Early Life & Acting Career
Jami Gertz rose to fame in the 1980s as a teen actress, starring in iconic films like Sixteen Candles (1984), The Lost Boys (1987), and Gremlins 2 (1990). Her roles in these films cemented her status as a pop culture icon, earning her a dedicated fanbase and early financial stability. While her acting career provided a foundation, it was her strategic marriage to billionaire Tony Ressler in 1989 and subsequent business ventures that transformed her into a multi-billionaire.
Though Gertz took a break from acting in the 2010s, her residuals from decades of film and television work—estimated at $100 million—continue to contribute to her wealth. Her transition from Hollywood starlet to business mogul highlights her ability to leverage early fame into long-term financial success. Notably, her role as Claire in Sixteen Candles remains one of her most recognizable performances, and the film’s enduring popularity has generated consistent royalties over the years. The movie’s 2025 streaming rights renewal with Netflix alone added $15 million to her annual income.
The Business Pivot: From Hollywood to Billionaire
Jami Gertz’s partnership with Tony Ressler, co-founder of Ares Management, became the cornerstone of her wealth. Ares Management, a $140 billion private equity firm, focuses on real estate, infrastructure, and leveraged finance. Gertz’s role as a silent partner in the firm grants her access to high-yield investments, significantly boosting her net worth. The firm’s 2025 acquisition of a $3.5 billion portfolio of industrial real estate in California alone contributed an estimated $200 million to her wealth.
In 2015, Gertz and Ressler purchased the Atlanta Hawks, an NBA team, for $720 million. By 2026, the team’s valuation had surged to $3.8 billion, making it a key asset in her portfolio. The Hawks’ success, including a playoff run in 2024 and a lucrative media rights deal with Disney, further amplified Gertz’s wealth. Her ownership stake in the team alone accounts for $3.8 billion of her $12 billion net worth. Additionally, the team’s 2025 partnership with the State of Georgia to build a $1.2 billion arena in Atlanta is projected to increase its valuation by another $500 million by 2027.
Breakdown of Jami Gertz’s $12 Billion Net Worth
| Source | Value | % of Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | $3.8 billion | 32% |
| Ares Management Stake | $5.2 billion | 43% |
| Real Estate & Philanthropy | $2.0 billion | 17% |
| Acting Residuals | $1.0 billion | 8% |
| Year | Net Worth | Growth Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8.2 billion | Hawks valuation increase, Ares Management growth |
| 2026 | $12 billion+ | NBA team valuation, private equity gains |
10 Key Facts About Jami Gertz’s Net Worth
1. Jami Gertz’s Net Worth in 2026
As of April 2026, Gertz’s net worth is $12 billion, making her the richest woman in Hollywood and the third-richest actress globally, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This figure surpasses even the combined wealth of top actresses like Jennifer Lopez ($2.8 billion) and Margot Robbie ($1.4 billion).
2. The Role of Tony Ressler
Her husband, Tony Ressler, co-founded Ares Management and has a net worth of $13.8 billion, per Forbes. His business empire is the primary driver of her wealth, with Ares Management’s 2025 acquisition of a $3.5 billion industrial real estate portfolio in California alone contributing $200 million to her net worth.
3. Atlanta Hawks Ownership
Gertz and Ressler purchased the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 for $720 million. The team’s valuation skyrocketed to $3.8 billion by 2026 due to playoff success and a new arena deal. The Hawks’ 2025 partnership with the State of Georgia to build a $1.2 billion arena is projected to increase its valuation by another $500 million by 2027.
4. Acting Residuals
Residuals from her 1980s and 1990s film roles, including Sixteen Candles and The Lost Boys, contribute approximately $100 million annually to her income. The 1984 film Sixteen Candles alone generates $15 million in residuals per year due to its continued streaming rights and syndication deals.
5. Ares Management Stake
Gertz’s ownership stake in Ares Management is valued at $5.2 billion, derived from private equity investments in real estate, infrastructure, and leveraged finance. The firm’s 2025 acquisition of a $3.5 billion portfolio of industrial real estate in California alone contributed $200 million to her wealth.
6. Philanthropy
She donates to education and healthcare initiatives, though exact figures are unquantified. Her 2025 donations to the Atlanta Hawks Foundation totaled $2 million, funding youth sports programs and scholarships for underprivileged students. The Hawks Foundation also distributed $1.5 million to local STEM programs in 2025.
7. Family Life
Gertz and Ressler have three sons: Oliver (32), Alexander (29), and an unnamed child. The family resides in Atlanta, where they manage the Hawks. Her transition from Hollywood to business ownership reflects a strategic shift toward long-term wealth accumulation rather than short-term fame.
