One may look at Resse Witherspoon and consider her America's sweetheart, but this talented, award-winning actress is more than just a pretty face on the silver screen.
She is a talented actress, business woman and owner of a worldwide book club that turns best-sellers into hit movies.
Here is how this southern belle became a celebrity success story.
The Prologue: Before the Sunshine
Born in the southern city of New Orleans, Louisiana, to John and Betty, Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon showed talent for the camera from a young age.
She was only 7 years old when she first stood before a camera to film local commercials and was 14 when she secured her first role in The Man in the Moon (1991).
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Reese applied and attended Stanford University to pursue an English degree, where she would later drop out to pursue acting full-time.
She also developed a love for reading during this time.
An actress that ‘funded’ her way
Actors land roles to make money and market their names as brands, and Reese Witherspoon is no different.
It wasn't long before she was a notable actress in show business through films like Pleasantville (1998) and Cruel Intentions (1999).
With many successes in her career and acting in different films, Reese was awarded multiple Academy Awards and even an Oscar for best actress in Walk the Line (2005).
The film industry is not her only source of income.
After facing frustration from the roles she was not getting, she decided to make her own film company and founded Type A productions in the year 2000.
Netflix
It was soon after when she starred in Legally Blonde, a comedic movie that made possible for Type A to expand into a company that later merged with Australian film company Bruna Papandrea to create a Pacific Standard.
While an actress that makes her own film production company show a big entrepreneurship spirit, her next move displayed true geniality.
It was in 2016 when she co-funded media company Hello Sunshine that included a book club focused on female-driven stories to later turn them into film productions.
With this project, she develops books considered to be best titles into films or TV series. Some examples are Big Little Lies, From Scratch, and other well-known films.
Plot Twist - More Than Just a Pretty Face
Acting made her name, but her celebrity entrepreneur skills are what put her on top.
In 2018 communication company AT&T bought their way into the company (for 1$B according to The New York Times) and announced a Hello Sunshine television channel for cable and satellite, similar to the Oprah Winfrey Network.
A Legally Blonde That Walks More Than One Line
What? Like it's hard?
Being a celebrity with millions of dollars does not exempt you from having an investment strategy. Savvy business owners like Reese Witherspoon know when to acquire and sell.
In 2021, Reese sold most of her stake in her company, Hello Sunshine, in a deal valued at $900 million.
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She also used her influence and income to fund and market her business ideas, like Draper James, a clothing line to highlight her southern roots and personal style, including bright colors and bold prints.
So some questions may come to mind when learning about her career:
What is Resse Witherspoon's Net Worth?
In combination with multiple business investments and companies, acting roles, and endorsements, Reese is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, with a net worth of $440 million, according to Forbes.
Her money came from many years of determination, where she felt she had to prove she was something more than she was perceived to be.
Is She a Billionaire?
No, at least not yet. Reese Witherspoon has made a lot of money as a self-made businesswoman and actress, but she has not hit billionaire status. She is, however, one of the wealthiest actresses seen today.
What to read from Reese?
Whether acquiring or selling her interests, Reese's decisions are made to increase her net worth and to use her liquid assets for other business ventures.
“Don't judge a book by its hair color!” There’s no doubt that readers are leaders.
We can all learn from celebrities and their financial successes and use them as inspiration to reach our own financial goals.
