Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jill St. John’s Net Worth?
Jill St. John, a celebrated American actress, has amassed a considerable net worth of $20 million. This figure represents the combined assets she shares with her husband, fellow actor Robert Wagner, since their marriage in 1990. St. John’s financial success is primarily attributed to her extensive acting career, spanning several decades and encompassing various roles in film and television.
Jill St. John: Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Jill Arlyn Oppenheim on August 19, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Jill’s journey into the world of entertainment began at a remarkably young age. Her mother, Betty Goldberg, a philanthropist, recognized her daughter’s potential and took proactive steps to shape her career. At the tender age of 5, Jill made her stage debut in the 1946 Geller’s Theater Workshop production of “The Conspiracy.” Her last name was legally changed to St. John, by her mother. Her mother believed St. John was more marketable than Oppenheim.
Her early education included dance training with the Children’s Ballet Company, where she crossed paths with future stars Stefanie Powers and Natalie Wood. At age 14, she completed her studies at Hollywood Professional School. Her intelligence was also noted, with an IQ reported to be 162. At 15 years old, she started classes at UCLA’s Extension School.
St. John secured a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures. During the ’50s and ’60s, Jill appeared in the films “Summer Love” (1958), “The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” (1959), “Holiday for Lovers” (1959), “The Lost World” (1960), “The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone” (1961), “Tender Is the Night” (1962), “Who’s Minding the Store?” (1963), “Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?” (1963), “Honeymoon Hotel” (1964), “The Oscar” (1966), “The King’s Pirate” (1967), and “Tony Rome” (1967), and she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in 1963’s “Come Blow Your Horn.” She also guest-starred on “Burke’s Law” (1964), “Batman” (1966), “The Big Valley” (1966), and “The Name of the Game” (1969).
Her earliest television work began at 8 years old, appearing on the musical fantasy series “Sandy Dreams”. At 9, St. John played Missie Cratchit in a television adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” She regularly appeared on KTLA’s Fantastick Studios, Ink., and she soon guest-starred on “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.”
Film and Television Career Highlights
St. John’s career boasts over 60 acting credits, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal. Her roles span across various genres, from science fiction to romance and action. In 1963, her role in “Come Blow Your Horn” earned her a Golden Globe nomination, a testament to her talent. However, it was her portrayal of Tiffany Case in the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever” that cemented her status as a global icon. The film had a budget of $7.2 million, grossed $116 million.
Beyond “Diamonds Are Forever,” St. John has graced the screen in notable films such as “The Lost World” (1960), where she played Jennifer Holmes, and “The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone” (1961), taking on the role of Barbara. Other film credits include, “Tender Is the Night” (1962), “Tony Rome” (1967), “The Concrete Jungle” (1982), “The Player” (1992), and “The Trip” (2002). In television, she starred as Deanna Kincaid on the primetime soap opera “Emerald Point N.A.S.” (1983–1984), and appeared in several episodes of “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968–1972). St. John starred in the TV movies “Fame Is the Name of the Game” (1966), “Foreign Exchange” (1970), “Brenda Starr” (1976), and “Northpole” (2014).
Other notable television appearances include guest-starring roles on “Burke’s Law” (1964), “Batman” (1966), “The Big Valley” (1966), and “The Name of the Game” (1969). She also appeared in four episodes of “The Love Boat” (1979–1982). In the ’80s and ’90s, Jill appeared in the films “The Concrete Jungle” (1982), “The Act” (1983), “The Player” (1992), and “Something to Believe In” (1998) and the TV movie “Out There” (1995), and she guest-starred on “Vega$” (1980), “Fantasy Island” (1981–1982), “Magnum, P.I.” (1982), “Matt Houston” (1982), and “Seinfeld” (1997).
Real Estate Holdings and Investments
Robert Wagner and Jill St. John’s real estate ventures have played a role in their combined net worth. In 1983, Robert Wagner acquired a 1+ acre property in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $220,000. The house was originally constructed in 1940 by architect Cliff May. Wagner purchased the adjacent property and made a 1.6-acre compound with a main house, guest house, tennis courts, and horse stables. Wagner hired Cliff May for a full renovation and expansion.
In August 2007, Wagner and St. John sold the Brentwood property for $14 million. The buyers were Rita Hogan and her husband Richard Edlund. Hogan was heiress to a Japanese video game empire. Edlund was an Oscar-winning cinematographer. The Wagner/St. John mansion was sold in January 2021 for $11 million.
After selling the Brentwood mansion, Robert and Jill moved full-time to Aspen, Colorado. They have owned a house there since 1995. They continue to own a condo in Los Angeles.
Personal Life and Marriages
St. John’s personal life has been as eventful as her professional one. Her first marriage was to Neil Dubin from May 1957 to July 1958. St. John was 16 years old at the time. Dubin was heir to a linen fortune. St. John said Dubin ridiculed and harassed her.
In March 1960, Jill married Lance Reventlow, the great-grandson of Frank Winfield Woolworth. They divorced in October 1963. From October 1967 to February 1969, St. John was married to singer Jack Jones.
Since May 1990, St. John has been married to actor Robert Wagner. She is stepmother to his daughters, Katie Wagner, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and Courtney Wagner. St. John previously dated celebrities such as Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Robert Evans, Henry Kissinger, Peter Lawford, Joe Namath, Tom Selleck, Jack Nicholson, and Frank Sinatra.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Beyond her acting career and real estate investments, Jill St. John has dedicated time to philanthropy. She founded the Aunts Club, a Rancho Mirage-based organization where women donate at least $1,000 annually to support a child financially.
