Brooke Shields, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over five decades, has amassed a net worth estimated to be around $40 million.
This figure likely reflects a combined total with her husband, Chris Henchy, who works as a producer and entrepreneur.
Shields’ career began at a young age, and she has enjoyed success in both modeling and acting.
Her early modeling work, particularly her controversial Calvin Klein jeans campaign, brought her significant recognition and financial rewards.
Reports indicate Shields earned up to $10,000 a day at times, with some campaigns like Calvin Klein fetching her even more, potentially in the range of $500,000 to $800,000 – equivalent to $2 million to $3 million in today’s dollars.
She has continued to act throughout her career, appearing in movies like Blue Lagoon and various television shows
Even today, Shields shows no signs of slowing down.
Modelling career
Shields’ modeling career began incredibly early, at just 11 months old.
Her first appearance was in an advertisement for Ivory Snow soap, and her undeniable charisma caught the eye of the industry.
Following that, she signed with Ford Models, with Eileen Ford herself crediting Shields for prompting the agency to create a children’s division.
Shields’ career skyrocketed throughout her childhood and teenage years.
By 14, she became the youngest fashion model ever to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.
This achievement was just the beginning.
The same year, she became embroiled in controversy due to a provocative Calvin Klein jeans advertising campaign.
The ads featured a young Shields uttering the now-iconic tagline, “You wanna know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”
These ads, while sparking debates about child exploitation, undeniably boosted both Shields’ and Klein’s fame.
Shields continued to grace magazine covers throughout the 1980s, becoming a household name and a symbol of the era.
Her modeling career went hand-in-hand with her acting work, further solidifying her place in popular culture.
By 16, she was one of the most recognizable faces in the world.
Notable modelling gigs
Shields’ modeling career is marked by several notable contracts and gigs that propelled her to superstardom at a young age and solidified her place as a fashion icon.
Perhaps the most controversial and talked-about campaign of her career, Shields, at just 15 years old, became the face of Calvin Klein Jeans.
The now-iconic ad featured her suggestively whispering, Nothing comes between me and my Calvins, sparking a national debate about the sexualization of children in advertising.
Despite the controversy, the campaign was undeniably successful, launching both Calvin Klein and Brooke Shields into the mainstream.
Following the Calvin Klein controversy, Shields landed another major campaign with Guess Jeans.
Shot by photographer Wayne Maser, the ads captured a more youthful and playful image, showcasing Brooke’s natural beauty and establishing her as a trendsetter for the teenage generation.
At the young age of 16, Brooke became the youngest model ever to appear solo on the cover of American Vogue.
This prestigious achievement solidified her status as a top fashion model and further cemented her place in pop culture.
These are just a few of the many notable modeling contracts and gigs that Shields secured throughout her career.
These early successes not only brought her immense fame and fortune but also paved the way for future child models and challenged societal norms surrounding youth and sexuality in advertising.
Career earnings
Shields’ career earnings are a fascinating story of child stardom, lucrative modeling contracts and steady growth into a well-rounded entertainer.
While there aren’t exact figures available for her total career earnings, her current net worth of $40 million speaks volumes about her financial success.
Shields’ journey began in modeling, where she commanded impressive rates early on.
By the age of 12, she was reportedly earning $10,000 a day, a substantial sum even back then.
Her most iconic campaign, the Calvin Klein jeans ad, is rumored to have fetched her between $500,000 and $800,000 – a staggering amount in the early 1980s.
This translates to roughly $2 to $3 million in today’s dollars, highlighting the immense impact she had as a young model.
While modeling undoubtedly played a big role, Shields’ acting career has also been a significant source of income.
Though specific details about her movie salaries are scarce, it’s safe to assume she commanded high fees throughout her career.
One example comes from her role on the sitcom, Suddenly Susan.
While her exact pay wasn’t disclosed, it was revealed that her co-star earned $80,000 per episode.
Given her status as the lead and a series producer, Shields was likely the highest-paid cast member, possibly making around $100,000 per episode.
It’s important to note that Shields’ financial path wasn’t always smooth.
She has spoken openly about going broke twice early in her career, due in part to her mother managing her finances with a focus on living in the moment rather than saving for the future.
