Quick Links

Elizabeth Hurley is a well-known model, fashion designer, TV host, businesswoman and has grown her millions strategically. Elizabeth Jane Hurley was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, on the 10th of June, 1965. Hurley grew up with her parents and two siblings. Ever since adolescence, the star had a knack for punk fashion, acting, and dancing. She studied at Harriet Costello School and soon got enrolled at the London Studio Center, where she trained in ballet dancing and theater for three whole years.

In the 1990s, when Elizabeth started dating the famous Hugh Grant, she too came into the limelight. Unexpectedly this also helped her get launched into a successful modeling and acting career. However, it was her talent that paved the way for her long-lasting career in Hollywood. Here is how Elizabeth Hurley grew her millions.

Fashion and Modelling

After accompanying Hugh Grant on a London premiere for his movie Four Weddings and a Funeral, Elizabeth caught attention when she walked the red carpet in a black Versace dress. This outfit stood out on being held together with oversized gold-colored safety pins. This was in 1994, and in 1995 she landed her first job as a spokesmodel for Estée Lauder, as stated by Wealthy Gorilla. She was hardly 29 years old and had already tasted success.

Soon she became the face of Estée Lauder companies and held her position till Carolyn Murphy replaced her. Hurley, however, continued to work with them and soon became the global ambassador for the brand’s Breast Cancer Campaign.

While modeling for Estée Lauder, she also modeled for other companies like Jordache, Lancel, and MQ Clothiers of Sweden, to name a few. The actress soon launched a beach line named Elizabeth Hurley Beach and later worked for the Spanish clothing brand MANGO where they designed about 12 trendy swimsuits.

A Career in the Movie Industry

Before landing a modeling career, Elizabeth was already into the acting business. Her debut performance was in the 1987 anthology film called Aria, and in 1988, she acted in another movie called Rowing with the Wind. She also did a guest appearance on Rumpole of the Bailey and Inspector Morse.

The 1990s was a prosperous year for Hurley as she was seen in 11 films altogether, as stated by Celebrity Net Worth. Some of the notable ones among these would include Dangerous Ground (1997), Permanent Midnight (1998), and My Favorite Martian (1999). In addition, the actress also explored the field of production. She made some money as the producer of some of Hugh Grant's movies, including Extreme Measures (1996) and Mickey Blue Eyes (1999).

Hurley’s big break was when she landed the role of Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. In its 1999 sequel Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Hurley appeared again to reprise her iconic role. Her next big break came in 2000 with Harold Ramis's directed movie Bedazzled, in which she starred opposite Brendan Fraser. After this, she starred as well as produced the 2004 movie Method. The latest film Hurley has acted in is a 2020 rom-com called Then Came You, directed by Adriana Trigiani.

Career in Television

Elizabeth Hurley’s television career started in the 1980s with Christabel, a four-part television drama. In 2001, Hurley appeared in John Cleese’s The Human Face. The other documentary work that she was seen in is Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) and Made in Romania (2010). Amongst television films, she has acted in leading roles for The Shamrock Conspiracy (1995), Harrison: Cry of the City (1996), and Samson and Delilah (1996).

Particularly famous is her work in the popular TV show Gossip Girl, where she played the role of Diane Payne from 2011 to 2012. She has also acted in a primetime soap opera named The Royals, which is a 2015 to 2018 show about a British royal family. Hurley starred as Queen Helena on this show. Amongst her latest performances on Television is the 2019 series known as Runaways, where Hurley played the villain Morgan Le Fay.

She has also been a TV host for shows like Project Catwalk on Sky1, which was a British reality TV program. According to FilmiBeat, she received mixed reviews for this on her skills as a TV presenter and a fashion expert.

Hurley's net worth in 2021 was estimated to be a mind-blowing $45 million, as stated by The Wealth Record. She is known to live a lavish life in a 21-acre country estate outside of London called Donnington Hall which she purchased for a handsome amount of $11 million in 2012. Elizabeth Hurley also appends her millions on charity, and she has been active in The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s fundraising campaigns.

READ NEXT: The Twilight & The Spotlight: Kristen Stewart's $70 Million Success Story

Source: The Wealth Record, Celebrity Net Worth, Wealthy Gorilla, FilmiBeat