Net Worth Ranker
What Is Shirley Temple’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing on February 10, 2014, Shirley Temple’s net worth was estimated to be $30 million. This valuation reflected her successful careers as a film and television actress, singer, dancer, author, and diplomat.
Shirley Temple’s Earnings and Career Highlights
Shirley Temple’s financial success began early in her life. At just six years old, she signed a contract with Fox Films in 1934, marking the start of her journey to becoming one of the highest-paid actors globally. Her breakout role in “Stand Up and Cheer!” quickly made her a household name, with earnings of $1,250 per week, which is equivalent to approximately $22,000 when adjusted for inflation.
Before reaching the age of 14, Shirley Temple had already earned $3 million, roughly equivalent to $34 million today. One of her memorable roles was in the movie “Bright Eyes” (1934), specifically written for her, and featuring her singing abilities with the song “On the Good Ship Lollipop.” The song alone sold 500,000 copies of sheet music, adding significantly to her early earnings.
During her peak, in 1935, Shirley Temple’s weekly earnings were around $2,500, which is nearly $500,000 in today’s dollars. Her attorney ensured that her image was protected, sending out cease and desist letters to those using her likeness without permission, further safeguarding her earnings and image rights.
Shirley Temple’s roles in films like “Curly Top,” “Our Little Girl,” “Poor Little Rich Girl,” “Dimples,” “The Littlest Rebel,” and “Heidi” were pivotal in establishing her financial success. Several of these movies were the highest-grossing films during the years they were released, greatly boosting her earnings through salary and percentage-based contracts.
Real Estate and Assets
Shirley Temple resided in Woodside, California, for many years until her death. At the time of her passing, her home was valued at approximately $5 million. This property contributed significantly to her overall net worth.
In the 1940s, Shirley Temple’s father purchased her a 9.54-carat flawless blue diamond as a birthday gift when she turned 12. The purchase price at the time was $7,210. Shirley Temple held onto this diamond throughout her entire life. In 2016, two years after her death, the diamond was purchased from her estate by a private collector for an estimated value of $25 million to $35 million. This demonstrates a substantial appreciation in value over the years and contributed significantly to her estate’s assets.
Post-Acting Career Ventures
In 1967, Shirley Temple ran for Congress, marking a transition into politics. Although she did not win the election, her attempt led to her appointment as a delegate to the United Nations by President Nixon in 1969. Later in her career, Shirley Temple was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana in 1974 by President Gerald Ford. In 1976, she became the first female Chief of Protocol, advising President Carter on national and international diplomatic protocol.
During the George H. W. Bush administration, Shirley Temple served as the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992. These diplomatic roles provided her with a steady income, benefits, and further opportunities for financial growth. In addition to her diplomatic career, Shirley Temple also served on the boards of several major corporations, including Del Monte, The Walt Disney Company, and Bank of America. Serving on these boards provided additional income through director’s fees and stock options, contributing to her overall net worth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Shirley Temple was born on April 23, 1928, in Santa Monica, California. Her parents were of Dutch, Anglican, and German ancestry. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father worked as a banker. Her mother encouraged her to develop her talents in singing and dancing. At the age of three, she was enrolled at Meglin’s Dance School in Los Angeles. While participating at the dance school, Shirley was spotted by a casting director for Educational Pictures and invited to audition for the studio.
In 1932, Shirley Temple signed a contract with Educational Pictures. She starred in “Baby Burlesks,” ten-minute comedy shorts satirizing popular movies and shows only using preschoolers. At this point, Shirley Temple had already adopted her signature ringlets. She performed so well that she was promoted to the twenty-minute comedy shows. The same year, she was lent to Tower Productions for a small role in their feature film “The Red-Haired Alibi.” In 1933, Shirley Temple had an uncredited role in the action romance film “To the Last Man.” She received a contract extension with a salary of $150 per week, which is the modern equivalent of over $3,000. Her mother was also hired to be her hairdresser and received a salary of $25 a week, which is the modern equivalent of just over $500. These early roles and contracts marked the beginning of her financial journey, setting the stage for her later success and substantial net worth.
