Phyllis Diller Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Phyllis Diller is a pioneering stand‑up comedian and actress, celebrated for her eccentric stage persona, self‑deprecating humour, and lasting influence on generations of comics.

Introduction

Phyllis Diller was born on July 17, 1917 and lived a remarkable life that blended comedy, performance and personal perseverance. With an estimated net worth at the time of her passing in the range of $15 million to $18 million, she built her fortune from decades of work in film, television, voice acting, writing and live comedy.  Her relationship history includes two marriages and later a long‑term partnership; her birthday, July 17, became a marker of celebration among her many fans.

Quick Facts

Rising from a Humble Mid‑western Start

Phyllis Diller’s journey began in Lima, Ohio, where she was born the only child of Perry Marcus Driver (an insurance agent) and Frances Ada Driver.  Raised in a middle‑class household, she pursued piano studies (three years at the Sherwood Music Conservatory of Chicago) before choosing a different path. 

Her comedic career did not start early: in 1955, she made her professional debut at the legendary San Francisco club The Purple Onion — after years of being a homemaker and mother. From there, doors opened—television appearances, albums, tours, voice‑acting roles and more.

Defining moments in Phyllis Diller’s journey include:

• Launching her stand‑up act at the Purple Onion in 1955, becoming one of the first female comics to sustain a solo act.

• Breaking into television and film during the 1960s, establishing her unique persona of outrageous hair, garish dresses and blazing laugh.

• Transitioning to voice acting and writing, thereby extending her career and income streams beyond live performance.

• Embracing entrepreneurship: for example, licensing her chili recipe for national sale. 

The Core Pillars of Phyllis Diller’s Wealth

The core pillars of Phyllis Diller’s wealth include:

• Live comedy performances & tours – Regular nights in clubs, theaters and on television provided steady income over decades.

• Film, television and voice‑acting credits – A diversified acting portfolio including cameos, sitcoms, animated films and more.

• Publishing & licensing – Books on household humour, comedic memoirs and product licensing (such as her chili).

• Real‑estate and assets – Her long‑time residence in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and other investments contributed to her net worth.

Relationships & Family Life

Phyllis Diller’s personal life was as layered as her comedic persona.

She married Sherwood Anderson Diller on November 4, 1939, and they had six children (one died in infancy).  Their marriage ended in divorce in 1965. Shortly afterward, she married actor Warde Donovan on October 7, 1965.  That relationship ended in divorce in 1975. For many years afterward she was partnered with attorney Robert P. Hastings, who died in 1996. 

Key insights into Phyllis Diller’s relationships and personal life:

• Her first marriage lasted about 26 years and produced her children; it coincided with her transition into comedy.

• Her second marriage was briefer and turbulent, described in press and her memoirs as involving complications.

• Her longtime partnership later in life with Hastings brought stability and mutual admiration.

• Despite the public persona of comedic exasperation with “Fang” (her fictional husband in jokes), she maintained a private dignity and rarely allowed the hype to overshadow the real human behind the stage.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Phyllis Diller led a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Owning a notable residence in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, which became synonymous with her success and was cited as a major asset when assessing her estate. 

• Avid interest in visual art: she began painting in her later years, working in acrylics, oils and watercolours and hosting “art parties.” 

• Music: Though she had initially studied piano, she took on a comedic‑musical persona — “Dame Illya Dillya” — performing piano solo appearances with symphony orchestras.

• Philanthropy and legacy‑care: She donated iconic pieces of her costume and gag‑file to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, evidencing her awareness of legacy and giving back. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

The evaluation of Phyllis Diller’s net worth draws from multiple sources. At the time of her death, one widely quoted figure was ~$18 million according to CelebrityNetWorth.  Other estimates lean toward ~$15 million. 

Below is an illustrative breakdown (rounded estimates):

Analysis:
Her wealth may not place her among the highest‐earning entertainers of her era, but given the era in which she built her career (1950s onward), her diversification into books, voice acting and licensing reflects shrewd expansion beyond stage work. The consistent income from television, film, live appearances and ancillary ventures helped sustain her wealth. Moreover, her estate’s real‑estate holdings boosted the asset side of the balance sheet, especially her long‑term home in a prime Los Angeles location.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Phyllis Diller’s public image was daring, irreverent and unmistakable. With her teased hair, outrageous wardrobe and booming cackle, she presented a parody of the domestic stereotype while subverting it. Over time, her legacy came to include significant contributions to comedy and cultural representation.

She is credited as one of the first solo female stand‑up comics in the U.S., and inspired later stars such as Joan Rivers, Roseanne Barr and Ellen DeGeneres.  Her willingness to talk publicly about plastic surgery — at a time when it was taboo — further amplified her image as both comedic innovator and cultural outlier. 

Beyond that, her decision to donate her gag‑file and props helped cement her legacy in the history of American comedy. Her brand of humour resonated particularly with women and with gay audiences, both of whom found in her routines a kind of rebellious, celebratory voice. 

In short: her body of work, public persona and strategic career choices gave rise to sustainable influence, and her financial success reflects that.

Conclusion

Phyllis Diller, born July 17, 1917, remains a landmark figure in comedy — her birthday marking not only personal celebration but cultural recognition of her place in the art of stand‑up. With an estimated net worth of approximately $15 million to $18 million at the time of her passing, she built a diversified career, conquered barriers in a male‑dominated field, and left an indelible mark. Her relationships‑‑from her first marriage, to her second, to her long‑term partnership‑‑mirror the nuance of a life lived in the spotlight yet grounded in family and artistry. Her legacy is one of laughter, boldness and purpose.

Phyllis Diller’s story underscores an inspiring insight: that comedic success, when paired with strategic diversification, authentic personality and creative perseverance, can deliver both cultural and financial reward. Her net worth, personal life and birthdate together tell not simply of a comedian’s earnings, but of a pioneering career that changed the game.