A girl from Chicago. Played Dorothy in fifth grade. Made her acting debut in 1981. Had a successful Hollywood career. Then married a banker. That banker became one of the world’s most powerful financiers. Now Jami Gertz net worth sits at $8-12 billion—making her the richest celebrity on the planet. Richer than Oprah. Richer than Steven Spielberg. Richer than George Lucas. Yet almost nobody knows her name. This is the story of how Jami Gertz net worth became almost incomprehensibly large—and why the woman who owns it remains virtually invisible to the world.
JAMI GERTZ NET WORTH: BASIC FACTS
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jami Beth Gertz |
| Born | October 28, 1965, Chicago, Illinois |
| Age | 59-60 years old (as of 2026) |
| Net Worth | $8-12 billion (varies by source) |
| Profession | Actress, sports team owner, philanthropist |
| Career Start | 1981 (film debut in “Endless Love”) |
| Married | Tony Ressler (June 16, 1989) |
| Children | Three sons: Oliver, Nicholas, Theo |
| Tony Ressler Net Worth | $11.3 billion |
| Sports Ownership | Majority owner Atlanta Hawks NBA, minority owner Milwaukee Brewers |
| Real Estate | Malibu home ($3.5M+ in 1993), Beverly Hills estate ($60M) |
| Foundation | Ressler-Gertz Foundation (arts, education, Jewish orgs, health) |
| Acting Credits | 28 films, 174+ TV episodes |
| Notable Roles | Twister, The Lost Boys, Sixteen Candles, Still Standing, The Neighbors |
| Education | Maine East High School, NYU Drama School |
| Ranking | World’s richest actor/actress |
The Chicago Girl With A Dream
October 28, 1965. Chicago, Illinois. Jami Beth Gertz was born to Sharyn and Walter Gertz.
She grew up in Glenview, a suburb of Chicago. Two siblings. A typical middle-class family. Nothing that suggested she would one day become the richest celebrity in the world.
But Jami Gertz had a spark. An interest in performance. In fifth grade, she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at school.
She loved it. The stage. The lights. The connection with an audience. Something crystallized. She knew acting was her destiny.
Jami Gertz went to Maine East High School. Then she attended NYU’s prestigious drama school.
She was serious about her craft. Not just dabbling. Actually training. Building skill. Preparing for a real career.
The Actress Who Was Discovered
At a nationwide talent search conducted by producer Norman Lear, Jami Gertz was discovered.
In 1981, she made her film debut in “Endless Love.” Not a leading role. But a start.
She appeared in an episode of “Diff’rent Strokes” with Andrew Dice Clay. Early career work. Building her resume.
Then came “Square Pegs”—a television series that gave her more prominent exposure.
When “Square Pegs” was cancelled, she pivoted. Starred in the teen film “Sixteen Candles” in 1984. A supporting role, but memorable.
Then “Less Than Zero” in 1987. Playing opposite Robert Downey Jr. Her star was rising. She was becoming someone.
The 1980s and 1990s: Building An Acting Career
“The Lost Boys” in 1987. A horror-comedy classic. Jami Gertz became recognizable. This was the role that made her a household name—at least for those who cared about ’80s cinema.
She continued working. Films. Television. Building a legitimate acting career.
“Twister” in 1996. A blockbuster. Playing opposite Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Jami Gertz was in major motion pictures now. She was established.
By the late 1990s, Jami Gertz had a solid career. Not Spielberg-level famous. But working consistently. Making good money. Successful in her own right.
Then something changed. Something that would alter the trajectory of her entire life.
The Banker She Married
June 16, 1989. Jami Gertz married Tony Ressler.
At the time, Tony was a banker. Successful. But not extraordinarily wealthy. Not yet.
Jami Gertz was actually the breadwinner in the early years of their marriage. She paid for vacations. She bought their first home in Los Angeles.
She was the established professional. He was the ambitious banker trying to make his mark.
Nobody could have predicted what would happen next.
The Rise Of Tony Ressler: From Banker To Billionaire
Tony Ressler co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990. A private equity firm. He was in the right place at the right time. The financial industry was booming.
Then in 1997, he founded Ares Management. Another massive success.
Apollo Global Management manages over $500 billion in assets. Ares Management manages over $600 billion in assets.
Tony Ressler didn’t just become rich. He became one of the most powerful financiers in the world.
And Jami Gertz’s net worth rose exponentially with his success.
The Moment Jami Gertz Net Worth Exploded
In 2015, Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz purchased the Atlanta Hawks, an NBA team.
Not a minority stake. A majority stake. Controlling interest.
The Hawks are valued at approximately $2.5 billion.
Suddenly, Jami Gertz net worth wasn’t just about her acting career or even her husband’s financial ventures. It included ownership of one of the NBA’s major franchises.
She was courtside at games. She was representing the Hawks at NBA events. She was part of sports royalty.
Combined with Tony’s billions from Apollo and Ares, Jami Gertz net worth became almost incomprehensibly large.
