Is Reese Witherspoon Hollywood’s next billionaire? The Legally Blonde actress is selling her media company for US$900 million – but where else does she get her cash?
- From starring with Jennifer Aniston in Apple TV’s The Morning Show to showing off her fashion line on Instagram, Witherspoon’s career choices are paying off
- In 2020, Forbes named her one of the most powerful self-made women in the US, and some have even compared her to Oprah Winfrey for her media empire
Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is to sell her media company Hello Sunshine to private equity firm Blackstone Group. The stunning deal, which was just announced, is valued at around US$900 million, cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s most successful female entrepreneurs.
In the industry from a relatively young age, Witherspoon has grown from young teenage film star to blockbuster Hollywood actress, and has worn numerous other hats since then including entrepreneur, book club founder and Draper James clothing line owner, to name but a few. As a result, she’s managed to build an empire that’s all her own and has amassed enviable wealth in the process.
The actress is now worth around US$400 million according to Forbes. Let’s take a look at all her various income streams.
Star of the big and small screen
Ritherspoon’s breakthrough role as high school student Annette Hargrove in teen romantic drama Cruel Intentions bagged the actress a not-too-shabby US$250,000 at the time, and certainly got her noticed.
But it wasn’t until the phenomenal success of Legally Blonde that Witherspoon reached global superstardom – and her pay cheques skyrocketed into the millions. She brought home US$15 million for her role in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, and US$12.5 million for starring in 2002’s romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama.
Such seven figure pay cheques became the standard for Witherspoon to play the lead in subsequent films such as Four Christmases and Walk the Line, with the latter winning her an Academy Award for best actress.