Olivia Hussey’s Net Worth at the Time of Death: How Rich Was the “Romeo & Juliet” Star?

Olivia Hussey was a legend. Her portrayal of Juliet in 1968’s Romeo & Juliet was iconic. But there was so much more to her career—and her life. Sure, we all know her for playing the tragic lover in Romeo & Juliet, but what else did this talented actress achieve in her life?

Over the years, she tackled roles across film, TV, and stage. Yet, her financial journey was anything but smooth. Sadly, Hussey passed away in December 2024 at 73, leaving behind a legacy worth celebrating and a story worth telling. Let’s dive into her life, career, and finances to see what made her unforgettable.

What were Olivia Hussey’s most famous roles besides Romeo & Juliet?

Sure, we all love Olivia Hussey for her unforgettable turn as Juliet, but there’s more to her story. After Romeo & Juliet skyrocketed her to fame, Hussey could have rested on her laurels—but she didn’t.

She carved out a career that spanned decades, and believe it or not, she dabbled in pretty much everything. In 1974, the actress starred in the classic slasher film Black Christmas, which has since become a favorite among horror fans.

She played a young woman caught up in a terrifying situation, a role that was quite different from the romantic tragedy of Juliet. Hussey also took on a more religious role when she played the Virgin Mary in the epic television miniseries Jesus of Nazareth in 1977.

Want more? She brought the drama in Death on the Nile (1978) and went full action in the dystopian Turkey Shoot (1982). Hussey didn’t shy away from variety—she owned it. Her TV career was equally impressive.

She took on roles in miniseries like The Bastard (1978) and Ivanhoe (1982), showcasing her knack for period dramas. Oh, and let’s not forget her voice acting gigs. Hussey lent her talents to Superman: The Animated Series and kept fans entertained on stage too.

How much was Olivia Hussey worth when she passed away?

When Olivia Hussey passed away in December 2024, the world lost a beloved actress who had been part of cinema history. But as much as her legacy in film is celebrated, her financial legacy is a bit of a different story.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth at her passing was $40,000. Surprised? Us too. Once worth $4 million, she faced financial chaos. As reported by Vulture, her troubles began with shady managers who made bad decisions for her.

Some stole outright, others pushed her into awful contracts. One manager even forged checks in her name and took out a mortgage on her home. She lost her savings, her Mulholland Drive house, and eventually filed for bankruptcy.

Health challenges didn’t help either. Hussey fought breast cancer twice, racking up medical bills that drained her funds. In 2022, she and Romeo & Juliet co-star Leonard Whiting sued Paramount for $500 million.

The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023, leaving Hussey with $181,000 in legal fees to cover. Despite it all, her resilience shone bright. Her worth wasn’t just financial—it was in the joy she brought to audiences.

What was Olivia Hussey’s pay for Romeo & Juliet?

Romeo & Juliet—the movie that catapulted Olivia Hussey into the hearts of millions. Surely, she made a fortune from playing Juliet, right? Well, not exactly. In fact, Hussey and her co-star Leonard Whiting were both grossly underpaid for their work in the film.

Ready to be outraged? Hussey made just $2,200 for her role as Juliet. Yep, that’s it. For one of the most iconic films of all time, she and Whiting earned peanuts. It’s not like she was some unknown actress—Hussey had the lead role in one of the most beloved film adaptations of Shakespeare’s play.

But, back in the day, actors didn’t get the same paychecks for their roles as they do now. In a 2023 interview with Variety, the actress shared her frustration, saying:

Everyone says, ‘You must be so well off — you were in a classic [film].’ And we say, ‘No, we didn’t get paid for that.’ We got minimum. We were always broke. I felt exploited, really. Looking back on all of that, Leonard and I, we felt exploited throughout.

The film was a smash hit, raking in millions at the box office. Yet the actors barely saw a dime. For such a monumental role, their paychecks were shockingly tiny.