Ashley Judd is a renowned American actress and a political activist. Many people recognize her as the daughter of the late Naomi Judd, a country music singer. She is also Wynonna Judd’s half-sister. Ashley has worked in several films and movies for more than three decades. Popularly known as Ash Sweet Pea, she gained the spotlight after her incredible performance at “Double Jeopardy.” But what is her net worth currently, and how did she become rich?

Here’s everything you need to know about the actor, including Ashley Judd’s net worth, biography, age, height, and interesting facts about her. 

Who is Ashley Judd?

Ashley Tyler Ciminella, or simply Ashley Judd, is a US-based Actress, philanthropist, and humanitarian activist. She started her career in the late 1990s and quickly rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Her breakout roles in films such as “A Time to Kill,” “Double Jeopardy,” and “Ruby in Paradise” pushed her into the spotlight and into financial success. 

Apart from being a talented actress for three decades, she has actively become involved in political activism and global humanitarian efforts. She also became an outspoken advocate for suicide prevention after her mother died by suicide in 2022.

Ashley Judd: Biography

Ashley Tyler Ciminella, or Ash Sweet Pea, was born on April 19, 1968, in Granada Hills, California. She was raised in a family of talented musicians and actresses. She is the daughter of Naomi Judd, a singer and motivational speaker in country music, and Michael Charles Ciminella, a marketing expert for the horseracing industry. Following the divorce, Naomi returned to her native Kentucky with her two girls. 

Her paternal grandfather was of Sicilian (Italian) origin, while her grandmother was a Maywire pilgrim William Brewster descendant. Tragically, on April 30, 2022, Ashley’s mother, Naomi, at 76 years old, shot herself in the head at her Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, home. Apparently, she had been struggling with depression and anxiety, and suicidal ideation made her do this. This happened shortly ahead of the Judds Final Tour. 

Education

Because of her parent’s separation, she attended 13 thirteen schools before the age of 18. After graduating from high school, she attempted a modeling career in Japan but ultimately returned to the US to complete her degree at the University of Kentucky.

After graduating, she drove to Hollywood, where she worked as an actress and studied acting. She eventually relocated to Tennessee to be nearer to her sister and mother. Years later, Ashley went back to the University of Kentucky to complete his bachelor’s degree. Union College then gave him an honorary doctor of humane letters.

Judd graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2007 with a BA. On May 9, 2009, she received an Honorary DHL degree from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. In 2010, Ashley graduated from Harvard Kennedy School with a mid-career MPA degree. Judd enrolled at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy in August 2016 with the goal of obtaining a PhD in public policy. 

Career and Professional Life

Acting Career

Ashley had to wait until the early 1990s to land her first big job. In 1990, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. She made her on-screen debut in two Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes in 1991. On the NBC drama series “Sisters,” Ashley played “Reed Halsey” in a recurring role. At this same period, she landed her first movie part, a cameo in “Kuffs.” Her breakthrough performance came in the independent film Ruby in Paradise in 1993, where she played “Ruby Lee Gissing.” Her next project was a supporting part in the film Heat, which also starred Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, and Al Pacino. In this time frame, she also participated in a Broadway production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” 

She also starred in ABC’s “Missing” as Rebecca Winstone during this time. Next up was “A Time to Kill,” which did well at the box office and garnered excellent reviews. By this time, she was a well-known actress, and she was approached for starring parts in films like “Double Jeopardy” and “Kiss the Girls.”

Her most recent film, “She Said,” was released in 2022. Over her career, she has received numerous honors and nominations. For her extraordinary performance in Norma Jean and Marilyn, she has also been honored with a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy.

Political Career

Ashley is mostly known for her acting career. Interestingly, though, she is also a vocal political personality. She has been an activist for several Democrats, including Barack Obama. Ashley has additionally taken part in other humanitarian endeavors.

In 2013, she declared that she may run for the Senate but ultimately decided to withdraw. She has also proudly marched in numerous Women’s Marches and other rallies over the years and supported Elizabeth Warren in her bid for president in 2020.

Judd broke her leg while climbing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s bush in February 2022. She was transported by African porters for fifty-five hours to a South African hospital, where she underwent surgery. A year later, she went back to Congo on another missionary journey.

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout her career spanning three decades, Ashley has received five prestigious awards and 18 nominations. Her wins are: 

  • Film Independent Spirit Award (1993)
  • Chicago Film Critics Association Award (1993)
  • Blockbuster Entertainment Award (2000)
  • Lone Star Film and Television Award (1998)
  • Alliance of Women Film Journalists (2018)

Ashley Judd: Personal Life

Ashley married Dario Franchitti, who was a Scottish racing driver, in 2001. After 12 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2013. As an antinatalist, Ashley feels it is wrong to reproduce and bring children into the world; hence, she has never had children of her own. 

What is Ashley Judd’s Net worth in 2024? 

As mentioned in Celebrity Net Worth, Ashley Judd has a net worth of $14 million in 2024. The actress’s fortune comprises of her earnings from films and television shows in which she has appeared. She also earns millions through other ventures. The majority of Ashley’s films have received critical acclaim, as have their tremendous box office earnings. 

Book “All That is Bitter and Sweet”

Apart from movies and politics, Ashley is also passionate about writing. She has written a memoir titled “All That is Bitter and Sweet,” which costs around $12.99 for a paper book version. Since Ashley is already a famous celebrity, many of her fans have purchased the book and learned about the actress’s journey from childhood to adulthood.  This has surely boosted Ashley Judd’s net worth. 

