Net Worth Of Jeanne Moreau 2024
Jeanne Moreau was a French actress, singer, screenwriter and director who had an extensive career spanning over 6 decades. She was considered one of the greatest actresses of French cinema and appeared in more than 130 films throughout her prolific career. Moreau was known for her versatility, embracing both mainstream and avant-garde directors and films. She worked with acclaimed filmmakers like Louis Malle, Francois Truffaut, Orson Welles and Luis Bunuel among others. Over the years, her acting talent, iconic style and persona amassed critical acclaim and commercial success.
What was Jeanne Moreau’s net worth?
Jeanne Moreau’s net worth at the time of her death in 2017 was estimated to be around $50 million. This wealth can be attributed to her decades long illustrious career as an actress in French and international cinema along with directing, screenwriting and singing credits.
Moreau was one of the highest paid actresses of her time, commanding high salaries especially during the peak of her career in the 1950s and 60s. Some of her most commercially successful films include La Notte, Jules et Jim, The Trial, The Yellow Rolls-Royce and Monte Walsh among others. She also earned consistently from royalties through re-runs and syndication rights over the decades.
In addition to acting, Moreau’s directing credits added to her income such as Lumiere and The Adolescent. She also earned from recording albums, writing books and lucrative endorsement deals with brands like L’Oreal. Her savvy property investments in Paris and smart financial planning boosted her net worth as well over the years.
What were Jeanne Moreau’s main sources of income?
Jeanne Moreau derived income from diverse sources throughout her career spanning over 60 years:
Film and Television Acting
Moreau’s extensive filmography spanning acclaimed art house films to commercial mainstream cinema was her primary source of wealth. She was able to consistently command high salaries at the peak of her career due to her talent, versatility and bankability.
- Some of her best known high grossing films are La Notte, Jules et Jim, The Trial, Diary of a Chambermaid, The Yellow Rolls-Royce, Monte Walsh, Ever After among others.
- Her continued acting work in the later years through the 80s to late 2000s also added to her income via salaries and royalties.
Theater Acting
Along with films, Moreau also acted extensively in theater in France and internationally. Her roles in productions like La Machine Infernale by Jean Cocteau added to her earnings over the years.
Directing and Screenwriting
Moreau directed 2 feature films – Lumiere (1976) and The Adolescent (1979) which allowed her to earn added income as director and screenwriter fees.
Music and Concert Tours
Moreau released over 30 albums throughout her career touring extensively for concerts. While record sales and ticket revenue contributed somewhat, these tours mainly amplified her artistic profile and star power further increasing her value.
Endorsements
The iconic French star served as the face of brands like L’Oreal generating good endorsement revenue over the years.
Property Assets
Moreau made savvy investments in lucrative Paris real estate assets over her career which appreciated significantly adding to her wealth.
This table summarizes the key sources that contributed to Jeanne Moreau’s multi-million dollar net worth:
| Source of Earning | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Film Acting | Primary source – highest salaries at peak, royalties later years |
| Theater Acting | Steady additional income source |
| Directing & Screenwriting | Supplementary income from 2 feature films |
| Music/Concerts | Minimal direct revenue but increased star profile |
| Endorsements | Brand ambassador deals like L’Oreal |
| Property Assets | Lucrative Paris real estate investments |
What were some of Jeanne Moreau’s biggest movies in terms of box office earnings?
While Jeanne Moreau starred in over 130 films, some of her most commercially successful as well as critically acclaimed movies which contributed significantly to boosting her wealth were:
La Notte (1961)
This European art film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni grossed over $3 million globally becoming a major commercial hit. Moreau’s role as the troubled wife was praised by critics too.
Jules et Jim (1962)
This French New Wave classic directed by Francois Truffaut was a huge success making over $4 million internationally. Moreau’s iconic performance made her an international star.
The Trial (1962)
Moreau acted in Orson Welles’ adaptation of the Kafka novel which did solid business with a global box office gross of $5 million.
Diary of a Chambermaid (1964)
This popular satirical French drama helmed by Luis Bunuel was a commercial success grossing $3 million globally.
The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964)
This ensemble anthology film was one of Moreau’s biggest Hollywood hits earning over $14 million at the box office.
Monte Walsh (1970)
This popular Western was a major hit in the US grossing over $6 million domestically. Critics praised Moreau’s performance as the romantic interest too.
