nonprofit organization All It Takes with her mother. All It Takes aims to educate young people to practice responsibility, compassion, empathy, and purpose to foster sustainable change for the environment. Her involvement in activism and nonprofit work showcases her commitment to social causes. While these activities are not direct sources of income, they enhance her public image and can indirectly lead to opportunities that contribute to her net worth through increased recognition and endorsement deals.
She was an active campaigner for Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaigns of 2016 and 2020 and was on the board of his political organization Our Revolution. In 2016, Woodley was arrested for criminal trespassing in Saint Anthony, North Dakota, while protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline. She pleaded guilty and served a year of probation. Later that year, Woodley joined Our Revolution, a political organization that aims to get people educated about voting and urges citizens to get involved in the political process to work to organize and elect progressive politicians. Woodley received the Entertainment Industry Environmental Leadership Award at the 20th Anniversary Global Green Environmental Awards in September 2016. In July 2019, Woodley became an Oceans Ambassador for Greenpeace. She embarked on a three-week-long expedition to the Sargasso Sea to study the impact of plastics on marine life. These activities reflect her deep commitment to social and environmental causes, which, while not directly contributing to her financial net worth, enhance her public persona and influence.
Personal Life
Shailene Woodley has historically been private about her personal relationships. In 2018, she confirmed that she was dating Australian-Fijian rugby player Ben Volavola. They ended their relationship in April 2020. Later in 2020, Shailene began dating NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Although they were engaged at one point, the relationship eventually ended. While her personal life does not directly impact her net worth, maintaining a positive public image is essential for her career and endorsement opportunities.