Elinor Donahue, better known for her role as Betty Anderson in Father Knows Best, is an American retired actress who has a net worth of 3 million dollars. The actress made most of her fortune through her acting career spanning over six decades. She ventured into the entertainment industry when she was five and retired in 2011 at 74.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Elinor Donahue was born on April 19, 1937, in Tacoma, Washington, to Thomas Donahue and Doris Genevieve. While growing up, Elinor knew that she wanted to become an actress. As such, she was acting in various activities including dancing. On noting that their daughter was passionate about acting, they decided to support her.
At age 5, Elinor Donahue had already begun appearing in various plays. She also appeared in several films as a teen. Her credits include:
- Tea for Two
- Three Daring Daughters
- Love is Better Than Ever
Breakthrough Role
Elinor Donahue gained national recognition after appearing on the show Father Knows Best. She portrayed Betty, the eldest daughter in the Anderson family. Elinor played the role for six seasons and received one nomination for the role.
Elinor Donahue not only hit national fame with the role of Betty in Father Knows Best, but she also took her acting career to another level. More acting opportunities came knocking, and this gave her the chance to pick appealing offers and turn down others. Additionally, given that Elinor appeared in all seasons of the show, she must have been well-paid. However, she has not openly stated how much she made per episode.
Later Career
After Father Knows Best, Elinor Donahue went on to appear in several films and television shows. She was one of the most sought-after actresses in the ’60s through the 90s. Over that period, she appeared in over 50 films and shows. In the 2000s, Elinor did not appear in many acts, and her last act was in The Young and the Restless, where she played Judge Marie Anderson.
Personal Life
Actress Elinor Donahue has been married thrice. She first married Richard Smith in 1955. They had one son, and they divorced after about six years together. Following the divorce, Elinor started a romantic relationship with producer Harry Ackerman. He was 25 years her senior but love knows no age. They got married in 1962 and were together until 1991 when Ackerman died. The couple had three children together. After her second husband’s death, Elinor married actor Lou Genevrino. They have been together since.
Elinor Donahue’s Net Worth
Elinor Donahue is a person who mainly focused on acting. She began acting at the age of 5 and retired at 74. Elinor began making her fortune at a young age and it seems like her parents were quite supportive. Growing into adulthood, the actress decided to stick with acting, and she managed to make good money from it. Her 3 million net worth is a statement of her passion, determination, and resilience, which have been key to her financial success.
