Kelly Rutherford is an American actress best known for her roles in popular television series such as Melrose Place and Gossip Girl. Despite facing personal and financial challenges, Rutherford has maintained a steady career in both television and film.
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is $1 million. Her acting career spans several decades, with a variety of roles that helped her gain fame, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s.
However, personal struggles, including a lengthy and expensive custody battle, have affected her financial situation.
Early Life and Education
Kelly Rutherford was born on November 6, 1968, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She grew up with her mother, Ann Edwards, and her brother, Anthony, before the family relocated to Los Angeles during her childhood.
Rutherford attended Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, where she developed an early interest in acting.
After high school, she moved to New York to study at HB Studio before returning to Los Angeles to further her acting education at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Career Beginnings
Rutherford began her career in the entertainment industry with roles in daytime soap operas. In 1987, she appeared in the soap opera Loving, and later became a regular on the show Generations from 1989 to 1991.
Following her time on Generations, she joined the cast of the ABC drama Homefront in 1992.
She gained further recognition in the early 1990s when she was cast in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993-1994), where she played Dixie Cousins, a saloon singer and love interest to the main character.
Rise to Fame: Melrose Place and Gossip Girl
Rutherford’s major breakthrough came when she joined the cast of Melrose Place as Megan Lewis Mancini in 1996. Her character appeared in the show from Seasons 5 through 7, gaining her widespread attention.
After Melrose Place, Rutherford transitioned into roles in both films and television. She starred in Scream 3 (2000), as well as various TV shows like The District and Threat Matrix.
In 2007, Rutherford landed the role of Lily van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, a series that catapulted her to mainstream fame.
Her character, the mother of Serena van der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively), was part of one of the show’s most popular families. Rutherford remained with the show until it ended in 2012.
After Gossip Girl, Rutherford continued to appear in guest roles and television movies, such as Bones, Being Mary Jane, Reckless, and Quantico. From 2018 to 2019, she had a recurring role in the Dynasty reboot.
Financial Struggles and Bankruptcy
While Kelly Rutherford experienced considerable success in her acting career, her financial situation took a hit due to a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, over their two children.
In 2013, Rutherford revealed that she was on the verge of bankruptcy after exhausting her savings to fund the legal battle. She filed for bankruptcy in June 2013, which further affected her financial situation.
Real Estate and Assets
Rutherford has made some notable real estate moves during her career. In 2002, she purchased a home in Los Angeles for $1 million.
After her divorce, she sold the property in 2010 for $3.75 million. In 2013, Rutherford sold a condo in West Hollywood for $980,000, which she had purchased in 2005 for $1.25 million.