Ever After (1998)
This beloved romantic drama was Moreau’s most commercially successful Hollywood film making over $100 million globally bringing her added exposure to younger audiences.
Moreau’s later body of work may have made less compared to her peak years but steady residuals and royalties from decades’ worth re-runs on television, restorations as well as home video and streaming releases continued to grow her wealth over the years.
Did Jeanne Moreau make any major purchases with her wealth?
While Jeanne Moreau lived quite comfortably given her multi-million dollar net worth, there are no reports of any outrageous extravagant purchases. She seemed to be prudent financially.
Some of her major investments are known to include:
- Prime real estate in Paris – Moreau invested her earnings smartly over the decades in lucrative Parisian real estate specially in the prized Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood appreciating her wealth significantly.
- Countryside retreat home – She owned a beautiful large property in the countryside outside Paris where she lived in her later yearsBRE and also hosted close friends.
- Art collection – As a patron of the arts and someone with close ties to legendary artists, Moreau used her wealth to build an impressive personal modern art collection reportedly worth millions featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and others.
Rather than over-the-top extravagant splurges, Moreau seemed to live an elegant comfortable lifestyle traveling in stylish limousines and often wearing haute couture from brands like Hermes and Chanel who considered her a muse. Her wealth allowed her to continue pursing creative endeavors she was passionate about in her later years while financially helping causes important to her like women’s rights.
What happened to Jeanne Moreau’s estate after she passed away?
Jeanne Moreau passed away in July 2017 at the age of 89 in Paris. As per her surviving family members and reports, her estimated $50 million net worth estate was divided up as per her will in the following manner:
- The exact details of financial assets left to her son Jerome Richard (from second marriage) are undisclosed but he did inherit a significant portion.
- Her countryside home was bequeathed to her long time assistant and companion who helped manage Moreau’s affairs in her final years.
- Her extensive and valuable art collection featuring over 400 paintings, sculptures and other artworks was donated to her eponymous Foundation – Fondation Jeanne Moreau. Set up by herself in 2008, the foundation helps promote upcoming young talent in fields like cinema and theater. This valuable collection serves as an endowment allowing the foundation to continue its work.
- An undisclosed portion of residual funds was allocated towards other charities focused on women’s empowerment and equal rights in alignment with causes Moreau championed in her lifetime.
Thus while her son, assistants and charities benefited financially after her demise, the exact value of assets inherited or donated remains private allowing Jeanne Moreau’s legacy to live on through her beloved foundation and its endeavors.
Did Jeanne Moreau leave a will regarding her wealth and assets?
Yes, according to reliable reports, Jeanne Moreau did leave behind a legal will that clearly outlined disbursement of her multi-million dollar net worth assets after her death.
As per French law, all citizens are required to draft a will once they are of adult age to avoid any legal disputes over asset distribution.
Though exact amounts or percentages bequested are undisclosed, Moreau’s will clearly outlined the inheritance for key beneficiaries like her son Jerome as well as foundations like Fondation Jeanne Moreau that received her priceless art collection and residual funds for their continued functioning allowing her legacy to live on.
The will execution seemed to progress smoothly without any disputes as per family members and foundation directors ensuring Moreau’s last wishes were fulfilled honorably highlighting her pragmatic financial approach throughout her life. Drafting a clear will allowed the cinematic icon’s wealth be aptly utilized to enable her art to enrich lives for years to come.
What charities or causes did Jeanne Moreau support with her wealth?
Jeanne Moreau was a lifelong champion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and female representation in the arts. She utilized parts of her multi-million dollar wealth to support related charities and causes:
Fondation Jeanne Moreau
Established in 2008 by the actress herself during her lifetime using $1 million funds, this foundation aims to promote upcoming young talent in French cinema and theater – her greatest passions. The organization has given grants, residencies and stipends to over 500 artists allowing new creative voices in fields often hindered by gender bias and economic barriers.
After her demise in 2017, Moreau’s will bequested her estimated $20+ million worth art collection featuring over 400 artworks to serve as Fondation Jeanne Moreau’s endowment fund ensuring its functioning for perpetuity. This enormous donation is one of the biggest in France’s cultural history.
Women’s Rights Groups
Moreau’s will after her death also allocated a portion of her estate’s undisclosed residual funds to charities working towards women’s empowerment and equal rights like France’s International Alliance for Women organization.
A lifelong feminist, through her foundation and direct donations she committed her wealth in death as in life towards gender equality in the country she loved.
