As one of the most talked-about figures, Donatella Versace has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What is Donatella Versace's Net Worth and Salary?

In 2014, Versace sold a 20% stake in the firm to private equity firm Blackstone. The investment valued Versace at roughly $1.4 billion. Subsequently, Allegra's 50% stake was worth around $700 million and Donatella's was worth $280 million. On September 25, 2018, Michael Kors Holdings announced it had struck a deal to acquire Versace for $2.2 billion.

Donatella's most talked about design is the low-cut silk chiffon dressJennifer Lopezwore to the 2000 Grammy Awards; within 24 hours of the event, the Grammy website's images of the dress had been downloaded more than 640,000 times. Later that year, "South Park" creatorTrey Parkerwore a copy of the iconic dress to the Academy Awards. In pop culture, Donatella has been portrayed byMaya Rudolph("Saturday Night Live"),Gina Gershon(" House of Versace"), andPenelope Cruz(" American Crime Story:  The Assassination of Gianni Versace"), andLady Gagawrote a song for her, "Donatella," which appears on her 2013 album "Artpop." In 2016, Donatella released the book "Versace" which chronicles her career as well as the company's legacy.

After Gianni was murdered in 1997 by a deranged fan, Donatella's daughter Allegra inherited a 50% ownership stake in the Versace fashion empire. Donatella inherited 20% of the company, and her uncle Santo (Gianni's brother) inherited 30%. Since Allegra was just eleven years old at the time of her uncle's tragic murder, Donatella and Santo took control.

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Donatella Versace was born Donatella Francesca Versace on May 2, 1955 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. She grew up with mother, Francesca (a dressmaker), father Antonio (a salesman), and three older siblings, Gianni, Santo, and Tina; Tina sadly passed away at just 12 years old from a tetanus infection. Francesca taught Donatella and Gianni about fashion design, and Versace began dying her hair blonde when she was 11 at Gianni's insistence. Donatella enrolled at the University of Florence in 1973, majoring in foreign languages and planning to become a teacher. While attending university, she often went to Milan to help Gianni with his clothing business.

Versace originally planned to work in the public relations department of Gianni's company, but he valued her as a critic and a muse, and when he founded Versace in 1978, he made Donatella Vice President of the company. Donatella was involved with coordinating Versace's fashion shows and advertising campaigns, and Gianni gave her a fashion label, Versus, in the 1980s and launched a perfume, Blonde, in her honor. Donatella became more involved in the business when Gianni had cancer in the mid-1990s, and after his murder in 1997, Donatella became Versace's head of design. Several celebrities have been featured in Donatella's Versace advertising campaigns, includingMadonna,Demi Moore,Courtney Love, andNicki Minaj. From October 2002 to January 2003, London's Victoria and Albert Museum showcased Gianni and Donatella's most well-known designs during a special exhibit called "Versace at the V&A."

Versace designed the Palazzo Versace Australia resort and was also involved in the design of Palazzo Versace Dubai. And in 2005, she designed a MINI Cooper Cabrio to benefit the Life Ball charity event.

Donatella Versace is an Italian fashion designer who has a net worth of $400 million. Donatella is the younger sister of famed designerGianni Versaceand inherited control of his company, Versace after he was tragically murdered in 1997. She has served as Versace's CEO, chief creative officer, and artistic director, and she was instrumental in selling the company toMichael Korsfor $2.12 billion in 2018. In March 2025, Donatella Versace announced she would step down as the brand's chief creative officer after nearly three decades, transitioning to the role of chief brand ambassador. Dario Vitale, formerly with Miu Miu, was appointed as her successor.

In summary, the total wealth of Donatella Versace reflects strategic moves.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.