Nichelle Nichols Net Worth

What was Nichelle Nichols' net worth?

Nichelle Nichols was an American actress, singer, producer, and author who had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of her death in July 2022. Nichelle Nichols died on July 30, 2022, at the age of 89.

Nichelle Nichols was best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura on the original iteration of the "Star Trek" television series, which ran from 1966 to 1969. She reprised her role in six "Star Trek" films. Later in her career, Nichelle was very popular at conventions. She could earn $10,000 – $50,000 to appear at conventions, depending on the size and her commitment. Before she was forced to retire due to health issues, Nichols was earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per year thanks to these conventions. Nichelle has more than 60 acting credits to her name, including the films "Snow Dogs" (2002) and "Are We There Yet?" (2005) and the soap opera "The Young and the Restless" (2016).

Nichols produced the films "Lady Magdalene's" (2008) and "Unbelievable!!!!!" (2020) and the documentary "Woman in Motion," which is about her work with NASA. She has lent her voice to numerous animated projects, such as "Gargoyles" (1994), "Batman: The Animated Series" (1994), "Futurama" (2000; 2002), and "The Simpsons" (2004). Nichelle is also an accomplished author, publishing the memoir "Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories" (1994) and the science-fiction novels "Saturn's Child" (1995) and "Saturna's Quest" (2002). She has released two albums, "Down to Earth" (1967) and "Out of This World" (1991), as well.

Later Years & Finances

In June 2015, it was announced that Nichelle had been hospitalized after suffering a mild stroke, and in 2018, it was revealed that she had been diagnosed with dementia. In August 2020, Nichols' son filed a lawsuit against Gilbert Bell, Nichelle's manager/caretaker, alleging that he had committed "financial elder abuse." The lawsuit stated that Bell "intentionally misappropriated income earned by Ms. Nichols, by siphoning cash from Ms. Nichols' appearances at conventions, inappropriately dispersing the money Ms. Nichols earned, and misappropriating funds from Ms. Nichols' financial accounts." Kyle moved Nichelle to New Mexico in November 2020, and he served as his mother's primary caregiver.

$13 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In 2023, the estate of Nichelle Nichols filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico, alleging that the hospital's negligence contributed to her death. Nichols had been admitted to the hospital in July 2022 after experiencing shortness of breath and other symptoms that her estate claimed were consistent with acute heart failure. According to the complaint, the hospital failed to properly diagnose and treat her condition, failed to secure an inpatient bed, failed to transfer her to a facility with a higher level of cardiac care, and failed to arrange proper cardiac or pulmonary consultations.

The lawsuit also alleged that the hospital discharged Nichols to an assisted living facility despite knowing, or having reason to know, that the facility was not equipped to monitor and care for someone in her condition. She was discharged on July 30, 2022, and emergency responders were called to the assisted living facility later that evening. Nichols died shortly after they arrived.

In June 2026, a New Mexico jury found Gila Regional Medical Center negligent and awarded Nichols' estate $13 million. However, attorneys for the family said the actual amount recoverable from the hospital was expected to be reduced dramatically because Gila Regional Medical Center is owned by Grant County and is subject to New Mexico's Tort Claims Act. Under that law, the estate was expected to collect a maximum of $400,000 from the hospital.

A separate lawsuit remained pending against HealthTech Management Services, the company that operated the hospital under contract with Grant County at the time of Nichols' death. HealthTech denied responsibility, arguing in court filings that it did not provide direct patient care and did not control the medical judgment of the licensed professionals who treated Nichols.

Real Estate

In 1983, Nichelle paid $110,000 for a home in Woodland Hills, California. In August 2021, Nichelle's son sold the home to Baron Construction & Remodeling Co. for nearly $2.2 million.

Early Life

Nichelle Nichols was born Grace Dell Nichols on December 28, 1932, in the Chicago suburb of Robbins, Illinois. She grew up with her mother, Salish, father, Samuel, and younger brother Thomas. Her father worked in a factory and served as mayor and chief magistrate of Robbins. Decades later, Nichelle's brother became a member of the Heaven's Gate cult. He died in March 1997 when the members of the cult committed mass suicide.

Early Career in Music and Dance

Nichelle Nichols began her career as a singer and dancer before becoming internationally famous as an actress. As a teenager, she performed in Chicago clubs and later toured as a vocalist with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. Her early work blended jazz, musical theater, nightclub performance, and dance, giving her a polished stage presence long before she entered science fiction history.

Nichols also appeared in stage productions and developed a reputation as a glamorous, versatile performer. Her early theatrical credits included work in the Chicago production of "Kicks and Co.," a satirical musical that helped bring her to the attention of people in the entertainment industry. She also modeled and performed in musical revues, building the combination of elegance, voice, movement, and confidence that later defined her screen persona.

Early Film and Television Work

Before "Star Trek," Nichols worked steadily in television and film, often at a time when roles for Black actresses were limited. She appeared in the 1959 film "Porgy and Bess" and had roles in television projects such as "The Lieutenant," a Gene Roddenberry-created drama that aired before "Star Trek."

Her episode of "The Lieutenant," titled "To Set It Right," dealt with racial prejudice and was considered controversial enough that NBC declined to air it during the show's original run. The experience connected Nichols with Roddenberry and helped lead to the role that would change her career. Even before she became Lieutenant Uhura, Nichols had already shown that she was drawn to projects that pushed against the boundaries of how race and identity were presented on television.

Star Trek

Nichols became a television pioneer when she was cast as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on "Star Trek," which premiered in 1966. As the communications officer aboard the USS Enterprise, Uhura was one of the first Black women on American television to be portrayed as a capable, educated, respected professional in a position of authority rather than as a servant or stereotype.

