Taraji P. Henson, an esteemed American actress and singer, has accumulated a net worth of $12 million through her versatile and acclaimed career.

She first gained recognition in the late 1990s with her film debut in Streetwise (1998), but it was her role in Hustle & Flow (2005) that catapulted her to stardom.

Her critically acclaimed performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Henson’s portrayal of Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures (2016) further cemented her status, contributing to the film’s success both at the box office and in terms of critical acclaim.

On television, Henson gained prominence through standout roles. From 2011 to 2013, she starred in Person of Interest and later became a cultural icon as Cookie Lyon in Empire (2015-2020).

Her performance in Empire garnered her a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy nominations. Her television achievements also include Emmy nominations for her portrayal in Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story and a guest role in the hit comedy Abbott Elementary (2023).

Henson’s talent extends beyond acting, with her producing and hosting holiday specials for Fox. She has starred in a diverse array of films such as Proud Mary (2018), Tyler Perry’s Acrimony (2018), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), and What Men Want (2019).

Her role as civil rights activist Ann Atwater in The Best of Enemies (2019) showcased her ability to take on transformative characters.

Henson’s salary history reflects her gradual rise to prominence in Hollywood. For The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, she was initially offered a modest $100,000, despite being a major supporting character.

After negotiating, she secured $150,000, far less than her co-stars, who earned millions. This disparity in pay highlights the ongoing issue of wage inequality in the entertainment industry—a subject Henson has spoken about openly. On Empire, Henson earned $175,000 per episode, contributing to her wealth and recognition.

Born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., Henson was raised in a working-class family. Her name, which means “hope” in Swahili and “love” in Penda, reflects her family’s deep connection to their heritage.

After graduating high school in 1988, she initially pursued electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University before transferring to Howard University to study acting.

Henson worked multiple jobs, including at the Pentagon and on a cruise ship, to pay for her tuition, demonstrating her relentless drive to achieve her dreams.

Henson’s personal life has had its share of challenges. In 1994, she gave birth to her son Marcell, whose father, her high school sweetheart, was tragically murdered in 2003.

In 2014, Marcell had a run-in with the law, and Henson initially claimed racial profiling but later apologized after reviewing footage of the incident.

In 2017, Henson adopted a vegan diet after health concerns and has been an outspoken advocate for animal rights, posing for PETA campaigns in both 2011 and 2013.

In terms of real estate, Henson has made several significant investments. In 2015, she purchased a condo in Chicago for $1.5 million, later selling it in 2018 for roughly the same price.

She bought two additional units in the same building in 2017, listing them for a combined $3.3 million in 2024.

In Los Angeles, she owns two properties, including a Glendale home bought in 2002 for $431,000 and a private mansion in the Hollywood Hills, acquired in 2016 for $6.45 million. These real estate ventures reflect both her financial acumen and her expanding wealth.