Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jean Harlow’s Net Worth?
At the time of her untimely death in 1937, Jean Harlow, the iconic American actress and quintessential pre-Code Hollywood sex symbol, had a net worth of approximately $40,000. Adjusting for inflation, this sum equates to around $900,000 in today’s dollars. This figure represents the culmination of a relatively short but meteoric career that saw her rise from an uncredited extra earning a meager daily wage to a celebrated star commanding a substantial weekly salary.
Jean Harlow’s Earnings and Contract Details
Harlow’s ascent in Hollywood began with humble origins. Initially, she earned just $7 per day as an extra, highlighting the stark contrast between her early struggles and later success. A pivotal moment in her career came in 1929 when she signed a five-year contract with the legendary Howard Hughes. This contract stipulated a weekly payment of $100, a significant step up from her previous earnings but still modest compared to the salaries of established stars.
In 1932, on her 21st birthday, Harlow received news that would significantly alter her financial trajectory. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of the most powerful studios in Hollywood, had purchased her contract from Howard Hughes for $30,000. This acquisition marked a turning point in Harlow’s career, signaling her entry into the upper echelons of Hollywood stardom. Following the acquisition of her contract, MGM promptly increased her weekly salary to $1,250, reflecting her growing popularity and box-office appeal.
By 1937, at the peak of her career, Jean Harlow was earning $4,000 per week. When adjusted for inflation, this equates to approximately $90,000 per week in today’s dollars, translating to an annual income of around $5 million. This figure underscores the significant financial success she achieved in a relatively short period, solidifying her status as one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. Her salary reflected her box office draw and her central role in many successful films of the era.
The Financial State of Jean Harlow’s Estate at the Time of Death
Despite her impressive earnings, Jean Harlow’s estate was valued at only $41,000 (equivalent to around $900,000 today) at the time of her death. This relatively modest sum was largely attributed to years of financial mismanagement by her stepfather, who had control over her earnings for a significant period. He made poor financial decisions, which diminished her overall wealth. In addition to the assets, Harlow’s estate faced a substantial debt to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). She owed $76,000 in back taxes, a considerable amount that further reduced the net value of her estate. The tax debt significantly impacted the financial legacy she left behind.
Harlow’s most valuable asset at the time of her death was a $104,000 life insurance policy annuity, which was designated to her mother. This policy provided a degree of financial security for her mother after her passing. Other assets included three cars, a modest jewelry collection, and some family heirlooms. While these items held sentimental value, they did not substantially contribute to the overall value of her estate. Specifics about the cars and jewelry were not detailed in available records, but their combined value was considerably less than her other assets.
Jean Harlow’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Harlean Harlow Carpenter on March 3, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri, Jean Harlow’s early life provided a backdrop for her eventual rise to fame. She attended Miss Barstow’s School, a finishing school for girls, where she received a well-rounded education. While Harlow was at Miss Barstow’s School, her parents divorced, marking a significant change in her family dynamics. In 1923, Harlow and her mother relocated to Hollywood, where her mother harbored aspirations of becoming an actress. However, her mother was told that she was too old to start an acting career. Meanwhile, Harlow enrolled in the Hollywood School for Girls.
Due to financial difficulties, Harlow and her mother eventually returned to Kansas City. She later attended Ferry Hall School in Lake Forest, Illinois, which was conveniently located near her mother’s new boyfriend’s home. In 1928, after marrying a wealthy heir named Charles McGrew III, Harlow moved to Beverly Hills, California, where she embraced the life of a socialite. She soon attracted the attention of film executives and received letters of introduction to Central Casting. Signed under her mother’s name, Jean, she made her film debut as an extra in “Honor Bound.” Harlow continued to secure small roles in films such as “Moran of the Marines” and “Chasing Husbands.” She also appeared in several Laurel and Hardy shorts, including “Double Whoopee,” “Liberty,” and “Bacon Grabbers.” Her first speaking role came in the 1929 Clara Bow film “The Saturday Night Kid.”
Jean Harlow’s Rise to Superstardom in the 1930s
In late 1929, Jean Harlow signed a five-year contract with Howard Hughes, a move that would propel her to stardom. Her first major role came in Hughes’s 1930 epic war film “Hell’s Angels.” The film became the highest-grossing movie of the year, catapulting Harlow to international fame. In 1931, she garnered further recognition for her roles in films such as “The Secret Six,” “Iron Man,” and “The Public Enemy.” However, it was her role in “Platinum Blonde” that solidified her status as a sex symbol, thanks to her trendsetting platinum blonde hair. She starred in “Three Wise Girls” and “The Beast of the City” in early 1932.
In the spring of 1932, Harlow signed with MGM, marking the most successful phase of her career. She began with her role as the titular vamp in “Red-Headed Woman.” Next, she starred in Victor Fleming’s “Red Dust,” the first of six films in which she co-starred with Clark Gable. In 1933, Harlow starred in “Hold Your Man,” “Dinner at Eight,” and “Bombshell.” Her sole film in 1934 was “The Girl from Missouri.” The following year, she starred in the musical “Reckless” and the adventure film “China Seas.” In 1936, Harlow had a big year, starring in “Wife vs. Secretary,” “Suzy,” “Riffraff,” and “Libeled Lady.” Her final two films, “Personal Property” and “Saratoga,” were released in 1937, with the latter being released posthumously.
Marriages and Personal Life
Harlow’s personal life was often tumultuous and filled with public scrutiny. Her first marriage was to wealthy heir Charles McGrew III, whom she married in 1928 and divorced in 1929. In 1930, she married MGM executive Paul Bern. Just two months into their marriage, Bern was found dead at their home, causing a major scandal implicating Harlow. It was ultimately determined that Bern had fatally shot himself. Harlow became involved in another controversy when she began an affair with boxer Max Baer, who was still married. To avoid another scandal, MGM arranged a marriage between Harlow and cinematographer Harold Rosson in 1933. The pair discreetly divorced eight months later.
Illness and Death
In early 1937, Harlow contracted influenza while on a fundraising trip in Washington, D.C. Shortly after, she developed sepsis from a wisdom-tooth extraction and required hospitalization. While filming “Saratoga” in the spring of 1937, Harlow began experiencing symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain. Her condition deteriorated over the following weeks, and she fell into a coma at the hospital on June 6. On June 7, Harlow passed away from complications of kidney failure at the age of 26. She was interred in the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, in a private room purchased by her then-partner, actor William Powell.
