Taraji P. Henson’s Net Worth: How Empire Made Her Rich

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Outspoken about pay disparities in Hollywood, Taraji P. Henson used her two first paychecks to pay off her student loans from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Howard University.

“I look forward to treating employees and I look forward to treating people that work for me because I want them to know how much they mean to me and how appreciated they are and how much I need them,” the actress and entrepreneur told Insider in a March 2020 interview.

Taraji P. Henson wore a blue Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Spring 2020 ensemble at the FOX Winter TCA All-Star PartyTaraji P. Henson wore a blue Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Spring 2020 ensemble at the FOX Winter TCA All-Star Party at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 7, 2020, in Pasadena, California

“On the set of ‘Empire,’ we have over 230 cast and crew members,” Henson explained about the Fox drama series that made her famous.

“I get food trucks for them. I also look out for the extras because I was an extra once. I know sometimes the extras are treated differently. I know the struggle. Like, ‘Extras only eat this food while everybody eats this food.’ That makes you feel less than.”

Taraji P. Henson showed off her bare feet in metallic Christian Louboutin Loubi Queen sandalsTaraji P. Henson showed off her bare feet in metallic Christian Louboutin Loubi Queen sandals

“Know the power in the word ‘No,'” she said in the interview about her efforts to increase her net worth. “Know your worth, and if they’re not paying your worth, go where somebody will, because they are out there. They will pay you for your worth.”

In January 2019, Taraji had millions of reasons to smile on the red carpet at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards. Her net worth is now an incredible $25 million!

Taraji P. Henson highlighted her cleavage at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2019Taraji P. Henson highlighted her cleavage at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2019

The ‘Empire’ actress looked sexy in a custom forest green Vera Wang gown styled with Roberto Coin jewelry. Starring as Loretha “Cookie” Lyon, she reportedly makes $175,000 per episode of the American musical drama television series. The series concluded on April 21, 2020.

Taraji P. Henson's forest green Vera Wang gown features a daring necklineTaraji P. Henson’s forest green Vera Wang gown features a daring neckline

While the American actress, author, and singer has appeared in a long list of movies and television series, she is most famous for playing Cookie Lyon on the Fox series Empire. In 2016, she also released a New York Times bestselling autobiography titled Around the Way Girl (available at Amazon).

She received Academy Award, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for playing a single mother of a disabled child in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

In her memoir, she claims she was paid “less than 2%” of her co-star Brad Pitt’s salary. However, she is now making millions of dollars per year as one of the highest-paid actresses in the world.

Taraji P. Henson is an American actress and singer with a net worth of $25 millionTaraji P. Henson is an American actress and singer with a net worth of $25 million

Toward the end of 2018, Taraji also showed off her sexy feet in Jimmy Choo’s ‘Minny’ sandals at the premiere of Disney’s ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ in Los Angeles, California.

Taraji P. Henson's red strapless dress from Carolina Herrera's 2019 Spring CollectionTaraji P. Henson’s red strapless dress from Carolina Herrera’s 2019 Spring Collection

She styled her ankle-strap shoes with a red strapless ruffle dress from Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2019 Collection.

Taraji P. Henson at the world premiere of their new movie Ralph Breaks the Internet held at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on November 5, 2018Taraji P. Henson at the world premiere of their new movie Ralph Breaks the Internet held at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on November 5, 2018

Her makeup was by Ashunta Sheriff and her hair by Tym Wallace. Don’t you think the fabric of her dress looks stiff and cheap?

Taraji P. Henson's naked feet in Jimmy Choo Minny sandalsTaraji P. Henson’s naked feet in Jimmy Choo Minny sandals

The same month, Taraji also attended the 2018 Hollywood Film Awards and served as a presenter for the night. She presented the award for Hollywood Breakout Actor to John David Washington for his role in BlackKklansman.

How do you like her two-tone jumpsuit from Brandon Maxwell’s Spring 2019 Collection? It consisted of a white one-shoulder top and exaggerated wide-leg pants.

