As an actress, comedian, and singer, Bea Arthur was iconic in American popular culture. Her six-decade-long acting career saw her star in several classic films, TV programs, and stage performances, for which she received widespread praise and an enormous fan base. Bea Arthur’s humor, charm, and exquisite timing won over fans in her roles as diverse as Maude Findlay on “Maude” and Dorothy Zbornak on “The Golden Girls.” Many are curious about her wealth beyond her ability and charisma. In this post, we’ll examine Bea Arthur’s wealth by discussing her career, assets, and charitable giving. We will examine Bea Arthur influence on the entertainment business and mainstream society and the circumstances that led to her net worth.
Bea Arthur Net Worth
Bea Arthur had a long and successful career as an actress and comedian, during which she received widespread praise. A tribute to her extraordinary ability and perseverance, BeaArthur left behind an estimated $8 million net worth when she died in 2009. Bea’s most enduring legacies as an actress include her iconic turns in series like “Maude” and “The Golden Girls,” as well as her lauded stage work. Two Primetime Emmys and a Tony Among the numerous awards she has won throughout the years are and throughout the years. Because of her significant influence and long-lasting fame, Bea amassed a staggering fortune. Her influence in television and theatre will continue to be felt long after she has passed away.
Early Life
Bernice Frankle, later known as Bea Arthur, was born to Rebecca and Philip Frankel on May 13, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York. She moved to Cambridge, Maryland, with her family when she was 11. Her parents had opened a clothes company there. Unfortunately, she was born with the blood clotting condition Coagulopathy. She skipped two classes in an all-girls high school in the Amish neighborhood of Lititz, Pennsylvania, and graduated at 16.
After a short stint at Queens College, she enrolled in New York University to pursue a degree in theatre. Before her debut on Broadway in the early 1940s, Bea worked as a secretary and a waiter. Both “The Threepenny Opera” (1956) and “Mame” (1966) included her as a leading cast member. She drove trucks and sent NC for the Women’s Reserve of the US Marine Corps at Cherry Point during WWII. In 1947, she met Robert Alan Aurthur at the New School in New York City.
After she wed Arthur, she legally changed her surname to Arthur from Frankle and never looked back. She went on to marry Gene Saks, a theatre director.
Career
Before moving on to film, Arthur started as a stage actress with the Off-Broadway repertory group Cherry Lane Theatre, where she mostly had little parts. In 1966, Arthur’s husband Gene Saks was directing a Broadway production of “Mame.” Angela Lansbury played Mame, while Arthur played Vera Charles, her drunken closest friend. She was a perfect fit for the part and won a Tony for her portrayal.
In the 1970s, feminists like Gloria Steinem began to actively confront feminism, which led to a dramatic shift in women’s roles. In the comedy “Maude,” Arthur performed the role of Maude Findlay, who became a feminist icon. Mental illness, homosexual rights, and women’s emancipation were just a few of the weighty topics that Maude and her program tackled. In the groundbreaking 1972 two-part episode “Maude’s Dilemma,” Arthur became a household name after playing a middle-aged woman who finds out she’s pregnant and decides to get an abortion, which was legal in New York but not everywhere else in the United States. As a result, 65 million people saw the program despite being rejected by numerous network affiliates.
Arthur’s fame didn’t stop with her TV appearances. She was a longtime Democrat whose interests mainly lay in promoting equality for LGBT people and the rights of animals. She adored the LGBTQ community and donated a fortune to the Ali Forney Centre, which supports homeless LGBT teens in New York City.
Unfortunately, she passed away in 2009. Arthur was a trailblazer in the entertainment business throughout her career, opening doors for other women in her field.
Actual Property
Bea purchased a sprawling estate in the prestigious Brentwood region of Los Angeles in the 1970s but kept the price the same. The property had 7,000 square feet of living space and 3.7 acres. Then, around the middle of the 2000s, she decided to renovate the home from top to bottom. Her heirs rented the home after she passed away, charging interested parties between $30,000 and $60,000. The heirs decided to sell the estate in 2015 and listed it for $16 million. A few months later, they settled for $15 million, offered by married film producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall.
Lifestyle Issues
Bea Arthur, star of the hit TV show The Golden Girls, had a successful professional life but struggled privately. Arthur was a kind philanthropist and an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, but he also had a drinking problem and was notoriously difficult to get along with. She has four kids from her three marriages. Arthur was raised in a Jewish family in New York City by parents who had emigrated from Eastern Europe. Despite a generally positive upbringing, she was often expelled from school for her notorious defiance.
Arthur wed actor Robert Arthur for the first time in 1947. The couple, who had two children together, filed for divorce in 1950.
This is the same year that the pair were married. They married, had two children, then split up in 1978. After marrying actor Barrymore Lawford for the third and last time in 1988, Arthur and Lawford divorced barely two years later.
Despite her stardom, Arthur frequently seemed inebriated on stage due to her drinking. In fact, she had a DWI charge on her record back in 1977. However, Arthur eventually became an advocate for Alcoholics Anonymous and helped others struggling with addiction.
Arthur was also a friend of Harvey Milk, the first openly homosexual public official in the United States, and a strong advocate for LGBT rights. She publicly criticized the military’s policy of allowing openly homosexual and lesbian service members.
Bea Arthur, who had four children and six grandkids, died in 2009.
FAQs
Is it true that Bea Arthur drank excessively?
Bea Arthur did have a severe problem with alcohol. She gave the impression of being intoxicated on set and was arrested for DUI in 1977.
Did Bea Arthur have any pets?
Bea Arthur loved animals and had various dogs and cats as pets throughout her lifetime.
Did Bea Arthur participate in any volunteer work for a good cause?
Bea Arthur lived a life of philanthropy, giving to various causes. However, she had a soft spot for animal and LGBT rights groups.
Bottom Lines
Finally, Bea Arthur was a gifted and successful actress who made an unforgettable imprint on the film and television industries. She overcame several obstacles in her personal life to become professionally successful and financially independent. Her effect on the business will be felt for many years, and she will continue and be a significant creative force for years to come and fans. Many people are curious about how much net worth Bea Arthur has, but her incredible skill and artistic contributions put her in the Hall of Fame.
