This young girl, pictured here, eventually became the wealthiest actress in the world. Can you guess who she is?
When most people think of Hollywood’s richest stars, names like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, or Meryl Streep often come up. They are iconic, but none compare to a woman whose acting career may seem modest on the surface — yet whose fortune now exceeds three billion dollars.
From Suburbia to the Silver Screen
Before fame and fortune, she was just a girl growing up in Glenview, Illinois, far from Hollywood glamour. Her father worked as a contractor and builder, and she attended public schools. There was nothing in her early life to suggest she would one day become the richest actress alive.
Everything changed when she was discovered through a nationwide talent search. As a teenager, she landed roles in films that became cult classics.
“I was found at a search, thrown right into it — that was it,” she recalled in a past interview.
Audiences quickly connected with her warm, natural performances. During the 1980s, she starred in some of the decade’s most memorable movies, leaving a lasting mark on viewers and cementing her status as a beloved actress.
By the time she was 16, she was earning more than her father — an achievement she later described as life-altering.
Staying Grounded While Building a Career
Unlike many rising stars, she never chased fame for its own sake. While appearing in both films and television shows, she maintained a low profile, prioritizing privacy, stability, and a meaningful life over tabloid headlines.
This approach shaped both her career and her personal life. It also brought her to the man who would become her husband — a young financier who initially had no idea of her acting credits.
The couple married in 1989, long before achieving their combined fortune. She has said she often supported their early life together, even paying for their first home and vacations.
“All I knew was she was a working actress,” her husband recalled. “I didn’t know all the movies and TV shows she’d been in.”
A Billion-Dollar Partnership
Her husband’s career took off when he co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990, one of the world’s leading private equity firms. Later, he co-founded Ares Management and expanded into sports ownership, acquiring stakes in teams like the Atlanta Hawks.
Throughout this time, she remained deeply involved in their family and philanthropic work. In 2012, they were recognized as the year’s top charitable donors after contributing more than $10 million to their foundation. Their giving supports education, arts, health programs, and Jewish organizations. She also serves on the board of the Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest nonprofit funding research into the disease.
Despite public assumptions, her wealth isn’t solely from her husband. Reports show that she earned more than he did when they met, making her the early breadwinner.
“Everyone thinks I married a rich guy,” she once said. “But I made way more money than Tony when we met. I married him because I loved him.”
Their current fortune reflects smart investments and shared vision — a combination of her early acting earnings and their business acumen.
Meet the Richest Actress Alive
The actress is Jami Gertz, 60.
She’s known for roles in Twister, The Lost Boys, and guest appearances on fan-favorite TV shows like Seinfeld and Modern Family. She may not chase fame, but her talent, business sense, and philanthropic efforts have made her Hollywood’s richest actress.