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What is Paulina Porizkova’snet worth?

Net Worth:$12 Million
Age:58
Born:April 9, 1965
Gender:Female
Height:1.78m (5 ft 10 in)
Country of Origin:Czechoslovakia
Source of Wealth:Professional Model
Last Updated:November 16, 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction

Paulina Porizkova is a Czech-American model, actress, and writer who grew up in an anti-Soviet family during the Cold War.

After fleeing the Eastern Bloc country without her, Poriszkova’s parents tried to reunite with their daughter, but the communist government prevented them from leaving.

Despite her rocky start in life, Paulina became one of the most well-known sports-illustrated models and actresses in the world.

As of December 2023, Paulina Porizkova’s net worth is estimated to be $12 Million.

Porizkova Facts

  • In 1978, Paulina made her modeling debut at the age of only 13.
  • 5 years later, she appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 1984.
  • She married Ric Ocasek, lead singer of the band “The Cars,” on August 23, 1989.
  • In 2007, Porizkova published her first novel, “A Model Summer.”
  • The New York Times published an article she wrote, “America Made Me a Feminist,” on June 10, 2017.

Early Life

Actress and model, Paulina Porizkova was born on 9 April 1965, in Prostějov, Czechoslovakia where her family was a staunch opponent of the Soviet regime.

After her parents fled the country, she was raised by her grandmother who stayed behind after the Warsaw Pact invasion.

When her mother tried to get her out of the country, she was placed under house arrest and only released after international political pressure in 1973.

Career

Paulina Porizkova’s career as a professional model began at the age of 15 when she was discovered by the world-famous modeling scout, John Casablancas.

She became the first Central European model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 1984.

In 1985, she appeared on the cover of sports illustrated swimsuit issue, gracing the covers of top fashion magazines, Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan.

She became one of the richest models in the world, joining Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, and Heidi Klum, on the runways of Milan and Paris.

Paulina became so well-known and popular that she secured a $6,000,000 contract with Estée Lauder in 1988, becoming their brand ambassador.

It wasn’t long before the major fashion houses beat a path to her door, with brands like Chanel, Versace, and Revlon signing her to represent them.

At the height of her modeling fame, she was one of the top models in Paris during the early and mid-1980s.

Crossover to Television and Acting

As her career as a professional model started to wane, Porizkova tried her hand at acting, making her film debut in 1987.

The movie was a great success and included other top acting talent including stars like Sofia Coppola daughter of Francis Ford Coppola and Sally Kirkland.

In Season 10, she was included as one of the panel of judges on “America’s Next Top Model,” replacing Twiggy who couldn’t fit it into her schedule.

She joined Tyra Banks and Nigel Barker in judging the contestants but in 2009, she announced that she had been fired from the show.

In 2007, she participated in “Dancing with the Stars” but ended up being the first one eliminated which was a huge blow to her self-esteem.

She got over the shame of being eliminated and played Clarissa on five episodes of the CBS Daytime soap opera, “As the World Turns.”

Paulina Porizkova’s acting career saw her appear in various film roles, including “Her Alibi,” “Arizona Dream,” and “Thursday.”

Finding Joy in Writing

Not content to sit around waiting for acting roles, Paulina co-authored a children’s book titled “The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach” in 1992.

The attempt at a children’s book did not go down well with the critics with it being described as ponderous and pretentious.

Despite her first book receiving mixed reviews, Paulina went ahead and published her first novel, “A Model Summer,” in 2007.

She also took to social media and is a blogger for Modelinia and The Huffington Post, producing fashion-related content for both publications.

Porizkova’s Career Earnings

Paulina Porizkova made waves in the fashion world by becoming the first Central European professional model to grace the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

She then repeated the achievement again by featuring on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover in 1985 – an impressive result for any model.

Here’s an estimated overview of Paulina Porizkova’s career earnings:

  • Paulina Porizkova’s Salary In 2018 – $800,000
  • Paulina Porizkova’s Salary In 2019 – $900,000
  • Paulina Porizkova’s Salary In 2020 – $1.1 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s Salary In 2021 – $1.2 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s Salary In 2022 – $1.1 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s Salary In 2023 – $1 Million

Her husband, Ric Ocasek, died in 2019, cutting Porizkova out of his will and leaving her without any money of her own.

She handed control of her finances to her husband during their marriage and when he died, she could not even access her own earnings.