How did Jeanne Moreau’s wealth change from her early career to later years?
Over her 6 decades long career, Jeanne Moreau’s wealth saw steady appreciation from her initial days as a young theater actress in WWII ravaged France right till her later years as a seasoned screen legend.
Early Career
When starting out in the 1940s on stage and later films in the 1947, the post-War economy meant minimal wages for struggling artists. Moreau lived quite modestly immersed in her craft but by the mid 50s as cinema gained popularity she began getting noticed for talents landing bigger movie roles boosting income.
As her star rose through the late 50s into the 60s golden age of French cinema and European art house films, her paychecks increased consistently specially after smash hits like La Notte and Jules et Jim that made her an international star commanding higher salaries. Wise property investments in Paris during these peak years paid off tremendously later.
Though remained an acclaimed actress in the 70s as European cinema declined, income reduced. But theatre work and directing allowed supplementary earnings along with steady royalties from earlier hit films on television.Loyal to France, she had limited Hollywood roles missing out on larger paydays that peers like Brigitte Bardot earned.
Later Years
From the 80s through late 2000s, while no longer a leading lady, Moreau continued working in smaller character roles on screen gaining renewed appreciation. Steady income from royalties along with real estate assets and art collection grew her wealth. Major charitable giving accelerated after establishing her eponymous foundation in 2008.
Prudent investments allowed her multi million dollar worth net worth to keep appreciating. By the time of her passing in 2017, Jeanne Moreau had earned industry respect, global fame as cultural icon and built an estimated $50 million fortune through her enduring body of work in the arts.
This table summarizes how her income and resulting net worth progressed through early days to later years:
| Era | Earnings | Wealth Growth Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Early Career (1940s-50s) | Minimal paychecks from theater and early films | Building reputation and resume |
| Peak Years (Late 50s- 60s) | High film salaries, wise property investments | International stardom after hits like La Notte, Jules et Jim |
| Later Decades (70s onwards) | Declining pay but arts patronage | Residuals from earlier work, real estate assets, charitable giving |
| Final Years (2000 and beyond) | Renewed fame in smaller character roles | Royalties, property appreciation over time |
How did Jeanne Moreau’s wealth compare to her peers like Brigitte Bardot?
Jeanne Moreau and Brigitte Bardot were contemporaries in the golden age of French cinema coming up as young actresses in the 1950s. Both achieved heights of global fame as French New Wave starlets. But an interesting contrast emerged in terms of their career choices and resulting wealth accumulation over time.
In peak years through the 60s, Bardot earned significantly more than Moreau – she was one of the highest paid actresses then internationally on back of major box office hits. The sex symbol also had lucrative modeling contracts and very profitable endorsement deals that contributed to her wealth like no peer.
But while Bardot chose to quit acting in her 30s to lead a quieter life, Moreau sustained her prolific career for decades taking on riskier roles for art’s sake which may have earned her less short term. However, in later years, while they had comparable net worths earlier, Moreau’s wealth continued appreciating building a legacy while Bardot faced reported financial struggles due to fiscal mismanagement without steady acting income.
By the 2000s and later, Moreau’s multiple streams – residuals, real estate assets, charitable foundation allowed her to have estimated $50 million net worth at time of death in 2017 versus Bardot’s current $35 million worth and growing legal-financial problems. Thus the artist vs celebrity choices resulted in an interesting shift in their respective fortunes ultimately.
Conclusion
In summary, through the course of her legendary 6 decade career, Jeanne Moreau amassed critical acclaim as one of the greatest actresses ever along with an enviable multi-million dollar fortune. Her extensive filmography, directing work, business ventures and prudent investments allowed her to build an estimated $50 million net worth over the years.
Unlike some peers, Moreau chose rewarding creative challenges over chasing quick paychecks sustaining her prolific output for years which paid off long term both reputation and wealth wise. Though she enjoyed success and luxury that money afforded, the actress remained grounded using her wealth for causes like women’s empowerment versus personal extravagance.
Her substantial bequests towards her eponymous foundation posthumously ultimately ensures her lasting legacy where art will continue opening doors for others for decades more. When examining how wealth influenced Jeanne Moreau’s life choices, beyond the glitz and glory, her riches importantly enabled the artist true freedom to perfect her craft on her own terms for as long as possible leaving behind stories still inspiring new talents every day across the world.
