How Melissa Rivers Achieved a Net Worth of $100 Million

May 2024 · 6 minute read

Melissa Rivers is among the most accomplished TV personalities and actresses in the US, having dozens of awards and achievements. She also features among the richest, with an estimated net worth of $100 million as of 2023. Most of her wealth came from her success on TV and the inheritance from Joan Rivers, her mother. Here is everything about Melissa Rivers and how she made her money.

Who Is Melissa Rivers?

Melissa Rivers is a mother, a wife, a daughter, and an all-around female American entertainer. Her role on TV varies from being a host, actress, or producer handling different programs, some of which have won awards. She’s 55 and the only child of Joan Rivers, the late legendary comedian, and producer Edgar Rosenberg.

While young, Melissa started writing and producing her mother’s talk show, “The Joan Rivers Show.” It was her role here that she began her career. Eventually, the talk show secured her an Emmy award and opened doors to even more profitable opportunities.

It was not long before Melissa Rivers became a producer and the co-host of “Fashion Police,” a popular E! Network program with her mother. Melissa’s humor and the mother-daughter the two shared made the show immensely popular, making them a household name.

Melissa Rivers is also an author with several books already published. Her appearance in films like “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “Joy” contributed significantly to her popularity and wealth. Other outstanding roles include working as a philanthropist and for charities like the American Heart Association.

What’s Melissa Rivers Net Worth?

As of 2023, Melissa Rivers net worth is $100 million. According to recent interviews, she wouldn’t be this wealthy without persistence and determination to improve herself. She worked as a TV personality and actress with several achievements and accomplishments in the entertainment industry.

Melissa also received her inheritance at the end of October 2014. The inheritance guaranteed her over $100 million from her late mother’s assets. They included a cash remuneration of $75 million estate and an additional $35 million for Joan River’s New York property.

How Did Melissa Rivers Make Her Money?

Over the years, Melissa Rivers dedicated her time and effort to building a profitable career for herself. A significant percentage of her wealth came from her career on TV. She appeared in several programs and worked as a red-carpet interviewer for E! Network.

Melissa Rivers has also invested in real estate significantly. Her first profit in real estate was in 1998, when she bought a property in LA for $2.35 million and sold it a decade later for $5.223 million. She also sold her mother’s New York City penthouse in July 2015 for $28 million. Melissa also bought and sold properties in Santa Monica, California, and the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

Although her mother’s death was unfortunate, it boosted Melissa Rivers net worth. She received a multi-million inheritance from her mother’s properties and assets. She also filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the New York clinic, Yorkville Endoscopy, for her mother's death in 2014. The claim got settled in 2016, but the agreement remained confidential.

The Early Life of Melissa Rivers

Melissa’s birthday is January 20th, 1968. She’s the only child of two popular entertainers who dominated the US screens for a long time, Edgar Rosenberg and Joan Rivers. The first school to attend was the John Thomas Dye School and the Marlborough School before they moved to LA, where she studied at the Buckley School.

Melissa graduated in 1989 with a history degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, her father took his own life when she was in her second year of college. Then, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, “Rivers,” as her stage name.

Breaking Down Melissa River’s Career

Melissa’s career in TV started when she worked as a writer and a producer on her mother’s talk show. After graduating, her acting career launched in 1990 by appearing on several popular TV series. These films include Beverly Hill, 90210, The Comeback, and Silk Stalkings. Melissa Rivers also worked with her mother on shows like “Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story,” the 1994 celebrity docudrama.

In the early 90s, Melissa worked as a producer and presenter for E! Network. She hosted two programs, “Melissa’s Guide to Pregnancy and Oh, my! Oh, Toddler!” Melissa Rivers also appeared on the red carpet interviewing other celebrities for national broadcasts.

Joan Rivers, Melissa’s mum played a significant role in nurturing her daughter to master and dominate the American entertainment industry. In 2003, the two left their job as red-carpet interview hosts and proceeded to work for the TV Guide Channel. This move was valued at $6 and $8 million as the broadcasting company funded Joan’s YouTube web series, "In Bed with Joan.”

The YouTube web series allowed Joan Rivers to conduct celebrity interviews and intimate conversations without leaving her bed. In the final minutes of each interview, she’d let Melissa pose some questions to the celebrities, earning her some credit in the industry.

Melissa Rivers work goes past movies and TV. She’s a passionate human and animal rights supporter and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Is Melissa Rivers Married?

Melissa Rivers is currently in a relationship with Mark Rousso since 2015, a talent agent. Her first marriage was in December 1988 to a horse trainer, John Endicott. They hosted a three million dollar wedding ceremony in New York City’s Plaza Hotel. The couple had one child in 2000, Edgar Cooper Endicott, before divorcing.

The Melissa Rivers and John Endicott divorce was finalized in 2003. Several years later, Melissa started dating accomplished Jason Zimmerman. Their relationship lasted from 2008 to 2011.

How Tall Is Melissa Rivers?

Few entertainers can compare to the looks Melissa Rivers serves on camera and on the red carpet. She stands 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and weighs 128 pounds (58kg). It’d help to understand that Melissa has always been health and fitness conscious, following a strict diet and exercise routine to keep in good shape.

Her dedication to fitness also serves as an inspiration to millions of her fans struggling with weight. Melissa keeps fit to maintain her figure and improve her well-being and health. The practices help her cope with the stress of her high-pressure career.

Melissa Rivers is a role model to many daughters, mothers, and female entertainers looking to penetrate the industry. There is much to learn from how she made her wealth and grew her career with her mother’s help.

What’s the Nationality of Melissa Rivers?

Melissa Rivers is an American. She was born and raised by American parents, Joan Rivers and Edgar Rosenberg in New York. Her nationality is a big part of her life as she often speaks about her love for America.

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