Net Worth of Meryl Streep 2024
Meryl Streep is considered one of the greatest actresses of all time. She has received more Oscar nominations than any other actor or actress in history. Over her decades-long career spanning stage, television and film, Streep has amassed significant wealth. But what is Streep’s net worth?
How Much Is Meryl Streep Worth?
According to multiple reputable sources, Meryl Streep’s net worth is estimated to be $90 million. The vast majority of Streep’s net worth comes from her acting career spanning over 40 years. Some highlights:
- Streep earned $485,000 for her star-making role in 1979’s Kramer vs. Kramer. Adjusted for inflation, that equals over $1.8 million today.
- For 2008’s Mamma Mia!, Streep earned $10 million upfront against 3% of the gross which ended up totaling over $15 million.
- In 2012, Streep earned $12 million for starring in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical Into the Woods.
- Recently Streep earned over $20 million for her role in season 3 of the HBO series Big Little Lies.
Streep also likely earned significant sums for prominent roles in films like The Deer Hunter, Out of Africa, The Devil Wears Prada, Julie & Julia, The Iron Lady, and The Post. She commands over $1 million per film role today.
What Were Meryl Streep’s Biggest Acting Paydays?
Some of Meryl Streep’s biggest acting paydays include:
- $12 million for starring in the film Into the Woods (2012)
- Over $20 million for co-starring in season 3 of Big Little Lies (2019)
- $15 million total for Mamma Mia! (2008) including $10 million upfront fee
- $7 million for starring in Ricki and the Flash (2015)
- $5.5 million for starring in The Iron Lady (2011)
Streep also likely earned over $5 million each for films like Julie & Julia, It’s Complicated, The Post, and her next upcoming film The Prom.
Has Meryl Streep Received Residuals Over Her Career?
Yes, in addition to large upfront acting fees, Streep has received significant residuals – or ongoing payments based on a project’s long-term success – over her decades-long career.
As one of film’s most legendary and ubiquitous stars, Streep’s films have continued generating revenue for their studios years after initial release. Streep has received nice “mailbox money” from these projects in residuals:
- Kramer vs. Kramer: With nearly $100 million lifetime gross, a smash hit in 1979
- Mamma Mia!: The 2008 musical went on to gross $610 million globally
- Devil Wears Prada: The 2006 film grossed nearly $300 million
- Into the Woods: Over $200 million global gross in 2012
- Julie & Julia: $130 million in worldwide box office in 2009
- The Bridges of Madison County: $182 million global gross in 1995
- The Deer Hunter: $50+ million gross since 1978 release
As a profit participant, Streep continues to receive residual checks from these and other hit films from decades past.
What Other Income Sources Contribute to Streep’s Wealth?
- Real estate: Streep owns a $3.6 million penthouse in NYC’s TriBeCa neighborhood and a $6 million estate in Connecticut amongst other properties. Rising values boost her net worth.
- Producing income: Streep has earned producer fees from select films she’s starred in like The Giver, August: Osage County, and More As This Story Develops.
- Endorsements: Over the years brands like Estee Lauder, Olay, and Apple have paid Streep over $1 million combined for endorsement deals.
- Business ventures: Streep co-founded the film studio First Look Productions in 2009 which produces films like Suffragette. The studio contributes additional income for Streep.
So in summary, while acting fees constitute the majority of her net worth, Meryl Streep has also earned millions from related business ventures, brand sponsorships, real estate, producing fees, and more over her decades-long career in the spotlight.
Meryl Streep Net Worth Breakdown
| Source of Income | Estimated Contribution |
|---|---|
| Acting Fees | $80+ million |
| Producing fees | $5+ million |
| Real Estate | $10+ million |
| Endorsements | $3+ million |
| Business ventures | $2+ million |
| Investments & Other | $5+ million |
How Much Does Meryl Streep Make a Year?
In recent years of her career, it is estimated that Meryl Streep earns $15-20+ million per year. As one of film’s rare A-list legends still working actively today, she continues to command over $1 million per film role plus residual payments from past hits.
For instance in 2019 alone, Streep earned over $20 million for starring in Big Little Lies season 3 then likely over $5 million more for her next film The Prom the same year. So in just 2019, Streep earned nearly $25 million.
Earlier in the 2010s during a normal acting year, Streep likely earned around $10 million per year – including her typical $5 million+ per film fee at the time plus at least $1-2 million more in residual payments from films, endorsements, and real estate income.
And even if Streep takes an “off year” with less acting work, she still earns at minimum $5 million per year thanks purely to existing sources like residuals, real estate holdings, business ventures, and more. So her annual income remains sizable.