Taraji P. Henson looked gorgeous at the 2018 Hollywood Film Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on November 4, 2018Taraji P. Henson looked gorgeous at the 2018 Hollywood Film Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on November 4, 2018

Two months earlier, she looked radiant in pink while making her way out of The View studios after making an appearance in New York City. She styled a hot pink Ariana sleeveless dress from the Solace London Pre-Fall 2018 Collection with glittering Sophia Webster sandals.

Taraji P. Henson kept it bright in a pink dress while making her way out of The View studios after making an appearance in New York City on September 25, 2018Taraji P. Henson kept it bright in a pink dress while making her way out of The View studios after making an appearance in New York City on September 25, 2018

Her hit show, Empire, is the source of much of her net worth, and the previous day she attended the season five premiere held at Lafayette in New York City.

Taraji P. Henson wearing Designers Remix at the season five premiere of Empire held at Lafayette in New York City on September 24, 2018Taraji P. Henson wearing Designers Remix at the season five premiere of Empire held at Lafayette in New York City on September 24, 2018

She showed off her pretty feet in Jimmy Choo’s ‘Carey’ sandals paired with a Designers Remix Resort 2019 shirt and skirt.

Taraji P. Henson's bare feet in Jimmy Choo Carey sandalsTaraji P. Henson’s bare feet in Jimmy Choo Carey sandals

In February 2017, Taraji P. Henson won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Cookie Lyon on ‘Empire’ at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards on Saturday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.

She was joined on the red carpet by Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae.

Taraji P. Henson poses with Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae Taraji P. Henson poses with Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae

The then 46-year-old ‘Hidden Figures’ actress donned a lovely leather-accented Alexander Wang dress featuring a thigh-high split.

Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae celebrating Taraji P. Henson's prestigious awardOctavia Spencer and Janelle Monae celebrating Taraji P. Henson’s prestigious award

She styled the sultry black gown with a statement ring, a bracelet, and earrings from David Webb, a top knot, and black suede sandals from Jimmy Choo.

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae show off their sexy feetTaraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae show off their sexy feet

Taraji P. Henson's earrings from David Webb and a top knotTaraji P. Henson’s earrings from David Webb and a top knot

Taraji P. Henson won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Cookie LyonTaraji P. Henson won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Cookie Lyon

Taraji P. Henson's endless legs in a lovely leather-accented Alexander Wang dressTaraji P. Henson’s endless legs in a lovely leather-accented Alexander Wang dress

Taraji P. Henson's nude feet in strappy Jimmy Choo sandalsTaraji P. Henson’s nude feet in strappy Jimmy Choo sandals

One month earlier, the 46-year-old American actress and author stunned at the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Award in a layered organza gown from the Reem Acra Spring 2017 collection.

Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monáe at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) held at The Shrine Auditorium Media Complex in Los Angeles on January 29, 2017Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monáe at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) held at The Shrine Auditorium Media Complex in Los Angeles on January 29, 2017

She styled the romantic beaded dress with Nirav Modi jewelry, Jimmy Choo heels, and a Judith Leiber bag.

Janelle Monáe celebrates with Taraji P. HensonJanelle Monáe celebrates with Taraji P. Henson

Taraji and the other stars of ‘Hidden Figures’, including Janelle Monáe, won the top prize of the night for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Taraji P. Henson won the top prize of the nightTaraji P. Henson won the top prize of the night

Taraji P. Henson accessorized with Nirav Modi jewelryTaraji P. Henson accessorized with Nirav Modi jewelry

Taraji P. Henson's romantic beaded dress featured an open backTaraji P. Henson’s romantic beaded dress featured an open back

Taraji P. Henson turned heads in a layered organza gown from the Reem Acra Spring 2017 collectionTaraji P. Henson turned heads in a layered organza gown from the Reem Acra Spring 2017 collection

Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN / Nicky Nelson / Oscar Martin / Future Image / Avalon