Barbi Benton Net Worth

Overview

Barbi Benton, born Barbara Lynn Klein on January 28, 1950, is an American model, actress, singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is best known for her association with Playboy magazine and her role as a regular on the comedy series ‘Hee Haw’. Benton’s career began in the late 1960s, and she quickly gained prominence for her appearances in Playboy, including multiple cover features and pictorials. Despite her association with Playboy, she was never a Playmate of the Month. Beyond her modeling career, Benton achieved success as an actress, appearing in various television shows and films, including ‘The Love Boat’, ‘Fantasy Island’, and the comedy series ‘Sugar Time!’. She also had a recording career, releasing eight albums and charting with the single ‘Brass Buckles’ in 1975. In her musical works, she composed the songs, sang them, and played the piano on the tracks. Benton was in a relationship with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner from 1969 to 1976 and is credited with helping convince Hefner to buy the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills. Barbi Benton’s multifaceted career has solidified her as a recognizable figure in the entertainment industry. She has been married to George Gradow since 1979, and they have two children.

What Is Barbi Benton’s Net Worth?

Barbi Benton, the American model, songwriter, actress, singer, and television personality, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. This figure is a result of her diverse career spanning various entertainment sectors. Benton’s income stems from her work in modeling, acting, music, and television appearances over several decades.

Early Career and Playboy Association

Born Barbara Klein on January 28, 1950, in New York City, Barbi Benton’s early life included moving to Sacramento at the age of two. She attended Rio Americano High School, where she began modeling. After high school, she enrolled at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) with intentions to become a veterinarian, but she later shifted her focus. While attending UCLA, Benton joined a commercial agency and started booking commercials, laying the foundation for her career in the entertainment industry. In 1968, she secured a role on “Playboy After Dark”. Hugh Hefner was drawn to Benton, leading to a relationship and increased visibility within the Playboy enterprise. Benton appeared on the cover of “Playboy” magazine four times: July 1969, March 1970, May 1972, and December 1985. Although she was never a Playmate of the Month, her appearances contributed to her visibility and earning potential. During her relationship with Hugh Hefner, which lasted from 1969 to 1976, Benton received a financial settlement upon their breakup.

Television and Film Career

Barbi Benton’s career in television included a regular role on the comedy series “Hee Haw,” where she appeared for four seasons. She also made appearances in films such as “The Naughty Cheerleader,” “The Great American Beauty Contest,” “The Third Girl from the Left,” “Hospital Massacre,” and “Deathstalker.” Additionally, Benton appeared in television series including “McCloud,” “Sugar Time!,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Love Boat,” and “Murder, She Wrote,” among others. While specific financial details of her acting contracts are not publicly available, these roles contributed to her overall income and net worth.

Music Career and Royalties

Benton’s foray into music yielded considerable success, particularly with her debut single, “Brass Buckles” (1975), which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard country singles chart. Her 1976 single, “Ain’t That Just the Way,” was later covered by R&B singer Lutricia McNeal in 1996, becoming a major hit in the UK and Sweden. Between 1975 and 1979, Benton produced and recorded eight albums. Specific details regarding album sales and royalties are not publicly available, but her musical endeavors significantly contributed to her income during the 1970s. Royalties from “Ain’t That Just the Way,” especially after Lutricia McNeal’s cover, would have continued to provide income.

Real Estate and Personal Investments

In 1979, Barbi Benton married real estate developer George Gradow. They maintain homes in Aspen, Colorado, and Los Angeles, California. She gave a tour of her Colorado home on HGTV’s “Million Dollar Room” in 2012. The real estate holdings in Aspen and Los Angeles represent significant assets that contribute to her overall net worth. Precise details about the value of these properties are not publicly accessible, but their location suggests substantial value. While specific details of other investments are not public, it’s likely that Benton, through her marriage to a real estate developer, has diversified her investment portfolio, further contributing to her financial stability and net worth.