Joan Collins — A Life of Glamour, Resilience, and Reinvention

A Star Is Born in London

Dame Joan Henrietta Collins was born on May 23, 1933 in Paddington, London.  Raised in a creative but disciplined household — her father a talent agent, her mother a dance teacher — she showed early promise.

From a young age she was drawn to the stage. According to her own accounts she made her stage debut as a child and later trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).  This early immersion in acting paved the way for a career that would span decades — not only in film and television, but also in writing and philanthropy.

From British Films to Hollywood Spotlight

Collins’ first on-screen work dates back to the early 1950s, with roles in British films including Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951) and The Woman's Angle (1952).  What followed were years of steady work across European cinema and early television — a building phase that would ultimately lead her to international stardom.

The watershed moment arrived in 1981, when she was cast as the ruthless and glamorous Alexis Carrington Colby on the primetime soap opera Dynasty. Her portrayal electrified audiences, revitalizing the show’s ratings and cementing her image as one of television’s great glamour icons.

At the peak of that success, she earned a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983. From B-movies to international celebrity — her trajectory was a testament to talent, perseverance, and timing.

Building a Legacy: Writing, Reinvention, and Giving Back

But Collins never allowed herself to be defined by a single role. Beyond acting, she built a multifaceted career as an author and columnist.  Her memoirs, novels, and public writings added new dimensions to her public identity, showcasing wit, candor, and a reflective understanding of fame and womanhood.

Her enduring public presence and contributions to arts and society were formally recognized: she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and in 2015 elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her charity and humanitarian work. Collins’ ability to evolve — from film to television, from screen to pen, from actress to respected public figure — underscores her resilience in an industry often unkind to aging stars.

Financial Standing: Net Worth and Lasting Value

Estimating the wealth of a lifelong celebrity with diversified earnings is inherently approximate. According to one recent source from 2025, Joan Collins’ net worth is estimated at around £25 million (roughly US $31 million) — accumulated through decades of acting, writing, and ventures tied to her lifestyle brand and public presence.

Other sources that previously estimated her net worth at around US $20 million still capture the scope of a substantial fortune built over time. Regardless of the exact figure, her wealth reflects not just performance fees, but royalties, publishing, endorsements, and a long-term brand built on glamour and reinvention.

The Heart Behind the Fame: Relationships, Motherhood, and Continuity

Collins’ personal life has frequently drawn public interest — a tapestry of romantic entanglements, marriages, motherhood, and ultimately stability. Her first marriage was to Irish actor Maxwell Reed in 1952; they divorced in 1956. 

In 1963 she married actor–singer–composer Anthony Newley, with whom she had two children: a daughter, Tara Newley, and a son, Alexander Newley (also known as “Sacha”).  Their marriage ended in divorce in 1970. 

Her third marriage to producer Ron Kass produced a daughter, Katyana Kass, before that marriage too ended.  In 1985 she wed singer Peter Holm — a union that was short and publicly acrimonious, ending in divorce in 1987. 

It wasn’t until 2002 that Collins found enduring companionship — she married theater manager Percy Gibson.  Their partnership has been described as grounded, based on shared passions like theater, reading, and a quiet love for Scrabble. 

Through these relationships and her three children — Tara, Alexander, and Katyana — Collins has repeatedly expressed that motherhood and family remain among her greatest joys.

The Enduring Allure of a Glamour Icon

What makes Joan Collins more than just a name from old Hollywood is her remarkable ability to evolve — to stay relevant and compelling across decades. From a young London actress to a global television icon, author, dame, and enduring public figure, her life reads like a screenplay with reinvention as its central theme.

Her birthdate and birthday — May 23, 1933 — remain anchor points in a life that continues to defy expectations. Her net worth, while impressive, tells only part of the story. Much more enduring is her capacity to transform, to endure — and to shine.