Taraji P Henson a name that means power, talent and resilience in the entertainment industry has made a big impact in Hollywood. With a career spanning over 20 years Taraji P Henson’s net worth is a reflection of her hard work and dedication to her craft. As of 2024 her net worth is estimated to be around $25 million a testament to her successful ventures in acting, singing and writing. From her breakout role in “Baby Boy” to her award winning performance in “Empire” Henson has proven herself to be a versatile actress. Her financial journey is not just about the numbers but about the story of a woman who beat the odds to be great in an industry known for being tough.
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Henson’s wealth isn’t just from her acting roles; it’s a diversified portfolio of assets and investments. Beyond the screen she has written a best selling memoir “Around the Way Girl” which added to her wealth and expanded her reach. She’s also an entrepreneur who has invested in several business ventures including a haircare line that celebrates the beauty of African American women. Henson’s story is a great example of how talent plus smart financial decisions can equal big wealth. Her journey teaches us about resilience, adaptability and the importance of having multiple income streams to build wealth that lasts.
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What is Taraji P Henson's Net Worth
As of 2024 Taraji P Henson’s net worth is $25 million. This is a result of her long career in the entertainment industry where she has worked as an actress, singer, and author. Her wealth isn’t just from her on screen roles but from other ventures as well. Her journey to this milestone is marked by many successful projects, smart investments and hard work. Known for her powerful performances in films like “Hustle & Flow” and the hit TV show “Empire” she has gotten critical acclaim and financial rewards. Her diverse career choices from voice acting, endorsements, to entrepreneurial endeavors have all contributed to her net worth. Every asset she owns or project she does is a testament to her multi talented self and business mind making her one of the most respected and financially successful actress in Hollywood.
Real Estate
Taraji P Henson has invested in real estate which is a big chunk of her net worth. Her primary residence is a luxurious home in the Hollywood Hills an area known for its wealthy residents and beautiful views. The property was purchased for several million dollars and has modern architecture, spacious living areas and high end amenities. It’s a reflection of Henson’s love for elegance and comfort, a peaceful haven away from the chaos of her professional life.
She also has other properties, a vacation home. These real estate investments are not just personal luxuries but smart financial moves. Properties in prime areas like Hollywood Hills appreciates over time and adds value to her net worth. Plus her properties can generate rental income and diversify her income streams.
Business Ventures
Besides her real estate, Henson has diversified her wealth through other business ventures. One of her notable ventures is her haircare line TPH by Taraji which has been well received in the market. This line is focused on hair care products for African American women, a gap in the beauty industry and resonates with a wide audience. TPH by Taraji has added to her financial portfolio and solidified her as a businesswoman. She has also co-authored a memoir “Around the Way Girl” which became a bestseller.
The book added another revenue stream and showed off her talent beyond acting. She has also been involved in several endorsement deals with big brands which has increased her income. These endorsements leverages her popularity and reach and gives her lucrative contracts that adds to her wealth. Each of these ventures is a testament to Henson’s ability to monetize her fame and expertise and have a steady and diversified income stream.
Net Worth By Year
Taraji P Henson’s net worth has grown significantly over the years and it’s all due to her hard work and smart financial moves. She started from scratch and her wealth has increased as she took on bigger roles and diversified her income streams. In the early days of her career her net worth was low because of the limited scope of her roles and the struggle to break into Hollywood. But with breakout roles in “Baby Boy” and “Hustle & Flow” her earning potential started to rise. The real game changer was her role in the hit TV show “Empire” which brought her critical acclaim and a fat salary increase. Add to that her entrepreneurial ventures and endorsement deals and her net worth has been on the rise. Below is the growth of her net worth over the past decade and the key milestones that contributed to her wealth.
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $25 million |
| 2023 | $24 million |
| 2022 | $23 million |
| 2021 | $22 million |
| 2020 | $20 million |
| 2019 | $18 million |
| 2018 | $15 million |
| 2017 | $12 million |
| 2016 | $10 million |
| 2015 | $7 million |
| 2014 | $5 million |
The growth of Taraji P Henson’s net worth over the years shows her career progression and growing wealth. In the early 2010s her net worth was around $5 million which was a decent amount but still relatively low compared to what she would earn later. The release of “Empire” in 2015 was a big jump, her net worth was $7 million by the end of that year. This was due to her salary from the show which increased significantly as the show got popular. Her financial smarts also played a role as she started investing in real estate and launching her haircare line TPH by Taraji.
Each year after that was an increment, with big jumps in 2016 and 2018 when her net worth was $10 million and $15 million respectively. These milestones were due to a combination of acting roles, endorsements and business ventures. The period 2019-2024 shows a steady but slower growth, it’s because she’s still relevant in the industry and smart with her finances. This consistent growth proves that Henson can turn her talent and celebrity into long term wealth.
Early Life of Taraji P Henson
Taraji Penda Henson was born September 11, 1970 in Washington D.C. to Bernice Gordon, a corporate manager and Boris Lawrence Henson, a janitor and metal fabricator. Her childhood was a mix of discipline and creativity, instilled in her by her parents who worked hard to provide for their family. Growing up Henson was influenced by her grandmother who was a big part of her life and would tell her to go for her dreams. Despite financial struggles her family prioritized education and the arts and she developed a love for performing at a young age. She attended Oxon Hill High School in Maryland where she was a good student and did school plays and showed her early talent and love for acting.
Henson’s road to stardom wasn’t easy. After high school she attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to study electrical engineering. But her love for the arts couldn’t be contained and she transferred to Howard University to study theater arts. While at Howard she worked multiple jobs including a secretary at The Pentagon and a singing-dancing waitress on a cruise ship to support herself and her infant son Marcell who she had in 1994. Her determination and resilience during those early years would serve as the foundation for her future success. She graduated with honors in 1995 and moved to Los Angeles with $700 to her name to pursue her dream of acting a decision that would eventually make her one of Hollywood’s most respected and loved actresses.
