Brooke Shields has been a household name for almost her entire life, but as Hulu's new documentary Pretty Baby explores, growing up in the entertainment industry wasn't easy. The two-part documentary, directed by Miss America filmmaker Lana Wilson, "critiques a toxic culture and power structures that," according to a synopsis that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Structures perpetuate misogyny and are complicit in the sexualization and objectification of young girls.” in January. "But most importantly, it tells the heartwarming story of Brooke Shields discovering and coming to terms with her identity and agency."
The documentary is named after Shields' breakthrough film, the controversial 1978 film about a child growing up in a New Orleans brothel. "This is the best creative project I've ever been involved in, and the best group of people I've had the pleasure of working with," Shields told Vanity Fair in 2018.
Although Shields started out in acting and modeling, her career has continued to expand. Here's Shields' estimated net worth by item, and what she's said about money over the years.
How Brooke Shields makes money
1. Film and television
The immediate success of "Pretty Baby" led to additional acting credits for Shields, including 1980's "The Blue Lagoon" and 1981's "Endless Love" - and she continued to act steadily from that point on, It even made it to Broadway starting in the 90s.
A 1981 New York Times article charted Shields' earnings as a young actress, writing that she earned a "healthy proportion" of the box office for "The Blue Lagoon" and $500,000 for "Endless Love." USD revenue. "Plus, she got every fringe benefit imaginable and she had a lot of money prepared in advance just in case," her mother, Teri Shields, told the newspaper at the time.
But Shields' quick success belied financial troubles behind the scenes. "When I'm 20 years into my career, I've gained and lost everything twice," she told MSNBC's "Know Your Worth." "My mom's perspective is that if I make a movie, we can buy a house, or if I do a job, we can buy a car. Her financial philosophy is that we try to live for the present, not the future. Living." This left Shields' family "extremely cash-strapped with all these properties everywhere."
She has been outspoken about planning a more secure financial future for her two daughters, Greer and Rowan Henchy. "Because that's not something I was taught growing up, I'm trying to change that by teaching my daughters to respect money that is earned and not wasted," she explains. "It's also very important for children, especially girls, to believe they can be financially independent. In my home, I make sure my girls know that both mom and dad contribute to the family."
Today, Shields continues to act. She most recently starred in Netflix's "Christmas Castle" and has joined the streamer's romantic comedy "Mother of the Bride."
2. Modeling
The same 1981 Times report stated that Shields earned $10,000 a day as a model, and sometimes more, such as for a Calvin Klein jeans campaign, where she reportedly earned $500,000 to $800,000. (In today's dollars, that's about $2 to $3 million.)
Today, Shields still works as a model, including a recent photoshoot for Victoria's Secret, in which she posed with her daughter Greer.
3. Fashion companies
In addition to modeling clothing, Shields has designed some of her own clothing—from QVC's Timeless line to her new company, Beginning Is Now. The idea for the latter came about when Shields was talking to a friend about how older women were being overlooked as a target demographic.
"This dynamic group of women has so much to offer, so much energy, and is starting a new chapter," she tells Bustle. "Their kids are leaving home and they're deciding what they want to do, and yet, we go looking for our community and we can't find it." The new company's products include loungewear, bras, and bras, according to the brand's website and activewear, as well as a "growing global community of women over 40 who find strength, wisdom, optimism, humor and more in each other."
4. Partners
In addition to helming her own projects, Shields often lends her name to brands she loves. In 2021, she was named the spokesperson for True Botanicals. "I love female-run and owned [companies] and the whole approach of True Botanicals," she tells Bustle of the partnership. Shields has also partnered with WEN and MAC Cosmetics and recently invested (and was named chief brand officer) in wellness company Prospect Farms, which offers CBD sleep and anxiety products, Business Wire reported.
5. Her books and podcasts
Hulu's Pretty Baby documentary is the latest behind-the-scenes look at Shields' life — but the actor, model and businesswoman has also been outspoken in other forms of media. She has written several books about her life, including Here Comes the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression. She also recently started a podcast, What Now?
What is Brooke Shields' net worth today?
$40 million
Although Shields experienced financial ups and downs early in her career, she told Reuters she sought support from financial advisors to stay on the right path. "They've helped me continue to grow my money without having to get a big windfall, and I'm totally fine with that. My husband [Chris Henchy] and I both continue to work very hard."
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Shields' current net worth at $40 million. She told Reuters she had no plans to retire anytime soon. "They're going to have to pull me off the stage," she said, adding, "The work is a big part of my identity and I've been doing it for 53 years. It's like a blood source for me. "