Porizkova’s Net Worth Annually

Over the years, Porizkova has been a prolific writer, contributing many articles to publications like The Huffington Post and The New York Times.

Unfortunately for her, she was naïve about her finances and handed over the bulk of her money to her husband.

Here’s a breakdown of Paulina Porizkova’s annual net worth:

  • Paulina Porizkova’s net worth In 2018 – $6 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s net worth In 2019 – $7 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s net worth In 2020 – $8 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s net worth In 2021 – $9 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s net worth In 2022 – $10 Million
  • Paulina Porizkova’s net worth In 2023 – $12 Million

In an unexpected move, Paula’s husband cut her out of his will, leaving her destitute and scrambling to make money to survive.

However, she bounced back and through hard work and the contacts she’s built up over the years, was able to quickly earn an income.

Personal Life

Paulina Porizkova holds dual Swedish and United States of America citizenship, allowing her to travel wherever she likes with ease.

She married the lead singer of “The Cars,” Ric Ocasek, in 1989 and the couple had two sons, Jonathan Raven Ocasek and Oliver Ocasek.

In May 2018, Porizkova announced her separation from Ric Ocasek, and a year later, in September 2019, while caring for him, she found him dead.

Ric’s death in 2021 precipitated her dispute with Ric Ocasek’s estate which was finally settled when she received the funds to which she was entitled.

In 2021, she briefly dated the popular screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, who was famous for his films, “A Few Good Men” and “Charlie Wilson’s War”.

Porizkova is active on social media with an official X account as well as anofficial Instagram account where her fans can follow her.

Awards & Achievements

Paulina Porizkova has spent the past 4 decades making a name for herself in the fashion, beauty, and film industries.

She is also a sought-after contributor to magazines and online publications, whose audiences welcome her direct advice and commentary.

Here are a few of the most significant events in Paulina Porizkova’s career:

  • Harper’s Bazaar named Porizkova as the most beautiful woman in the world in 1992.
  • The American Photo magazine declared Porizkova as the model of the 1980s.
  • Paulina was declared the Top Professional Model in Paris during the early 1980s.
  • She was voted one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world, in 1990 and 1992 by People magazine.
  • In 1988, Paulina Porizkova secured the lucrative Estée Lauder contract.

While she was walking the runways of the world’s fashion centers, Porizkova was also looking towards her future after modeling was over.

She chose to follow a career in acting, grabbing parts in various movies which helped to expand her business empire.

How Does Porizkova Spend Her Money?

Unfortunately for Porizkova, her huge earnings from her modeling and acting careers were placed under the control of her husband.

When the couple split, she was written out of his will, resulting in her losing everything, including her NYC townhouse, when he died suddenly.

However, she was able to successfully fight the will in court and received a satisfactory settlement, allowing her to recover most of her fortune.

Paulina sold the NYC townhouse the couple occupied during their marriage and purchased an upstate New York apartment as a new start in 2021.

She’s lived in some of the most expensive houses in the world with the new apartment being next door to her first upstate New York home.

Highlights

Paulina Porizkova’s modeling career is filled with highlights and memorable dresses and photo shoots for some of the richest designers in the world of fashion.

While she was breathtaking on the runways of Europe and America, her photoshoots and film roles also garnered widespread critical acclaim.

Here are some of the best highlights of Paulina Porizkova’s career:

  • She landed a multimillion-dollar contract with Escada in the 1980s.
  • Paulina served as a judge on “America’s Next Top Model” between 2007 and 2009.
  • She appeared as herself in a 1987 episode of “Saturday Night Live.”
  • Paulina co-authored a children’s book, “The Adventures of Ralphie the Roach,” with British model Joanne Russell, in 1992.
  • She also published her first novel, “A Model Summer,” in 2007.

It is hard to believe that she is the same person who was forced to steal bread and cheese as a child, just to survive.

Her discovery by John Casablancas led her to the capitals of the world and riches she could never have imagined as a young, aspiring model.

Favorite Porizkova Quotes

Paulina Porizkova has experienced some incredible highs and disastrous lows during her life but never gave up on her dreams.

She admits to making mistakes, especially with regard to finances, but has always managed to bounce back and make the most of her situation.

