Bo Derek Net Worth

Bo Derek, an American actress, model, and entrepreneur, has an estimated net worth of $40 million. Best remembered for her breakthrough role in the 1979 hit film 10, Derek became an international sex symbol, thanks to an iconic beach scene that would define her career. With over four decades in film, television, publishing, and business, Bo has remained a consistent figure in American pop culture.

Bo Derek Net Worth: $40 Million
Date of Birth: November 20, 1956
Place of Birth: Long Beach, California
Nationality: American

Table of Contents

Early Life

Bo Derek was born Mary Cathleen Collins on November 20, 1956, in Long Beach, California. Raised by her mother Norma, a makeup artist and hairdresser, and father Paul, a Hobie Cat executive, Bo grew up alongside two younger sisters and a brother. After her parents’ divorce, her mother married stuntman Bobby Bass.

She attended Narbonne High School and George S. Patton Continuation School, but left school at 16 to film Fantasies in Greece, a project directed by John Derek, who was then married to actress Linda Evans. Their controversial relationship, marked by a 30-year age difference, eventually led them to move to Germany to avoid statutory laws in the U.S. Bo and John later returned to California, and she legally adopted the name Bo Derek upon their marriage in 1976.

Career

Bo’s film debut came with Fantasies (filmed in the early ‘70s but released in 1981), but her real breakthrough was Blake Edwards’ comedy 10 in 1979, where she played the dream girl Jenny Hanley opposite Dudley Moore. Her appearance in a flesh-colored swimsuit and cornrow braids became one of the most famous cinematic moments of the era. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and launched her into international stardom.

Following the success of 10, Bo starred in a string of films directed by her husband, including A Change of Seasons (1980), Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981), Bolero (1984), and Ghosts Can’t Do It (1989). While many of these were critically panned, they were financially rewarding—Derek reportedly earned $1 million for Tarzan and $1.5 million for Bolero.

Outside of film, Bo posed for Playboy multiple times between 1980 and 1994, cementing her image as a cultural icon of the 1980s.

Her later career included roles in films such as Tommy Boy (1995), The Master of Disguise (2002), Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003), and TV appearances in Fashion House (2006), Sharknado 3 (2015), and The Last Sharknado (2018).

Entrepreneurship and Publishing

In 2002, Bo released her memoir, Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses, reflecting on her life, career, and passion for animals. In 2020, she was the subject of a biographical documentary titled Bo Derek: In My Own Words, aired on Reelz.

Bo is also the founder of Bo Derek Pet Care, a company offering shampoos and grooming products for dogs. A portion of the proceeds supports nonprofit organizations focused on retired military canines.

Personal Life

Bo remained married to John Derek until his death in 1998. Though they never had children together, she became stepmother to his sons, Russell and Sean. In a 2020 interview, she reflected on the impact of their relationship and the pain of being involved in breaking up his previous marriage.

Since 2002, she has been in a relationship with actor John Corbett, known for Sex and the City and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The couple married quietly and now reside on a ranch in Santa Ynez, California, surrounded by dogs and horses.

Advocacy and Honors

Bo Derek has long been involved in animal welfare. A dedicated equestrian, she is a board member of the California Horse Racing Board and has been a vocal advocate for ending horse slaughter in the U.S. She has also worked as a WildAid ambassador and served as an honorary chairperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Rehabilitation Special Events.

In 2001, she was named an honorary Green Beret by the Special Forces Association, and in 2006, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to the board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2018, she received the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Humane Award for her dedication to animal causes.

Real Estate

Bo’s wealth has also been reflected in her real estate ventures. In 1999, she sold her Santa Ynez ranch to actor Noah Wyle for nearly $2.5 million. In 2017, she and Corbett purchased a 10.5-acre ranch in the same area, featuring a luxurious 4,332-square-foot home with five bedrooms and five bathrooms.