The 70s/80s Stars Who Are Still Millionaires Today

Industry: Film & Music
Best Known For: Producing, Directing and Starring in Yentl (1983)
Est. Net Worth: $400 million*

A unique voice that earned her this unique net worth decades after her debut, Barbra Streisand’s beginnings were a true rags-to-riches tale. She lived like a nomad as a struggling actor in New York City. Turns out her first audition for a singing part made her find out she should have considered singing all along.

Barbra Streisand @YENTL/Facebook | ©Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Dozens of studio albums later, Streisand is one of the few artists to EGOT (win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony award). Technically her Tony was an honorary one – but hey, we’ll still count it. And what’s more, she has been actively involved in philanthropy and has donated to a number of causes and purposes, like civil rights, women’s issues, environmental issues, voter education, and even nuclear disarmament.

Industry: Film
Best Known For: Easy Rider (1969), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Est. Net Worth: $400 million*

For most people – Baby Boomers and millennials alike – it just doesn’t get much better than Jack. The most Oscar-nominated actor in film history, Jack Nicholson burst onto the scene in Easy Rider. His iconic performance led him to legendary roles in Five Easy Pieces, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Shining (to name just a few).

Jack Nicholson @JoBlo Movie Clips/Youtube | ©Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Nicholson’s many acclaimed performances earned him a hefty salary over the decades. But his biggest financial success was as the Joker in the first Batman film. Further real estate investments and film percentages turned into a small fortune. Today this acting great is all but retired. But he’s often teased that he’s willing to return to the screen – if and when the right role should come around, of course.

Industry: Music
Best Known For: “Heart of Glass” (1977) – Blondie
Est. Net Worth: $20 million*

Whether it was through her music or through her signature style, Debbie Harry was a true icon of her time. Blondie’s vocalist started as a backing singer in the late 60’s. After a number of musical projects, the band began what would become one of the most successful musical legacies of the 80s. 

Debbie Harry @BlondieMusicOfficial/Youtube | ©lev radin/Shutterstock.com

Since then, Debbie has gone on to make solo albums and multiple music collaborations and projects, constantly evolving and adapting to the new tendencies of the music business while proving she could still rock like no one else. In fact, she is going on tour in 2019 with none other than British rocker Elvis Costello!

Industry: Film
Best Known For: The Godfather (1972), Annie Hall (1977), Reds (1981)
Est. Net Worth: $50 million*

With a breakthrough role in one of the biggest classics of all time, The Godfather, Diane Keaton was one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood during the 70s and 80s. Her roles in many different movie genres proved her to be a one-of-a-kind star, whether she made you laugh in Something’s Gotta Give or made you cry in Reds.

Diane Keaton @cinespia/Twitter | ©s_bukley/Shutterstock.com

Keaton is also passionate about history and has campaigned in favor of the preservation of historic buildings, although it is a little known fact. Actually, this interest of hers along with her love for architecture helped her even work as a real estate developer. Aside from acting, she’s earned her amazing net worth through writing, producing films and TV shows, and being the face of L’Óreal as well. Multitasking much?

Industry: Film
Best Known For: Being the Most Oscar-Nominated Actress in History
Est. Net Worth: $90 million*

Full-time queen of acting (and the number one woman we’d all hope adopts us someday) Meryl Streep has probably heard every compliment in the book when it comes to her acting. And it’s no wonder. This legendary star is the most Oscar-nominated actress in history.

Meryl Streep @buzzfeed/Pinterest | ©Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com

After being rejected for “not being pretty enough” to star in King Kong (yeah, you read that right), she starred as a relative unknown in breakthrough roles including Kramer vs Kramer and Manhattan. 

And like many you’ll see in this list, she uses her vast fortune for a lot of good. She established scholarships in the University of Massachusetts, funded a Writers Lab for female screenwriters over forty, and made donations to both The Public Theater and the National Women’s History Museum, which she is a spokesperson of.

Industry: Music
Best Known For: “Livin’ On a Prayer” (1986) – Bon Jovi
Est. Net Worth: $410 million*

Jon Bon Jovi gives meaning to the phrase “aging like fine wine”, and mind you, so does his net worth. The lead singer of the band Bon Jovi started his career at age of 17. His first professional recording was for the song (get ready for this) R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas. He’s come a long way since then, growing to become one of the most influential artists in the music business. 

Jon Bon Jovi @buzzfeed/Pinterest | ©Tinseltown/Shutterstock.com

His record sales and concert tickets continue to soar past record-breaking highs, even all these years later. But his passions go beyond music! Bon Jovi has been involved in many campaigns for institutions such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Covenant House, and even the Special Olympics.

Industry: Film
Best Known For: Alien (1979), Ghostbusters (1984)
Est. Net Worth: $50 million*

The queen of sci-fi has a talent that is truly out of this world. Although she is as versatile as can be when it comes to her acting, Weaver really shot to prominence thanks to her role in the Alien franchise. Her performance in James Cameron’s Aliens sequel earned her an Oscar nomination – a then-unheard of feat for a sci-fi film, at the time. 

Sigourney Weaver @CHONWOLF/Pinterest | ©Fred Duval/Shutterstock.com

Add Ghostbusters to her credits, and it’s easy to see why Weaver was one of the most sought-after and iconic talents of her generation.

Weaver has another passion as well. She became an honorary chairperson of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. She has also supported many other charities and causes associated with civil rights, helping those in extreme poverty, women’s rights, the environment. The list goes on.

