You might be interested in Lucille Ball’s net worth if you watched every episode of I Love Lucy. Find out how much she made from the show’s six seasons and what she left her kids when she died.
Lucille Ball’s Net Worth in 2024
Lucille Ball was an American comedian, actress, model, and businessman. When she died in 1989, she was worth $60 million, as per reports of Celebrity Net Worth.
After taking inflation into account, that’s the same as $125 million today. She was in several successful movies before she produced and appeared in “I Love Lucy,” the TV show that made her famous for good.
Lucille was also a smart businessman and the first female mogul in the entertainment business. Desi and Lucille did a great deal that gave them ownership of their show, which we’ll talk about later in this piece. In 1957, they sold their shows to CBS for $4.5 million, which is about $40 million today.
They built up their own film company with the money they got. It cost $2.5 million for Lucille to buy Desi’s share of the business in 1962. After five years, she sold the whole business to Gulf+Western for $17 million, which is about $130 million today.
Lucille Ball’s Career Journey
Lucille Ball’s career is a remarkable journey through the realms of acting, comedy, and production, making her one of the most influential figures in American entertainment.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, Lucille Désirée Ball faced personal challenges early on, including the death of her father when she was just three years old.
She pursued her passion for acting by moving to Manhattan at the age of 15 to study at a drama school. Initially, she struggled to find work in theater and instead became a model under the name “Diane Belmont,” which helped her gain attention from Hollywood studios.
Ball’s film career began in 1933 when she appeared as a “Goldwyn Girl” in Roman Scandals. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, she worked as a contract player for RKO Radio Pictures, taking on roles in various films, including Stage Door (1937) and The Big Street (1942). During this time, she also met Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, whom she married in 1940.
Rise to Fame: I Love Lucy
In the early 1950s, Ball transitioned to television, where she co-created and starred in I Love Lucy, which premiered on CBS in 1951. The show, featuring a comedic portrayal of her life with Arnaz, quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
It was groundbreaking for its use of a three-camera setup and its innovative approach to sitcoms, remaining popular for years and influencing future television productions.
The success of I Love Lucy led to numerous accolades for Ball, including five Primetime Emmy Awards. The show also marked the beginning of Desilu Productions, the studio they formed, which became a significant player in television production, producing other hits like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek.
Later Career and Legacy
After her divorce from Arnaz in 1960, Ball continued to thrive in the entertainment industry. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio when she took over Desilu Productions.
She starred in several other television series, including The Lucy Show (1962–1968) and Here’s Lucy (1968–1974), and returned to Broadway with the musical Wildcat. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ball remained active, starring in films like Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) and Mame (1974), as well as television specials.
Her last series, Life with Lucy, aired in 1986 but was short-lived. Ball’s influence extended beyond her performances; she became a mentor to many comedians, including Carol Burnett. Lucille Ball passed away on April 26, 1989, but her legacy endures.
She is remembered not only for her comedic genius but also for her pioneering role as a female producer in a male-dominated industry. She was posthumously recognized as one of the most influential women of the 20th century by Time magazine in 2020.
If you’re craving more updates and insights on celebrities, delve into our past posts where we’ve extensively examined every detail.
Lucille Ball’s Assets, Cars, Houses
Lucille Ball’s assets, including her cars and houses, reflect her status as a Hollywood icon and successful businesswoman.
Estate and Valuation
At the time of her death in 1989, Lucille Ball’s estate was estimated to be worth around $40 million. She divided her estate among her two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., and her second husband, Gary Morton.
Notable Assets
Cars
One of the notable items from her estate was a Rolls Royce, which was included among various personal belongings auctioned after Morton’s death. This auction featured love letters, personal photos, and awards, collectively fetching approximately $230,000.
Houses
Lucille Ball owned several properties throughout her life. One of her first Hollywood homes, a charming 1,874-square-foot residence located at 1344 Ogden Drive in West Hollywood, was listed for sale at $1.75 million in 2016
. This house, featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a cozy fireplace, was where she lived during her early career and where she developed her partnership with Desi Arnaz.
In addition to her West Hollywood home, Ball and Arnaz later moved to a lavish estate in Beverly Hills, which further solidified their status in Hollywood. This estate was part of their shared life and career, contributing to the legacy of I Love Lucy and their personal story.
Legacy and Auction Controversies
After Ball’s passing, there were legal disputes regarding her possessions, particularly between her daughter Lucie and Gary Morton’s second wife, Susie McAllister.
The conflict arose over the auctioning of items that Ball intended for her daughter but was claimed by Morton after her death. This legal battle highlighted the complexities surrounding Ball’s estate and the importance of clear estate planning.
Overall, Lucille Ball’s assets and properties reflect her significant impact on entertainment and her enduring legacy in American culture.
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