Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the iconic twins who became household names with their catchphrase “you got it, dude” on the hit TV series Full House, have transitioned from child stars to successful entrepreneurs. The sisters, who began their acting careers at just six months old, have amassed a significant fortune in the fashion industry, which has allowed them to build an impressive property portfolio.
The Olsen twins, who have not appeared in a major film or television role for over two decades, are now among the wealthiest women in entertainment, boasting a combined net worth of $1 billion. Their success in the fashion world has enabled them to invest in a variety of luxury properties across the United States.
The Olsen Twins’ Real Estate Ventures
Mary-Kate and Ashley’s foray into the real estate market began while they were attending New York University. In 2004, they purchased four penthouse apartments at the Morton Square condominium in New York City for $7.3 million. Although they never moved into the five-bedroom property, they eventually sold it for $7.7 million in 2007 after it lingered on the market for three years.
Los Angeles and Beyond
The same year they acquired their New York penthouse, the twins also invested in a mansion in Los Angeles, spending $4 million on a Bel-Air home intended for use during university breaks. In 2007, they downsized to a smaller Spanish-style house in Larchmont Village, Los Angeles, for $1.6 million.
Ashley Olsen continued her real estate investments with a luxury condo purchase in Greenwich Village in 2016. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment, which she bought for $6.75 million, was listed for sale at $7.25 million last year. The posh property features a wood-burning fireplace, a wet bar, and expansive city views.
Mary-Kate’s Property Moves
Mary-Kate, on the other hand, made headlines with her property dealings alongside her then-husband, Olivier Sarkozy. In 2019, the couple listed two neighboring 19th-century townhouses in Manhattan’s East Village. One was priced at $7.69 million, while the other was listed for $8.3 million. Despite never living in these homes, they reportedly made renovations to the kitchen and bathrooms.
In 2014, Sarkozy and Olsen purchased another townhouse in Turtle Bay for $13.5 million. However, following their divorce in 2021, Sarkozy sold the property for $10.3 million after it spent a year on the market.
From Acting to Fashion
The Olsen twins’ journey from acting to fashion was marked by their desire to step away from the spotlight. According to People Magazine, they started earning $2,400 per episode on Full House, with their salaries eventually reaching $80,000 per episode. By the age of ten, they had their own production company, Dualstar, and an estimated fortune of $10 million.
After the commercial failure of their film New York Minute, the sisters decided to focus on their fashion empire. In a 2019 interview with Vogue, Mary-Kate explained, “We’ve been there, we’ve done that, we started out that way. But this is the way we chose to move forward in our lives: to not be in the spotlight, to really have something that speaks for itself.”
Their high-end designer chain, The Row, founded in 2006, was turning over $50 million a year by 2015 and has won multiple awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
The Olsen Legacy
The Olsen twins’ decision to remain discreet and focus on their business ventures has paid off. In 2019, their combined net worth was estimated at $560 million. Despite their success, they have maintained a low profile, rarely appearing in public together.
Their commitment to their craft and business acumen has allowed them to build a lasting legacy in the fashion industry, while their savvy real estate investments continue to contribute to their wealth. As they continue to expand their empire, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen remain influential figures in both fashion and real estate.
Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and The US Sun and were republished with permission.
