Net Worth Ranker
What Is Janet Evanovich’s Net Worth?
Janet Evanovich, an accomplished American author recognized for her captivating mystery novels, boasts a substantial net worth estimated at $140 million. This impressive figure is primarily attributed to the success of her long-running series centered on the character Stephanie Plum, a resourceful female bounty hunter. The Stephanie Plum novels have consistently achieved bestseller status, both nationally and internationally, contributing significantly to Evanovich’s financial success.
Career Success and Notable Works
Evanovich’s writing career began in the 1970s, initially facing challenges in selling her manuscripts. Despite these early setbacks, she persevered and eventually found success with her romance novels, released under the pseudonym Steffie Hall. Her first novel under this name, “Hero at Large,” was published in 1987, marking a turning point in her career. Following this initial success, Evanovich continued to write several more romance novels, expanding her reach and solidifying her presence in the literary world. Some of her romance novel titles include “Thanksgiving,” “The Grand Finale,” “Wife for Hire,” “Foul Play,” “Back to the Bedroom,” “Smitten,” and “Naughty Neighbor.” These works, while not as widely known as her Stephanie Plum series, played a crucial role in developing her skills and establishing her as a professional author.
The turning point in Janet Evanovich’s career came with the creation of the Stephanie Plum series. Inspired by the action comedy film “Midnight Run,” she decided to incorporate elements of mystery and adventure into her writing. In 1994, Evanovich released “One for the Money,” the inaugural novel in the Stephanie Plum series. This book garnered positive reviews and was later adapted into a 2012 film starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum. Its film adaptation further broadened the audience, exposing more individuals to the series and Janet Evanovich’s writing.
Following the success of “One for the Money,” Evanovich continued to expand the Stephanie Plum series with titles such as “Two for the Dough,” “Three to Get Deadly,” “Four to Score,” and “High Five.” In 2000, she reached a significant milestone with the release of “Hot Six,” which became the first book in the series to reach number one on the New York Times bestseller list. This achievement marked a turning point in her career, elevating her status to that of a bestselling author and solidifying the Stephanie Plum series as a major literary success.
The success of the Stephanie Plum series continued with subsequent books, including “Seven Up,” “Hard Eight,” “To the Nines,” “Ten Big Ones,” “Eleven on Top,” “Twelve Sharp,” “Lean Mean Thirteen,” “Fearless Fourteen,” “Finger Lickin’ Fifteen,” and “Sizzling Sixteen.” Evanovich has consistently released new Stephanie Plum novels at a rate of at least one per year. Her continued commitment to the series has allowed her to maintain a strong readership and consistently generate significant income. Later titles in the series, such as “Explosive Eighteen,” “Takedown Twenty,” “Hardcore Twenty-Four,” “Fortune & Glory Tantalizing Twenty-Seven,” and “Going Rouge: Rise and Shine Twenty-Nine,” have all debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. This consistent performance underscores the enduring popularity of the Stephanie Plum series and its significant contribution to Janet Evanovich’s net worth.
In addition to the main Stephanie Plum novels, Evanovich has also written a series of between-the-numbers Plum books featuring the character Diesel. These include “Visions of Sugar Plums,” “Plum Lucky,” and “Plum Spooky.” These additional books provide further opportunities for Evanovich to expand the Stephanie Plum universe and generate additional revenue.
Other Literary Ventures
Beyond the Stephanie Plum series, Janet Evanovich has authored or co-authored several other series, showcasing her versatility as a writer. In 2004, she introduced the “Barnaby and Hooker” series with “Metro Girl.” This series focuses on the relationship between auto mechanic Alexandra Barnaby and NASCAR driver Sam Hooker, exploring themes of romance and adventure in a different setting than the Stephanie Plum novels. Although the “Barnaby and Hooker” series did not achieve the same level of commercial success as the Stephanie Plum series, it demonstrates Evanovich’s willingness to explore different genres and characters, and it contributes to her overall income as an author.
In 2010, Evanovich began the “Wicked” fantasy series with “Wicked Appetite.” Two additional books were released in 2012 and 2015, with the third, “Wicked Charms,” co-written with Phoef Sutton. This series marks a departure from Evanovich’s traditional mystery and romance genres, delving into the realm of fantasy and exploring supernatural themes. The “Wicked” series further demonstrates Evanovich’s willingness to experiment with different genres and expand her readership. Following the “Wicked” series, Evanovich started the “Knight & Moon” mystery series. She partnered again with Sutton to co-author the first book in the series, “Curious Minds.” She then wrote the second book, “Dangerous Minds,” solo. These series further showcase Evanovich’s range as an author and her ability to create engaging stories in various genres, adding to her overall earnings.
Evanovich also collaborated with other authors on two of her most prolific series. Her “Fox & O’Hare” series, which began in 2013 with “The Heist,” was co-written by Lee Goldberg until 2018. Later books in the series have been co-written by Pete Evanovich and Steve Hamilton. This series is a globe-trotting saga that follows the adventures of FBI special agent Kate O’Hare and master thief Nick Fox. It comprises novels, novellas, and an online short story, providing a diverse range of content for readers. The “Fox & O’Hare” series has proven to be successful, contributing significantly to Evanovich’s net worth through book sales and related merchandise.
Another Evanovich series, called the “Full” series, was co-authored by Charlotte Hughes. This series includes six books released between 1989 and 2006, adding to Evanovich’s extensive catalog of published works. While specific sales figures for this series are not publicly available, it undoubtedly contributed to her overall income as an author.
In addition to her series work, Janet Evanovich has also written several standalone books, further diversifying her literary output. In 2007, she co-wrote the romance novel “Hot Stuff” with Leanne Banks. She also co-wrote the romance novels “Love in a Nutshell” and “The Husband List” with Dorien Kelly. These standalone novels, while not part of a larger series, provide additional income streams and opportunities for Evanovich to connect with readers who enjoy her writing style. Evanovich’s other credits include the anthologies “The Plot Thickens” and “The Last Peep.” She also penned a non-fiction book entitled “How I Write” in 2006, offering insights into her writing process and providing valuable advice to aspiring authors. This book not only serves as a guide for writers but also contributes to her overall reputation as a respected and knowledgeable figure in the literary world, further enhancing her brand and potentially increasing her earning potential.
Early Life and Education
Janet Evanovich’s early life laid the foundation for her future success as an author. Born as Janet Schneider on April 22, 1943, in South River, New Jersey, she grew up in a close-knit community. As a teenager, she attended South River High School, where she developed her interest in writing and storytelling. Following her graduation from high school, she made history as the first person in her family to attend college, enrolling at Rutgers University as an art student. Although her initial focus was on art, her experiences at Rutgers University broadened her horizons and exposed her to different perspectives, which likely influenced her later writing career. While her formal education was in art, her passion for storytelling and her determination to succeed led her to pursue a career as an author, ultimately resulting in her significant net worth today.
Personal Life
In 1964, Janet Evanovich married her husband, Pete. Together, they have a son named Peter and a daughter named Alexandra. The couple maintains residences in both North Carolina and Hawaii, reflecting their success and ability to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. While specific details about their real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that their properties are substantial, given Evanovich’s net worth. The fact that they have residences in both North Carolina and Hawaii suggests that they enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures, further enhancing their quality of life.