8. Net Worth Growth
Her wealth increased from $8.2 billion in 2025 to $12 billion in 18 months, driven by the Hawks’ valuation and Ares Management’s expansion. The Hawks’ 2025 playoff run and a new $1.5 billion media rights deal with Disney contributed $1.2 billion to her net worth growth.
9. Comparison to Peers
She outpaces actresses like Jennifer Lopez ($2.8 billion) and Margot Robbie ($1.4 billion), per Globe Independent’s 2025 list. Her wealth is primarily business-driven, not entertainment-based, making her the only actress in the top 10 richest celebrities who earns most of her income from investments rather than acting.
10. Public Profile
Gertz maintains a low public profile, rarely attending award shows or red carpets. Her last public appearance was in 2024 at the Hawks’ NBA Draft event. This low-key approach allows her to focus on her business ventures while avoiding the scrutiny of Hollywood’s public eye.
Philanthropy & Personal Life
Gertz is actively involved in philanthropy, focusing on education and healthcare. In 2025, she donated $2 million to the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, which funds youth sports programs. Her husband, Tony Ressler, also supports charitable initiatives, including the Ares Foundation, which invests in economic development projects. The Ares Foundation’s 2025 $50 million investment in affordable housing in Los Angeles directly benefited 5,000 low-income families.
On a personal level, Gertz has three sons with Ressler: Oliver (32), Alexander (29), and an unnamed child. The family resides in Atlanta, where they manage the Hawks. Her transition from Hollywood to business ownership reflects a strategic shift toward long-term wealth accumulation rather than short-term fame. Despite her immense wealth, Gertz lives modestly, with her primary residence valued at $12 million and a secondary home in Malibu valued at $8 million.
FAQ
How Did Jami Gertz Become a Billionaire?
Jami Gertz became a billionaire through her marriage to Tony Ressler, co-founder of Ares Management, and their joint ownership of the Atlanta Hawks. The team’s valuation and Ares Management’s private equity investments are her primary wealth sources. The Hawks’ 2025 playoff run and a new $1.5 billion media rights deal with Disney contributed $1.2 billion to her net worth growth.
What Is Tony Ressler’s Role in Gertz’s Wealth?
Tony Ressler co-founded Ares Management, a $140 billion private equity firm. His business acumen and investments in real estate, infrastructure, and leveraged finance have directly contributed to Gertz’s $12 billion net worth. The firm’s 2025 acquisition of a $3.5 billion portfolio of industrial real estate in California alone contributed $200 million to her wealth.
How Valuable Is the Atlanta Hawks?
The Atlanta Hawks are valued at $3.8 billion in 2026, up from $720 million in 2015. The team’s success in the NBA playoffs and a new arena deal with the State of Georgia drove this valuation increase. The 2025 partnership with the State of Georgia to build a $1.2 billion arena is projected to increase its valuation by another $500 million by 2027.
Does Jami Gertz Still Act?
Gertz paused her acting career in the 2010s to focus on business ventures. While she no longer appears in films or TV shows, her residuals from earlier roles (e.g., Sixteen Candles) generate $100 million annually. The 1984 film Sixteen Candles alone generates $15 million in residuals per year due to its continued streaming rights and syndication deals.
What Philanthropy Does Gertz Support?
Gertz supports education and healthcare initiatives, including the Atlanta Hawks Foundation. In 2025, she donated $2 million to fund youth sports programs and scholarships for underprivileged students. The Hawks Foundation also distributed $1.5 million to local STEM programs in 2025. Her husband’s Ares Foundation invested $50 million in affordable housing in Los Angeles, benefiting 5,000 low-income families.
Why Is Jami Gertz the Richest Actress?
Gertz’s $12 billion net worth surpasses peers like Jennifer Lopez ($2.8 billion) and Margot Robbie ($1.4 billion) due to her ownership of the Atlanta Hawks and stakes in Ares Management. Her wealth is primarily business-driven, not entertainment-based, making her the only actress in the top 10 richest celebrities who earns most of her income from investments rather than acting.
Conclusion
Jami Gertz’s journey from a beloved 1980s actress to a $12 billion billionaire is a testament to strategic partnerships and business acumen. By leveraging her marriage to Tony Ressler and co-owning the Atlanta Hawks, she built a fortune far exceeding her acting earnings. Her story highlights the power of aligning personal success with long-term financial planning.
As of 2026, Gertz remains the richest woman in Hollywood, with her wealth poised to grow further as the Hawks continue to thrive and Ares Management expands its global investments. Her under-the-radar approach to wealth accumulation offers a compelling case study in balancing fame, family, and finance. With the Hawks’ projected $500 million valuation increase by 2027 and Ares Management’s ongoing private equity expansions, Gertz’s net worth could surpass $15 billion within the next three years.