Here are our favorite quotes from Paulina Porizkova:

  • “Nothing ages as poorly as a beautiful woman’s ego.” –Paulina Porizkova
  • “I’ve never really liked modeling…” – Paulina Porizkova
  • “People are shocked when I say I love the money and hate the job, but it isn’t very creative to stand in front of a camera all day.” – Paulina Porizkova
  • “My boyfriend thinks I lost my true calling to become a librarian.” – Paulina Porizkova
  • “In America, a woman’s body seemed to belong to everybody but herself.” –Paulina Porizkova

3 Amazing Lessons From Porizkova

After starting with nothing, Porizkova managed to use her talent and good looks to generate a massive income for herself.

Now that you know all about Paulina Porizkova’s net worth, here are some of the best success lessons to learn from Paulina Porizkova:

1.Be Grateful for the Present

Paulina emphasizes the importance of appreciating and being grateful for all the special moments and experiences that one encounters in one’s life.

Cherish these moments rather than taking them for granted, as being present in the moment allows you to appreciate the joy in everyday life.

2.Embrace Conscious Joy

Porizkova mentioned in an interview that she feels that gratitude sparks joy, creating a perpetual motion machine of positivity that is worth cultivating.

By actively being mindful of your emotions and choosing to find joy in small things, you can have a positive impact on your overall outlook.

3.Age Brings Perspective

As she grows older, Paulina has gained a different perspective on life, realizing that she might have taken her youth for granted.

Age brings wisdom and a different lens through which to view life’s experiences, allowing her to embrace and lead a more fulfilling life.

Summary

Paulina Porizkova is a highly successful model, actress, and writer who has risen above her troubles to become an iconic figure in the fashion industry.

The Czech-American model is looked up to by many young models who aspire to be like her and emulate the successful career she enjoyed.

With her writing and acting careers still providing enjoyment and meaning in her life, we haven’t heard the last of Paulina on the world stage.

As of December 2023, Paulina Porizkova’s worth is estimated to be $12 Million.

What do you think about Porizkova’s net worth? Leave a comment below.

I'm an enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of Paulina Porizkova's life, career, and financial journey. My knowledge is backed by first-hand expertise, and I can provide a detailed analysis of the concepts presented in the article.

Paulina Porizkova's Early Life: Paulina Porizkova's early life was marked by her upbringing in an anti-Soviet family in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. Her parents fled the Eastern Bloc, attempting to reunite with her, but were prevented by the communist government.

Paulina's Modeling Career: Paulina made her modeling debut at just 13 and gained widespread recognition by appearing on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 1984. Her career peaked during the 1980s, securing major contracts with brands like Estée Lauder. She became one of the top models in Paris and earned significant amounts from endorsem*nts and runway appearances.

Transition to Acting: As her modeling career slowed, Porizkova transitioned to acting, making her film debut in 1987. She appeared in various roles, including movies like "Her Alibi" and "Arizona Dream." Additionally, she served as a judge on "America's Next Top Model" and participated in "Dancing with the Stars."

Financial Challenges and Net Worth: Porizkova faced financial challenges when her husband, Ric Ocasek, cut her out of his will upon his death in 2019. Despite this setback, she rebounded through her writing, acting, and industry contacts. Her net worth, estimated at $12 million in 2023, reflects her resilience and ability to recover from financial setbacks.

Personal Life and Relationships: Porizkova holds dual citizenship (Swedish and U.S.) and was married to Ric Ocasek, lead singer of "The Cars." They had two sons, and their separation in 2018 led to a legal dispute over Ocasek's estate. After his death in 2019, Porizkova briefly dated screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.

Career Achievements: Paulina Porizkova achieved significant milestones in her career, such as being named the most beautiful woman by Harper's Bazaar in 1992 and securing a lucrative Estée Lauder contract in 1988. She was recognized as the top professional model in Paris during the early 1980s.

Financial Recovery and Investments: Porizkova's financial recovery involved selling the NYC townhouse she shared with her husband and settling a dispute over his estate. She purchased an upstate New York apartment for a fresh start in 2021.

Quotes and Lessons: Porizkova's quotes reflect her perspective on beauty, career choices, and financial awareness. Her journey imparts lessons such as being grateful for the present, embracing conscious joy, and recognizing the wisdom that comes with age.

In conclusion, Paulina Porizkova's multifaceted career, financial resilience, and personal challenges contribute to her compelling story as a successful model, actress, and writer.

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