Net Worth Ranker
What Is Julie Andrews’ Net Worth?
Dame Julie Andrews DBE, a celebrated English actress renowned for her work in film, stage, and television, boasts a net worth of $30 million. This substantial wealth is the culmination of a career that spans decades, encompassing iconic roles and ventures into diverse areas of the entertainment industry. Her financial success is built on a foundation of theatrical performances, film roles, voice acting work, and strategic real estate investments.
Early Career and Rise to Stardom
Born Julia Elizabeth Wells on October 1, 1935, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, Julie Andrews’ early life played a crucial role in shaping her career. Her stepfather, although a complex figure in her life, recognized and nurtured her talent, enrolling her in acting lessons and vocal training with a prominent British soprano singer. Andrews attended an independent arts educational school, focusing on honing her performance skills. The specific details of her parents income during this time are not readily available, but it is known they invested in her education and training to support her budding career.
Andrews began her theatrical career by performing alongside her parents in various productions. Her stepfather introduced her to Val Parnell, an influential figure in London’s live performance scene. In 1947, Andrews performed a professional solo at the London Hippodrome. The following year, she performed before King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the London Palladium. She spent the next few years advancing her career in radio and television before appearing in various theatre productions on London’s West End. In 1952, she started her voice acting career by voicing Princess Zeila in “The Singing Princess,” an Italian animated film.
By 1954, Julie Andrews was performing on Broadway, starting with the musical “The Boy Friend.” She followed up with “My Fair Lady” and then booked a role in the made-for-TV film “High Tor.” After appearing in a range of variety and talk shows throughout the ’50s and early ’60s, Andrews made her breakthrough by landing the title role in 1963’s “Mary Poppins.”
Landmark Roles and Box Office Successes
Andrews’ career skyrocketed with her casting as Mary Poppins in the 1964 film of the same name. Walt Disney personally chose her for the role, and the film became Disney’s biggest box-office success at the time, grossing approximately $103.1 million against a budget of $4.4 million. This film earned Andrews an Academy Award for Best Actress, significantly boosting her profile and future earning potential. The exact breakdown of Andrews’ salary for “Mary Poppins” isn’t publicly available, but it was substantial enough to mark a major milestone in her career.
Following “Mary Poppins,” Andrews starred in “The Sound of Music” in 1965. This film was an even greater commercial triumph, grossing $158.6 million against a production budget of $8.2 million. Adjusted for inflation, “The Sound of Music” remains one of the highest-grossing films in US history. The exact figure isn’t publicly available, but Andrews likely received a percentage of the film’s profits in addition to her upfront salary.
Despite the successes of “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music,” Andrews’ subsequent films, such as “Star!” and “Darling Lili,” did not perform as well at the box office. “Star!” (1968) had a budget of $14 million but grossed only $9.5 million, resulting in a significant loss. “Darling Lili” (1970) also underperformed, failing to recoup its $22 million budget. These box office failures led Andrews to diversify her career, including a stint hosting her own variety show from 1972 to 1973. The financial terms of her television contracts during this time aren’t publicly disclosed, but these ventures helped maintain her income stream during a period of fluctuating film success.
In 1982, Andrews starred in “Victor/Victoria,” which was a critical and commercial success. The film had a budget of $15 million and grossed $30 million, doubling its investment. Andrews received a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance and an Academy Award nomination. Following “Victor/Victoria,” Andrews focused more on television roles until the mid-1990s.
In 1995, Julie Andrews made her first appearance on a Broadway stage in over three decades when she starred in a stage production of “Victor/Victoria.” The production toured the globe and earned Andrews a Tony Award nomination. She declined the nomination because it was the only nomination received by the production, and she felt they had been snubbed. At the end of 1997, Julie had to step down from the stage version of “Victor/Victoria” after developing a hoarse throat. To treat the hoarseness, she had surgery to remove non-cancerous throat nodules. The surgery ended up causing permanent damage to her singing voice, which made it impossible for her to continue with the production or sing on stage again.
Voice Acting and Later Career Ventures
After a surgery in 1997 damaged her singing voice, Andrews transitioned into voice acting roles. She made a significant return in 2001 with “The Princess Diaries,” which grossed $165.3 million worldwide against a budget of $26 million. She also reprised her role in the film’s sequel, “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004), which grossed $134.7 million against a budget of $40 million. Although the specifics of her contracts aren’t public, the box-office success likely translated into substantial earnings.
In 2004, she landed a voice-acting role in “Shrek 2,” playing Queen Lillian. The film became a massive success, grossing $928.7 million worldwide against a budget of $150 million. Andrews reprised her role in multiple sequels and spin-offs, including “Shrek the Third” (2007) and “Shrek Forever After” (2010), each contributing to her ongoing income. She also took on the voice-acting role of Marlena Gru in “Despicable Me” (2010) and its sequels, further solidifying her status as a sought-after voice actress. “Despicable Me” grossed over $543 million worldwide, while “Despicable Me 2” surpassed $970 million. Her salary for these roles is not fully public, but voice-acting work in major animated franchises can be highly lucrative.
Andrews’s voice acting roles extended beyond the “Shrek” and “Despicable Me” franchises. She has also lent her voice to other animated films and television series, contributing to a steady stream of income. The exact earnings from these ventures remain undisclosed but are undoubtedly a factor in her overall financial picture. Her literary work also contributes to her net worth. Julie Andrews has written several children’s books, further diversifying her income streams. While specific sales figures for each book are unavailable, they add to her overall financial success.
Real Estate Investments
Julie Andrews has also made shrewd investments in real estate. In 2012, she listed her Brentwood home for $2.649 million and quickly found a buyer. She and her late husband originally purchased the property in 1989 for $1.2 million. The gated property featured cathedral ceilings, an artist’s studio, four bedrooms, a swimming pool, and a spa. The sale of this property reflects her ability to make profitable real estate decisions.
Other Ventures and Income Streams
Beyond acting and real estate, Julie Andrews has generated income through various other ventures. These include royalties from her recordings, as well as potential income from merchandise and licensing deals associated with her films and stage productions. While the exact figures for these income streams are not publicly available, they contribute to her diversified portfolio.
In addition to her acting and real estate ventures, endorsements and public appearances have likely contributed to Julie Andrews’ income over the years. She has made numerous appearances at industry events and award ceremonies. The financial details of these engagements are typically not made public.
A settlement from a malpractice lawsuit following the surgery that damaged her vocal cords likely contributed to her overall net worth. While the exact amount of the settlement remains confidential, it was presumably substantial, given the irreversible damage to her singing voice and its impact on her career. Julie Andrews’s financial success is not just a result of her talent and hard work, but also her ability to adapt to changing circumstances, make smart investments, and diversify her income streams.
