Bea Arthur Net Worth

What is Bea Arthur’s Net Worth?

Bea Arthur, the American actress, comedienne, and singer, had a net worth of $25 million at the time of her death in 2009.

Highlights

Bea Arthur had a successful career in both film and television, but she is best known for her role on the sitcom “The Golden Girls”. She starred in a total of 177 episodes of the TV series, which aired from 1985 to 1992. Arthur played the character of Dorothy Zbornak, one of the main characters in the show.

Throughout her career, Arthur received multiple awards for her work on stage and screen, including the prestigious Tony Award. She was also nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards numerous times, making her one of the most nominated actresses in history.

Outside of her professional achievements, Arthur was known for her activism. She was an advocate for LGBTQ rights and feminist issues, and she supported causes such as animal rights and homeless LGBT youth.

Early Life

Bea Arthur, born Bernice Frankle, was born on May 13, 1922, in Brooklyn, NY. She was the middle child of three girls. When she was 11 years old, her family moved to Cambridge, MD, where they eventually opened a clothing store.

During her childhood, Arthur suffered from Coagulopathy, a condition that affects blood clotting. She graduated from an all-girls high school in the Amish community of Lititz, PA, and attended college for a year at Braxton College in Virginia.

Arthur joined the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1943, making her among the first women to serve in the corps. She served for two years and worked as a truck driver and dispatcher during her time in the Marines.

Career

Arthur began her career in live theater, joining the Cherry Lane Theater, an Off-Broadway repertory company. In 1966, she received a Tony Award for her role as Vera Charles in the Broadway production of “Mame”.

In the 1970s, Arthur gained widespread recognition for her role as Maude Findlay in the series “Maude”. The character of Maude was a conscious and militant feminist, tackling various social and political issues of the time.

However, it was her role as Dorothy Zbornak in “The Golden Girls” that solidified Arthur’s place in television history. The show, which aired from 1985 to 1992, addressed issues such as menopause, financial difficulties, and romantic problems. It remains a beloved television classic.

Personal Life

Bea Arthur was married twice in her lifetime. Her first husband was Robert Alan Aurthur, whom she met while attending acting classes at the New School in New York City. They were married from 1947 to 1950. She later married the theater director Gene Saks, with whom she adopted two boys. They divorced in 1978.

Arthur was known for her activism and was a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights and feminist causes. She had a strong following among gay men and left an endowment to the Ali Forney Center, an organization for homeless LGBT youth in New York City, in her will.

Net Worth Over Time

Bea Arthur had a net worth of $25 million at the time of her death in 2009. While her net worth remained relatively stable throughout her career, it is important to note that this figure represents her wealth at the time of her passing and does not account for any potential growth or investments made after 2009.

Components of Net Worth

Bea Arthur’s net worth primarily consisted of her earnings from her film and television appearances, as well as her stage performances. She also received income from hosting Hollywood tributes and award shows.

Additionally, Arthur made profitable real estate investments. In the 1970s, she purchased a 7,000 square-foot mansion in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood, which she later sold for $15 million.

This net worth calculation is based on publicly available information and may not account for all possible sources of income or assets.

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