The role was groundbreaking not because Uhura dominated every episode, but because she was simply there as an essential member of the crew in a future where race was not treated as a barrier. Nichols later said she considered leaving the series after its first season, but changed her mind after meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who told her how important the role was for Black audiences and for the future of television representation.

"Star Trek" was canceled after three seasons, but Uhura became one of the franchise's most beloved characters. Nichols' performance helped define the optimistic, multicultural vision that made the series endure long after its original run.

Historic Television Impact

Nichols' work on "Star Trek" had cultural importance beyond science fiction. Her role as Uhura inspired generations of viewers, including future actors, scientists, engineers, astronauts, and public figures. She also participated in one of American television's most famous interracial kisses, sharing a kiss with William Shatner's Captain Kirk in the 1968 episode "Plato's Stepchildren."

The moment became one of the most discussed scenes in television history. Although there had been earlier interracial kisses on television in other contexts, the Kirk-Uhura kiss became especially famous because of "Star Trek's" visibility, the era in which it aired, and the symbolic force of seeing a Black woman and white man in such a moment on a network drama.

Star Trek Films and Franchise Work

After the original series developed a massive fan following in syndication, Nichols returned as Uhura in the "Star Trek" film franchise. She appeared in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."

The films gave Nichols and the original cast a second act as pop-culture icons. While Uhura was still often underused compared with the male leads, Nichols brought warmth, intelligence, humor, and dignity to the role across decades. Her continued presence helped connect the original 1960s series to the expanding "Star Trek" universe.

NASA Recruitment and Advocacy

One of Nichols' most important contributions came outside acting. In the late 1970s, she worked with NASA to help recruit women and minority candidates for the space program. Her company, Women in Motion, partnered with NASA at a time when the astronaut corps was overwhelmingly white and male.

Nichols' recruitment work helped attract candidates who became major figures in American space history, including Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; Guion Bluford, the first Black American in space; Judith Resnik, one of NASA's first female astronauts; and Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space. Jemison later cited "Star Trek" and Nichols' role as Uhura as an inspiration.

This work became a major part of Nichols' legacy. She did not merely portray a future of inclusion on television; she helped make the real-world space program more inclusive.

Later Acting Career

Outside "Star Trek," Nichols continued to act in film, television, and voice roles. She appeared in projects such as "Truck Turner," "The Supernaturals," "Snow Dogs," "Are We There Yet?," and "This Bitter Earth." She also made television appearances on shows such as "Futurama," "The Simpsons," and "Heroes," where she played Nana Dawson.

Her later roles often acknowledged her status as a science-fiction legend, but she also continued working across comedy, drama, animation, and independent film. Nichols remained active at conventions and fan events for many years, where she was celebrated as one of the most important figures in "Star Trek" history.

Music, Books, and Public Appearances

Nichols never fully abandoned music. She released albums, performed live, and continued to sing at special events throughout her career. Her musical background remained an important part of her public identity, even though acting made her famous.

She also wrote memoirs, including "Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories," which chronicled her life, career, and the social significance of her most famous role. Through books, interviews, conventions, and public speaking, Nichols became a storyteller of her own legacy, explaining why Uhura mattered and how entertainment could shape real-world possibilities.

Araya Diaz/Getty Images

Personal Life

Nichelle was in a romantic relationship with "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry in the 1960s. She said that they split up before the series began. When Roddenberry passed away in 1991, Nichols sang a song she had co-written, "Gene," at his funeral.

Nichelle married dancer Foster Johnson in 1951, and they divorced later that year. The two welcomed son Kyle on August 14, 1951. Nichols then wed Duke Mondy in 1968. They divorced in 1972.

In 2012, she visited the White House to meet with President Barack Obama, and she tweeted about the experience:

"Months ago Pres Obama was quoted as saying that he'd had a crush on me when he was younger. I asked about that & he proudly confirmed it! President Obama also confirmed for me that he was definitely a Trekker! How wonderful is that?!"

Work with NASA

After "Star Trek" ended, Nichols began working with NASA to recruit females and minorities to become astronauts. Some of the candidates she recruited were Dr. Sally Ride, Air Force Colonel Guion Bluford, Dr. Judith Resnik, and Dr. Ronald McNair. In the mid-1980s, Nichelle became a member of the National Space Society's board of governors. In 2015, she took part in an eight-hour NASA mission in which she flew aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy Boeing 747SP to analyze the atmospheres of Saturn and Mars. In September 1976, Nichols and other "Star Trek" cast members attended the dedication ceremony for Enterprise, the first space shuttle, in Palmdale, California. In 2010, Nichelle visited Johnson Space Center to tour Mission Control and the space shuttle simulator, and in 2001, NASA named Asteroid 68410 "Nichols" due to Nichelle's work as "a global ambassador for NASA, a recruiter of astronauts and an inspirer of millions as an author of science fiction" as well as her role on "Star Trek."

Awards and Honors

In 2016, Nichols received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, and she earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" in 1980. She was inducted into the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame in 2015, and Germany's Golden Camera awards honored her with a Millennium Award for "Star Trek" in 1999. Nichelle earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series for "The Young and the Restless" in 2017, and she received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" in 1987. Nichols and her "Star Trek" co-star William Shatner have shared two TV Land Award nominations: Most Memorable Kiss in 2006 and TV Moment That Became Headline News in 2007. Nichelle received Comic-Con International's Inkpot Award in 2018, and Los Angeles Mission College presented her with an honorary degree in 2010. In 1992, Nichelle received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Who's Richer?

Nichelle
Nichols

Compare!

Leonard
Nimoy