At the time of her death in 1995, Elizabeth Montgomery Net Worth was $10 million, which equals about $20 million today. Her wealth came primarily from playing Samantha Stephens in the ABC sitcom “Bewitched.” The show lasted eight seasons and produced 254 episodes between 1964 and 1972.
Her stellar performance in “Bewitched” earned her five Primetime Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations. She also made smart investments in real estate. Her property portfolio included a sprawling 26-room mansion in Beverly Hills and a beautiful five-bedroom lakefront house in Agoura Hills, California.
This article will get into Elizabeth Montgomery’s trip to financial success. We’ll look at everything from her early career earnings to her savvy investment choices and how she managed to keep her impressive wealth through various income sources.
Contents
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Early Career Earnings
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Early Career Earnings
First TV appearances and salary
Elizabeth Montgomery started her entertainment career in 1951 with her television debut on NBC’s “Robert Montgomery Presents”. She appeared in 30 episodes during the show’s run from 1951 to 1956, making her mark in television. Her father, who hosted the show, didn’t know about her casting until rehearsals began.
She spent three years honing her craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before launching her acting career. Between 1951 and 1960, she appeared in about 40 different shows. Her portrayal of southern prostitute Rusty Heller in “The Untouchables” got her an Emmy Award nomination in 1960.
The 1950s and early 1960s saw Montgomery’s career grow steadily, though not spectacularly. She managed to keep a strong presence in live television dramas and secured roles in well-known series like “Studio One,” “Kraft Television Theater,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”.
Broadway income sources
Her theatrical career brought significant milestones to her early earnings. Montgomery’s Broadway debut in October 1953 with “Late Love” earned her the Theater World Award. She played Janet Colby in the production that ran from October 13, 1953, to January 2, 1954.
She returned to Broadway in 1956 as Mary Flannigan in “The Loud Red Patrick”. The show ran successfully from October 3 to December 22, 1956. Later in her career, she showed her range in “Love Letters” from November 21 to November 26, 1989, playing Melissa Gardner.
Beyond the stage, Montgomery made her film debut in Otto Preminger’s “The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell” in 1955. She went on to appear in several films, including “Johnny Cool” and “Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?” with Dean Martin and Carol Burnett.
Montgomery’s authenticity set her apart early in her career. She stood firm against industry pressures to change her appearance. “They didn’t like my hair, my funny eyebrows, or my chipped tooth. But I wouldn’t let them do anything to me. I even refused to wear caps”. This steadfast dedication to staying true to herself might have limited some opportunities at first but ended up adding to her unique appeal and success.
She built an impressive portfolio across multiple entertainment platforms during this time. Her work included more than 200 roles, creating a diverse foundation that contributed substantially to her growing net worth. Her willingness to work in television, film, and theater showed she knew how to build both her reputation and financial stability in the entertainment industry.
The Bewitched Effect on Net Worth
“Bewitched” changed Elizabeth Montgomery’s financial life. The show became ABC’s highest-rated series at the time. This success made Montgomery one of TV’s most recognizable stars and boosted her wealth.
Original contract details
Elizabeth Montgomery net worth grew thanks to her “Bewitched” contract. She earned substantial base pay as the show’s star. The series became a huge hit and ranked second in TV ratings during its first season. Only “Bonanza” had better numbers.
Deals with Chevrolet and Quaker Oats Company brought extra financial benefits. These strategic collaborations included product placement deals. This increased the show’s commercial value and gave Montgomery better bargaining power for future deals.
Salary negotiations and raises
Montgomery’s salary went up several times during “Bewitched’s” eight seasons. These raises reflected her growing fame and the show’s steady success. The series stayed in the top ten for its first three seasons. It ranked eleventh in both the fourth and fifth seasons.
Montgomery’s contract remained strong even when ratings dropped. ABC wanted to extend the show to a ninth season. This showed their dedication to keeping their star performer. But Montgomery decided to end her run after eight seasons. She wanted to grow artistically rather than chase more money.
