Taraji P. Henson: The Queen Of Hollywood And Her Remarkable Journey

How Much Is Taraji P. Henson Really Worth?

Let’s dive into the life of one of Hollywood’s most dynamic actresses, Taraji P. Henson. With a net worth of $12 million, she’s not just an actress but a powerhouse of talent and resilience. Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., Taraji’s journey to fame wasn’t easy. She began her acting career with the film "Streetwise" in 1998, but it wasn’t until her breakout role in "Hustle & Flow" (2005) that the world started to take notice. Her performance in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her place in Hollywood history.

But Taraji’s talents don’t stop there. In 2016, she delivered a standout performance as Katherine Johnson in "Hidden Figures," a role that not only earned critical acclaim but also brought her closer to audiences worldwide. Her portrayal of the brilliant mathematician helped the film achieve massive box office success, proving once again that Taraji is a force to be reckoned with.

Her television career is just as impressive. From 2011 to 2013, she co-starred in the CBS drama series "Person of Interest." But it was her role as the iconic Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire" from 2015 to 2020 that truly skyrocketed her fame. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama, along with Primetime Emmy nominations in both 2015 and 2016. She also received Emmy nods for her roles in the Lifetime movie "Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story" (2011) and for a guest appearance on the ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary" (2023).

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In 2016, Time magazine named Taraji one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her impact both on and off-screen. That same year, she released her autobiography, "Around the Way Girl," which became a New York Times bestseller, showcasing her versatility and storytelling abilities. And in 2019, she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing her legacy in the entertainment industry.

Taraji’s filmography is vast, including notable roles in "Proud Mary" (2018), "Tyler Perry’s Acrimony" (2018), "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018), and "What Men Want" (2019). Her portrayal of civil rights activist Ann Atwater in "The Best of Enemies" (2019) further highlighted her ability to take on challenging and transformative roles, proving that she’s not just an actress but a storyteller who brings important narratives to life.

Taraji’s Salaries: The Inside Scoop

Let’s take a closer look at Taraji’s earnings throughout her career. Here’s a breakdown of some of her notable salaries:

• $150,000 for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008)
• $500,000 for "The Family That Preys" (2008)
• $175,000 per episode for "Empire" (2015-2020)

Taraji has been vocal about the salary disparities in Hollywood, and her experience with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a prime example. Despite being the third-billed actor behind Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, who earned millions, she was initially offered just $100,000 for her role. After pushing back, she managed to negotiate up to $150,000. However, after taxes and paying her team, she netted only $40,000 from the movie. During a 2021 appearance on "The Real," she opened up about the financial realities of working in Hollywood:

"When you start making that kind of money, Uncle Sam takes 50 percent, so let's do the math. That leaves me with $75,000, then I have to pay another 30 percent to my team who did all the work to get me that job. So, I don't pay them 30 percent of the $75,000; no, no, no, I pay them 30 percent of the $150,000. So what does that compute to?"

In a December 2023 interview with Gayle King, she expressed her frustration with Hollywood’s salary structures:

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"When you hear someone go, 'Such and such made $10 million,' that didn't make it to their account. Off the top, Uncle Sam is getting 50%. Now you have $5 million. Your team is getting 30% off what you gross, not after what Uncle Sam took. Now, do the math. I'm only human. Every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it's time to renegotiate, I'm at the bottom again, like I never did what I just did, and I'm tired. I'm tired. It wears on you. What does that mean? What is that telling me? If I can't fight for them coming up behind me, then what the fuck am I doing?"

Taraji credits Tyler Perry for being the first to pay her $500,000, a salary she earned for her role in "The Family That Preys" (2008). For "Empire," she earned $175,000 per episode. Assuming she earned that salary for all 102 episodes, her gross earnings from the show would amount to $17.85 million. After applying her previous math, Taraji would have netted roughly $4.65 million from her time on the show.

A Glimpse Into Taraji’s Early Life

Born Taraji Penda Henson on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., she grew up with two siblings and formed a close bond with her grandmother. Her name, Taraji, means "hope" in Swahili, while Penda means "love." After graduating high school in 1988, she initially attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to study electrical engineering. However, she soon realized her true passion lay in acting, leading her to transfer to Howard University, where she pursued an education in acting. To fund her tuition, she worked various jobs, including positions at the Pentagon and on a cruise ship.

Her Remarkable Career

Breaking Out in Hollywood

After graduating from Howard University, Taraji quickly made a name for herself in the film industry. Her breakout role came in 2001 with "Baby Boy," where she starred alongside Tyrese Gibson. This role put her on the map, and she followed it up in 2005 with a memorable performance in "Hustle & Flow," where she played the love interest of the lead character. The film was a critical success and won multiple awards.

Hitting New Heights

In 2008, Taraji was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." That same year, she starred in Tyler Perry's "The Family That Preys" and appeared in "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" (2009). She also took on a role in the 2010 remake of "The Karate Kid," which was a commercial success despite mixed reviews.

Her performance in "Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story" earned her an Emmy Award, and she continued to shine in films like "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" (2012) and its sequel in 2014. In 2016, Taraji delivered a standout performance in "Hidden Figures," a film that was nominated for numerous awards and further cemented her status as a Hollywood icon. She also starred in "Proud Mary" (2018), "Acrimony" (2018), and voiced a character in Disney's "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018). In 2019, she headlined "What Men Want," a reboot of the Mel Gibson classic "What Women Want."

Taraji’s television career is equally impressive. She’s taken guest-starring roles in shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "House," and booked recurring roles in series such as "The Division" and "Boston Legal." Her most famous recurring role, however, was in the critically acclaimed series "Empire," where she played the unforgettable Cookie Lyon. Thanks to her work on "Empire," she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2016.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Off-screen, Taraji has one son, Marcell, born in 1994. His father was her high school sweetheart, tragically murdered in 2003. In 2014, her son was detained by police after marijuana and Ritalin without a prescription were found in his car. Initially accusing the police of racial profiling, Taraji later apologized for her comments.

In 2017, Taraji made a significant lifestyle change by adopting a vegan diet to reduce her risk of stomach cancer. She had previously posed nude for PETA in 2011 and later participated in a non-nude campaign in 2013, proving her dedication to animal rights.

Taraji’s Real Estate Empire

In May 2015, Taraji purchased a condo in Chicago for $1.5 million, which she sold in 2018 for roughly the same amount. In 2017, she bought two additional units in the same building, listing them for a combined $3.3 million in August 2024. These units could also be purchased separately for $1.9 million and $1.4 million.

Out in LA, Taraji owns two properties. She bought her first home in Glendale in 2002 for $431,000 and, in 2016, splurged on a private mansion in the hills above Hollywood for $6.45 million. It’s clear that Taraji not only invests in her career but also in her future through smart real estate decisions.