Net Worth Ranker
What Is Elke Sommer’s Net Worth?
Elke Sommer, a versatile German actress, singer, model, and painter, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. This substantial wealth is the result of a multi-faceted career spanning several decades, marked by appearances in over 100 TV shows and films. Sommer’s prominence on the big screen during the 1960s and 1970s played a significant role in establishing her financial standing.
Elke Sommer’s Film Career and Earnings
Sommer’s acting career took off in the late 1950s when she was spotted by Vittorio De Sica while vacationing in Italy. This chance encounter led to her participation in four Italian films in 1959: “The Friend of the Jaguar,” “Men and Noblemen,” “La Pica sul Pacifico,” and “Ragazzi del Juke-Box.” These early roles were instrumental in building her portfolio and visibility within the film industry. Simultaneously, she also secured roles in West German films such as “The Death Ship” and “The Day the Rains Came,” further broadening her early career experiences. Her transition from these initial roles to becoming a major international star in the 1960s was pivotal in increasing her earnings through higher-profile roles and international recognition.
In the 1960s, Elke Sommer’s career trajectory led to a wide array of film roles across various countries. She appeared in West German productions like “Stage Fright” and “Beloved Impostor,” as well as international films such as the British comedy “Don’t Bother to Knock” and the French drama “Douce Violence.” A significant breakthrough occurred in 1963 when she starred in two major English-language films: “The Victors” and “The Prize.” In “The Prize,” Sommer starred alongside Paul Newman and Edward G. Robinson, marking a high point in her early career and likely contributing significantly to her earnings that year. Following this, in 1964, she took on roles in the “Pink Panther” sequel “A Shot in the Dark” and the Western “Among Vultures,” which further cemented her status and earning potential in the film industry. Financial details of these roles, like specific salary amounts, are not publicly available, but these roles doubtlessly helped raise her net worth significantly.
Throughout the latter half of the 1960s, Sommer sustained a prolific acting career, starring in several American films such as “The Art of Love” and “The Money Trap” in 1965. She also made a cameo appearance as herself in the German thriller “Hotel der toten Gäste.” Notably, she landed starring roles in films like “The Oscar,” “Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!,” “The Venetian Affair,” “The Corrupt Ones,” “The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz,” and “They Came to Rob Las Vegas,” enhancing both her fame and her earning capacity. Her final role of the decade was in the spy comedy “The Wrecking Crew,” where she co-starred with Dean Martin and Sharon Tate. Each of these roles, given the film’s profiles and her prominent involvement, likely came with significant compensation packages, adding substantially to her net worth. However, the exact financial terms of these engagements are not publicly accessible.
During the 1970s, Sommer continued to be active in the film industry, starting with the adventure film “The Invincible Six.” Subsequently, she starred in the British comedy “Percy” and the action-war film “Zeppelin.” In 1972, Sommer appeared in Mario Bava’s horror film “Baron Blood,” and she collaborated with the director again two years later in “Lisa and the Devil.” Sommer also took part in German films like “Trip to Vienna” and “One or the Other of Us” during this time, as well as the 1974 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” In 1975, she starred in “The Net” and “Carry On Behind,” the latter of which was part of the “Carry On” series of British comedy films. Sommer had three films in 1976, all action movies: “The Swiss Conspiracy,” “Meet Him and Die,” and “One Away.” She was subsequently in “The Astral Factor” and “I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses.” Sommer concluded the 1970s with roles in “The Prisoner of Zenda,” “The Double McGuffin,” “The Treasure Seekers,” and “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.” While precise financial figures for these roles are not available, it’s clear that her continuous work in a variety of genres helped maintain a steady stream of income, contributing significantly to her overall net worth.
Following her prolific activity in the 1960s and 1970s, Sommer’s film appearances became less frequent. Her film credits in the 1980s include roles in “Exit Sunset Boulevard,” “The Man in Pyjamas,” “Lily in Love,” and “Himmelsheim.” In the 1990s, Sommer appeared in the direct-to-video film “Severed Ties.” While details on specific earnings from these roles are not available, these projects likely contributed incrementally to her income. The shift towards fewer film roles suggests a strategic or personal choice rather than a decline in her capabilities, as she transitioned towards television and other ventures, maintaining a diverse portfolio that supported her net worth.
Television Career and Other Ventures
Elke Sommer made frequent television appearances on shows such as “The Dean Martin Show,” “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” and “Hollywood Squares.” In the 1980s, she hosted “The Exciting World of Speed and Beauty,” a syndicated show. During this decade, she portrayed Magda Goebbels in the television film “Inside the Third Reich” and Isabel Von Hohenstauffen in “Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna.” Sommer also appeared in television series like “Jenny’s War,” “Peter the Great,” and “St. Elsewhere.” Her television work in the 1990s included appearances on “Counterstrike,” “Destiny Ridge,” and “Gisbert.” In the 2000s, Sommer participated in several German television films, such as “Reblaus” and “Ewig Rauschen die Gelder.” Hosting “The Exciting World of Speed and Beauty” and acting in various TV films and series would have added significantly to her income during those periods. While exact figures are not disclosed, these ventures contributed to the diversification of her income sources.
Besides her acting roles, Sommer also ventured into music, releasing several successful albums. The specific details about album sales and revenue generated are not publicly available, but this musical career likely contributed to her income stream. In addition to her acting and music endeavors, Sommer has also focused on her painting career, based in Los Angeles. The extent of her income from art sales is not detailed in public sources, but her artistic pursuits add another dimension to her professional activities and contribute to her overall financial portfolio.
Real Estate and Personal Life
For several decades, Elke Sommer resided in a 4,000 square-foot mansion in Los Angeles, which included a pool and a tennis court. She listed this property for sale in March 2022 for $10.75 million. The successful sale of this property at or near the listing price would have significantly impacted her net worth, potentially adding millions depending on her initial investment and any improvements made over the years. The details of the purchase of another property are not public at this time.
Sommer’s personal life also includes significant events that may have indirectly influenced her financial situation. Her marriage to Hollywood columnist Joe Hyams in 1964 ended in divorce in 1993. That same year, she married Wolf Walther, the managing director of the luxury New York hotel Essex House. Details of any financial settlements or agreements from these relationships are not publicly disclosed, but these events typically can have implications for wealth distribution.
Legal Matters and Financial Resolutions
In 1984, Sommer engaged in a notable legal dispute with actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, stemming from their shared appearance on the television special “Circus of the Stars.” This conflict escalated into a multimillion-dollar libel suit, with Sommer alleging defamation by Gabor and her husband Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt. The court ultimately awarded Sommer over $3 million in damages. This legal victory provided a substantial boost to her net worth, although legal fees and other associated costs would have partially offset the total amount received.
