Lesley-Anne Down Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Lesley-Anne Down is a British actress and former model best known for her roles in “Upstairs, Downstairs,” “North & South,” and long-running soaps such as “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Introduction

Lesley‑Anne Down (born March 17, 1954) has carved out a distinguished career spanning film, television and modelling, and has built an estimated net worth of approximately $10 million.  Her birthday falls on March 17 and she has been married to cinematographer/director Don E. FauntLeRoy since the mid-1980s. Her journey from teen model in London to international screen presence reflects both resilience and evolution in a changing entertainment industry.

Quick Facts

From Local Ambition to Screen Stardom

Born in Wandsworth, London, Lesley-Anne Down entered the world on March 17, 1954. At an early age, she displayed ambition in modelling and acting—she began modelling around age 10 and was reportedly voted “Britain’s most beautiful teenager” by age 15. 

Her early forays into acting included small film roles, but the turning point arrived when she portrayed Georgina Worsley in the British television series Upstairs, Downstairs (1973-75), which provided her with real international exposure. 

Defining moments in Lesley-Anne Down’s journey include:

• Winning beauty-pageant style accolades and modelling as a teen in London.

• The breakthrough TV role in Upstairs, Downstairs, giving her entry into high-profile screen work.

• Transitioning to major films in the 1970s (including The Pink Panther Strikes Again and The First Great Train Robbery). 

• Establishing a stable presence in American television—including roles in Dallas, Sunset Beach, and The Bold and the Beautiful.

• Sustaining a career into later decades with selected screen work and maintaining public recognition.

Through these phases, her personal story meshes with career arcs: from modelling teenager to international screen actress.

Main Sources of Wealth

The core pillars of Lesley-Anne Down’s wealth include:

• Film & Television Acting – Long term earnings from prominent roles in both British and American productions.

• Modelling and Early Career Work – Early modelling contributed to her brand and visibility, fueling subsequent roles.

• Residuals & Syndication – She starred in series and films that endure in rerun or archive form, generating ongoing work.

• Potential Real Estate & Investments – While specifics are limited, many actors of her tenure tend to diversify into property or other assets.

Note: While the breakdown sums to ~$10 million, these figures remain estimates—sources highlight they may not reflect private holdings or undisclosed investments. 

Relationships & Personal Life

Lesley-Anne Down’s personal life—while relatively private in recent years—has included several high-profile relationships and a stable marriage.

• In her early career she had a long‐term relationship with British writer/director Bruce Robinson, lasting roughly a decade. 

• She married Enrique Gabriel in 1980, though that marriage ended after about a year and a half.

• Her second marriage was to director William Friedkin (known for The Exorcist) in 1982; the union ended in 1985 amid very public legal and custody proceedings. 

• In September 1986, she married Don E. FauntLeRoy (cinematographer/director). The couple have maintained a long-term marriage.

Key insights into Lesley-Anne Down’s relationships and personal life:

• Her early modelling and teen-celebrity status brought intensive public scrutiny.

• The custody and divorce battle with Friedkin became major tabloid coverage and impacted her career choices.

• Her marriage to Don E. FauntLeRoy has been described as stable and less publicly tumultuous, allowing her to step back somewhat from the spotlight.

• She has maintained a level of privacy in recent years, favouring a quieter personal lifestyle while remaining respected for her professional legacy.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Lesley-Anne Down leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• A residence in the United States, reflecting her dual-career across the UK and US markets. 

• Interests in collecting (for example Victorian children’s books) and animal-rights awareness. 

• Occasional selective screen appearances, indicating a transition from full-time actor to seasoned professional choosing work selectively.

• Travel and international presence: given her British roots and American career, she has established connections on both sides of the Atlantic.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Lesley-Anne Down is regarded as a versatile screen performer whose career spans genres, countries, and generations of viewers. Her public image combines glamour from her early modelling days with substance from her enduring work.

In the industry, she is respected for her capacity to transition from British period drama to American soaps and feature films. Her role in North & South marked a peak of mainstream recognition. Her legacy includes influencing younger actresses who shift between UK and US markets, and demonstrating longevity in a competitive field.

Her public influence, while not tied to massive philanthropic campaigns, includes her early voice speaking out about industry pressures (for instance, her remarks on the “casting couch” in her early years). 

Conclusion

From her birth on March 17, 1954 in London to her current status as a seasoned screen veteran, Lesley-Anne Down’s journey reflects determination, adaptability and quiet resilience. With an estimated net worth of ~$10 million and a long-standing marriage to Don E. FauntLeRoy, she has sustained a career whose highlights include Upstairs, Downstairs, North & South, and The Bold and the Beautiful. Her birthday remains a moment to reflect on a legacy built not just on glamour, but on craft, longevity and personal integrity.