However, this experience proved to be a valuable lesson.
Shields took control of her finances later on, seeking professional guidance and ensuring her wealth grew steadily.
Beyond modeling and acting, Shields has also earned income from endorsements, voice-over work and her well-received memoir.
All these elements combined have solidified her place as a successful and financially secure Hollywood figure.
Theatre and TV career
After taking a break from modeling to attend Princeton University in the 1980s, Shields returned to acting with a renewed focus.
She landed roles in various television shows throughout the 90s, but her breakout came with the sitcom, Suddenly Susan.
Playing the title character, Susan Keane, Shields showcased her comedic talents and garnered critical acclaim, earning two Golden Globe nominations.
This role also landed her a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series.
Shields hasn’t shied away from diverse characters on television either.
She’s played everything from dramatic roles on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to voicing characters in animated series like Mr. Pickles.
More recently, she’s tackled comedic parts again, like her guest stint as Joey Tribbiani’s stalker on Friends, a role that ironically led to her starring role in Suddenly Susan.
Theatre has also been a platform for Shields’ talents.
In 1994, she took on the iconic role of Rizzo in the Broadway revival of Grease, showcasing her vocal abilities alongside her acting chops.
Her theatre credits extend beyond musicals as well.
Shields’ experience and charisma have made her a compelling presence on both the small and large screens.
Awards and accolades
Shields’ career has garnered accolades throughout various stages.
As a child actress, she was immensely popular, reflected in her multiple Young Artist Award nominations throughout the late 70s and early 80s for films like Just You and Me, Kid and The Blue Lagoon.
Shields even won the Favorite Young Motion Picture Performer award at the People’s Choice Awards in both 1981 and 1984.
Internationally, her childhood stardom was recognized at the Jupiter Awards in Germany. From 1979 to 1984, she received nominations or wins in the Best International Actress category for movies like Pretty Baby and Endless Love.
However, there was a notable low point in 1984 when she received a Razzie Award (often seen as the opposite of an Oscar) for Worst Supporting Actor in the film, Sahara.
Transitioning into adulthood, Shields continued to receive recognition.
She was nominated for Golden Globe Awards in 1997 and 1998 for her work in television series.
Most recently, the 2023 documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields exploring her controversial childhood career, garnered Emmy nominations for Outstanding Picture Editing and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.
Personal life
Shields has been married to screenwriter Chris Henchy since 2001.
The couple met in 1999 and their relationship has been a long-lasting source of happiness for Shields.
Shields credits Chris with his humor and easy-going nature for keeping their marriage strong.
They’ve built a life together and are also parents to two daughters.
Rowan Francis Henchy, their first child, was born in 2003; conceiving Rowan wasn’t easy for Shields, and she has spoken openly about undergoing seven rounds of fertility treatments.
Their second daughter, Grier Hammond Henchy, arrived in 2006.
While Shields herself was a child star, she has expressed concerns about her daughters navigating the world of social media, which wasn’t a factor during her own childhood fame.
Despite those concerns, she seems to have a very close relationship with both Rowan and Grier.
Rowan recently graduated from high school and even paid homage to her mom at her prom by wearing the same dress Shields wore to the 1998 Golden Globe Awards.
Real estate
One of Shields’ most notable properties was a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
She owned this Californian mansion for over 25 years before selling it in February 2023.
The house boasted a luxurious spread of over 5,300 square feet, offering ample space with its three stories.
It included five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, perfect for a large family or entertaining guests.
Descriptions of the property highlight details like dark-stained Douglas fir hardwood floors and whitewashed-beamed ceilings, creating a unique and stylish atmosphere.
The home also sported a chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, ideal for someone who loves to cook.
Beyond the practical features, the Pacific Palisades house boasted stunning views.
Perched atop a secluded half-acre lot, it offered majestic vistas of the mountains and canyons.
The property even had a lookout point offering a glimpse of the Getty Museum, adding a touch of cultural flair to the natural beauty.
While the specifics of her New York City property are less publicized, reports indicate that she owns a lavish townhouse there as well.
This suggests she likely has a residence on the East Coast to complement her West Coast living.