What is Vanessa Williams’ Net Worth?
Vanessa Williams, a singer, actress, and producer, has a net worth of $25 million. She gained fame as Miss America 1984 but became known for her achievements in entertainment. Despite a scandal that once made her controversial, Williams is now celebrated in the industry.
Early Life and Education
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born on March 18th, 1963, in The Bronx, New York. She grew up in a Roman Catholic household with parents who were both music teachers, and music was an integral part of her upbringing. Williams developed an interest in a wide range of musical instruments, including the violin, piano, and French horn, and studied both classical and jazz dance styles. She also honed her vocal talents from a young age.
After graduating from high school, Williams attended Syracuse University, where she majored in musical theater at the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Vanessa Williams Forced to Relinquish Miss America Title After Nude Photo Scandal
Vanessa Williams became Miss America 1984 during her second year of college. However, she was forced to give up her title after Penthouse magazine published fully nude pictures of her towards the end of that year. This scandal destroyed her reputation and her role as a role model for young women.
In 2016, the CEO of Miss America at the time publicly apologized to Williams for how the situation was mishandled.
Vanessa Williams’ Successful Music Career
Vanessa Williams won the Miss America pageant and showed off her singing abilities with “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Her debut album, The Right Stuff, went platinum and her second album, The Comfort Zone, sold 2.2 million copies and earned triple-platinum status. Williams released the critically-acclaimed album The Sweetest Days, which earned several Grammy nominations and went platinum. She also released greatest hits and Christmas-themed albums, with high-performing singles and a Super Bowl performance. Her tracks “Love Is” and “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas were particularly noteworthy. In 2018, Williams announced she was working on a new album.
Vanessa Williams’ Career Highlights
Vanessa Williams became well-known after winning the Miss America pageant in 1983 which led to various TV show roles, including The Love Boat and Desperate Housewives. She also made her Broadway debut in Bye Bye Birdie and played the nymph Calypso in The Odyssey miniseries and a villainous character in Ugly Betty and The Librarians. Williams has received critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Soul Food and My Brother, and has appeared in movies like Eraser, Shaft, The Adventures of Elmo In Grouchland, and Hannah Montana: The Movie.
Vanessa Williams Launches Fashion Line
Vanessa Williams started her fashion line, V. By Vanessa Williams, in 2016. The line is sold through EVINE Live and focuses on comfort and affordability. Williams has stated that many of the items are inspired by her own loungewear.
Vanessa Williams’ Memoir Reveals Childhood Molestation and High School Abortion
In her 2012 memoir, “You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-Nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other),” Vanessa Williams opens up about her childhood and rise to fame, but also reveals some personal struggles.
One of the most notable revelations is that Williams was molested as a child. She also shares that she underwent an abortion while in high school.
Vanessa Williams’ Marriages
Vanessa Williams has been married three times. Her first husband was Ramon Hervey II, whom she married in 1987 after giving up her Miss America crown. Although the couple had three children together, they divorced in 1997.
Two years after divorcing Ramon Hervey II, Williams married NBA player Rick Fox. After having one child together, their marriage ended in divorce by 2004.
In 2015, she married her third husband, a businessman from Buffalo named Jim Skrip.
Vanessa Williams’ Philanthropy
Vanessa Williams has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights and has actively supported the fight for same-sex marriage. She is also committed to helping low-income women gain access to better job opportunities by partnering with Dress for Success and providing professional attire for job interviews. Additionally, Williams is involved with organizations that focus on helping boys who are at risk of falling behind.
Awards and Honors
Vanessa Williams has been nominated for many awards, including several Emmys, Grammys, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. She has also won four Satellite Awards, a Soul Train Music Award, and 7 NAACP Image Awards. In 2007, Vanessa Williams received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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