Net Worth Ranker
What Is Meryl Streep’s Net Worth?
Meryl Streep, a highly celebrated American actress in theater, television, and film, has accumulated a net worth of $100 million. This substantial wealth reflects her successful and enduring career, marked by numerous critically acclaimed performances and awards.
Meryl Streep’s Earnings and Salary Details
Meryl Streep consistently ranks among the highest-paid actresses globally. Between September 2019 and September 2020, her acting ventures brought in $25 million, showcasing her continued demand and box office appeal. Her standard salary for a single movie is $20 million, but she has been known to accept lower pay for roles she finds particularly meaningful or that offer backend revenue participation. For example, she accepted just $1 million to star in 2011’s “The Iron Lady” and then proceeded to donate the entire amount to the Women’s History Museum.
Early Life and Education
Mary Louise “Meryl” Streep was born on June 22, 1949, in Summit, New Jersey. She grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, and attended Bernards High School. During her high school years, Streep actively participated in school activities, including cheerleading, and was crowned homecoming queen in her senior year. She also demonstrated an early interest in performing arts, appearing in numerous school plays. From a young age, Meryl Streep took opera lessons from Estelle Liebling for four years, honing her vocal skills and developing a strong foundation in performance. Continuing her education, Meryl Streep attended Vassar College, where she graduated in 1971. Her involvement in a production of “Miss Julie” at Vassar in 1969 sparked a deeper interest in serious theater. Meryl then pursued an MFA at Yale School of Drama, completing her studies in 1975. During her time at Yale, she supported herself by working as a waitress and typist, while also participating in over a dozen stage productions annually, gaining extensive experience and refining her acting skills.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Meryl Streep’s career began in 1975 at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference, where she acted in five plays over six weeks. She moved to New York City in 1975 and performed in stage productions like “Henry V” and “Measure for Measure” at the Delacorte Theater in 1976, “Happy End” at the Martin Beck Theatre in 1977, and “Secret Service” at the Playhouse Theatre in 1976.
Her first film role was in the 1977 movie “Julia,” though her scenes were largely cut. Robert De Niro, impressed by her performance in “The Cherry Orchard,” suggested her for the role of his girlfriend in “The Deer Hunter” (1978). For this role, she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. A year later, Meryl Streep won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Kramer Vs Kramer” (1979). Other notable films she has appeared in include “Manhattan” (1979), “Sophie’s Choice” (1982), “Silkwood” (1983), “A Cry in the Dark” (1988), “Defending Your Life” (1991), “Death Becomes Her” (1992), “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995), “One True Thing” (1998), “Adaptation” (2002), “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), “Mamma Mia!” (2008), “Julie & Julia” (2009), “The Iron Lady” (2011), and “The Post” (2018). “Mamma Mia!” grossed $609 million.
Outside of film, Meryl Streep has appeared in television projects such as “Angels in America” (2003), “Freedom: A History of US” (2003), “Web Therapy” (2010-2012), “Big Little Lies” (2019), and “Only Murders in the Building” (2023–present). She has also narrated several documentaries, including “Ocean Voyagers” (2007), “Makers: Women Who Make America” (2013), and “Five Came Back” (2017). Streep is one of the most-awarded actresses in the world, with over 150 awards from major organizations.
She received the 2004 AFI Life Achievement Award from the board of directors of the American Film Institute, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in November 2014, and the Cecil B. Demille Award in January 2017. Her extensive list of accolades underscores her significant contributions to the entertainment industry and her lasting impact on audiences worldwide. The consistent acclaim for her performances has undoubtedly contributed to her financial success and high net worth.
Meryl Streep’s financial success has been significantly bolstered by her ability to command high salaries for her roles in both film and television. Throughout the 1980s, she consistently earned around $4 million per film. In more recent years, Meryl Streep has commanded salaries as high as $20 million for a single film, reflecting her status as a top-tier actress. In some cases, she opts for a base salary of $10 million coupled with a share of the backend profits, demonstrating her strategic approach to maximizing her financial gains. She accepted just $1 million to star in 2011’s “The Iron Lady” and then proceeded to donate the entire amount to the Women’s History Museum.
Other Work
In addition to her acting career, Meryl Streep has narrated many audiobooks, including the children’s books “Brae Irene,” “Spinky Sulks,” and “The One and Only Shrek” by author William Steig. She is the spokesperson for the National Women’s History Museum. Meryl also has established two scholarships for students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Personal Life and Relationships
Streep was in a relationship with actor John Cazale for three years until his death from lung cancer in March 1978. Six months after Cazale’s death, Meryl married sculptor Don Gummer. Together, they have four children, including actresses Grace Gummer and Mamie Gummer. Grace is married to DJ Mark Ronson. In February 2019, Streep became a grandmother for the first time, when her eldest daughter Mamie gave birth to her first child. In October 2023, Don and Meryl revealed that they had been separated for six years. In a statement provided by their publicist: “Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart.”
Real Estate Investments
In 1995, Meryl Streep and Don Gummer invested $2.175 million in a New York City townhouse. They later sold this property in 2005 for $9.1 million, realizing a significant profit from the real estate venture. In 2006, the couple purchased a four-bedroom penthouse in New York City for $10.13 million. After attempting to sell the property for $25 million in 2018, they eventually accepted $16 million in February 2020. In December 2017, they acquired a mid-century modern home in Pasadena, California, for $3.6 million. They also own a 90-acre country home in Salisbury, Connecticut. These real estate investments demonstrate Streep’s savvy approach to wealth management and diversification.
Salary Highlights Over the Years
In 1978, Meryl Streep earned $35,000 for her role in “The Deer Hunter.” Adjusting for inflation, this amount is equivalent to approximately $140,000 today. A year later, she received $85,000 for “Kramer Vs. Kramer,” which is about $340,000 in today’s currency. These figures provide a glimpse into the early stages of her career and the increasing value of her acting talents. Throughout the 1980s, Meryl Streep consistently earned $4 million per film. More recently, she has been known to earn as much as $20 million for a film, or $10 million if the project includes backend profits.
Key Milestones
A pivotal moment in Meryl Streep’s career was her role in “Sophie’s Choice” (1982), for which she won her second Academy Award. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $30 million at the box office and solidifying her status as a leading actress. In 2006, her role in “The Devil Wears Prada” earned her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award. The film grossed over $326 million worldwide, becoming one of her most commercially successful projects. Furthermore, the success of “Mamma Mia!” in 2008, which grossed $609 million, marked another significant milestone in her career. Earning $25 million between September 2019 and September 2020 further highlights her career and earning power. These milestones reflect her consistent ability to deliver outstanding performances in commercially successful films, contributing significantly to her financial prosperity and overall net worth.
