The Hollywood Golden Age didn't guarantee glittering success but if you made it big time you could certainly be living it large. At the time of their deaths, these icons of the silver screen all had estimated net worths in the millions, with some estimated in the low seven figures while others soared over into nine.
Read on to find out which of the Golden Age stars would be living it up today.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesBette Davis is best known for her roles in films like 'All About Eve'
Bette Davis – $2.5 million
Born Ruth Elizabeth 'Bette' Davis on 5 April 1908, the Golden Age actress found fame in features like Jezebel, Now, Voyager and Dark Victory. She's best known for hits like All About Eve and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.
When Bette passed on 6 October 1989 at the age of 81, she is estimated to have had a net worth of $1 million, which today is equal to around $2.5 million.
© Getty ImagesMarilyn Monroe is estimated to have had a net worth of $8.5 million at the time of her death
Marilyn Monroe – $8.5 million
The Some Like It Hot star, born Norma Jeane, became famous as blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe. She is best remembered for projects like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch and The Misfits.
Marilyn sadly passed at the age of 36 in 1962 and is estimated to have had a net worth of $800,000 at the time. Today, the sum is equivalent to around $8.5 million.
© Getty ImagesIngrid Bergman's estimated $6 million fortune at the time of her death is now worth $20 million
Ingrid Bergman – $20 million
Where would we be without Hollywood classic Casablanca? It doesn't bear thinking about. But for Ingrid Bergman, this was just small part, though a memorable one, of her cinematic legacy.
Her star power brought Ingrid's estimated net worth to around $6 million at the time of her death in 1982 which, adjusted for inflation, is now equal to around $20 million.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesJohn Wayne's net worth is estimated to have sat at the equivalent of $25 million today
John Wayne – $25 million
Golden Age leading man John Wayne starred in The Quiet Man, Rio Bravo and Stagecoach. Known as 'Duke', he specialised in war and western movies.
The star passed on 11 June 1979 at the age of 72. At the time, his net worth is estimated to have been $7 million. But, of course, a lot has changed since then and that fortune is now equivalent to an impressive $25 million.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesFred Astaire's net worth is estimated at $30 million at the time of his death
Fred Astaire – $30 million
Sprightly footed dancing icon Fred Astaire has plenty of iconic films to his name. From Top Hat to Funny Face, Swing Time to The Band Wagon, Fred danced his way to fame.
All of this work culminated in an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 1987. His 70 year career would be worth triple in today's money.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesKatharine Hepburn's net worth in 2003 is estimated at $30 million
Katharine Hepburn – $30 million
Katharine Hepburn was a force onscreen and a beloved member of Golden Age cinema. The Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story star is estimated to have had a net worth of $30 million at the time of her death in 2003.
The 96-year-old left an estate which her lawyer estimated was worth $20 million. The Connecticut home incorporated over 1.5 acres on the waterfront.
© Getty ImagesHumphrey Bogart starred in 'Sabrina' and 'The Maltese Falcon'
Humphrey Bogart – $50 million
Humphrey Bogart provided plenty of quotable lines – but when he wasn't looking at you, kid, it seems he was amassing an impressive fortune.
The star passed in 1957 and his estimated net worth of $5 million would now be worth a whopping $50 million. Not too surprising a fortune for one of Sabrina's star faces.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesClark Gable iconic roles in films like 'It Happened One Night' built the star an impressive net worth
Clark Gable – $100 million
Frankly, my dear, you might not give a damn but plenty of people cared about Clark Gable's latest feature. Star of Gone with the Wind, his on-screen charms won over audiences of the Golden Age and beyond.
When Clark passed in 1960, his net worth is estimated to have been worth $10 million. Now, it would be equivalent to a fortune of $100 million.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesThe 'My Fair Lady' actress is estimated to have a net worth equivalent to $100 million
Audrey Hepburn – $100 million
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Funny Face, Roman Holiday... we could go on. Audrey Hepburn unsurprisingly sits in fourth place with a net worth nine figures long.
The actress passed at 63 on January 20 1993 and is estimated to have had a net worth at the time of $55 million, which would now be worth around $100 million.
© Getty ImagesCary Grant was a defining figure of the Hollywood Golden Age
Cary Grant – $130 million
You can't talk about the Golden Age without North by Northwest's Cary Grant. The star appeared in feature films like Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, Arsenic and Old Lace and The Bishop's Wife.
He passed in 1986, with an estimated net worth of $60 million. The fortune he accrued over his acting and production career would now be equal to around $130 million.
© Bettmann Archive via Getty ImagesMarlon Brando stole hearts onscreen and built a fortune
Marlon Brando – $130 million
Hollywood heartthrob Marlon Brando starred in hits like Guys and Dolls, The Wild One and A Streetcar Named Desire. The actor passed away on 1 July 2004 at the age of 80.
At the time of his death, his net worth is estimated to have been worth $100 million, which would now be equal to $130 million.
© Getty ImagesElizabeth Taylor defined glamour during the Hollywood Golden Age and her net worth reflects that reputation
Elizabeth Taylor – $600 Million
Elizabeth Taylor takes first place with a jaw-dropping estimated net worth of $600 million. The actress starred in famous films like National Velvet, Little Women and Father of the Bride.
She passed away on the 23 March 2011, just 15 years ago, and her impressive fortune is just as remarkable today.
