What Is Jenny Craig's Net Worth?
Jenny Craig is an esteemed American businesswoman and entrepreneur with an impressive net worth of $300 million. Co-founding Jenny Craig, Inc. with her husband Sidney Craig in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia, they expanded to the United States in 1985. Today, the company runs over 700 weight loss centers worldwide, employing more than 3,000 people. Jenny Craig's program has attracted endorsements from notable celebrities like Monica Lewinsky, Kirstie Alley, Valerie Bertinelli, Queen Latifah, Jason Alexander, and Mariah Carey. Sidney passed away in 2008, but Jenny continues to contribute to various charitable causes, donating millions of dollars, including significant contributions to educational institutions like Fresno State University and the University of San Diego.
IPO and Acquisition
Jenny and Sidney Craig took Jenny Craig, Inc. public in 1991, raising approximately $74 million. By the mid-1990s, the company was generating $350–$400 million in annual revenue. In 2002, a private equity firm acquired Jenny Craig, Inc., and in 2006, Nestlé purchased the company for $600 million.
(Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Early Life
Born Genevieve Guidroz on August 7, 1932, in Berwick, Louisiana, Jenny Craig grew up in New Orleans and eventually adopted the name Jenny. Her entrepreneurial journey began with the foundation of a weight loss and nutrition company alongside her husband in the early 1980s.
Jenny Craig
In 1983, Jenny and Sidney established Jenny Craig, Inc. in Melbourne, Australia, and expanded to the U.S. in 1985. The company's innovative weight loss program features prepackaged foods, personalized coaches, and a focus on an active lifestyle and healthier habits. Despite experiencing financial difficulties in the late 1990s, the company adapted to evolving diet trends and data on health and fitness. By 2002, it was acquired by MidOcean Partners and subsequently sold to Nestlé in 2006 for $600 million.
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Personal Life
Jenny married Sidney Craig in 1979, and together they became notable philanthropists. In 1992, they donated $10 million to Fresno State University, leading to the school’s renaming to the Sid Craig School of Business. They also donated $10 million to the University of San Diego in 1996, resulting in the construction of the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The couple was passionate about horse racing, owning successful thoroughbreds that competed in prestigious races, including the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup.
In April 1995, Jenny faced a severe health scare that left her unable to open her mouth. Diagnosed with temporomandibular joint syndrome, her condition worsened over time. Eventually, a doctor in 1998 diagnosed her with atrophying mouth muscles. After surgery and a year of speech therapy, she made a full recovery.
Real Estate
In 1986, the Craigs bought a beachfront mansion in Del Mar, California, for $3.25 million. Jenny sold this property for $22 million in August 2019. Here's a video tour of Jenny Craig's former Del Mar mansion:
In 1995, Jenny and Sidney acquired a 228-acre thoroughbred horse ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, California. In 2018, Jenny sold this ranch to Bill Gates, whose daughter Jennifer is an avid equestrian.
