What was Bea Arthur's Net Worth?
Bea Arthur was an esteemed American actress, comedienne, and singer whose net worth was $25 million at her death in 2009. While her extensive film and television career earned acclaim, she is best known for her role in the beloved sitcom "The Golden Girls." Arthur starred as Dorothy Zbornak in 177 episodes of the series from 1985 to 1992, alongside Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty.
Known for portraying strong, independent women, Arthur captivated audiences both on stage and screen. She won multiple awards over her long career and hosted numerous Hollywood tributes and award shows. Arthur was a twice-divorced mother of two and a fervent activist for LGBTQ and feminist issues. She passed away in 2009 from lung cancer.
Early Life
Bernice Frankle, known as Bea Arthur, was born on May 13, 1922, in Brooklyn, NY, to Rebecca and Philip Frankel. She was the middle child among three girls.
At 11, her family moved to Cambridge, MD, where her parents later opened a clothing store. She suffered from Coagulopathy, a condition affecting blood clotting.
Arthur graduated from an all-girls high school in the Amish community of Lititz, PA, and briefly attended Braxton College in Virginia.
During World War II, Arthur was among the first women to serve in the United States Marine Corps, enlisting in 1943. She served as a truck driver and dispatcher in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
In 1947, she attended acting classes at New York City's New School, where she met her first husband, Robert Alan Aurthur, a fellow marine turned screenwriter and director. They married from 1947 to 1950. Arthur kept his surname, with a slight spelling adjustment, throughout her career. She later married Gene Saks, a theater director.
Stage Career
Arthur began her illustrious career in live theater, joining the Cherry Lane Theater, an Off-Broadway repertory company, where she played various small roles.
In 1966, her husband Gene Saks directed the Broadway production of "Mame." Although she initially auditioned for the titular role, the part went to Broadway veteran Angela Lansbury. Arthur excelled in the role of Vera Charles, Mame’s boozy bosom buddy, earning a Tony Award for her performance.
Television Career
The 1970s marked a significant change in the roles available for women on television. With shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" gaining popularity, feminist issues received greater attention, championed by activists like Gloria Steinem.
Arthur's career breakthrough came with her powerful guest appearance as Maude, Edith Bunker's cousin, on Norman Lear's "All in the Family." Maude's unapologetic feminist stance became a hit, prompting CBS executives to develop a spin-off series, "Maude," which debuted in 1971.
In "Maude," Arthur's character, a thrice-divorced feminist housewife and real estate agent living in Westchester County, New York, challenged societal norms. The show addressed political issues like mental illness, gay rights, and women's liberation, making Maude a feminist icon and eventually depicting her election as a congresswoman.
In 1972, "Maude" aired one of the most controversial episodes in television history, "Maude's Dilemma," which dealt with abortion. Despite some affiliates refusing to air it, the episode garnered 65 million viewers.
"Maude" concluded in 1978, and Arthur explored several other projects before landing another significant role in 1985 as Dorothy Zbornak in "The Golden Girls." The show, focusing on the lives of four older women living together, tackled issues like menopause, financial difficulties, and romance, solidifying its place as a television classic.
Activism and Personal Life
Although she never had biological children, Bea Arthur adopted two boys with her second husband, Gene Saks. They divorced in 1978.
Arthur, a lifelong Democrat, was passionate about animal rights and gay rights. She was especially popular within the gay community. After her death in 2009, she bequeathed an endowment to the Ali Forney Center, an organization for homeless LGBT youth in New York City, which used the funds to open an 18-bed shelter.
Real Estate
In the 1970s, Bea Arthur purchased a 7,000 square-foot mansion on 3.7 acres in LA’s upscale Brentwood neighborhood. She extensively renovated the property in the mid-2000s. After her death, her heirs rented the home for $30-60,000 per month and ultimately sold it for $15 million in 2015 to film producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall.
