Net Worth Ranker
What Is Maggie Q’s Net Worth?
As of 2024, Maggie Q’s estimated net worth is $9 million. This valuation reflects her successful career as an actress, model, and activist. Her income is derived from a variety of sources, including film and television roles, modeling contracts, and potential endorsements.
Early Life and Education
Margaret Denise Quigley, known professionally as Maggie Q, was born on May 22, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother was a Vietnamese immigrant, and her father was of Polish and Irish descent. Maggie Q grew up with four siblings. She attended Mililani Waena Elementary School, Wheeler Intermediate School, and Mililani High School. While at Mililani High School, she actively participated in sports, competing in track and field, cross country, and swimming. Graduating in 1997, she initially pursued higher education on an athletics scholarship, aiming to study veterinary science. However, due to financial constraints, she left college after only a year.
Career Beginnings and Modeling
At the age of 17, Maggie Q embarked on a modeling career in Tokyo, Japan, acting on the advice of a friend. She subsequently moved to Taipei, Taiwan, but after struggling to find success, she relocated to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, she caught the eye of martial arts actor Jackie Chan, who became her mentor. Chan taught her martial arts and encouraged her to perform her own stunts, paving the way for her future action roles. Her early modeling work and association with Jackie Chan were pivotal in launching her acting career and contributing to her eventual net worth.
Film Career: From Hong Kong to Hollywood
Maggie Q made her professional acting debut in the 2000 Hong Kong horror film “Model from Hell.” Later that year, she appeared in the science-fiction action sequel “Gen-Y Cops.” These early roles helped establish her as an emerging actress in the Hong Kong film industry. Following these initial projects, Maggie Q starred in “Naked Weapon” (2002), a role that showcased her action skills and gained her wider recognition. She also appeared in “The Trouble-Makers” (2003) and “Magic Kitchen” (2004), demonstrating her versatility as an actress.
In 2004, Maggie Q had a brief role in the American remake of “Around the World in 80 Days,” starring Jackie Chan. This marked one of her first forays into Hollywood cinema, albeit in a smaller role. She also appeared in the Hong Kong film “Rice Rhapsody” (2004), further solidifying her presence in Asian cinema. Her role in “Dragon Squad” (2005) continued to build her reputation as an action star in Hong Kong.
Maggie Q achieved her international breakthrough in 2006 when she starred alongside Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible III.” This role significantly raised her profile in Hollywood and exposed her to a global audience. In 2007, she appeared in another Hollywood action sequel, “Live Free or Die Hard,” alongside Bruce Willis. The exposure from these major Hollywood films contributed to her increasing net worth through higher-paying roles and greater visibility.
Following “Live Free or Die Hard,” Maggie Q appeared in a variety of films, including the sports comedy “Balls of Fury” (2007) and the Hong Kong action war film “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon” (2008). She also starred in the erotic thriller “Deception” (2008), the romantic anthology film “New York, I Love You” (2008), and the Chinese historical action film “The Warrior and the Wolf” (2009). These roles demonstrated her ability to work across different genres and film industries.
In the 2010s, Maggie Q continued to appear in action films such as “Operation: Endgame” (2010) and “The King of Fighters” (2010). She also starred in the horror action film “Priest” (2011), further diversifying her filmography. In 2014, Maggie Q played Tori Wu in “Divergent,” an adaptation of the dystopian YA novel. She reprised her role in the sequels “Insurgent” (2015) and “Allegiant” (2016). These films were commercially successful, providing her with significant income and enhancing her net worth.
Her other notable film credits include the financial thriller “The Crash” (2017), the heist comedy “The Con is On” (2018), the drama “The Argument” (2020), the action thriller “The Protégé” (2021), and the horror films “Slumber” (2017), “Fantasy Island” (2020), and “Death of Me” (2020). Each of these roles added to her earnings and contributed to her overall financial success.
Television Career: From Asia to American Stardom
Maggie Q began her television career in 1998 with a role in the show “House of the Dragon,” a major hit in Asia. Her next main role came in “Mission in Trouble” in 2002. These early television appearances helped her gain recognition in the Asian entertainment industry. In 2005, she starred in the television film “House of Harmony,” which further expanded her acting portfolio.
Maggie Q landed her first starring role on American television from 2010 to 2013, playing the titular assassin in the action thriller series “Nikita.” This role was a turning point in her career, bringing her widespread acclaim and solidifying her status as a leading actress in the United States. “Nikita” ran for 73 episodes, providing her with a steady income stream over three years. During her time on “Nikita,” Maggie Q also voiced Wonder Woman in the animated superhero series “Young Justice” (2012-2013), showcasing her versatility as a voice actress.
From 2014 to 2015, she played the main role of Beth Davis in the police procedural series “Stalker.” Although the show was short-lived, it provided her with valuable experience in a different genre and added to her television credits. Maggie Q had a longer-running main role in the political thriller series “Designated Survivor,” where she played CIA case officer Hannah Wells for all three seasons from 2016 to 2019. “Designated Survivor” was a significant success, and her role as Hannah Wells further enhanced her reputation and financial standing. Her salary for “Designated Survivor” is estimated to have been substantial, contributing significantly to her net worth during those years.
More recently, she had a main role in the short-lived Fox series “Pivoting” in 2022. While “Pivoting” was not a long-term project, it demonstrated her continued presence in the television industry and added to her ongoing income.
Income Analysis and Key Roles
Maggie Q’s net worth of $9 million is primarily derived from her acting roles in film and television. Her roles in major Hollywood productions such as “Mission: Impossible III” and “Live Free or Die Hard” provided significant income. Her starring role in the television series “Nikita” (2010-2013) was a major financial milestone, providing a steady income over three seasons. Similarly, her role as Hannah Wells in “Designated Survivor” (2016-2019) contributed substantially to her earnings. While specific salary figures for each role are not publicly available, it is estimated that her television roles, particularly “Nikita” and “Designated Survivor,” were among her highest-paying jobs.
In addition to her acting roles, Maggie Q has also earned income from modeling contracts and endorsements. Although details about specific contracts and endorsements are not publicly available, her early career as a model in Asia likely contributed to her initial financial success. Her activism and association with organizations such as PETA may have also led to various opportunities and partnerships that contributed to her income.
Personal Life and Activism
In early 2015, Maggie Q became engaged to actor Dylan McDermott, whom she met on the set of the television show “Stalker” the previous year. The couple ended their relationship in early 2019. Maggie Q resides in Pound Ridge, New York. Her real estate holdings, including her residence in Pound Ridge, contribute to her overall net worth.
Maggie Q is an outspoken animal rights activist and has participated in many PETA campaigns promoting vegetarianism in Asia. In 2008, she was named PETA Asia-Pacific’s Person of the Year. She also serves as an ambassador for Animals Asia Foundation. Her activism reflects her personal values and commitment to animal welfare, although it is not a direct source of her income. However, her activism may enhance her public image and potentially lead to endorsement opportunities or other ventures that contribute to her financial success.
