Net Worth Ranker
What Is Esther Williams’ Net Worth?
At the time of her passing in June 2013, Esther Williams, the celebrated American actress and competitive swimmer, had an estimated net worth of $40 million. This substantial fortune was accumulated over a career that spanned several decades and included earnings from acting roles, endorsements, business ventures, and astute investments.
Esther Williams’ Career Contributions
Esther Williams’ career began with her prowess as a competitive swimmer. While specific monetary gains from her swimming career aren’t readily available in detail, it’s important to acknowledge its role as a springboard into the entertainment industry. Her involvement in Billy Rose’s Aquacade, though precise financial records are scarce, was a noteworthy early career step.
Her transition into film was where her net worth significantly increased. Williams starred in numerous films from the 1940s through the 1960s, most notably for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Some of her prominent roles included:
- Andy Hardy’s Double Life (1942)
- A Guy Named Joe (1943)
- Bathing Beauty (1944)
- Thrill of a Romance (1945)
- Ziegfeld Follies (1946)
- The Hoodlum Saint (1946)
- Easy to Wed (1946)
- Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)
- Fiesta (1947)
- This Time for Keeps (1947)
- On an Island with You (1948)
- Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949)
- Neptune’s Daughter (1949)
- Duchess of Idaho (1950)
- Pagan Love Song (1950)
- Texas Carnival (1951)
- Skirts Ahoy! (1952)
- Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
- Dangerous When Wet (1953)
- Easy to Love (1953)
- Jupiter’s Darling (1955)
- The Unguarded Moment (1956)
- Raw Wind in Eden (1958)
- The Big Show (1961)
- Magic Fountain (1963)
- That’s Entertainment! III (1994)
While the specific salaries she earned per film are not fully documented publicly, contracts with MGM during the Golden Age of Hollywood were known to be lucrative for leading actors. Box office success and enduring popularity of films like “Bathing Beauty” and “Million Dollar Mermaid” would have translated to substantial earnings through base salaries and potential percentage-based bonuses, which contributed significantly to Esther Williams’ net worth.
Beyond acting, Williams expanded her financial portfolio with various business endeavors. With the support of her former husband, Ben Gage, she ventured into lines of swimsuits, restaurants, and swimming pools. Precise financial details about these business ventures are scarce, but establishing these revenue streams undoubtedly enhanced her overall financial standing and contributed to Esther Williams’ net worth.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Unfortunately, specific addresses or names related to Esther Williams’ real estate holdings aren’t readily available publicly. However, it’s common for successful individuals in the entertainment industry to invest in real estate, which serves as a long-term asset. Any properties owned by Williams would have further bolstered her net worth.
Esther Williams was born in Inglewood, California, in August 1921 and passed away in June 2013. She was married four times, including to radio announcer Ben Gage and actor Fernando Lamas, the father of Lorenzo Lamas. Her personal life details, such as her marriages, don’t have direct financial implications, but her marriage to Ben Gage was critical to her entering the business world and enhancing her net worth.
Williams’ legacy lives on through her contributions to film and her impact on synchronized swimming. Her ability to transition from competitive swimming to Hollywood stardom and entrepreneurial pursuits solidified her position as a multi-talented and financially successful individual. Esther Williams’ net worth reflects her diverse career and ability to capitalize on her talents.
