Mary Pickford Net Worth

Mary Pickford’s Net Worth: A Look at the ‘American Sweetheart’s’ Fortune

Mary Pickford, a name synonymous with early Hollywood and the silent film era, left behind a legacy that extends beyond her captivating performances. But what was the financial value of this iconic actress? At the time of her death in 1979, Mary Pickford’s net worth stood at a considerable $40 million. Accounting for inflation, this figure translates to approximately $170 million in today’s dollars, a testament to her success as an actress and businesswoman.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born Gladys Marie Smith on April 8, 1892, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Mary Pickford’s journey to stardom began in humble circumstances. Her parents, John Smith and Charlotte Hennessey, were of Irish Catholic descent. Her mother was also an actress. She had two siblings, Lottie and Jack, who also pursued acting careers. The family faced hardship when their father, an alcoholic, abandoned them in 1898. To make ends meet, they took in boarders, one of whom, a theatrical stage manager named Mr. Murphy, played a pivotal role in launching Pickford’s acting career. He helped her secure early roles, setting her on the path to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the world.

Rise to Fame in Silent Films

Pickford’s career commenced on the stage, where she honed her skills in various plays in Toronto. By the dawn of the 20th century, the Pickford family had become a major theatrical enterprise. In 1905, she made her Broadway debut in Hal Reid’s “The Gypsy Girl.” Over the next few years, she continued to perform on Broadway. However, her real breakthrough came in the burgeoning world of cinema. In 1909, she impressed D.W. Griffith, a director at the Biograph Company, during a screen test. Griffith immediately hired her, and she quickly became a popular star, appearing in numerous films. She quickly gained the moniker “Biograph Girl.”

Pickford’s fame rapidly ascended. She starred in films for Carl Laemmle’s Independent Moving Pictures Company before returning to Biograph in 1912. She then joined Adolph Zukor’s Famous Players Film Company, where she starred in successful films like “In the Bishop’s Carriage” and “Tess of the Storm Country.” The latter film catapulted her to superstardom, making her the most popular actress in the United States and arguably the world. She signed a record-breaking contract in 1916 with a $10,000 a week salary.

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Business Acumen: United Artists and Beyond

Beyond her acting prowess, Pickford was a savvy businesswoman. In 1919, along with Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, she co-founded United Artists, a production and distribution company. This venture gave her unprecedented control over her films. Through United Artists, she produced and starred in successful films such as “Pollyanna,” “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” and “Rosita.” She was one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. From 1925 to 1927 she starred in “Little Annie Rooney,” “Sparrows,” and “My Best Girl.”

The advent of sound in cinema marked a turning point. While she achieved some success with her first talkie, “Coquette,” which earned her the second-ever Academy Award for Best Actress, her career began to wane. Unsuited to the changing landscape of sound films and the roles it offered, she retired from acting in 1933 after making her final film appearance in “Secrets.” Following retirement, she became vice president of United Artists and continued to produce films. She sold her remaining shares in United Artists in 1956 for $3 million.

Personal Life and Relationships

Mary Pickford’s personal life was as captivating as her on-screen persona. She married three times. Her first marriage was to film actor Owen Moore in 1911, but the union was plagued by Moore’s alcoholism and violence and ended in divorce in 1920. During this marriage, she began an affair with Douglas Fairbanks, whom she married shortly after her divorce. Their marriage became Hollywood royalty, and the couple lived in Pickfair, their lavish Beverly Hills estate. However, their demanding schedules and Fairbanks’ affair with Sylvia, Lady Ashley, led to the end of the marriage in 1936. Pickford later married actor and band leader Buddy Rogers in 1937, and they adopted two children, Roxanne and Ronald. After retirement, Pickford descended into alcoholism and depression, marked by the loss of her mother and siblings and her difficult divorces. She withdrew from public life and lived as a recluse until her death in 1979.

Legacy and Enduring Impact

Mary Pickford’s legacy is undeniable. She was a pioneer in the film industry, an incredibly successful actress, a shrewd businesswoman, and a cultural icon. She was also one of the first stars to have her name above the title of her films. Her contributions to cinema were recognized throughout her life, including an Academy Honorary Award in 1976. Pickford’s influence extended beyond acting, as she used her fame to champion causes such as the sale of Liberty Bonds during World War I and the establishment of the Motion Picture Relief Fund. She co-founded the Hollywood Studio Club and was also one of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mary Pickford’s life story is a testament to her talent, resilience, and enduring impact on the world of entertainment.