Sharon Tate Net Worth

Sharon Tate’s Net Worth: A Look at Her Life and Tragic End

Sharon Tate, a rising star in 1960s Hollywood, left behind a legacy marked by both dazzling success and unspeakable tragedy. This article delves into the life and career of Sharon Tate, examining her net worth, early life, film stardom, relationships, and the shocking events that cut her life short. We’ll also explore the lasting impact of her story.

What Was Sharon Tate’s Net Worth?

At the time of her death on August 9, 1969, Sharon Tate had a net worth estimated at $300,000 (after adjusting for inflation). This figure reflects her earnings from her successful acting career. Her estate was valued at $45,400 at the time of her death. The estate was divided among her husband, the director Roman Polanski, her two sisters, and her parents as she died without a will. This tragic event not only ended her life prematurely but also highlights the financial aspects of her legacy.

Sharon Tate’s life, though tragically cut short, showcased the promise and potential she held as one of Hollywood’s rising stars. This financial assessment provides context for understanding her standing in the industry.

Early Life and Education

Sharon Tate was born Sharon Marie Tate on January 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. The eldest of three daughters of Doris and Paul Tate, a U.S. Army officer, she experienced a childhood of frequent moves due to her father’s military career. By the age of 16, she had already lived in six different cities, making it challenging to establish lasting relationships. This nomadic lifestyle shaped her formative years, influencing her experiences and perspectives.

Her education included South Shaver Elementary in Pasadena, Texas; Chief Joseph Junior High School; Columbia High School in Richland, Washington; Irvin High School in El Paso, Texas; and finally, the Vicenza American High School in Italy, from which she graduated in 1961. These diverse educational experiences provided a backdrop to her later acting career.

Career Beginnings

As a young woman, Sharon Tate participated in beauty pageants, winning the title of Miss Richland in Washington in 1959. The family’s move to Italy marked the beginning of her public recognition, with a swimsuit photo on the cover of the military paper *Stars and Stripes* making her a local celebrity in Verona. This exposure led to her and her friends securing roles as extras in the film “Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man,” filmed nearby. She also appeared as an extra in “Barabbas,” starring Anthony Quinn.

Upon returning to the United States in 1962, Tate secured representation with agent Harold Gefsky in Los Angeles, leading to appearances in advertisements and television shows. She landed small roles in sitcoms like “Mister Ed” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Despite unsuccessful auditions for films like “The Cincinnati Kid” and “The Sound of Music,” she secured walk-on roles in “The Americanization of Emily” and “The Sandpiper.” These early experiences set the stage for her transition into film stardom, showcasing her perseverance and ambition.

Film Stardom: A Promising Career

Sharon Tate’s breakthrough came in 1966 with her first major film role in the British mystery horror film “Eye of the Devil,” co-starring Deborah Kerr, David Niven, David Hemmings, and Donald Pleasence. In the film, she played Odile de Caray, a witch, showcasing her versatility and ability to take on complex roles. This film marked a significant step in her career, bringing her wider recognition within the industry.

She subsequently starred in the 1967 British horror comedy “The Fearless Vampire Killers,” directed by and co-starring Roman Polanski. Returning to the US, she starred in the sex comedy “Don’t Make Waves” and the film adaptation of the bestselling novel “Valley of the Dolls,” where she played Jennifer North, an aspiring actress. Her performances in these films demonstrated her ability to portray different characters, highlighting her range as an actress.

In 1968, she starred opposite Dean Martin in the spy comedy “The Wrecking Crew,” which received positive reviews. Encouraged by this, she appeared in another comedy, “The Thirteen Chairs.” This was the last film starring Tate, which was released posthumously in 1969. Her filmography, though tragically short, displayed her growing talent and potential for further success.

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Relationships: Love and Loss

In 1963, Tate began dating French actor Philippe Forquet; they became engaged, but their relationship ended in 1964 due to career pressures and their combative nature. That same year, she met Hollywood hair stylist Jay Sebring, but she declined his marriage proposal. These experiences contributed to her romantic life and shaped her outlook on relationships.

After filming “Eye of the Devil” in London, Tate met director Roman Polanski. They developed a close relationship, eventually cohabitating in Polanski’s London apartment. In early 1968, they married in London in a high-profile ceremony. While Tate desired a traditional marriage, Polanski was known for his pre-marital lifestyle. Upon returning to Los Angeles, they became part of a social circle that included several of Hollywood’s leading figures. They resided at the Chateau Marmont before leasing Patty Duke’s home in Beverly Hills. Her marriage to Polanski significantly impacted her life, both personally and publicly.

After becoming pregnant, Tate moved with Polanski to 10050 Cielo Drive in the Benedict Canyon area of Los Angeles in early 1969. There, they frequently hosted their Hollywood friends. Eventually, Polanski’s friend Wojciech Frykowski and his girlfriend, Abigail Folger, moved into the house. Tate went to join Polanski in London, where he was working on the film “The Day of the Dolphin.” She returned to Los Angeles in July, with Polanski scheduled to return in August in time for the birth of their child.

The Murder: A Day of Unspeakable Tragedy

The evening of August 8, 1969, Sharon Tate dined at El Coyote Cafe with Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, and Abigail Folger. Returning home around 10:30 PM, the group was brutally murdered by members of the Manson Family cult shortly after midnight on August 9. Their bodies were discovered by Tate’s housekeeper, Winifred Chapman, the next morning. Steven Parent, who was in his car on the driveway, was also murdered. All the victims, except Parent, were stabbed multiple times. This event shattered the lives of those involved and left an indelible mark on Hollywood.

Tate was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City on August 13. The Manson Family members were arrested the following month. Their motive for the murders was related to the house at 10050 Cielo Drive, where Terry Melcher, a previous acquaintance of Charles Manson, had once lived.

Legacy and Remembrance

The murders committed by the Manson Family in 1969 are often viewed as a symbolic end to the idealism of the 1960s. After her death, critics began to reevaluate Tate’s work, finding new value in her previously derided performances. Her films “Eye of the Devil” and “Valley of the Dolls” have achieved cult classic status. Tate’s image and story have been revisited in various films and television series, with actresses like Whitney Dylan, Amanda Brooks, Grace Van Dien, and Margot Robbie portraying her.

Her mother, Doris Tate, became a victims’ rights advocate. She used her platform to highlight failures within the American corrections system and campaigned against the parole of the Manson Family killers. After Doris’s death in 1992, her youngest daughter, Patricia, continued her work, establishing the Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau. In 1995, the Doris Tate Crime Victims Foundation was formed to support victims of violent crime and raise awareness of the judicial system. Sharon Tate’s life and death have inspired discussions on crime, justice, and the impact of violence on individuals and communities.

10050 Cielo Drive: The House and Its History

The mansion at 10050 Cielo Drive, the scene of the tragic murders, stood until 1994. Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails, rented the house in 1993, where he recorded his band’s second studio album, “The Downward Spiral.” The property was then purchased by Jeff Franklin, creator of “Full House,” in 1994. Franklin razed the original structures, changed the address to 10066 Cielo Drive, and built a lavish 21,000-square-foot mansion. The property was listed for sale in January 2022 for $85 million, with the asking price later reduced to $55 million in April 2023.

The house’s history and its subsequent transformation reflect its controversial past and the ongoing interest in Sharon Tate’s life.

Here is a video tour of the mansion today: