Raquel Welch Net Worth

What was Raquel Welch's Net Worth?

Raquel Welch was an American actress, singer, model, and businesswoman who had a net worth of $40 million at the time of her death. Raquel Welch died on February 15, 2023, at the age of 82.

Raquel Welch was one of the most iconic actresses and sex symbols of the 1960s and 1970s, rising to international fame with a combination of striking beauty, charisma, and screen presence that made her a defining figure of Hollywood glamour. She became a household name with her breakthrough role in the 1966 film "One Million Years B.C.," where her image in a fur bikini became one of the most famous publicity stills in cinema history. While this cemented her as a pin-up star, Welch sought to prove herself as more than just a visual icon, pursuing diverse roles across film, television, and stage. Over the next two decades, she starred in a mix of adventure films, comedies, and dramas, earning both popular acclaim and critical recognition.

Welch worked steadily in major productions, including "Fantastic Voyage" (1966), "Bandolero!" (1968), "100 Rifles" (1969), and "Myra Breckinridge" (1970), a controversial adaptation of Gore Vidal's novel. She also appeared in comedies like "The Three Musketeers" (1973), which earned her a Golden Globe Award, and its sequel "The Four Musketeers" (1974). Her ability to balance glamour with comedic timing helped sustain her career through an era when Hollywood often typecast women in limited roles.

Beyond film, Welch embraced television and stage work, appearing in TV movies, specials, and Broadway productions. She also became a successful entrepreneur with beauty and fitness ventures, building a brand that extended her fame beyond Hollywood. Over the decades, she remained a cultural touchstone, celebrated not only for her screen roles but also for breaking ground as a Latina actress in an industry dominated by stereotypes. By the time of her passing in 2023, Raquel Welch had secured her place as a lasting icon of film and pop culture, remembered for both her dazzling screen presence and her determination to chart her own path in Hollywood.

Early Life

Raquel Welch, born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940, in Chicago, was the daughter of a Bolivian father who worked as an aeronautical engineer and an English-American mother. In her autobiography, she recalled her disciplined childhood, which included attending church every Sunday with her mother. The family later settled in San Diego, where Welch's striking looks and poise quickly set her apart. As a teenager, she excelled in beauty pageants, winning titles such as Miss San Diego. After graduating high school with honors, she married her high school sweetheart and pursued theater at San Diego State College on a scholarship. Although she appeared in several local stage productions, her academic path shifted when she accepted a job as a weather forecaster at a local TV station.

Her first marriage ended in divorce, and Welch moved to Dallas with her two children. There, she supported herself as a Neiman Marcus model and cocktail waitress while continuing to dream of stardom. By the early 1960s, she had relocated to Los Angeles, picking up small acting parts in television and film before catching the attention of Hollywood producer Saul David. His wife recommended Welch for a role, leading to a seven-year non-exclusive contract with 20th Century Fox. Despite studio pressure to change her name to something more marketable, she insisted on keeping her real name. In 1965, she earned her first significant film role in the beach party comedy "A Swingin' Summer," setting the stage for her big break.

Early Career

Welch's career turned a corner with her performance in the science fiction adventure "Fantastic Voyage" (1966), in which she played a doctor miniaturized and injected into a diplomat's body to help save his life. The film was a box office success, establishing her as a rising star. Shortly after, she was loaned to a British production to appear in "One Million Years B.C." (1966). Although her dialogue was minimal, the image of Welch in a fur bikini became one of cinema's most iconic publicity stills, catapulting her into international fame.

Her image as a sex symbol was deliberately cultivated by her agent, Patrick Curtis, who advised her to retain her married surname Welch to avoid being typecast solely as a Latina actress. However, while this strategy kept doors open in Hollywood, it also trapped her in the role of glamorous leading lady. Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, she struggled against critical dismissal of her acting abilities, earning a reputation as more of a pin-up icon than a serious performer.

Still, Welch challenged social norms with daring roles. In "100 Rifles" (1969), she appeared opposite NFL star Jim Brown in one of Hollywood's first interracial love scenes. Two years later, she starred in "Myra Breckinridge" (1970), a notorious adaptation of Gore Vidal's novel. Her portrayal of a transgender character was controversial, and the film was widely panned, with critics often calling it one of the worst movies ever made. The project also fueled a public feud between Welch and Mae West, another legendary sex symbol.

(Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)

Success

Despite critical setbacks, Welch became one of the most bankable stars of the 1970s. She appeared in a string of commercially successful films, balancing action, comedy, and drama. Her performance in Richard Lester's swashbuckling comedy "The Three Musketeers" (1973) earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. She reprised her role in "The Four Musketeers" (1974), further solidifying her international star power.

By mid-decade, she was a bona fide pop culture phenomenon. Playboy Magazine named her the "Most Desired Woman of the 1970s," cementing her reputation as Hollywood's premier sex symbol of the era. At the same time, she sought to demonstrate range, starring in films such as the dark comedy "Mother, Jugs & Speed" (1976), which became another box office success. These projects, combined with her commanding screen presence, proved that Welch could sustain a career beyond her initial image and appeal to audiences worldwide.

Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Later Career

In 1982, Welch's career suffered a major setback when she sued MGM for wrongful termination after being fired from "Cannery Row." Though she won the lawsuit and received damages for breach of contract, she later admitted the case harmed her film career, as major studios grew hesitant to cast her. From then on, she focused more on television movies and stage work.

Welch found success in television, winning acclaim for her performance in the made-for-TV movie "Right to Die" (1987), in which she played a woman battling Lou Gehrig's disease. The role earned her another Golden Globe nomination. She also made guest appearances on popular shows and embraced the theater, including a stint on Broadway.

Her film appearances continued sporadically, and while she never regained the blockbuster momentum of her 1970s peak, she remained a recognizable and respected presence. In 2001, she enjoyed a return to mainstream film audiences with a role in the hit comedy "Legally Blonde," which introduced her to a new generation. Throughout her later years, Welch also became a successful entrepreneur, launching beauty and fitness ventures that reinforced her image as a symbol of timeless glamour.

Personal Life

Raquel was married and divorced four times. Her second husband was her first agent, Patrick Curtis. They were married from 1967 to 1972. She began a relationship with French director André Weinfeld in 1977, and after moving to LA to be with her, they wed in 1980. Their marriage lasted until 1990. Her final marriage was to Pizzeria owner Richard Palmer, whom she married in 1999 and divorced in 2003. She has two children from her first marriage: Damon and Tahnee Welch. Tahnee followed her mother's lead and pursued acting and modeling with limited success.

Outside of her show business career, Raquel was a model and spokesperson for Foster Grant sunglasses and has developed a successful wig business. In 1998, she came out with her first line of wigs, and her line has continued to expand into the 2000s and is still available today. Regarding the subject of wigs, Raquel was way ahead of her time, considering how popular they are amongst both celebrities and fashionistas today.

Real Estate

In 1997, Raquel Welch paid $2 million for a home in Beverly Hills, Ca. The seller was comedian Jeff Foxworthy. She then performed a significant and thorough renovation. In 2005, Raquel sold this home to reality television surgeon Dr. Robert Rey for $4.5 million.

In 2001, Raquel paid $1.8 million for a home in Bel-Air. This would be her primary home for the rest of her life. In April 2024, a little over a year after her death, Raquel's heirs listed this home for sale for $3.95 million.

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