Many fans are curious about Joan Fontaine's financial success in April 2026. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What was Joan Fontaine's Net Worth?

Joan Fontaine was a British-American actress who had a net worth of $40 million at the time of her death. Joan Fontaine died on December 15, 2013 at the age of 96.

Fontaine made her film debut in the 1935 MGM romantic comedy "No More Ladies," starringJoan CrawfordandRobert Montgomery. She was credited as Joan Burfield. Fontaine went on to star opposite Bruce Bennett in the 1937 independent film "A Million to One." That same year, she signed a contract with RKO Pictures and had her first major starring role in the aviation film "The Man Who Found Himself," with John Beal. Fontaine appeared in a few other RKO films in 1937, including "You Can't Beat Love," "Music for Madame," and "A Damsel in Distress," costarringFred Astaire. In 1938, Fontaine starred in the RKO comedies "Maid's Night Out," "Blond Cheat," and "Sky Giant," and also starred in the independent picture "The Duke of West Point." Returning to RKO in 1939, Fontaine appeared in the adventure film "Gunga Din." Also that year, she had small parts in "Man of Conquest" and "The Women."

Joan Fontaine was born as Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland on October 22, 1917 in Tokyo City in what was then the Empire of Japan. Her parents were English; they were Lillian, a stage actress, and Walter, a professor at the Imperial University in Tokyo. Fontaine's elder sister was actress Olivia de Havilland. The girls' parents separated in 1919 before getting divorced in 1925. Fontaine and her sister later moved to the United States with their mother, where they settled in Saratoga, California. Nearby, Fontaine was educated at Los Gatos High School. At the age of 16, she returned to Japan to live with her father, and attended the Tokyo School for Foreign Children.

Joan Fontaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Lina in the 1941Alfred Hitchcockfilm "Suspicion." Her sisterOlivia de Havillandwas one of the nominees, for her work in the movie "Hold Back the Dawn." To this day, Joan and Olivia are the only siblings to win lead acting Academy Awards. Olivia won two Best Actress Oscars, her first for 1946's "To Each His Own" and the second for 1949's "The Heiress".

In 1925, their mother re-married a man named George Milan Fontaine. Hence, Joan Fontaine.

Joan Fontaine was among the most famous stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. The younger sister of actress Olivia de Havilland, Joan starred in such films as "Gunga Din," "Rebecca," "The Constant Nymph," "Letter from an Unknown Woman," and "Suspicion," the lattermost of which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Fontaine continued to act until 1994, appearing in television films, television series, plays, and radio programs.

Joan Fontaine in 1941 (via Getty)

Joan and Olivia's first cousin on their father's side, Geoffrey de Havilland, founded the de Havilland aircraft company. Sir Geoffrey de Havilland was a British aircraft designer and engineer. He is best known for his work on the Mosquito, a twin-engined, multi-role combat aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. He also designed the De Havilland Comet, the world's first jet airliner.

Ultimately, Joan Fontaine's financial journey is a testament to their success.

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