Bea Arthur Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Bea Arthur Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Bea Arthur is an Oscar‑nominated stage, film and television actress celebrated for her breakthrough in Maude and iconic turn in The Golden Girls.

Introduction

Born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922, Bea Arthur built a remarkable career that spanned Broadway, television and film. Her estimated net worth stood at approximately $25 million by the time of her passing, according to celebrity‑wealth trackers. Although Bea Arthur never publicly dated during her most famous years, her relationship history includes two marriages—her personal life remains a respected subject of interest among fans and biographers alike.

Quick Facts

From Small‑Town Ambitions to Television Stardom

Bea Arthur’s story begins in Brooklyn, New York, where she was born into a Jewish family.  At age 11 her family relocated to Cambridge, Maryland, and Arthur would later enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1943, driving trucks and serving as a dispatcher.

After the war, she attended the Dramatic Workshop at the New School in New York City and began performing off‑Broadway. Her Broadway breakthrough arrived in the mid‑1960s when she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Vera Charles in Mame. 

Defining moments in Bea Arthur’s journey include:

• Winning the Tony Award in 1966 for Mame. 

• Breaking into mainstream television with the role of Maude Findlay on All in the Family and then her own series Maude. 

• Cementing pop‑culture status as Dorothy Zbornak on the hit sitcom The Golden Girls. 

The Core Pillars of Bea Arthur’s Wealth Include:

Bea Arthur net worth was driven by her sustained success across multiple entertainment platforms:

• Stage performances & Broadway roles — Her early career in theater, including Mame and other musicals, laid the foundation.

• Television contracts and syndication — Her roles on Maude and The Golden Girls became enduring parts of her income stream through syndication, residuals and guest appearances.

• Real estate and asset appreciation — As reported by real‑estate outlets, her Brentwood home later sold for multi‑million‑dollar sums. 

Relationships & Family Life

Arthur’s personal life was deliberately kept relatively private and professional, but several key relationships stand out:

• Her first marriage was to fellow Marine Robert Alan Aurthur during her military service years; the union ended in divorce. 

• In May 1950 she married director Gene Saks; together they adopted two sons, Matthew and Daniel. They remained married until 1978. 

Key insights into Bea Arthur’s relationships and personal life:

• She kept her marriages separate from her public persona, rarely merging work and domestic life in the spotlight.

• After her second divorce, she never remarried, and instead focused on mentorship, advocacy work and charity.

• Arthur became a respected ally in the LGBTQ+ community, championing homeless youth and equal‑rights causes. 

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Bea Arthur leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Real estate: Her Los Angeles Brentwood home later sold for around $15 million according to property records. 

• Philanthropy: She bequeathed $300,000 to the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, and the “Bea Arthur Residence” opened in Manhattan in her honor.

• Interests: A former Marine, Arthur often credited her disciplined military service with shaping her work ethic and approach to performance. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Here’s a timeless breakdown of how Bea Arthur net worth is evaluated and what contributed to its accumulation:

Notably, evaluations of her net worth rely heavily on retrospective data since Arthur passed in 2009. The cited $25 million figure appears consistently in reliable celebrity‑wealth databases. 

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Bea Arthur’s public image bridges both sharp‑witted comedic powerhouse and socially aware figure. Her roles helped reshape television’s approach to women in mid‑life, divorce, aging and feminism. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer because:

• Cultural impact: Dorothy Zbornak and Maude Findlay became emblematic characters for empowered women on television.

• Advocacy: Her advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth and women’s rights added depth to her legacy beyond sitcom fame.

• Lasting legacy: Syndication of The Golden Girls continues to introduce Arthur’s work to new generations, ensuring her influence endures.

Conclusion

Bea Arthur was born on May 13, 1922 and celebrated each May 13 as her birthday. Her career journey—from Marine Corps service to Broadway triumph, to television legend—reflects both tenacity and talent. With an estimated net worth of around $25 million and a personal life marked by meaningful relationships and purposeful philanthropy, her story remains one of both entertainment and impact. For writers, fans and cultural historians alike, Bea Arthur personal life offers rich terrain: she stands as a model of professional excellence, social commitment and quietly powerful presence.