Let’s talk about Anne Baxter. You know her as the scheming Eve Harrington in All About Eve. But have you ever wondered what her bank account looked like when she took her final bow? It’s a juicier story than you might think.
This isn’t a dry lecture. It’s a gossip session with a dead movie star. So grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into the green stuff.
The Big Number: How Much Did She Leave Behind?
At the time of her death in 1985, Anne Baxter’s net worth was estimated at $5 million. That’s about $14 million in today’s money. Not bad for a woman who started acting at age 11.
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She didn't die broke like some old Hollywood tragedies. She died comfortably. Think of it as the “Eve Harrington Retirement Fund.”
The funny part? She earned that money before the era of billion-dollar blockbusters. She did it the old-fashioned way: by stealing scenes and winning an Oscar.
Where Did the Cash Come From?
First, there was her voice. She narrated the iconic TV show Airport and countless documentaries. That paid bills.
Then came the TV gigs. In the 1970s, she played the matriarch on Hotel. It was a hit, and she got paid per episode. That’s called “prime-time money.”
And don’t forget the royalties. All About Eve is a classic that never dies. Every time it plays on TCM, a little check lands in her estate. It’s the ultimate “I told you so” from beyond the grave.
Anne Baxter Was Hollywood’s Fiercest Fighter
The Quirky Part: She Didn’t Want to Be Rich
Here’s the twist: Anne Baxter hated talking about money. She thought it was vulgar. Imagine that! A Hollywood star who found the subject tacky.
She once said, “I never wanted to be a millionaire. I just wanted to have enough to buy a good pair of shoes.” She owned a lot of shoes.
Her spending habits were weirdly modest. She drove a sensible car. She lived in a ranch house in California. No Bel-Air mansion for this lady.
She Also Had a Secret Side Hustle
Anne Baxter raised Angora rabbits. Seriously. She bred them for their fluffy wool. She sold the yarn to knitwear companies.
That rabbit business? It reportedly made her $50,000 a year at its peak. That’s farming, Hollywood-style. She even named her rabbits after her co-stars. One was called “Bette.” We’re not joking.
Actress Ann Baxter 60 Photos - Moonagedaydream.film
So part of her net worth came from bunnies. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s totally Anne.
What She Spent Her Money On
First, education. She paid for her daughter’s college tuition. All of it. No student loans in that household.
Second, travel. She loved cruising the Greek islands. She treated her friends to trips. One summer, she rented a yacht and called it the Eve Harrington.
Third, her cats. She owned six Persian cats and spoiled them rotten. They ate caviar. No joke. It’s in her biography.
The Tax Man Cometh, Even for Stars
Here’s a sobering fact: Hollywood accounting ate a chunk of her fortune. She invested poorly in the 1960s. A studio swindled her out of $200,000.
She learned her lesson. By the 1980s, she had a smart accountant named Mr. Goldman. He invested in bonds and blue-chip stocks. It worked.
What Is Anne Baxter Net Worth? Full Biography 2024 - Explore Net Worth
She died with no debt. That’s rarer than you’d think for a movie star. She was financially savvy in the end.
The Fun Comparison: Her vs. Other Stars
For context, Bette Davis was worth $2 million when she died. Anne Baxter had more cash than the woman she famously fought on screen. Poetic, right?
Marilyn Monroe had about $800,000. Anne left Marilyn in the dust. But then again, Marilyn’s spending habits involved... well, different categories.
Anne Baxter was the quiet millionaire. She didn’t flaunt it. She just let her bank account do the talking.
What She Left Her Family
Her daughter, Katrina, inherited the bulk of the estate. That included the house, the rabbits, and the rights to all of Anne’s performances.
Anne Baxter Net Worth - Wiki, Age, Weight and Height, Relationships
But there’s a cute detail: Anne also left $50,000 to her housekeeper. The woman had worked for her for 25 years. Classy move.
She also donated $200,000 to the Actors’ Fund. She never forgot struggling performers. It’s a legacy that outlives the money.
So, Why Should You Care?
Because Anne Baxter’s net worth is a fun time capsule. It shows how a working actress could thrive before the age of social media influencers.
It’s also a cautionary tale about humility. She didn’t blow it all on yachts. She bought Angora rabbits.
And honestly? It’s just fun to imagine Bette Davis’s face when she heard Anne Baxter died richer than her. That’s the real payoff.
So next time you watch All About Eve, remember: Eve Harrington got the last laugh. And she took a nice, fluffy rabbit with her.