What is Meryl Streep’s Salary Per Movie?
On average over the past decade, Meryl Streep has earned a salary per movie of $5 million or more. Some examples:
- $7 million – Ricki and the Flash (2015)
- $6 million – Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)
- Over $20 million – Big Little Lies, Season 3 (2019)
- $12 million – Into the Woods (2012)
Earlier in her career Streep typically earned between half a million to $2 million per film depending on the role and budget. But over the 2000s and 2010s Streep’s per-film asking price increased significantly thanks to major box office hits and awards recognition late in her career for films like The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia!, Julie & Julia, and The Iron Lady.
These days, studios routinely pay Streep over $5 million upfront to secure her star power and talent for their films knowing she boosts their potential global gross and awards consideration. So in her 60s and 70s, Streep continues earning her highest acting fees yet like over $20 million for just 7 episodes of television on Big Little Lies season 3.
At What Age Did Meryl Streep Become a Millionaire?
It is estimated Meryl Streep first became a millionaire in her early 40s by around 1990 when she was about 41 years old.
Streep spent most of the 1970s and 80s establishing herself as a talented, versatile stage and film actress. She rose to prominence with a succession of Oscar-nominated performances in heavyweight dramas like The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer (for which she won Best Supporting Actress), and Out of Africa.
By the late 1980s, Streep was likely earning over $1 million per film role plus building profit participation in the sizable box office hits like Out of Africa and Ironweed. Combine her acting fees with residuals and real estate like her $1.8 million Tribeca loft, and Streep’s net worth crossed $1 million by the time she turned 40.
Her net worth then soared to over $50 million by 2000 once Streep cemented herself as Hollywood’s most acclaimed and bankable actress via The Bridges of Madison County, Marvin’s Room, and other hits in the 1990s. So Meryl Streep obtained millionaire status off decades of hard work rather than overnight stardom – and continues getting richer with age.
How Much Has Meryl Streep Made From “Mamma Mia”?
In total so far Meryl Streep has earned over $15 million from the Mamma Mia! film franchise thanks to her producer fee, acting salary, and backend profit participations.
According to financial reports, Streep received an upfront salary “in excess of $10 million” to star in and produce the first Mamma Mia! film which grossed over $600 million worldwide in 2008.
As a producer and investor Streep also negotiated an estimated 3-4% backend profit participation which likely earned her an additional $3-5 million throughout the years from home entertainment and streaming revenues.
In 2018 Streep then reprised her singing role in Mamma Mia 2! Here We Go Again. Though her salary is undisclosed it was likely at least $5 million given the massive success of the first film. Between upfront acting fees and backend profits as a producer and participant, Meryl Streep has earned over $15 million and counting from the Mamma Mia franchise.
What Investments Has Meryl Streep Made?
There is little public information on Meryl Streep’s specific investment portfolio or strategies. However she likely has invested some of her sizable wealth over the years into assets like:
- Real estate – Beyond homes in Connecticut and New York, Streep may own additional residential and commercial property attracting steady rental income.
- Equities – Streep perhaps maintains stocks, mutual funds, index funds or other market securities via a diversified portfolio.
- VC funding – As a co-founder of First Look Productions and supporter of women in entertainment, she may also put money into related startups as angel investments.
Additionally, Streep by default has invested much of her wealth back into her acting career over decades – spending many months of her life working on hugely successful films. Each one requires upfront time invested but often pays off both financially and at awards shows.
For example, 2012’s Into the Woods required nine months of filming yet earned her $12 million. 2008’s Mamma Mia! filmed over five months but ultimately earned her well over $15 million after becoming a massive smash success. So Streep invests a lot of sweat equity into her film roles.
While quite private about her financial dealings, there is little doubt Meryl Streep’s investments have grown her wealth nicely over time thanks to savvy decisions and counsel required to earn and maintain a eight-figure personal net worth.
Has Meryl Streep Ever Had Financial Problems?
Meryl Streep has managed to avoid serious financial problems, despite some early career struggles.
After graduating from prestigious Yale School of Drama and winning a Tony award by age 27, Streep spent much of the 1970s working consistently but for modest wages in theatre, commercials and supporting film roles.
Early in her career, Streep lived in a $200 per month rental apartment in New York City with her boyfriend and had credit card debt. But she earned strong reviews and worked enough to make a living.
The most serious career challenge Streep faced was after winning the Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980:
“I didn’t work for almost a year afterwards,” said Streep. “I was wiping out financially… My agent sent me to California to audition for Bob Fosse’s ‘Star 80.’ I couldn’t sing, I couldn’t dance. I didn’t get the part.”
