Many fans are curious about Derek Hough's financial success in April 2026. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.
What Is Derek Hough's Net Worth and Salary?
For the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Hough worked with American ice dancersMeryl DavisandCharlie Whiteon their short dance program routine. The pair went on to win the gold medal in the event, becoming the first Americans to claim the title.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Derek Hough is a professional dancer, choreographer, singer, and actor who has a net worth of $8 million. Derek Hough rose to fame as a professional dancer on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" ("DWTS"), where he first appeared in 2007. He has won the competition a record six times with different celebrity partners, includingBrooke Burke,Nicole Scherzinger,Jennifer Grey,Kellie Pickler,Amber Riley, andBindi Irwin.
Partnered with singer Nicole Scherzinger for season ten, Hough scored his second "Dancing with the Stars" win. He won a third time the next season with partner Jennifer Grey. After falling just short of further wins during the following seasons, Derek returned to victory in season 17 with "Glee" star Amber Riley. A historic sixth and final win for Hough came in season 21 when he was paired with wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin. For his last season in 2016, Derek and his partnerMarilu Hennerfinished in sixth place. Overall, for his work on "Dancing with the Stars," Hough received nine Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Choreography, winning twice. In 2020, it was announced that he would serve as a judge on the show, replacingLen Goodman.
In 2020, Hough became a judge on "DWTS," transitioning from his role as a professional dancer. He has also released a dance instruction book and continues to perform in various stage shows and tours, often collaborating with his sisterJulianne Hough.
In 2002, Hough won the WDSF World Latin Championship. The next year, at the Blackpool Dance Festival, he claimed the Blackpool U-21 Latin title with Aneta Piotrowska.
Derek Hough was born on May 17, 1985, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the fourth of five children in a Latter-day Saint family. His parents are Marianne and Bruce, and his sisters are Sharee, Marabeth, Katherine, and Julianne. All of Hough's grandparents were dancers. At the age of 12, when his parents were in the midst of divorcing, Derek was sent to London to live and study with dance coaches Shirley and Corky Ballas. He remained in London for ten years, receiving training in song, dance, theater, and gymnastics at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. With his sister Julianne and the Ballas' son Mark, Derek formed the pop music trio 2B1G and went on to perform at dance competitions across the UK and the US.
Before "DWTS," Hough trained in dance in London, where he lived for ten years studying various dance styles and performing in theater productions. He and his sister Julianne Hough (also a dancer) were part of a pop music group called 2B1G. Beyond dancing, Derek has expanded his career into choreography, acting, and judging. He won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography for his work on "DWTS." As an actor, he appeared in productions like "Make Your Move" and NBC's "Hairspray Live!" He also starred in multiple stage productions, including a lead role in "Singin' in the Rain" on London's West End.
Hough made his debut appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" during its fourth season in 2007. He came on in week six as a guest instructor alongside his sister Julianne and professional speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. The next season, Derek joined the cast of professional instructors and was paired with actressJennie Garth, with whom he finished in fourth place. For season six, Hough was partnered with actressShannon Elizabeth; they finished in sixth place. Greater success came the next season when Derek was paired with model and television host Brooke Burke. Although Hough had a brief scare when he hit his head on the floor and momentarily blacked out, he and Burke ended up winning the season. For the subsequent two seasons, Derek was paired with rapperLil' Kimand modelJoanna Krupa, finishing in fifth and fourth place, respectively.
In summary, the total wealth of Derek Hough reflects strategic moves.
Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.