Janet Evanovich Net Worth

Janet Evanovich: A Literary Empire Built on Mystery and Bounty

What is Janet Evanovich’s Net Worth?

Janet Evanovich, the celebrated American author known for her vibrant and often humorous mystery novels, has amassed a considerable fortune throughout her prolific career. As of 2024, Janet Evanovich’s net worth is estimated to be a remarkable $140 million. This substantial wealth is a testament to the enduring popularity of her books, particularly her iconic Stephanie Plum series, which has captivated readers worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Born Janet Schneider on April 22, 1943, in South River, New Jersey, Evanovich’s journey to literary stardom began with humble roots. Growing up, she attended South River High School and later made history as the first person in her family to pursue higher education, enrolling at Rutgers University as an art student. This early exposure to the arts, though not directly related to her eventual career, undoubtedly fostered her creative sensibilities and storytelling abilities.

Career Beginnings: From Romance to Mystery

Evanovich’s initial foray into the world of writing began in the 1970s. She honed her craft, even taking improvisational acting lessons to improve her dialogue-writing skills. Her early attempts were met with rejection, with multiple manuscripts and romance novels failing to find publishers. Facing setbacks, she temporarily stepped away from writing. However, her perseverance eventually paid off. She received an offer for her second romance novel, which she released in 1987 under the pseudonym Steffie Hall, titled “Hero at Large.” This marked the beginning of her journey in the romance genre, and she would go on to write several other romance novels, including “Thanksgiving,” “The Grand Finale,” “Wife for Hire,” and more.

The Rise of Stephanie Plum: A Bestselling Phenomenon

Evanovich’s desire to explore new genres led her to the world of mystery and adventure. Inspired by the action comedy film “Midnight Run,” she created Stephanie Plum, a spirited and often clumsy female bounty hunter from Trenton, New Jersey. The first book in the series, “One for the Money,” was published in 1994, garnering positive reviews. The novel was later adapted into a 2012 film starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum. The series quickly gained momentum, and subsequent installments such as “Two for the Dough,” “Three to Get Deadly,” and “Four to Score” solidified her place in the literary world. “Hot Six,” released in 2000, achieved the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list, a significant milestone that propelled the series to unprecedented heights. The series continued with titles like “Seven Up,” “Hard Eight,” and many more, with each new release eagerly anticipated by her devoted readership. The books typically feature a blend of humor, suspense, and romance, making them a unique and engaging read. Evanovich continued to write Stephanie Plum novels at a rate of at least one a year, with recent installments including “Going Rouge: Rise and Shine Twenty-Nine.”

(Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

Evanovich also wrote a series of “between-the-numbers” Plum books featuring the character Diesel, including “Visions of Sugar Plums,” “Plum Lucky,” and “Plum Spooky.” These books offer additional adventures and insights into the world of Stephanie Plum and her supporting characters.

Venturing Beyond Plum: Other Series by Evanovich

Beyond the immense success of the Stephanie Plum series, Evanovich has demonstrated her versatility by creating multiple other series across different genres. In 2004, she launched the “Barnaby and Hooker” series, which centers on the unusual partnership between auto mechanic Alexandra Barnaby and NASCAR driver Sam Hooker. The series features a mix of mystery, romance, and the fast-paced world of racing.

In 2010, she entered the realm of fantasy with the “Wicked” series, starting with “Wicked Appetite.” The series explores the supernatural, with subsequent books, including “Wicked Charms,” co-authored with Phoef Sutton. Evanovich also ventured into the mystery genre with the “Knight & Moon” series. Collaborating with Sutton for the first book, “Curious Minds,” and then writing the second book, “Dangerous Minds,” on her own, she continued to create compelling narratives and introduce new characters to her readers.

Evanovich has also frequently collaborated with other authors. The “Fox & O’Hare” series, which started in 2013 with “The Heist” and was co-written by Lee Goldberg, features the adventures of FBI special agent Kate O’Hare and master thief Nick Fox, capturing the thrill of globe-trotting adventures. Later books in the series were co-authored by Pete Evanovich and Steve Hamilton. Another series co-authored by Evanovich, called the “Full” series, was written with Charlotte Hughes, consisting of six books released between 1989 and 2006.

Standalone and Collaborative Works

In addition to her series, Evanovich has also penned several standalone novels and collaborated with other authors on various projects. Some of these include the 2007 romance novel “Hot Stuff,” co-written with Leanne Banks, and the romance novels “Love in a Nutshell” and “The Husband List” with Dorien Kelly. She has also contributed to anthologies such as “The Plot Thickens” and “The Last Peep.” In 2006, she authored a non-fiction book titled “How I Write,” offering insights into her creative process and writing career.

Personal Life

In 1964, Evanovich married her husband, Pete. They have a son named Peter and a daughter named Alexandra. The couple splits their time between residences in North Carolina and Hawaii. This balance of life likely informs and inspires her writing, giving her a broad perspective to draw from.