Lea DeLaria Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Lea DeLaria is a comedian, actress and jazz singer celebrated for her trailblazing presence in LGBTQ+ entertainment and her breakout role on Orange Is the New Black.

Introduction

Born on May 23, 1958, the multifaceted performer Lea DeLaria has carved a singular path through comedy, television, stage and music. Her estimated net worth stands at approximately $1.5 million according to public-estimates.  In her personal life, DeLaria has confirmed that she is married to her partner Dalia Gladstone—a milestone which reflects her increasingly open presence in both public and private spheres. 

Quick Facts

From Local Ambition to Global Success

Lea DeLaria grew up in Belleville, Illinois, born to a homemaker mother and a father who was a jazz pianist and social worker.  Her early upbringing, which included Catholic schooling, became part of her voice as a stand-up comedian. She relocated to San Francisco in the early 1980s to launch her stand-up career, performing boldly in a landscape that offered little representation for openly gay performers. 

Recognized as the first openly gay comic to appear on American late-night television (on The Arsenio Hall Show), she broke new ground in 1993.  From there she expanded into jazz singing, Broadway and television, steadily building her platform.
Defining moments in Lea DeLaria’s journey include:

• Pioneering openly gay comedy with her 1993 TV appearance.

• Transitioning into jazz albums and live performance beyond stand-up.

• Landing the recurring—and later main—role of Carrie “Big Boo” Black on Orange Is the New Black, amplifying her visibility globally.

• Returning to the Broadway stage in high-profile productions, blending her musical and acting talents.

Main Sources of Wealth

The core pillars of Lea DeLaria’s wealth include:

• Television & Film Acting: Her long-running role on Orange Is the New Black provided significant visibility and income.

• Stand-up Comedy and Live Performance: Touring, residencies and special events generate earnings and also reinforce her brand.

• Music (Jazz & Comedy Albums): DeLaria has released jazz albums and comedy albums, adding to revenue streams through performance and recordings.

• Stage and Broadway Work: Live theatre gigs and Broadway credits contribute to her professional profile and income diversification.

While exact breakdowns are not publicly detailed in full, her estimated net worth sits at around US $1.5 million. 

Note: These figures are approximate and based on publicly-available estimations.

Relationships & Family Life

In matters of the heart, Lea DeLaria has moved from relative privacy to a more open personal life. Public records show that she became engaged to fashion editor Chelsea Fairless in January 2015 after a period of dating, but confirmed the breakup in early 2017.  Later, she made headlines by revealing that she and partner Dalia Gladstone had been married—she let slip the term “wife” during a 2023 interview.

Key insights into Lea DeLaria’s relationships and personal life:

• DeLaria has long been an openly gay public figure, integrating her identity into her professional narrative.

• Her relationship with Dalia Gladstone appears to be private yet genuine; she characterizes it as “old school queer” and not seeking celebrity-style exposure. 

• The earlier engagement to Chelsea Fairless underscores how DeLaria’s personal milestones have evolved alongside her career.

• Family details remain modest in media coverage, reflecting her preference for separating the public and private spheres.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Lea DeLaria leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• A strong interest in jazz performance and musical collaboration—her roots as a jazz singer continue to shape her creative choices. 

• Advocacy and visibility for LGBTQ+ representation: she has used her platform to challenge stereotypes and advance representation. 

• Live residencies and curated events: for instance, she launched a monthly residency at the iconic Stonewall Inn where her personality and performance converge in themed shows. 

• A style that embraces visibility and authenticity: both on-stage and off, she holds space as a bold and unapologetic performer.

While publicly reported information about homes, cars or major real­estate holdings is limited, her lifestyle reflects a career built on creative freedom rather than high-net-worth opulence.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Estimating celebrity net worth always involves caution, especially when official disclosures are limited. Most public estimates for Lea DeLaria indicate around US $1.5 million.  Several factors help explain the figure and its trajectory:

• Her major role in Orange Is the New Black expanded her income and exposure, but her earlier years included leaner stand-up gigs and niche jazz projects.

• The diversification into television, stage, music and live events means multiple income streams, though none are individually massive compared to A-list peers.

• Her public brand is strong among LGBTQ+ audiences and in comedy/jazz circles—but mainstream blockbuster earnings appear limited.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Lea DeLaria is widely regarded as a pioneer in LGBTQ+ representation and as a comedian who embraced bold identity-driven storytelling. From her early days as an openly gay stand-up performing what was once unthinkable on mainstream stages, to her later mainstream success, she has maintained a voice of authenticity. 

Her legacy includes:

• Breaking barriers for openly gay performers in late-night television and beyond.

• Bringing a fusion of jazz, comedy and acting into a cohesive career—rare for entertainers who specialize in multiple disciplines.

• Acting as a role model for visibility and self-expression within queer communities—her work often underscores “this is who I am” rather than “who I pretend to be.”

• Maintaining creative agency: even as she gained greater fame, she continued to perform stand-up, record jazz albums and choose roles that align with her identity.

Public perception situates her as both an entertainer and an advocate—someone whose work entertains and whose presence matters. Her legacy is less about blockbuster earnings and more about cultural impact, representation and creative integrity.

Conclusion

Lea DeLaria’s journey from the stand-up clubs of San Francisco to the Broadway stage and global streaming screens reflects resilience, versatility and unapologetic presence. Born on May 23, 1958, her birthday marks the arrival of a performer who has used every platform—comedy, music, acting—to challenge norms, elevate culture and entertain. With an estimated net worth of approximately US $1.5 million, her story is less about accumulation and more about impact. Her relationships, including her marriage to Dalia Gladstone, mirror the private authenticity she brings to the public stage. In a world where identity and visibility matter, Lea DeLaria stands as an example of how doing your truth can be both profitable and purpose-filled.