The little girl in this picture grew up to become the richest actress in the world — can you guess her identity?
If you asked people to name Hollywood’s highest-earning star, most would assume it’s George Clooney, Meryl Streep, or Angelina Jolie.
They’re all household names, but none of them come close to the massive fortune held by a woman many remember from just a few iconic films of the ’80s and ’90s.
“I was discovered in a talent search.”
She rarely appears in tabloids, avoids the red carpet, and hasn’t led a blockbuster movie in decades — yet her net worth exceeds three billion dollars.
So how did someone who has kept such a low profile out-earn every A-list actor in Hollywood?
Long before she shocked the world with her incredible wealth, she was just a suburban girl from Glenview, far from Hollywood glamour. Her father worked as a contractor, and she attended public school. Nothing hinted at future fame — until a nationwide talent search plucked her out of obscurity.
As a teenager, she landed roles in films that would become cult favorites.
“I was spotted at a search and thrown straight in,” she once recalled.
Her warm, relatable performances made her a standout in several beloved classics of the 1980s.
“When I was 16, I was earning more money than my dad,” she admitted. “That shifts things — in your family and in your life.”
Choosing privacy over fame
Her career continued steadily into the early ’90s, with memorable appearances in hit sitcoms as well. But unlike many rising stars, she never chased the Hollywood lifestyle. She valued privacy and a stable personal life far more than the spotlight.
That path led her to the man who would become her husband — a young financier who didn’t even realize she was famous.
They married in 1989, long before imagining the financial empire they would eventually build. She has said she was the one supporting them at first, paying for their first home and even their vacation.
Her husband, Tony Ressler, would later co-found Apollo Global Management and Ares Management, and go on to invest in major sports franchises, including the Atlanta Hawks.
A legacy of giving
Together, they raised four children while becoming major philanthropic figures. In 2012, they were named the top charitable donors of the year, contributing more than $10 million to their foundation. Their giving supports medical research, education, Jewish organizations, and the arts. She also serves on the board of the Melanoma Research Alliance.
Despite assumptions that she simply “married into” money, she has strongly corrected the record:
“People think I married a rich guy. But when we met, I earned more — much more. I paid for everything. I married him because I loved him.”
And the richest actress in the world is…
Jami Gertz, 60.
Known for films like The Lost Boys and Twister, and guest roles on Seinfeld and Modern Family, she may not chase fame — but she has become the wealthiest actress alive thanks to decades of smart choices, business savvy, and a partnership built from the ground up.
