Brooke Shields, an American actress, model, and former child star boasts a net worth of $40 million. This figure represents a combined net worth shared with her husband, Chris Henchy, who is a producer and entrepreneur. The wealth is most likely divided evenly between the two. Shields became widely known for her role in the 1980 film Blue Lagoon, but her career spans decades, including numerous films and TV shows.
From a very young age, Brooke was constantly in the public eye. She landed her first professional gig at just 11 months old, with Ford Models establishing a Children’s Division to manage the increasing demand for her work. At the age of 11, Shields began filming Pretty Baby, a movie that included controversial nude scenes of her portraying a child raised in a brothel. At 14, she became the youngest model to appear on the cover of Vogue, and by 16, she earned $10,000 a day as a model. Shields has since become a well-rounded entertainer with successful ventures in acting, writing, producing, and even jewelry design. She has starred in TV shows like Suddenly Susan, That ’70s Show, and Lipstick Jungle, as well as Broadway and West End productions of Grease, Cabaret, Chicago, and The Addams Family.
Brooke Shields’ Early Life
Brooke Christa Shields was born on May 31, 1965, in Manhattan, New York City, to actress and model Teri Shields and businessman Frank Shields. Her parents divorced when she was only five months old, and she grew up with two stepbrothers and three half-sisters. Her mother, a major influence in her life, encouraged her to pursue the arts, with Brooke taking piano, ballet, and horse riding lessons. She attended New Lincoln School and graduated from Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, New Jersey, in 1983.
Shields’ Early Career in Modeling and Acting
Brooke began her modeling career in 1966, at just 11 months old, as part of an Ivory Soap ad campaign. She gained massive attention with her role in Pretty Baby (1978), a film where she portrayed a child prostitute in New Orleans. By 14, she graced the cover of Vogue, becoming the youngest model to do so. That same year, she appeared in the controversial Calvin Klein jeans ad, which featured her saying, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”
Her fame skyrocketed with her roles in Blue Lagoon (1980) and Endless Love (1981), the latter of which initially received an X rating due to explicit scenes. By the time she was 16, Shields was one of the most recognizable figures in the world, thanks to her dual career as a fashion model and actress. After high school, she took a break from her career to attend Princeton University, graduating with a degree in French literature. She also published her autobiography, On Your Own, in 1985. Shields’ senior thesis examined the transition from innocence to experience in the films Pretty Baby and Lacombe Lucien.
Television Career
Shields became a household name on television as well. In 1980, she was the youngest guest star to appear on The Muppet Show. The following year, she was the youngest person to host the live sketch comedy show ABC Fridays. After graduating from Princeton, she returned to acting, taking on smaller roles in films before landing the lead in the sitcom Suddenly Susan (1996-2000). Not only did Shields star in the show, but she was also a producer.
In addition to Suddenly Susan, Shields appeared in various other TV shows, including That ’70s Show, Lipstick Jungle, Saturday Night Live, Two and a Half Men, and Friends. She also made guest appearances on Nip/Tuck, The Middle, and When Calls the Heart. In 2017, she guest-starred on Law and Order: SVU, and in 2018, she had a recurring role on Jane the Virgin, appearing in 14 episodes. Her career was marked by accolades, such as winning the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Young Performer for four consecutive years from 1981 to 1984.
Broadway and Theatre Appearances
Shields made several notable Broadway appearances throughout her career. In 1994, she played Rizzo in the revival of Grease. In 2001, she starred as Sally Bowles in the 1988 revival of Cabaret, a role she played for four months. In 2004, she took on the role of Ruth Sherwood in Wonderful Town, which also ran for four months and earned critical praise.
Shields further solidified her theatre credentials when she took on the role of Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago in 2005. She reprised the role in Broadway’s revival, which ran for seven weeks. In June 2011, she portrayed Morticia Addams in The Addams Family on Broadway, continuing her strong presence in the theater world.
Legal Battle and Controversies
Brooke’s career wasn’t without controversy. Between 1981 and 1983, she and her mother, along with photographer Garry Gross and Playboy Press, became involved in a legal battle over photographs taken of a young Brooke. The images, which depicted her in the nude at the age of 10, were a source of public backlash. Eventually, the courts ruled in favor of Gross due to a loophole in New York law.
Additionally, Shields testified before a U.S. Congressional inquiry, stating that older body doubles were used for the nude scenes in The Blue Lagoon, where she portrayed a teenage girl in a tropical setting.
Philanthropy
In addition to her professional endeavors, Shields is known for her philanthropic efforts. She has starred in public service announcements for the American Lung Association, advocating for anti-smoking initiatives. She also supported the USO by touring with Bob Hope and entertaining the troops. Furthermore, she has been a spokesperson for Tupperware’s Chain of Confidence SMART Girls campaign, promoting mental and physical wellness among young girls.
Personal Life
Brooke Shields has been open about her personal life. She was very close to the late Michael Jackson, referring to him as a dear friend. She spoke at his memorial service in 2009 after his tragic death. Shields has also discussed her struggles with postpartum depression, which she detailed in her book Down Came the Rain.
In the mid-1980s, while at Princeton, she briefly dated classmate Dean Cain. Shields has also been romantically linked to notable figures like John F. Kennedy Jr., actor Liam Neeson, and singer George Michael. After a brief relationship with actor John Travolta, she dated Mohammed Khashoggi, the son of arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Brooke has been married twice: to tennis star Andre Agassi from 1997 to 1999, and later to writer and producer Chris Henchy in 2001. The couple has two daughters and resides in Greenwich Village, New York City.
Chris Henchy, known for his work with Will Ferrell, co-founded Funny Or Die and has worked alongside Ferrell on numerous projects.
Real Estate Investments
Shields has made some savvy real estate investments over the years. In 1997, she purchased a home in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood for $3.25 million. After moving to New York, she and her husband rented out their LA property for $25,000 per month. They bought a townhome in New York’s West Village in 2007 for $5.5 million. Additionally, in 2013, they purchased a home in Southampton for $4.25 million.
Throughout her long career, Brooke Shields has proven to be a multifaceted figure, excelling in modeling, acting, writing, philanthropy, and even business. Despite early controversies, she has carved out a lasting legacy in both entertainment and public life, with a wealth of accomplishments that span several industries.