Industry: Film & Fashion
Best Known For: Miss World America (1972), Wonder Woman (1975)
Est. Net Worth: $10 million*

Before there was Gal Gadot, there was Lynda Carter. The young supermodel would eventually become the very first face of Wonder Woman. But Carter, a college dropout, first became famous as Miss World USA, which led her to the semifinals of the Miss Universe pageant. Following this feat, she still wanted to pursue a career in acting. 

Lynda Carter @Universal Crowns/Youtube | ©Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock.com

After donning the whip as Wonder Woman, a role she still holds close to her heart, Carter got to pursue her musical career as well. As time went by, she also expanded her work into voice acting for video games and even theater projects.

As a real life Wonder Woman, Carter also became a role model through her professional and personal life as well. She has publicly spoken of her struggles with alcoholism at events promoting health and well-being, hoping to inspired many to seek help and continue being healthy. 

Industry: Music & Film
Best Known For: “Jolene” (1973), “9 to 5” (1980)
Est. Net Worth: $500 million*

If there’s someone you think of when someone mentions peak country music, it’s gotta be Dolly Parton. The big, blond hairdos, the shiny voice, and the big red lips make up some of her traits that became a reference to many artists to come in country music.

Dolly Parton @samanthahammack/Pinterest | ©Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock.com

Dolly is aware of how iconic she is, which is why she has invested in many ventures with her name on it: Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Dollywood’s Splash Country, among other venues that bring in a ton of profit. She’s also taken a stab at acting and was quite successful, too! Both on movies and TV, starring in projects such as Steel Magnolias and 9 to 5.

Industry: Music
Best Known For: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (1983) – Cyndi Lauper
Est. Net Worth: $30 million*

No one could rock a crazy hairdo like Cyndi Lauper! This iconic singer-songwriter created hits that could be considered the soundtrack of the 80’s. But unlike many one-hit wonders of her time, she didn’t stop there. When she isn’t too busy being every stylish girl’s role model, she uses her voice to bring awareness and fight for important causes. 

Cyndi Lauper ©Blueee77 | ©s_bukley/Shutterstock.com

Lauper’s been outspoken about LGBT rights and equality since early in her career, having not just sung about it, but actually done more, like creating the True Colors Residence for LGBTQ+ homeless youths.The musician has also shared her musical talents in stages beyond her tours by composing for the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, an adaptation of the 2006 movie of the same name. 

Industry: Music
Best Known For: “Like a Virgin” (1984), “Papa Don’t Preach” (1986), “Like a Prayer” (1989)
Est. Net Worth: $590 million*

Once a queen of pop, always a queen of pop. Madonna was one of the most important icons of the 70’s and 80’s – but not just through her music. It was also her totally original style that set her apart. Madonna took from many different genres to transform her music into its own unique brand of pop.  

Madonna ©Theknine2/Wikimedia | ©David M. Benett/Getty Images

Her once considered scandalous use of feminine imagery is credited with reinventing what women could do, or even sing about. She also made headway as a businesswoman, too. 

Madonna has ventured in a number of companies alongside her manager,Guy Oseary. This includes the fitness centers Hard Candy Fitness, the lifestyle brand Truth or Dare by Madonna, and the entertainment company Maverick (which is sadly no longer in existence). Did we mention she costarred in A League of Their Own?

Industry: Film
Best Known For: Top Gun (1986), Risky Business (1983), Mission: Impossible (1996)
Est. Net Worth: $570 million*

No mission is too impossible when it comes to acting for Tom Cruise. After the breakthrough success of Risky Business and especially Top Gun, this actor’s career rocketed to unbelievable heights.

Tom Cruise @acidbeck/Pinterest | ©Fred Duval/Shutterstock.com

Since his humble beginnings, Cruise has ventured into producing as well through Cruise/Wagner productions. His slate includes an extensive portfolio of films like the Mission: Impossible franchise, which is still running strong today. The company even took over United Artists, a film studio responsible for movies such as Lion for Lambs.

Today Cruise’s films continue to shatter box office records. And yes, it seems that the rumors of an Edge of Tomorrow sequel are officially true. As of now his films have grossed well over $1 billion.

Industry: Film
Best Known For: Animal House (1978), Footloose (1984), Tremors (1990)
Est. Net Worth: $30 million*

Actor and owner of an amazing head of hair, Kevin Bacon broke in all kinds of ways during the ‘80s. Whether it was through his dancing in Footloose or through his acting in the scary Friday the 13th film, he was (and is) an icon of cinema. As time went by, Bacon went on to star in famous productions of all genres, from rom-coms to thrillers and dramas.

Kevin Bacon ©r/army/Reddit | ©Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com

He was also popularly linked to the concept of interconnectedness: AKA, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. This unofficial cosmic law hypothesizes that any two people on Earth can be linked to one another through less than six degrees (or links) of acquaintances. It’s a real, mathematics theory thing – look it up! He took advantage of that to create a platform that links people and charities, called SixDegrees.com.

Industry: Film & Television
Best Known For: Time Traveling in Back to the Future (1989)
Est. Net Worth: $65 million*

Canadian-American actor Michael J. Fox is one of the biggest references of the 70’s and 80’s. Even though his most famous role is (obviously) Marty McFly in the Back To The Future franchise, he has shown great range as an actor throughout his career.

Michael J. Fox @Google/Pinterest | ©Ron Adar/Shutterstock.com

In the 90’s, Fox was sadly diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s. However, he continued on with his acting career while also helping others with problems like his. He continues to pop up in films even to this day.

His Michael J. Fox Foundation has helped fund research for Parkinson’s, and his work has even earned him honorary doctorates from three different universities. He’s helping to make everyone’s future a good one.