Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kelly Rutherford’s Net Worth?
Kelly Rutherford, the American actress known for her roles in television series like “Melrose Place” and “Gossip Girl,” has an estimated net worth of $1 million. This figure reflects her earnings from a career spanning several decades in the entertainment industry, factoring in income from acting roles, real estate transactions, and reported financial difficulties during a custody battle.
Kelly Rutherford’s Early Career and Rise to Fame
Kelly Rutherford’s career began in the late 1980s with a role on the soap opera “Generations,” from 1989 to 1991. This early role marked the beginning of her presence on television. In 1992, she joined the cast of the ABC drama “Homefront”. A year later, Rutherford secured a regular role on the Fox series “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.,” where she played Dixie Cousins from 1993 to 1994, a saloon singer and con artist who was the love interest of the show’s main character. Before landing her breakthrough role on “Melrose Place,” Rutherford appeared in the 1994 film “I Love Trouble” and had a starring role in the short-lived series “The Great Defender” in 1995. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Megan Lewis Mancini on “Melrose Place,” a role she held from 1996 to 1999. During her time on the show, she became a prominent figure in primetime television, contributing significantly to her early financial standing.
Kelly Rutherford’s Film and Television Roles
Following her time on “Melrose Place,” Rutherford expanded her career with roles in both film and television. In 2000, she appeared in “Scream 3,” where she played the character Christine Hamilton. Rutherford also secured the role of Special Agent Frankie Ellroy Kilmer in the ABC drama “Threat Matrix,” appearing from 2003 to 2004. Before landing her next major role, she also starred in the short-lived television series “E-Ring” on NBC. Her role as Lily van der Woodsen in “Gossip Girl,” from 2007 to 2012, further solidified her status in the industry. As a supporting character, her role on the show earned her mainstream recognition, while also boosting her income. After the series concluded in 2012, she continued to work in television, with guest-starring roles in series such as “Bones,” “Being Mary Jane,” “Reckless,” “Quantico,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “Dynasty.” In addition to series work, Rutherford has been involved in multiple television films, including “Love, of Course,” “Dark Angel,” “All My Husband’s Wives,” and “Christmas Wedding Planner.” She also landed a recurring role as Melissa Daniels on the CW reboot of “Dynasty” from 2018 to 2019.
Kelly Rutherford’s Real Estate Investments
Kelly Rutherford has engaged in real estate transactions that have impacted her net worth. In August 2002, she purchased a home in Los Angeles for $1 million. After her divorce, she sold this property in July 2010 for $3.75 million, resulting in a substantial gain. In 2013, Rutherford sold a condo in West Hollywood for $980,000. She had originally listed the condo for $1.4 million but ultimately sold it for less than her initial asking price. Rutherford had purchased the condo in July 2005 for $1.25 million, resulting in a loss on the property when she sold it.
Kelly Rutherford’s Financial Challenges and Bankruptcy
In April 2013, it was reported that Kelly Rutherford was facing significant financial difficulties and had depleted her savings due to a protracted custody battle with her former husband. These financial strains led her to file for bankruptcy in June 2013. This period of financial instability notably affected her net worth, offsetting some of the gains from her acting career and real estate dealings. The financial strain from the custody battle was a substantial factor in her decision to file for bankruptcy. While the specific details of her debts and assets at the time of the filing are not entirely public, the bankruptcy case provides a clear indication of the financial challenges she faced.
Kelly Rutherford’s Personal Life and Marital History
Kelly Rutherford’s personal life has been marked by multiple marriages and a high-profile custody battle that significantly impacted her finances. In June 2001, she married Venezuelan banker Carlos Tarajano, but she filed for divorce just six months later, in January 2002. Her second marriage was to German businessman Daniel Giersch in August 2006. The couple had their first son, Hermes Gustaf Daniel Giersch, in October 2006. Rutherford filed for divorce from Giersch in 2008 while pregnant with their second child. Their daughter, Helena, was born in June 2009. Following the birth of their daughter, Rutherford and Giersch became embroiled in a custody battle over their two children. In April 2012, Giersch’s visa was revoked after Rutherford’s lawyer informed the U.S. State Department about issues pertaining to Giersch’s businesses. The allegations involved fraud, with some reports also stating that they involved drug and weapons dealing in South America. Giersch then took up residence in France, and the children spent the summer of 2012 with him there. In December 2015, courts in Monaco, where the children were living with their father, ruled that Giersch retained custody and granted Rutherford extensive visitation rights.