Sponsorships 

Like other celebrities, Ashley makes money through sponsorships from renowned brands. She was the advertising face of multiple beauty brands, such as Estée Lauder and H.Stern Jewelers.

She also became the face of American Beauty, a cosmetic company, in 2004, and then worked with Goody’s Family Clothing to produce apparel lines such as the Ashley Judd Plus range in 2007. 

What is Ashley Judd’s Age?

Ashley Judd was born on April 19, 1968, in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, California. That means she is 56 years old as of 2024. 

What is Ashely Judd’s Height and Weight? 

Ashley Judd is reportedly 5 feet 6 inches tall and currently weighs about 61 kg (134 lbs). She experienced a sudden weight gain and struggled publicly. Many people trolled her weight. The actor claims weight gain occurred because of the depression she faced after her mother’s death. 

Ashley Judd: Controversy 

Ashley is the first star to come forward with allegations of sexual harassment. Many people called her a “man hater” and lost jobs for speaking out against sexual violence. 

Judd disclosed in 2015 that a prominent film producer, Harvey Weinstein, had harassed her sexually during the shoot of  “Kiss the Girls.” She revealed the name after two years. Ashley pursued legal action against Weinstein for slander in 2018, going one step further. One of the key pieces that eventually started to fall and give rise to the #MeToo movement was this lawsuit and the public recognition of Weinstein.

She said he disseminated false information about her that affected her career after she turned down his invitation for sex. Judd’s allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey were dismissed by a federal judge, but her defamation lawsuit was permitted to proceed. Ashley came clean in 2019 about having been raped three times in her life.

 Ashley Judd: Profile Summary

Full Name Ashley Tyler Ciminella
Nickname  Ashley Judd, Ash, 
Place of Birth  Granada Hills, Los Angeles, California
Date of Birth  April 19, 1968 
Age  56 years old (as of 2024)
Height  5 ft 6 in (170 cm)
Weight  61 kg (134 lbs)
Current Residence Franklin, Tennessee, USA 
Ethnicity White Italian-American
Education  University of Kentucky (BA) 

Harvard Kennedy School (MPA)

Nationality  American 
Religion  Christian
Marital status Divorce – Dario Franchitti ​ ​(2001-2013)
Children 
Relationship Status  Single
Profession Actor, Political activist, Etymologist, Television producer, Voice Actor, Spokesperson
Years active  1991 – present 
Net worth  $14 million (As of 2024)
Zodiac Sign  Aries
Siblings  One half-sister (Wynonna Judd)
Instagram @ashleyjudd
TikTok @ashleyjudd
Facebook  @ashleyjuddoffcial
Twitter (X) @ashleyjudd

Interesting Facts about Ashley Judd

  • In 1992, Ashley turned down a leading role in Kuffs, as she was asked to do nude scenes.
  • She knows how to speak French fluently.
  • Ashley has a half-sister named Wynonna Judd, who is also a country music star.
  • She mastered kickboxing for “Kiss the Girls” in 1997. 
  • Ashley married a race car driver, Dario Franchitti, in December 2001 in Scotland’s Skibo Castle. 
  • She served as a global ambassador for YouthAIDS, an organization devoted to AIDS prevention and treatment. 
  • The actor wrote and published a memoir, “All That is Sweet and Bitter,” in April 2011. The memoir depicts her stories from childhood to adulthood. 
  • The actor also received the Golden Globes best performance award in 2005. 
  • Judd has a strong interest in martial arts and has trained in kickboxing, judo, Tae Kwon Do, and Bo.
  • Being a Christian, Judd used her faith as justification for coming out against Harvey Weinstein.
  • She is well-known for her donations to charities. Judd is a strong supporter of women’s rights and supports numerous charitable causes with her enormous wealth.

 The Bottom Line 

With that, we wrap up all about Ashley Judd’s Net worth and her biography. As we can see, Ashley is an American film and TV actress, humanitarian, political activist, fashion designer, model, and philanthropist. Over three decades of her career, she has accumulated a net worth of $14 million so far. Most of her wealth comes from acting and sponsorship deals. The Judd sisters have truly made it to the top with their talents and hard work! 

FAQs 

1. Do Ashley and Wynonna get along?

Ans: Yes, after the death of their beloved mother, Naomi Judd, Ashley and Wynnona have become closer and are supportive of each other. 

2. How much did Ashley Judd get paid for Double Jeopardy?

Ans: Ashley Judd received a $1 million salary as the lead actress of Double Jeopardy. Although Ashley portrayed the protagonist and main character, Tommy Lee Jones received more credit, which was $10 million. 

3. Who is worth more, Ashley or Wynonna?

Ans: Ashely Judd’s net worth is estimated at $14 million, while her sister Wynonna is worth $12 million. So Ashley is richer than Wynonna. 

4. How many children does Ashley Judd have?

Ans: Ashley Judd doesn’t have any children. She claims she prefers to focus her attention on orphaned and underprivileged kids instead of having her own children. 

5. What does Wynonna’s daughter do? 

Ans: In April 2024, Grace Pauline Kelley, Wyonna’s daughter, was taken into custody on allegations of indecent exposure, soliciting prostitution, and impeding governmental operations.

 

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