Taraji P Henson's Career
Taraji P Henson’s career is a proof of her range and her dedication to greatness in the entertainment industry. She started her professional journey in the late 90s with small roles on TV shows like “Smart Guy” and “ER”. But her breakout role came in 2001 with the film “Baby Boy” where she starred alongside Tyrese Gibson. Henson’s performance as Yvette, a single mom navigating life and love, got her critical acclaim and made her a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. This role opened up more doors for her, including a supporting role in the Oscar winning film “Hustle & Flow” (2005) where she also sang the film’s hit single “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp”.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Henson’s rise to fame continued with a string of great performances. In 2008 she starred in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” alongside Brad Pitt and got an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queenie. This cemented her status as a top actress who could deliver big performances. The next few years she took on different roles in films like “Date Night” (2010), “Think Like a Man” (2012), “Think Like a Man Too” (2014). Her range was further showcased in the critically acclaimed film “Hidden Figures” (2016) where she played mathematician Katherine Johnson, a role that got her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and more.
Empire and Beyond
One of the biggest highlights of Henson’s career was the TV series “Empire” which premiered in 2015. Her performance as Cookie Lyon, a fierce and unapologetic matriarch, became a TV icon. The role got her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama and several Emmy nominations. “Empire” not only made her a household name but also increased her earning potential and made her one of the highest paid actresses on TV at the time. Beyond “Empire” she continued to branch out with roles in films like “Proud Mary” (2018) and “What Men Want” (2019) where she proved she could lead in both action and comedy.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Along with her acting career, Henson is a smart entrepreneur. She launched her haircare line TPH by Taraji which has been well received and praised for its focus on African American hair. She also co-authored a memoir “Around the Way Girl” which became a bestseller and gave a peek into her life and career. Henson’s entrepreneurial spirit and ability to connect with her audience has kept her relevant and financially successful in the industry. Her career is a blueprint for many, proving with talent, hard work and smart choices you can be successful in Hollywood for the long haul.
Early Life
Taraji P Henson’s life is just as colorful as her career. Born and raised in Washington D.C. she’s a proud mom to her son Marcell Johnson born 1994. Marcell’s dad her high school sweetheart was murdered in 2003 leaving her to raise Marcell as a single mom. Despite the challenges she’s always said family is first and often shares her mom life experiences highlighting the joys and struggles she’s faced. She’s very close to Marcell and often brags about his accomplishments and their strong connection.
She also has a strong connection to her roots and community. She’s been open about her own struggles with mental health and has used her platform to raise awareness for mental health especially in the African American community. In 2018 she launched the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation named after her father to provide mental health support to African Americans. She’s also been involved in several philanthropic efforts education and women’s rights. Her love life has been in the news too. She was engaged to former NFL player Kelvin Hayden but they announced their split in 2020. Despite the ups and downs she’s a beloved figure who continues to inspire with her strength, advocacy and her unwavering love for her family and community.
Award, Nomination & Decoration
Taraji P Henson has won numerous awards, nominations and accolades throughout her career. Her journey in Hollywood has been met with critical acclaim and recognition from the biggest names in the industry.
Henson’s big break came with “Hustle & Flow” (2005) where she received critical acclaim and a BET Award for Best Actress. But it was her role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008) that put her on the map, earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She also received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Her Queenie in the film proved she could go deep emotionally and solidified her as a Hollywood heavyweight.
As Cookie Lyon on the TV series “Empire” she got major recognition and awards. Henson won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a TV Series Drama in 2016 and multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She also won several NAACP Image Awards and solidified herself as a lead actress on TV. In addition to that, her performance in “Hidden Figures” (2016) as mathematician Katherine Johnson earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and nominations from the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.
In addition to her acting awards, Henson has been recognized for her influence and impact in the industry. In 2019 she got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a nod to her legacy in Hollywood. She also got the MTV Trailblazer Award in 2017 for being a game changer. Her memoir “Around the Way Girl” became a New York Times bestseller and added to her list of accomplishments. Her entrepreneurial ventures like her haircare line TPH by Taraji have extended her reach beyond acting.
All her awards and nominations prove she’s a chameleon, talented and timeless. Each one is a milestone in her career and a reminder of her work in film, TV and beyond. She’s an inspiration to all the aspiring actors and a testament to her Hollywood journey.
Controversies
Taraji P Henson like many other celebs has not been immune to controversy throughout her career. She’s loved and respected but there have been a few instances that have caused public debate and media attention.
One of those was in 2015 when Henson claimed her son Marcell was racially profiled by the police. She initially said Marcell was pulled over and mistreated because of his race. This caused a big media frenzy and public outcry over racial profiling and police treatment of African-Americans. But after a police dashcam video was released that contradicted her story Henson publicly apologized for her comments and praised the officers for being professional. This whole situation highlights the complexity of race relations in America and the challenges faced by African-Americans.
Then in 2019 Henson compared the public reaction to R. Kelly (who was accused of sexual abuse) to Harvey Weinstein. On social media she said the reactions to the two were racist. Many called her out for being insensitive and downplaying the experiences of the survivors. She later clarified her comments saying she in no way condones what either of them did but was pointing out the difference in public and media response based on race.
Despite all this she’s still a big deal in Hollywood. She’s used her platform to speak on social issues and mental health awareness especially in the African-American community. She’s been able to weather all these controversies and still be in her career and still do good work. She’s a warrior.
