Net Worth Ranker
What Is Raquel Welch’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing on February 15, 2023, American actress, singer, model, and businesswoman Raquel Welch had a net worth of $40 million. This considerable net worth was accumulated over decades through a multifaceted career that spanned film, television, theatre, endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures. She was 82 years old.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Raquel Welch, born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, began her journey toward stardom with a strong foundation. She spent her formative years in San Diego, California. Her father was an aeronautical engineer of Bolivian descent. Welch won several beauty pageant titles, including Miss San Diego. After graduating high school with honors, she received a theater scholarship to San Diego State College. She briefly worked as a weather forecaster on a local news channel. Before moving to Los Angeles, she modeled for Neiman Marcus and worked as a bartender in Dallas, Texas.
Raquel Welch’s Rise to Fame and Iconic Roles
Welch’s career gained momentum in 1965 with a role in “A Swingin’ Summer.” Subsequently, she secured a seven-year non-exclusive contract with 21st Century Fox. A pivotal moment arrived in 1966 with the release of “Fantastic Voyage,” where she played a member of a medical team miniaturized and injected into a diplomat’s body. This film helped put her on the map. However, it was her role in “One Million Years B.C.” (1966), particularly her appearance in a deerskin bikini, that catapulted her to international fame and solidified her status as a sex symbol. While it brought her recognition, she always desired to be more than a sex symbol.
Navigating a Career: Film, Television, and Theatre
Despite the initial success, Welch faced challenges in being recognized for her acting abilities beyond her physical appearance. She took on controversial roles, such as the interracial love scene in the Western “100 Rifles” (1968) with Jim Brown, and the transsexual character in the film “Myra Breckinridge” (1970). The latter role received significant criticism. In 1975, she won a Golden Globe for her performance in “The Three Musketeers.”
The MGM Lawsuit and Subsequent Career
In the early 1980s, Raquel Welch was fired from the film “Cannery Row” and subsequently sued MGM for breach of contract. While she won the lawsuit, it significantly impacted her big-screen career. She later expressed regret for pursuing the legal action due to its limitations on her film opportunities. However, she continued to find success in television movies, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Right to Die” (1987). She played minor roles in many television shows during the 80s and 90s. Her role in “Legally Blonde” (2001) was her first major movie role in many years.
Raquel Welch’s Entrepreneurial Ventures
Beyond acting, Raquel Welch demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen. She served as a model and spokesperson for Foster Grant sunglasses. Her most significant business venture was her wig business, launched in 1998. Her wig line expanded throughout the 2000s and remains available today. This venture capitalized on the growing popularity of wigs, showcasing her foresight in the fashion industry.
Real Estate Investments
Raquel Welch made notable investments in real estate. In 1997, she purchased a home in Beverly Hills, California, from comedian Jeff Foxworthy for $2 million. She undertook significant renovations before selling it in 2005 to reality television surgeon Dr. Robert Rey for $4.5 million, realizing a substantial profit. In 2001, she acquired a home in Bel-Air for $1.8 million, which served as her primary residence for the remainder of her life. Following her death, in April 2024, her heirs listed the Bel-Air home for sale with an asking price of $3.95 million.
Personal Life and Marriages
Raquel Welch was married four times throughout her life. Her first marriage was to her high school sweetheart, James Welch. Her second marriage was to Patrick Curtis, her agent, from 1967 to 1972. In 1980, she married French director André Weinfeld, and their marriage lasted until 1990. Her final marriage was to Pizzeria owner Richard Palmer in 1999, which ended in divorce in 2003. She had two children, Damon and Tahnee Welch, from her first marriage. Tahnee Welch followed in her mother’s footsteps, pursuing acting and modeling, though with limited success.
