Reese Witherspoon is insanely rich. Like, $400 million rich. And while acting definitely helped, it’s not the main reason she’s rolling in cash.
Turns out, she’s got a pretty sharp business mind, and that’s what really made her fortune. She didn’t just stick to acting — she built a whole empire. Fashion, books, media… she’s done it all.
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She has been a Hollywood mainstay since the 90s
Witherspoon has been on our screens since the ‘90s. But things really took off for her in the 2000s, thanks to Legally Blonde. Playing Elle Woods made her a superstar.
She had a business mindset even in her early career
Even back then, she was thinking ahead. When she signed on for Legally Blonde, she made sure her contract let her keep her character’s wardrobe.
And she wasn’t messing around — she walked away with 77 pairs of Jimmy Choos and a bunch of other designer pieces. Smart move.
Her acting career has remained lucrative
Of course, acting still pays her a fortune. She’s won an Oscar for Walk the Line, and more recently, she’s been killing it on Apple TV’s The Morning Show.
She reportedly makes at least $1 million per episode for her TV roles, and even more for movies. That’s some serious cash.
She diversified her career beyond acting
While still taking acting gigs, she branched out. She launched Draper James, her fashion brand, started a book club, and even joined the board of the Children’s Defense Fund.
Her biggest success came from Hello Sunshine
But the real game-changer? Hello Sunshine. She co-founded the media company in 2016, and it turned out to be her best move yet. That’s what pushed her into the ranks of the richest actresses out there.
Forbes even listed her as one of the richest women in the U.S., mostly thanks to this company.
Hello Sunshine was created to empower women
Hello Sunshine isn’t just any media company. Its whole mission is about giving women a voice and a platform. The company’s website says it’s all about “broadening perspective” and “empowering women.”
And it’s not just talk — they’ve produced some huge hits like Big Little Lies, The Morning Show, and Little Fires Everywhere. They’re a big deal in Hollywood now.
Selling a stake in Hello Sunshine made her a fortune
In 2021, her company got a massive valuation — $900 million. Candle Media, a firm led by ex-Disney execs, bought a majority stake.
She still owns at least 18% and reportedly pocketed $120 million from the sale (after taxes). But she’s not just sitting back — she’s still super involved in the company.
She celebrated the sale as a milestone for women in media
When the deal went through, she was thrilled. She said: “I started this company to change the way all women are seen in media.”
She also called it a “huge step forward” and said teaming up with Blackstone would help them tell even more powerful stories about women’s lives all over the world.
Her wealth continues to grow from multiple revenue streams
Between her acting money and her business moves, her net worth shot up to $400 million. That’s not even counting endorsements, commercials, and all the other stuff she’s got going on.
Long story short? This is a woman who is absolutely loaded. She has cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s wealthiest women.