Syndication royalties
Syndication deals had the biggest effect on Elizabeth Montgomery’s wealth. She got rights to ongoing earnings from “Bewitched” reruns, unlike many actors of her time. This proved valuable as the show aired worldwide through syndication and later on DVD.
Syndication worked differently in the 1960s and early 1970s. Most actors got paid for only 5-10 runs of their shows. Montgomery’s contract had better terms. This smart move ensured she would keep earning long after the show ended.
She also made money in international markets. From 1980 to 1983, she appeared in Japanese TV commercials for Lotte Corporation’s ‘Mother’ chocolate biscuits. Her “Bewitched” fame helped her land these profitable endorsement deals.
“Bewitched” kept adding to Montgomery’s wealth. TV Guide ranked it #50 on its ’50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time’ list. The show’s syndication success and her clever contract negotiations built a strong financial base. This supported her throughout her career and led to a $10 million net worth when she died.
Smart Investment Decisions
Elizabeth Montgomery built her wealth through smart financial decisions and a diverse investment portfolio, beyond her successful acting career. Her business sense shone through her wealth management approach, especially in real estate and long-term investments.
Real estate portfolio growth
Montgomery showed remarkable insight when investing in real estate properties. Her Agoura Hills home spanned 2,400 square feet and became evidence of her refined taste. This lakefront property with four bedrooms and two bathrooms made up much of her investment portfolio.
The property’s market listings revealed its growing value over time. The house started at nearly $2 million and went through price changes as the market shifted. The property managed to keep its appeal thanks to its prime location and luxury features, including a master suite with a meditation balcony.
Her real estate investments proved to be a smart move. The Agoura Hills home sat in an upscale community that offered privacy while being close to Malibu’s amenities. These location benefits and property features helped boost Montgomery’s wealth through real estate appreciation.
Business ventures
Montgomery’s wealth management strategy fit well with modern investment principles. She focused on long-term growth through diverse portfolios that brought steady cash flow and growth potential. This approach protected her wealth from market swings while delivering consistent returns.
Her investment philosophy matched today’s wealth management practices:
- Portfolio spread across multiple sectors
- Looking for undervalued assets that could grow
- Focus on long-term stability instead of quick gains
Montgomery chose a balanced approach to preserve her wealth rather than aggressive investment strategies. She knew how important it was to stick to a well-planned, long-term strategy, which ended up helping maintain her wealth during market changes.
She based her asset allocation on risk tolerance and market conditions. This careful approach to investment planning created a lasting financial legacy. Through smart portfolio management and strategic real estate investments, she built a resilient financial foundation that continued growing even after she passed away.
Her investment strategy’s success showed in her final net worth, which reflected both her entertainment earnings and smart financial choices. Her investment portfolio proved that combining traditional wealth management with strategic real estate investments works to create a diverse and lasting financial legacy.
Multiple Income Streams
Elizabeth Montgomery grew her net worth by varying her income sources after “Bewitched” ended. She managed to keep multiple revenue streams throughout her career and showed great financial wisdom.
TV movies and appearances
Her career soared when she moved into made-for-TV movies after “Bewitched”. She earned more Emmy nominations with powerful performances in “A Case of Rape” (1974) and “The Legend of Lizzie Borden” (1975). These acclaimed roles boosted Elizabeth Montgomery net worth through her TV movie earnings.
She starred in many successful TV films during the 1970s and 1980s. “The Victim” (1972), “Mrs. Sundance” (1973), and “Dark Victory” (1976) were among her notable works. She stayed active in television movies until 1995, when she made her final appearance in “Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan”.
Commercial endorsements
Elizabeth Montgomery net worth jumped thanks to her smart approach to commercial endorsements. She featured in ads for Quaker Oats and Chevrolet during the early days of “Bewitched”. Canadian television viewers saw her in a unique Lux Soap commercial where she used her signature magical elements.
Her most profitable endorsement deal came between 1980 and 1983 when she starred in Japanese television commercials for Lotte Corporation’s ‘Mother’ chocolate biscuits. These ads paid well and let her keep a low profile in American entertainment.