The Numbers That Don’t Make Sense
In 2018, Jami Gertz net worth was estimated at $500 million. Substantial. But not billions.
By 2024, estimates put Jami Gertz net worth at $8 billion.
By 2025, Celebrity Net Worth claimed Jami Gertz net worth had reached $12 billion.
That’s a 2400% increase in seven years.
The discrepancy between sources is massive. Some say $3 billion. Some say $8 billion. Some say $12 billion.
The truth? Nobody outside the Ressler-Gertz family knows exactly how much Jami Gertz net worth actually is.
But whatever the number, it’s billions. Plural. Jami Gertz is either the richest or among the richest celebrities alive.
The Sports Ownership That Made Her Visible
Because of the Atlanta Hawks ownership, Jami Gertz net worth became easier to estimate. Tangible assets. Clear valuation.
But the Hawks were only part of the story.
The couple also owns a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers, a Major League Baseball team.
The Ressler-Gertz Foundation donates to art museums, education foundations, Jewish organizations and temples, and health and human services organizations.
They established the Gertz-Ressler High Academy in Los Angeles—a charter school focused on academic excellence and leadership development.
Jami Gertz net worth wasn’t just abstract wealth. It was being deployed for good.
The Real Estate That Costs More Than Most People Earn
In 1993, Jami Gertz purchased a beachfront property in Malibu for over $3.5 million.
That was over thirty years ago. The property is worth significantly more now.
They also own a $60 million estate in Beverly Hills’ exclusive Beverly Park community.
That’s $63.5 million in real estate alone.
For context: that’s more than most people will earn in their entire lifetimes. Just property.
The Question Nobody Asks
Did Jami Gertz marry Tony Ressler for his money?
The answer appears to be: No.
When they married, she was the breadwinner. She paid for vacations. She bought their first home.
His massive wealth came after they were already married. After they already had children. After they were committed.
Jami Gertz net worth expansion was a consequence of her marriage, not the cause of it.
The Invisibility of Jami Gertz
Here’s what’s remarkable: Jami Gertz is arguably the richest celebrity in the world.
Yet ask a random person on the street who she is. Most won’t know.
Ask them about the Atlanta Hawks owner. They probably won’t know her name.
Jami Gertz has never been a reality TV star. Never been a social media influencer. Never tried to monetize her life beyond her actual work and investments.
She acts occasionally. She shows up to Hawks games. She does philanthropy.
But she’s not trying to be famous. She’s not building a personal brand. She’s not cashing in on her wealth for more wealth.
Jami Gertz net worth is almost abstract. Incomprehensibly large. But her public presence is minimal.
You may also like Kirsten Kutner
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Jami Gertz net worth in 2025?
A: Jami Gertz net worth is estimated between $8-12 billion as of 2025, though sources vary. She is widely considered the richest celebrity in the world.
Q: How did Jami Gertz become so wealthy?
A: Jami Gertz net worth comes primarily from her marriage to billionaire investor Tony Ressler, whose companies Apollo Global Management and Ares Management manage over $1 trillion in combined assets. The couple also owns the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.
Q: Is Jami Gertz richer than Oprah?
A: Yes. Jami Gertz net worth ($8-12 billion) exceeds Oprah Winfrey’s estimated net worth ($2.6 billion), making her significantly wealthier.
Q: What is Tony Ressler worth?
A: Tony Ressler’s net worth is estimated at $11.3 billion, making him one of the world’s wealthiest financiers.
Q: Does Jami Gertz still act?
A: Jami Gertz continues to take occasional acting roles, though her career is no longer a primary focus given her enormous wealth and philanthropic work.
Q: What are Jami Gertz’s most famous roles?
A: Jami Gertz net worth was built alongside an acting career that included roles in “Twister,” “The Lost Boys,” “Sixteen Candles,” “Still Standing,” and “The Neighbors.”
Q: Do Jami and Tony Ressler have children?
A: Yes, they have three sons: Oliver Jordan Ressler (born 1992), Nicholas Simon Ressler (born 1995), and Theo Ressler (born 1998).
Q: What sports teams does Jami Gertz own?
A: Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler are majority owners of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and minority owners of the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB).
Q: How much is the Atlanta Hawks worth?
A: The Atlanta Hawks are valued at approximately $2.5 billion, contributing significantly to Jami Gertz net worth.
Q: What charitable work do Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler do?
A: Through the Ressler-Gertz Foundation, they support arts museums, education, Jewish organizations and temples, and health and human services. They also founded Gertz-Ressler High Academy.
Q: Did Jami Gertz marry Tony Ressler for money?
A: No. When they married in 1989, Jami Gertz was the established breadwinner. She paid for their early vacations and purchased their first home. Tony’s massive wealth came later.
Q: Why is Jami Gertz not more famous?
A: Despite her enormous wealth, Jami Gertz deliberately maintains a low public profile. She avoids reality TV, social media promotion, and celebrity publicity, choosing instead to focus on family, business, and philanthropy.