Thankfully that drought ended shortly after when Streep landed roles in major Academy Award-winning films like Sophie’s Choice which provided financial stability. While not an overnight A-list sensation, from her first Tony win in the mid-1970s onward Streep always made enough money from her acting greatness to avoid money issues.
Now worth $90+ million, Streep lives well below her means and puts most of her effort into her craft rather than spending lavishly. So while she cut her teeth financially early on, Streep hasn’t faced serious financial troubles in decades thanks to award-worthy talents banks and audiences want to buy into.
How Much Has Meryl Streep Contributed to Charity?
While quite private about her donations, Meryl Streep has given millions of dollars to charity over her lifetime according to reports.
Some examples of Streep’s philanthropic contributions and causes include:
- Over $1 million donated over the years to the Silver Hill Hospital to support addiction programs. Streep credits the center with supporting a close family member’s recovery in the 1970s.
- Significant donations to the National Women’s History Museum fighting for government funding and a permanent headquarters as of 2022. Streep has also donated items to their collection.
- College scholarships via the Producers Guild Women’s Scholarship Fund which Streep endowed initial funding for.
- Public education donations including over $1 million matched for urban school districts in Connecticut and Indiana in 2017 which doubled over $2 million total in funding.
- Serve on the Honorary Board for many nonprofits benefitting women, education and the arts.
Additionally Streep has donated her time and star power to advocacy for environmental issues, equal rights, literacy, and more. She also co-founded the group Artists Against Racism in 2020 during the George Floyd protests.
So while Streep does not flaunt her donations, her generous philanthropy totals over $5 million dollars towards high impact causes she cares deeply about over the years.
Conclusion
With unparalleled talents Lauded as the “best actress of her generation” with a record 21 Academy Award nominations and over 150 film acting credits to her name, Meryl Streep has built a net worth of $90 million thanks to being one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and reliably bankable stars of all time.
From iconic early roles in The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie’s Choice to latter hits like The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia, and Big Little Lies winning her tens of millions in fees, Streep’s uncommon talents have repeatedly translated to uncommon riches few actors can match after 40+ years in cinema.
While she could certainly command even higher paychecks, Streep has selectively followed roles defined by quality rather than quantity to earn her wealth from studios and moviegoers alike. Combined with smart property investments and business ventures plus philanthropic endeavors, Streep now enjoys financial comfort as she continues doing award-worthy work more for passion than money alone during the third act of her legendary career.
So at nearly 75 years old today, the actress once struggling to pay rent in Manhattan now boasts an enviable $90 million net worth all thanks to aging beautifully as Hollywood’s most critically beloved star ever.
Frequently Asked Questions About Meryl Streep’s Net Worth
Has Meryl Streep won any awards for acting?
Yes, Meryl Streep has won over 375 awards and honors for acting – far more than any actor in history. Her awards haul includes 3 Academy Awards, 8 Golden Globes, 3 Emmys plus a record 32 Oscar nominations, 31 Golden Globe nods among many other wins. She is considered the most decorated screen performer of modern cinema.
What was Meryl Streep’s first movie role?
Meryl Streep’s very first movie role came in the 1977 film “Julia” starring Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave. In a small but memorable part, Streep played Anne Marie whose husband dies in a Nazi concentration camp. This helped kickstart Streep’s film career thanks to championing of her talents by Fonda and Redgrave.
How much money did Meryl Streep make for “The Devil Wears Prada”?
While Streep’s salary for The Devil Wears Prada is undisclosed, experts estimate she likely earned $4-5 million for her role as icy fashion editor Miranda Priestly. Made for just $35 million, The Devil Wears Prada went on to gross over $300 million worldwide thanks to Streep’s star turn, bringing her much financial success.
Where does Meryl Streep live?
In addition to a Manhattan penthouse apartment, Meryl Streep’s main residence for over 30 years is a rustic home on over ten acres of land in Salisbury, Connecticut. Streep and her husband Don Gummer bought the estate in 1988 for $1.2 million. The multi-building Connecticut property is now likely worth over $6 million.
What is the most iconic role that Meryl Streep has portrayed?
While extremely hard to select just one from her dozens of legendary roles, many film experts and fans consider Streep’s portrayal of Polish Holocaust survivor Sophie Zawistowski in 1982’s Sophie’s Choice to be her most iconic role yet. Streep’s emotional tour de force earned her second Best Actress Oscar and remains a pinnacle acting achievement.
