Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

6 of the richest Desperate Housewives stars – net worths, ranked: from Eva Longoria and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Vanessa Williams, to Teri Hatcher of James Bond and Superman fame

Desperate Housewives stars Dana Delany, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Nicollette Sheridan, Eva Longoria and Teri Hatcher. Photo: ABC
When ABC network drama Desperate Housewives first debuted in October 2004, it was an instant global hit. Running until 2012, the series won multiple Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes during its eight seasons on the air.
Desperate Housewives actresses Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Nicollette Sheridan, Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross pose at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: AFP

Much like their characters on Wisteria Lane, the show’s ensemble cast have had their fair share of highs and lows over the years, with bitter spats ending some on-screen storylines sooner than expected.

But a lot has changed over the 12 years since the series went off the air, including the careers and bank balances of its biggest stars. Here’s how they stack up in 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

6. Vanessa Williams, 61

Estimated net worth: US$20 million

Vanessa Williams attends the Whitney Museum of American Art 2024 Gala in New York, in May. Photo: @vanessawilliamsofficial/Instagram
During the final two seasons of Desperate Housewives, Wisteria Lane saw the arrival of nosy new neighbour Renee Perry. Of course, Vanessa Williams was already an industry legend after becoming the first African-American Miss America in 1983 and scoring 11 Grammy nominations for hit songs like “Colors of the Wind” and “Save the Best for Last”. These days she’s a fierce LGBTQ+ ally, appearing on drag shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Queen of the Universe.

5. Marcia Cross, 62

Estimated net worth: US$20 million

Marcia Cross at an event for fashion brand Marc Cain in March 2022. Photo: @reallymarcia/Instagram

Following roles in hit 90s shows like Melrose Place, CSI and Touched by an Angel, Marcia Cross finally hit the big time with Desperate Housewives as the oh-so-proper Bree Van de Kamp.

While her acting career has slowed down since the show’s end, Cross made headlines in 2018 when she revealed she was in remission after receiving treatment for anal cancer. She shared her story in a bid to “put a dent in the stigma”, telling CBS News, “I know there are people who are ashamed. You have cancer! You have to then also feel ashamed? Like you did something bad, you know, because it [the cancer] took up residence in your anus? I mean, come on, really. There’s enough on your plate.”

4. Nicollette Sheridan, 60

Estimated net worth: US$25 million

Nicollette Sheridan enjoys a drink on a Friday night out in May 2022. Photo: @nicollettesheridan/Instagram

Between 2004 and 2009, Nicollette Sheridan starred as Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives until her character was killed off in season five. Her departure from the show was all but amicable, with Sheridan filing a US$20 million lawsuit against the show’s creator and producer Marc Cherry and ABC Television, making various accusations including wrongful termination, assault and battery, gender violence, discrimination and infliction of emotional distress, per Yahoo! She fought the case for years afterwards, but it was ultimately dismissed.

Besides a few small TV movie roles, her last notable gig was in 2018’s Dynasty reboot, where she played matriarch Alexis Carrington Colby.

3. Felicity Huffman, 61

Estimated net worth: US$45 million

Felicity Huffman leaves a courthouse in Boston after facing charges for the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal in April 2019. Photo: AFP

Known as Lynette Scavo on Wisteria Lane, Felicity Huffman also received critical acclaim for her roles in the 2005 film Transamerica and the TV series American Crime. When Desperate Housewives ended, Huffman said that audiences found it difficult to think of her as anything else after seeing her as Lynette Scavo for eight years, per Fox News.

Huffman was also one of the stars who got caught up in the “Varsity Blues” college cheating scandal in 2019, for which she was sentenced to two weeks in prison, a year of probation, a US$30,000 fine and 250 hours of community service, per ABC News.

2. Teri Hatcher, 59

Estimated net worth: US$50 million

Teri Hatcher relaxes in a pink suit while doing promo for her Hallmark movie Mid-Love Crisis in October 2022. Photo: @officialterihatcher/Instagram
By the time Desperate Housewives started airing, Teri Hatcher was already a household name for her roles as Paris Carver in the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and Lois Lane in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman TV show.

During her time on Desperate Housewives, Hatcher was widely reported to have stormy relationships with the crew and cast members. When the show ended, she told TV Guide: “I will never disclose the true and complicated journey of us all, but I wish everyone on the show well.” Since then, she’s remained largely low profile, doing a few small voice roles and Hallmark movies.

1. Eva Longoria, 49

Estimated net worth: US$80 million

Eva Longoria wears a gold evening gown as she heads to an event for tequila brand Casa del Sol in May. Photo: @evalongoria/Instagram

The breakout star of the show, Eva Longoria is also the richest Desperate Housewives alum. After winning over viewers as the feisty Gabrielle Solis, Longoria went on to star in a string of films and TV shows. She’s also proved her worth behind the camera, serving as an executive producer for TV series Devious Maids and director for film biopic Flamin’ Hot, based on the man who claimed he invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Her many reported brand endorsements with the likes of L’Oréal, Magnum ice-cream, Heineken and Microsoft have also added to her impressive fortune. Along the way, she got a master’s degree in chicano and chicana studies from California State University, Northridge. These days, she’s a keen political activist and philanthropist as the founder of the Eva Longoria Foundation.

  • Twelve years after the ladies of Wisteria Lane ended their reign over prime time TV, they’re worth millions – but one outranks the rest with endorsement deals with Microsoft, Heineken and L’Oréal
  • Marcia Cross is known too for Melrose Place, CSI and speaking out about her cancer struggles, while American Crime star Felicity Huffman was embroiled in the ‘Varsity Blues’ college cheating scandal