Voice acting work
Montgomery expanded her income by taking on voice acting roles. She narrated two politically charged documentaries:
- “Cover Up: Behind the Iran Contra Affair” (1988)
- “The Panama Deception” (1992), which won an Academy Award
Her voice acting career ended with a posthumous role in “Batman: The Animated Series”. This versatility in choosing different projects helped Elizabeth Montgomery net worth reach about $40 million at the time of her death.
Game show appearances added to her steady television presence. Host Allen Ludden named her the “Queen of Password” during her frequent appearances on the show. These appearances, combined with her acting and voice-over work, showed how well she could manage multiple income streams.
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Net Worth Growth Timeline
Elizabeth Montgomery net worth tells an amazing story of success in Hollywood’s golden era. Her financial success spans three remarkable decades.
1960s financial milestones
The 1960s became a game-changing period in Montgomery’s rise to wealth. She got her first Emmy nomination for “The Untouchables” in 1960, which set her value in the TV industry. She then landed leading roles in major films like “Johnny Cool” and “Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?” with Dean Martin.
In fact, Bewitched brought her biggest financial success of the decade. As a result, the show became America’s second most popular series, right behind Bonanza. Moreover, Montgomery played it smart with her contracts. She negotiated a great base salary and furthermore, got rights to future syndication earnings.
1970s wealth expansion
Montgomery’s wealth grew substantially in the 1970s through multiple income sources. Afterwards, when Bewitched ended, she became known as the “Queen of TV Movies” and starred in about two dozen television films from 1972 to 1995.
In addition, she got more Emmy nominations for her powerful performances in A Case of Rape (1974) and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975). As a result, these acclaimed roles came with premium paychecks that boosted her financial portfolio.
Of course, her real estate choices showed her business smarts. She bought a 26-room Beverly Hills mansion and had a custom five-bedroom lakefront home built in Agoura Hills. These investments proved her skill at preserving wealth.
Final net worth analysis
Montgomery’s net worth reached $10 million by her death in 1995, worth about $20 million today. Her wealth came from several sources:
- A TV career with over 200 roles
- Profitable Japanese commercial deals (1980-1983)
- Smart real estate investments in premium properties
- Continuous “Bewitched” syndication royalties
Her 1999 estate sale revealed her luxurious lifestyle. For example, the items included her 1977 Bentley with a custom “BENT LIZ” license plate, valued at $115,000. Moreover, the collection ranged from African artifacts to Kentucky Derby collector plates, showing her refined taste and investment choices.
Following that, her children—William Jr., Robert, and Rebecca Asher—inherited her estate. They manage her assets and intellectual property rights carefully. In addition, their commitment to her legacy goes beyond money as they oversee Bewitched syndication and other ventures that keep her brand valuable.
Elizabeth Montgomery Net Worth Frequently Asked Questions
How much was Elizabeth Montgomery worth at the time of her death?
Elizabeth Montgomery’s net worth was approximately $10 million at the time of her death in 1995, which is equivalent to about $20 million in today’s value.
What was Elizabeth Montgomery’s most famous role?
Elizabeth Montgomery is best known for her iconic role as Samantha Stephens in the ABC sitcom “Bewitched,” which ran for eight seasons from 1964 to 1972.
Did Elizabeth Montgomery have a successful career after “Bewitched”?
Yes, after “Bewitched,” Montgomery continued to have a successful career, particularly in TV movies. She starred in numerous acclaimed productions, earning Emmy nominations for roles in films like “A Case of Rape” and “The Legend of Lizzie Borden.”
How did Elizabeth Montgomery diversify her income?
Montgomery diversified her income through various means, including real estate investments, commercial endorsements (particularly in Japan), voice acting work, and securing syndication rights for “Bewitched.”
Did Elizabeth Montgomery have any children?
Yes, Elizabeth Montgomery had three children: William Jr., Robert, and Rebecca Asher, from her marriage to director-producer William Asher.
