What is Cynthia Bailey's Net Worth and Salary?
Cynthia Bailey is a renowned model, actress, businesswoman, and reality star with a net worth of $2.5 million. Best known for her role on 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta,' Bailey moved to New York City at 18 to pursue modeling. She signed a five-year contract shortly after, walking the runways in Paris and Milan, and appearing in numerous magazine and ad campaigns.
Early Life
Cynthia Denise Bailey was born in Decatur, Alabama on February 19, 1967. Her mother Barbara, pregnant at 18, gave birth to Cynthia, followed by her second child, Malorie, a year later. Their father, Elijah, worked in an auto factory while Barbara worked at a sewing factory.
Bailey was the first Black homecoming queen at Deshler High School, leading to her being scouted by Wilhelmina Models. She enrolled at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and entered local beauty pageants. Later that year, she moved to Manhattan, securing a five-year modeling contract with Wilhelmina.
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Career
Bailey arrived in New York City in 1985. She featured in the 1989 New Order music video "Round and Round" and starred opposite Sandra Bernhard in the 1990 film 'Without You I'm Nothing,' forming lasting friendships with both Bernhard and director Brett Ratner. In 1990, she also appeared in 'The Cosby Show' and Heavy D's "Nuttin But Love" music video.
Bailey's first major modeling gig was the cover of Essence Magazine. She modeled in Paris and Milan before working for brands like Target, Maybelline, and Oil of Olay. Bailey graced Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and Glamour and appeared twice on Essence Magazine’s cover. She has modeled for Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Talbots, Chicos, and Bergdorf Goodman.
In 2010, Bailey joined 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta,' partly due to her friendship with NeNe Leakes and her relationship with nightclub owner Peter Thomas. Initially hesitant, Bailey saw it as a business opportunity. Introduced in the show's third season, her storyline focused on her relationship with Thomas and friendship with Leakes.
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Bailey launched her own modeling school in Atlanta in 2011 and hosted a model search contest across several Southern cities the following year.
She appeared on a celebrity edition of 'Cupcake Wars' with NeNe Leakes and served as a guest judge at the 65th Miss Universe competition in 2017. In 2019, Bailey opened the Bailey Room Wine Cellar and event space, The Bailey Room, in Atlanta. She endured some friendship drama with Leakes over a party. In 2020, rumors circulated of Bailey's potential exit from 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta.'
Personal Life
Bailey declined marriage proposals from NBA player Jayson Williams and record mogul Russell Simmons. She has a daughter, Noelle, with actor and singer Leon Robinson, born on November 9, 1999. Noelle came out as sexually fluid during an episode of 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta.'
Bailey married Peter Thomas on July 24, 2010, with their wedding featured on 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' in season three. They separated in 2016 and finalized their divorce in March 2017. Bailey regards her greatest personal achievement as her daughter, Noelle.
Bailey considers her career highlight to be landing a role opposite Sandra Bernhard after beating Naomi Campbell and her favorite modeling moment was a Vanity Fair cover shot by Annie Leibovitz, featuring Iman, Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell, and Tyra Banks.
Bailey credits her success to her strong spiritual background and determination, emphasizing on her website the importance of hard work, ambition, love, and positive affirmation.
In April 2018, Bailey underwent surgery to remove a lipoma tumor from her left shoulder blade, which was successful.
In August 2018, she publicly announced her relationship with Fox Sports correspondent Mike Hill. They got engaged in July 2019, planning to marry in October 2020.
Real Estate
On September 8, 2016, Bailey purchased a home in Sandy Springs, an Atlanta suburb, for $940,000. The property, overlooking a small lake, features six bedrooms and five bathrooms on one and a half acres, and Bailey fondly refers to it as "Lake Bailey." Initially seeking an apartment, she was persuaded by 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' producers to buy a home instead.
