Raquel Welch (née Tejada; September 5, 1940 – February 15, 2023) was an American actress who gained fame for her role in Fantastic Voyage (1966). She became an international sex symbol after her iconic appearance in One Million Years B.C. (1966), despite having only three lines.
Welch starred in films like Bedazzled (1967), The Three Musketeers (1973), and How to Be a Latin Lover (2017). She won a Golden Globe for The Three Musketeers and was ranked among the 100 Sexiest Stars by Empire and Playboy.
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Raquel Welch’s Net Worth
Raquel Welch had a net worth of $40 million. In 1997, she purchased a home in Beverly Hills for $2 million from comedian Jeff Foxworthy, later selling it in 2005 to Dr. Robert Rey for $4.5 million after extensive renovations.
In 2001, Welch bought a $1.8 million home in Bel-Air, which became her primary residence. Following her death in early 2023, her heirs listed this property for sale in April 2024 at $3.95 million.
Early life
Raquel Welch, born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, was the daughter of English and Bolivian heritage. She moved to San Diego at two and pursued ballet until her instructor deemed her unsuitable.
Welch won multiple beauty titles, including Miss La Jolla and Maid of California. After graduating high school in 1958, she attended San Diego State College on a theater scholarship and married her high school sweetheart, James Welch. Following their separation, she worked as a model and cocktail waitress in Dallas.
Career
Raquel Welch gained fame in Fantastic Voyage (1966), where she played a doctor shrunken and injected into a diplomat’s body. The film’s success led to her role in One Million Years B.C., which cemented her status as a Hollywood sex icon.
Despite the attention from her iconic bikini, Welch struggled to transcend the sex symbol label throughout the late 60s and 70s. Although her acting received criticism, she is recognized for being the first non-blonde Hollywood sex symbol, redefining the archetype for future icons.
Personal life
Raquel Welch married her high school sweetheart, James Welch, on May 8, 1959, and had two children, Damon and Tahnee, before divorcing in 1964. She wed publicist Patrick Curtis in 1967, but they divorced in 1972 amid rumors of an affair with actor Sancho Gracia.
Welch married producer André Weinfeld in 1980, but the marriage ended in 1990. In 1999, she married Richie Palmer, but they separated in 2003. Welch later stated she wouldn’t remarry and had a brief relationship with producer Nigel Lythgoe in the early 2010s.
Who inherited Raquel Welch’s money?
Raquel Welch’s reported net worth of $40 million is likely to be inherited by her two adult children. While there are limited public details about her estate plan, it suggests that Welch was prudent in her financial management and may have established a trust for her loved ones.
Conclusion
Raquel Welch’s life and career were characterized by dazzling success and profound influence. Her net worth and the decisions regarding her estate reflect not just her success as an actress and a beauty icon but also her acumen as a businesswoman. Welch’s legacy in Hollywood and beyond continues to inspire and captivate.
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FAQs about Raquel Welch’s Net Worth
- What was Raquel Welch’s primary source of income?
- Welch’s income primarily came from her acting roles in movies, TV shows, and her successful line of wigs and beauty products.
- Did Raquel Welch have any other business ventures besides acting?
- Yes, apart from acting, Welch was also known for her line of wigs and beauty products.
- How did Raquel Welch manage her finances?
- Welch’s financial management was largely private, but her significant net worth suggests a wise and strategic handling of her earnings and investments.
- Was Raquel Welch involved in any philanthropic activities?
- Specific details of her philanthropic activities aren’t widely publicized, but many actors of her era were known to engage in charitable work.
- How has Raquel Welch’s net worth influenced the acting community?
- Welch’s net worth and business ventures have shown how actors can successfully manage and diversify their income streams, influencing future generations in the entertainment industry.
