Introduction
Julie Andrews is an English actress, singer and author who has a net worth of $45 million. She is best known for her iconic roles in movies like Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Andrews has had an illustrious career spanning over six decades.
Early Life and Education
Julie Andrews was born as Julia Elizabeth Wells on October 1, 1935 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. Her mother was a pianist and her stepfather was a woodwork teacher. Andrews displayed a remarkable singing talent from a young age. She took singing lessons with an English concert pianist and later studied under a Russian singing coach. Andrews made her professional solo debut in 1947 at the London Hippodrome singing the difficult aria “Je Suis Titania” from Mignon.
Andrews attended the Cone-Ripman School in London. In 1950, at age 14, she was offered a spot on the BBC radio show RadiOlympia Showtime. This kickstarted her radio career during which she performed on programs like Monday Night at Eight.
Career Beginnings
Julie Andrews began her career on stage, appearing in a number of popular West End productions. She made her Broadway debut in 1954 in the musical The Boy Friend. In 1956, Andrews starred in the premiere of the musical My Fair Lady playing Eliza Doolittle. Her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination.
Her big break came in 1964 when Andrews was cast in the titular role in Disney’s Mary Poppins. Her remarkable performance as the magical nanny earned Andrews an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actress. She gained further acclaim for The Sound of Music (1965), playing Maria von Trapp. The song “A Spoonful of Sugar” became one of her signature tunes.
Continued Success in Film, Television and Theatre
Following the tremendous success of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, Andrews starred in films like Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), Victor Victoria (1982) and The Princess Diaries (2001). On television, she headlined variety shows including The Julie Andrews Hour (1972-73) for which she won an Emmy. She also earned Emmy nominations for Julie and Carol at Lincoln Center (1971) and Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas (1987).
Andrews continued performing on Broadway and the West End over the decades. She received Tony nominations for My Fair Lady, Camelot and Victor/Victoria. In 1996, she made her debut as a theatre director reviving the musical King David.
In 2000, Andrews was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the performing arts. In 2001, she was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.
Vocal Issues and Shift to Writing
In 1997, Andrews underwent surgery to remove non-cancerous nodules from her throat which permanently damaged her singing voice. Though unable to sing as before, Andrews shifted focus to writing children’s books, including the The Very Fairy Princess series illustrated by her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. She has also penned two autobiographies – Home: A Memoir of My Early Years (2008) and Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years (2019).
Personal Life
Julie Andrews has been married twice. Her first marriage was to set designer Tony Walton from 1959 to 1967; they have one daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. In 1969, Andrews married director Blake Edwards. They adopted two daughters, Amy in 1974 and Joanna in 1975. Andrews and Edwards remained married until his death in 2010.
Andrews is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. She has supported various charitable organizations over the years including Operation USA, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Julie Andrews Net Worth
As of 2023, Julie Andrews’ net worth stands at an estimated $45 million. She amassed her wealth through her successful career across film, television, theatre and books. Some of her best known film roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music have become cinematic classics, cementing her legacy as an acclaimed actress. Even in her later years, Andrews continues to take on select acting roles while also writing books for children. With a career spanning over 60 years, Julie Andrews is considered a show business legend.
Conclusion
With her magical film roles, iconic songs and award-winning performances, Julie Andrews has rightfully earned her place as a beloved pop culture icon. Andrews overcame setbacks like losing her singing voice to reinvent herself as an author and continue inspiring generations of fans. Her net worth of $45 million is a testament to her enduring and successful career in the entertainment industry.
