Net Worth Ranker
What Is Lupita Nyong’o’s Net Worth?
Lupita Nyong’o, a celebrated Kenyan actress and music video director, has accumulated a net worth of $10 million. This financial standing reflects her successful career in Hollywood and lucrative endorsement deals.
Sources of Lupita Nyong’o’s Net Worth
Nyong’o’s $10 million net worth is primarily derived from her acting roles in critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Her performance in “12 Years a Slave” (2013) not only earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress but also significantly boosted her profile in the industry. Other notable film credits contributing to her net worth include “Black Panther” (2018) and “Us” (2019). In “Black Panther,” she portrayed Nakia, a Wakandan spy and T’Challa’s love interest. The film grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, solidifying her position as a bankable star. In “Us,” a horror film directed by Jordan Peele, she played dual roles as Adelaide Wilson and Red, showcasing her versatility as an actress. The film grossed over $255 million worldwide, further adding to her financial success.
Endorsement deals have also played a substantial role in Nyong’o’s accumulation of wealth. Since 2014, she has served as a brand ambassador for Lancôme, a leading luxury cosmetics and skincare brand. This partnership involves representing their products in advertising campaigns, events, and social media. In 2016, she became the face of Tiffany & Co.’s “Legendary Style” campaign, further solidifying her status as a fashion icon. Additionally, she has collaborated with the Italian fashion brand Miu Miu, appearing in their advertising campaigns and fashion shows. These endorsement deals typically involve multi-year contracts and significant compensation, contributing substantially to her overall net worth.
Beyond film and endorsements, Nyong’o’s work as a music video director also adds to her income stream. In 2009, she directed the music video for Wahu’s song “The Little Things You Do,” which was nominated for the Best Video Award at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards. Although the financial details of this project are not publicly available, it demonstrates her diverse talents and entrepreneurial spirit.
Lupita Nyong’o’s Early Career and Education
Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born on March 1, 1983, in Mexico City, Mexico. Her parents, both Kenyan, had left Kenya in 1980 due to political unrest. Her father, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, was a guest professor at El Colegio de Mexico. The family returned to Kenya when she was less than a year old, after her father was appointed as a professor at the University of Nairobi. As a teenager, Nyong’o participated in local productions in Nairobi. She made her professional acting debut at the age of fourteen in a production of “Romeo and Juliet” by the Phoenix Players, a Nairobi-based company. This early experience ignited her passion for acting and set the stage for her future career.
Nyong’o graduated from St. Mary’s School in Nairobi with an IB Diploma in 2001. She then pursued higher education at Hampshire College in the United States, where she earned a degree in film and theatre studies. During her time at Hampshire College, she gained valuable knowledge and skills in filmmaking and acting, laying the foundation for her future success in Hollywood. After graduating from Hampshire College, Nyong’o worked as a production crew member on various films, including “The Constant Gardener” (2005), directed by Fernando Meirelles, “The Namesake” (2006), directed by Mira Nair, and “Where God Left His Shoes” (2007), directed by Salvatore Stabile. These experiences provided her with firsthand insights into the filmmaking process and inspired her to pursue her own creative projects.
In 2008, Nyong’o starred in a short film called “East River.” That same year, she returned to Kenya and appeared in the television series “Shuga,” which addressed issues such as HIV/AIDS and relationships among young people. In 2009, she wrote, directed, and produced her own documentary about the albino population in Kenya, titled “In My Genes.” The documentary won first prize at the Five College Film Festival, showcasing her talent as a filmmaker and her commitment to social issues. Also in 2009, Nyong’o directed the music video for Wahu’s song “The Little Things You Do,” which received a nomination for the Best Video Award at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards. These early projects demonstrated her versatility and passion for storytelling, setting the stage for her later success in Hollywood.
To further hone her acting skills, Nyong’o enrolled at the Yale School of Drama to pursue a master’s degree in acting. At Yale, she immersed herself in the study of acting techniques, character development, and stagecraft. She also had the opportunity to perform in numerous theatrical productions, gaining valuable experience and refining her craft. Her education at Yale proved to be instrumental in her preparation for her breakthrough role in “12 Years a Slave.”
Lupita Nyong’o’s Hollywood Career Milestones
After graduating from Yale, Nyong’o landed her breakthrough role as Patsey in the film “12 Years a Slave” (2013), directed by Steve McQueen. Her performance garnered critical acclaim and earned her numerous awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This Oscar win catapulted her into the spotlight and established her as one of Hollywood’s most promising talents.
Following her success in “12 Years a Slave,” Nyong’o appeared in the film “Non-Stop” (2014), where she had a supporting role. In 2015, she co-starred in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” as the space pirate Maz Kanata. Although she did not physically appear on screen in this role, her character was created through motion capture technology and CGI. Her involvement in the “Star Wars” franchise broadened her appeal and introduced her to a global audience.
In 2015, Nyong’o returned to the stage in a production of Danai Gurira’s play “Eclipsed” at The Public Theater in New York City. The production was a resounding success and quickly became the venue’s fastest-selling new production in recent history. Due to its popularity, “Eclipsed” moved to Broadway and premiered at the John Golden Theatre the following year. The Broadway production made history as the first play to premiere with an all-black female cast and creative team. Nyong’o’s performance in “Eclipsed” further showcased her versatility and talent as an actress.
In 2016, Nyong’o starred in the live-action/CGI film “The Jungle Book,” where she voiced the role of Raksha the wolf. Also in 2016, she starred in the film “Queen of Katwe,” directed by Mira Nair. The film tells the true story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. Nyong’o reprised her role as Maz Kanata in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017) and the animated series “Star Wars Forces of Destiny” (2017-2018).
In 2018, Nyong’o joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nakia in the superhero film “Black Panther.” To prepare for the role, she learned to speak Xhosa and trained in judo, jujitsu, silat, and Filipino martial arts. “Black Panther” was a massive success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and further solidifying Nyong’o’s status as a major Hollywood star. She was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film. Subsequent roles include “Little Monsters” (2019), “Us” (2019), and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019). She also narrated the documentary series “Serengeti” on the Discovery Channel. These projects have contributed to her consistent income and maintained her high profile in the entertainment industry.
Lupita Nyong’o’s Literary Work and Personal Life
In addition to her acting career, Nyong’o is also a published author. Her first book, “Sulwe,” was published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2019. The book tells the story of a young girl with dark skin who learns to love herself. “Sulwe” received critical acclaim and won the award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards. This venture into writing has not only diversified her career but also provided another source of income.
Nyong’o is fluent in English, Swahili, Spanish, and Luo. She is widely known for her philanthropic and advocacy work. She supports organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, WildAid, and Mother Health International. Her commitment to social causes has further enhanced her public image and contributed to her overall success. Although specific details of her charitable donations are not publicly available, her involvement with these organizations demonstrates her commitment to giving back to the community.
Real Estate and Assets
Details about Lupita Nyong’o’s specific real estate holdings and other assets are not widely available in the public domain. It is common for high-profile individuals to maintain privacy regarding their property investments and personal assets.
