Mary Hart Net Worth 2024, Salary and Earnings: Mary Hart is a former American television host best known for her 29-year stint on “Entertainment Tonight,” with an estimated net worth of $100 million in 2024, largely accumulated through her $5 million annual salary and savvy real estate investments.
Key Takeaways
- Mary Hart has an estimated net worth of $100 million.
- She hosted Entertainment Tonight from 1982 to 2011.
- Hart began her career as Miss South Dakota 1970.
- She owns multiple luxury properties with her husband Burt Sugarman.
Mary Hart: The Entertainment Tonight Icon
Mary Hart rose to fame as the long-time host of Entertainment Tonight, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment news. This article explores Hart’s impressive net worth, career trajectory, and the path that led her to become a television icon.
Early Life and Education
Mary Johanna Harum was born on November 8, 1950, in Madison, South Dakota. She spent her childhood between Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Denmark, allowing her to become fluent in English, Danish, and Swedish. Hart attended Augustana Academy for high school, graduating in 1968. She then pursued higher education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, earning her degree in 1972.
Career Beginnings
Hart’s journey into the spotlight began when she was crowned Miss South Dakota in 1970. This achievement led to her participation in the Miss America 1971 pageant, where she reached the semi-finals. After college, Hart briefly taught English at Washington High School in Sioux Falls while simultaneously producing and anchoring a talk show on a local NBC affiliate.
In 1975, Hart transitioned to full-time broadcasting, working at various television stations across the Midwest. Her career took her from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Omaha, Nebraska, and eventually to Oklahoma City. Despite these opportunities, financial stability remained elusive, prompting Hart to supplement her income by working as a sales representative for a school yearbook company.
The Big Break: Entertainment Tonight
Feeling disillusioned with journalism, Hart moved to Los Angeles in 1979 with $10,000 in savings. She initially pursued acting, landing small roles in soap operas and commercials. However, these gigs weren’t enough to sustain her financially.
Hart’s fortunes changed dramatically in 1981 when she was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight about her experience being on a canceled show. This interview led to her being hired as a correspondent for ET. Within 13 weeks, she was promoted to co-host alongside Ron Hendren.
Over the next three decades, Hart became synonymous with Entertainment Tonight. She outlasted multiple co-hosts, including Robb Weller, John Tesh, and Bob Goen. Her tenure on the show lasted from 1982 to 2011, making her one of the most enduring figures in entertainment news.
Financial Success and Brand Endorsements
Hart’s long-standing role on Entertainment Tonight contributed significantly to her wealth. At the peak of her career, she reportedly earned $5 million per year from the show.
Beyond her television salary, Hart capitalized on her fame through brand endorsements. In 1987, she became the face of Hanes pantyhose, a deal that included having her legs insured for $1 million each. This savvy business move highlighted Hart’s marketability beyond the news desk.
Real Estate Investments
A significant portion of Mary Hart’s net worth comes from her extensive real estate portfolio, managed jointly with her husband, television producer Burt Sugarman. Their property investments span multiple states and include:
- Multiple units in the Sierra Towers building in West Hollywood, totaling around $15 million in value.
- A former 11,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion, sold for $27 million in 2013.
- Properties in Montana, including homes within the exclusive Yellowstone Club.
- A ranch in Big Sky, Montana, listed for $19.5 million in 2016.
These real estate holdings demonstrate Hart’s financial acumen and contribute substantially to her overall net worth.
Personal Life
Mary Hart has been married twice. Her first marriage to Terry Hart ended in divorce in the 1970s. In 1989, she married television producer Burt Sugarman aboard a yacht in a private ceremony. The couple has one son, Alec “AJ” Sugarman, born in 1991.
Hart has converted to Judaism, her husband’s faith. She is known to be a Republican and has supported political candidates like Marco Rubio in the past.
Legacy and Impact
Mary Hart’s influence extends beyond her role on Entertainment Tonight. She has made cameo appearances in films and television shows, voiced cartoon characters, and even participated in major events like WrestleMania III as a guest timekeeper.
Her distinctive voice became so well-known that it was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine to have triggered seizures in an epileptic woman, a phenomenon later referenced in popular culture through shows like Seinfeld.
Mary Hart’s journey from Miss South Dakota to entertainment news icon is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and business acumen. With a net worth of $100 million, she has successfully leveraged her television career into a diverse portfolio of investments and endorsements. Hart’s legacy in entertainment journalism remains strong, even years after her retirement from Entertainment Tonight. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring broadcasters and demonstrates the potential for long-term success in the volatile world of television.