Katie Cleary Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

A Voice for the Voiceless: The Journey of Katie Cleary

When Katie Cleary first stepped in front of a camera, she was chasing the spotlight — but over time, she transformed that spotlight into a powerful beacon for animal welfare. Born on September 21, 1981, Katie Cleary’s life has evolved from modeling and television to activism, philanthropy, and filmmaking. That birthdate remains a cornerstone of her personal story, marking the beginning of a journey that would lead far beyond the world of entertainment.

From the Chicagoland Suburbs to Reality-TV Fame

Raised in the Chicago area by a devoted single mother, Katie moved through childhood with a strong sense of empathy and compassion — values shaped early by caring for rescued animals around her home. 

Her entry into the public eye came via the first season of America's Next Top Model (ANTM). Katie’s early modeling work and audition landed her on the show — a high-stakes moment that would soon change everything.  After ANTM, she returned to college in Wisconsin, where she completed a degree in Business & Marketing — a foundation that would later support both her entertainment and activism ventures.

Her post-college move to Los Angeles marked a transitional period. There, she became a familiar face as briefcase model #11 on Deal or No Deal, a role she maintained over several years. Beyond that, she appeared — often peripherally — in television shows such as CSI: NY, Entourage, Chuck, Rules of Engagement and more. 

Yet even at the height of visibility, Cleary felt the call of something larger than modeling or fleeting fame. The cause: animal welfare.

When Glamour Met Purpose: Birth of an Advocate

Long before becoming known in entertainment, Katie’s compassion for animals was born at home — rescuing stray kittens, squirrels, or birds with her mother. These early experiences planted a seed that would later grow into a full-fledged mission. 

In 2012, Katie founded the nonprofit Peace 4 Animals — a platform to channel her advocacy into real-world impact. Through Peace 4 Animals, she aims to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned domestic and endangered animals, raise awareness about species conservation, and promote humane coexistence with wildlife. 

Simultaneously, she launched World Animal News (WAN), a media platform dedicated to highlighting urgent global animal-welfare issues — from habitat loss to poaching, from ethical adoption to species protection.

Her commitment to activism even influenced her lifestyle; Katie adopted a plant-based diet and often expresses in interviews her belief in broader systemic change — arguing that compassion for animals must extend beyond individuals and enter public consciousness and policy. 

Using Media to Amplify a Cause: Filmmaking & Awareness

Katie didn’t leave her media skills behind. Instead, she reoriented them toward activism. She is credited as creator and executive producer of the documentary Give Me Shelter, which premiered in 2015.  Through this film, she brought attention to the lives of rescued animals, sanctuaries, and the often-invisible networks working to save lives.

She has publicly stated that she hopes to expand her reach further — potentially launching WAN onto mainstream platforms (e.g., major television networks), to give a consistent, global voice to animal welfare.  For her, media is not just a career — it’s a vehicle for change.

On Paper: Net Worth and Financial Footing

Estimating the net worth of public figures — particularly those whose income comes from diverse sources such as modeling, acting, hosting, activism, and producing — is always speculative. According to one widely cited source, Katie Cleary’s net worth is listed at around USD 250,000. 

That figure, while modest by celebrity standards, reflects her diversified — and often altruistic — career path, where public visibility blends with advocacy rather than pure commercial success.

Private Turmoil: Relationships and Personal Loss

Cleary’s personal life hasn’t been without hardship. She was married to a man named Andrew Stern — a relationship that ended tragically when he died by suicide in 2014.  The loss marked a turning point for Katie, reinforcing her convictions around compassion, struggle, and the fragility of life.

Media speculation at the time linked Stern’s death to rumors about a relationship between Katie and another celebrity — claims which were never publicly substantiated.  Whether true or not, the incident seems to have deepened Katie’s resolve to focus on causes larger than herself.

Purpose Over Spotlight: What Katie Cleary Represents Today

Today, Katie Cleary’s name is most often associated not with modeling or reality TV, but with her activism. In interviews, she describes working daily to defend species — domestic and wild — and to build pathways for coexistence. 

Her journey from small-town rescuer to global advocate illustrates a transformation: from seeking visibility to wielding influence responsibly. By leveraging her platform, she aims to educate — using film, media, public speaking, and activism to challenge how humans view and treat animals.

For supporters of animal rights and conservation, Cleary offers a case study in purpose-driven reinvention: a reminder that celebrity can be less about fame — and more about meaningful change.