Rooney Mara Net Worth

Rooney Mara, the acclaimed American actress known for her quiet intensity and sharp performances, has built a net worth of $20 million. Best recognized for her Oscar-nominated role as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), Mara has become one of Hollywood’s most compelling talents, choosing roles that are as nuanced as they are powerful.

Her rise to fame began with smaller parts in films like Urban Legends: Bloody Mary and A Nightmare on Elm Street, but her breakout came with her short yet impactful performance in The Social Network (2010). This opened the door to more transformative work, including the gritty lead in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a performance that earned her widespread acclaim and her first Academy Award nomination.

Mara continued her climb with celebrated roles in Her (2013), Carol (2015)—which brought her a second Oscar nomination—and Lion (2016). She also starred in Mary Magdalene (2018), Nightmare Alley (2021), and numerous other critically acclaimed projects. Her performances are often described as introspective and layered, reflecting her deep dedication to the craft.

Rooney Mara Net Worth: $20 Million
Date of Birth: April 17, 1985
Place of Birth: Bedford, New York
Nationality: American

Table of Contents

Early Life

Born Patricia Rooney Mara on April 17, 1985, in Bedford, New York, Rooney grew up in a family of four children. She attended Fox Lane High School and later studied psychology, social policy, and nonprofit management at NYU’s Gallatin School, graduating in 2010. Inspired by her older sister, actress Kate Mara, Rooney eventually ventured into acting, participating in student films before auditioning for professional roles at 19.

Career

After a series of TV roles and indie films, Mara caught public attention in David Fincher’s The Social Network. Her commanding presence in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo not only solidified her stardom but reportedly earned her a significant paycheck. The film grossed over $232 million globally. She followed this with roles in Carol, Side Effects, Pan, Song to Song, and A Ghost Story.

In addition to acting, Mara has explored producing and voice acting. She lent her voice to Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) and produced several passion projects. While her precise salaries for many films have not been publicly disclosed, her long-standing collaborations with top-tier directors suggest she commands high compensation for her work.

Personal Life

Rooney Mara has been in a long-term relationship with fellow actor Joaquin Phoenix since 2016. The couple, who met during the filming of Her, now shares two children—born in 2020 and 2024 respectively. They live a relatively private life in Hollywood Hills.

In real estate, Mara made headlines for listing her Los Feliz home for $3.8 million in 2017 after purchasing it for $2.9 million two years earlier. The mid-century home was ultimately sold to Kelly Osbourne for $3.575 million in 2018.

Family Wealth

Mara’s personal wealth is just a part of a much larger legacy. She is an heiress to two legendary NFL dynasties: the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers. On her father’s side, the Mara family has owned the Giants since 1925, with her uncle John Mara serving as co-owner and CEO. Her father, Timothy Christopher Mara, is the team’s senior VP of player personnel.

On her mother’s side, she descends from the Rooney family, who founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. Her grandfather Dan Rooney was a revered NFL executive and former U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Today, the team remains under the stewardship of Art Rooney II, her maternal uncle.

With deep roots in two of the NFL’s most valuable franchises and numerous relatives in leadership positions, the combined wealth of the Rooney-Mara family is estimated in the billions. Rooney and her sister Kate Mara represent a rare bridge between Hollywood and American sports royalty.

Entrepreneurship

Outside acting, Rooney is the founder of Hiraeth, a vegan clothing brand she launched in 2018 alongside Sara Schloat and Chrys Wong. The brand offers ethically made shoes, accessories, and fashion that align with her personal values—Mara has been a vocal animal rights advocate and is known for living a vegan lifestyle.

She also supports the Uweza Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers youth in Kenya through education and economic opportunities.