What Is Brooke Shields’ Net Worth?
Brooke Shields, a prominent American actress, model, and former child star, has amassed a considerable fortune throughout her multi-faceted career. Her current net worth is estimated to be $40 million, a figure that is likely shared equally with her husband, Chris Henchy, a successful producer and entrepreneur. This valuation reflects Brooke Shields’ decades-long presence in the entertainment industry, beginning with her early modeling work and transitioning into acting roles in film, television, and theater.
Early Career and Modeling Success
Brooke Shields’ career began at an exceptionally young age, with her first professional job booked at just 11 months old for Ivory Soap in 1966. This early success led Ford Models to establish a separate Children’s Division to manage the volume of work she was attracting, separate from their adult client roster. Her early career culminated in a leading role in Louis Malle’s controversial 1978 film “Pretty Baby,” where she portrayed a child prostitute in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century. At 14, in 1980, Brooke achieved another milestone as the youngest fashion model to grace the cover of “Vogue” magazine. Later that same year, she appeared in a series of controversial print and TV ads for Calvin Klein jeans, with the tagline “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” By the age of 16, Brooke Shields was earning $10,000 per day as a model, solidifying her position as one of the most recognizable faces in the United States.
Transition to Acting and Education
In the early 1980s, Brooke Shields transitioned into acting, starring in films such as “Blue Lagoon” (1980) and “Endless Love.” She then took a break from her career in 1983 to attend Princeton University, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in French literature. During her time at Princeton, Brooke remained active in campus life, participating in the Princeton Triangle Club and the Cap and Gown Club. Her senior thesis, titled “The Initiation: From Innocence to Experience: The Pre-Adolescent/Adolescent Journey in the Films of Louis Malle, ‘Pretty Baby’ and ‘Lacombe Lucien,'” reflected her academic interests and engagement with film theory.
Television Career and Broadway Performances
After graduating from Princeton, Brooke Shields returned to acting, securing minor roles in films and eventually landing the starring role in the sitcom “Suddenly Susan.” The show aired for four seasons from 1996 to 2000, with Brooke also serving as a producer. Throughout her television career, she appeared in various shows, including “That ’70s Show,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Friends.” She also made guest appearances on shows like “Nip/Tuck,” “The Middle,” and “When Calls the Heart.” In 2017, she appeared in several episodes of “Law and Order: SVU,” and in 2018, she had a recurring role on “Jane the Virgin,” appearing in 14 episodes. Brooke Shields has also made significant contributions to the theater, with appearances in Broadway musical productions such as “Grease” (1994 revival), “Cabaret” (2001), “Wonderful Town” (2004), and “The Addams Family” (2011). In 2005, she played Roxie Hart in the long-running production of “Chicago” in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre, reprising the role in the Broadway revival for seven weeks.
Philanthropy and Endorsements
Brooke Shields has engaged in various philanthropic endeavors, including starring in a USPHS PSA sponsored by the American Lung Association to encourage VIPs to become advocates of non-smoking. She has also supported the USO by touring with Bob Hope and served as a spokesperson for Tupperware’s Chain of Confidence SMART Girls campaign, which aims to teach girls to nurture their mental and physical well-being. These activities reflect her commitment to social causes and her desire to use her platform to make a positive impact.
Real Estate Investments
Brooke Shields and her husband, Chris Henchy, have made strategic investments in real estate over the years. In 1997, Brooke purchased a home in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood for $3.25 million. After relocating to New York full-time, they rented out their LA house for $25,000 per month. In 2007, they acquired a townhome in New York’s West Village for $5.5 million. Additionally, in 2013, they purchased a home in Southampton for $4.25 million. These properties demonstrate a diversified real estate portfolio and contribute to their overall net worth.