Laverne Cox’s Journey from Financial Struggles to $6 Million Net Worth: A Success Story

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In a September 2015 interview with Women’s Health, Laverne Cox revealed that she struggled to pay rent before her breakthrough role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Despite these early financial challenges, Laverne Cox has achieved remarkable success in her career, with an estimated net worth of $6 million as of 2024.

Laverne Cox stuns in a futuristic sheer metallic gown paired with transparent heels, posing alongside Paul McGill at the New York City Ballet's 2022 Fall Fashion GalaLaverne Cox stuns in a futuristic sheer metallic gown paired with transparent heels, posing alongside Paul McGill at the New York City Ballet’s 2022 Fall Fashion Gala on September 28, 2022, in New York City (Credit: John Eddy / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

“Producer, Emmy-nominated actress…this is all new for me. Just a few years ago, I was still struggling to pay my rent. I was thinking of going back to graduate school [for women’s studies] actually because I hadn’t had an acting role for nine months. All the success just reminds me of how far I have come and how much work is still yet to be done.”

Laverne Cox turns heads in a bold, voluminous orange gown at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards Post-PartyLaverne Cox turns heads in a bold, voluminous orange gown at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards Post-Party in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2020 (Credit: WENN)

Breakthrough Role in Orange Is the New Black

While it’s unknown how much she made per episode of the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, her estimated net worth is $6 million. She’s rumored to have been paid $60,000 per episode of OITNB during its final season.

Playing the role of Sophia Burset, a trans woman in prison for credit card fraud used to finance her sex reassignment surgery, she became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in any acting category.

Advocacy and Influence

In May 2021, she signed a deal with the E! network to take over Giuliana Rancic’s position as host of Live From E!

“Laverne Cox is a risktaker, groundbreaking pioneer, and a fashion tour de force,” executive vice president of E! News, Jean Neal, said in a statement.

“As we continue to evolve the way we cover Hollywood’s biggest nights, Laverne’s passion for, and extensive knowledge of, the fashion community resonates with our audience and we look forward to seeing her shine on the other side of the velvet rope.”

Fashion Icon and Red Carpet Sensation

In January 2019, the LGBTQ advocate dazzled on the red carpet in a sheer embroidered Zhivago dress at Entertainment Weekly’s Pre-SAG Awards Party at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. She styled her revealing dress with custom Jordan heels by Ruthie Davis.

Laverne Cox in a sheer embroidered Zhivago dress at the Entertainment Weekly’s Pre-SAG Awards Party at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on January 26, 2019Laverne Cox in a sheer embroidered Zhivago dress at the Entertainment Weekly’s Pre-SAG Awards Party at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on January 26, 2019 (Credit: WENN)

The same month, the American actress hit the red carpet in a red slinky Zac Posen Resort 2019 dress at the award ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Laverne Cox looked radiant in red at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 27, 2019Laverne Cox looked radiant in red at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 27, 2019 (Credit: WENN)

She completed her stunning ensemble with Yvan Tufenkjian jewelry, Kenneth Cole shoes, and styling by Christina Joy Pacelli.

Laverne Cox dazzles in a vibrant red gown adorned with cascading crystal chainsLaverne Cox dazzles in a vibrant red gown adorned with cascading crystal chains (Credit: WENN)

The transgender Orange Is The New Black star started the new year by attending the InStyle & Warner Bros. Party after the 2019 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Dressed in Hamel with an Emm Kuo clutch and Butani earrings, she paired Kenneth Cole shoes with Mattia Cielo, DJula Jewelry, Marli, and Vhernier bracelets and rings

Laverne Cox dazzles in a silver one-shoulder gown with cutout details, exuding elegance and sophistication at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards After PartyLaverne Cox dazzles in a silver one-shoulder gown with cutout details, exuding elegance and sophistication at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards After Party in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2019 (Credit: WENN)

In September 2018, Laverne flaunted her legs at the 2018 Television Industry Advocacy Awards hosted by the Creative Coalition at the Sofitel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.

Laverne Cox stuns in a bold blue ensemble with fringe detailing, paired with metallic heels and statement jewelry at the Television Industry Advocacy AwardsLaverne Cox stuns in a bold blue ensemble with fringe detailing, paired with metallic heels and statement jewelry at the Television Industry Advocacy Awards in Los Angeles on September 15, 2018 (Credit: WENN)

The American actress and LGBT advocate flaunted her feet in metallic ankle-strap sandals.

Laverne Cox flaunts her metallic ankle-strap sandals on the red carpetLaverne Cox flaunts her metallic ankle-strap sandals on the red carpet (Credit: WENN)

Laverne also flashed her big feet on the red carpet at the premiere of Glam Masters at Dirty French in New York City, wearing a Nha Khanh dress.

Laverne Cox dazzles in a chic black tulle dress paired with elegant strappy heels, effortlessly showcasing her sophisticated style at the premiere of Glam MastersLaverne Cox dazzles in a chic black tulle dress paired with elegant strappy heels, effortlessly showcasing her sophisticated style at the premiere of Glam Masters in New York City on February 26, 201 (Credit: WENN)

She styled her dress with Stuart Weitzman shoes, Alexis Bittar earrings, and an Irini Design necklace and ring.

Laverne Cox shows off her flawless red pedicure in sleek Stuart Weitzman sandalsLaverne Cox shows off her flawless red pedicure in sleek Stuart Weitzman sandals (Credit: WENN)

In August 2015, Laverne Cox joined Meryl Streep and Rick Springfield at Ricki And The Flash’s premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City.

Laverne Cox stuns with sleek, straight blonde hair and bold makeup, featuring dramatic smoky eyes and deep red lipstick, creating a striking beauty look on the red carpetLaverne Cox stuns with sleek, straight blonde hair and bold makeup, featuring dramatic smoky eyes and deep red lipstick, creating a striking beauty look on the red carpet in New York City on August 3, 2015 (Credit: WENN)

The American actress, reality television star, producer, and LGBT advocate donned an Elizabeth and James “Arron” mini dress featuring a double-layered skirt and an asymmetrical hem.

Laverne Cox captivates with sleek blonde hair, smoky eyes, and a bold red lip, adding glamour to her look at the premiere of Ricki and the FlashLaverne Cox captivates with sleek blonde hair, smoky eyes, and a bold red lip, adding glamour to her look at the premiere of Ricki and the Flash (Credit: WENN)

She styled the mineral blue dress with studded white Christian Louboutin pumps.

Laverne Cox stuns in a form-fitting light blue mini dress, cinched with a black belt and paired with studded white Christian Louboutin pumps, at the premiere of Ricki and the FlashLaverne Cox stuns in a form-fitting light blue mini dress, cinched with a black belt and paired with studded white Christian Louboutin pumps, at the premiere of Ricki and the Flash (Credit: WENN)

Do you think it was a good idea to wear stockings with her luxurious red-bottom shoes?

Laverne Cox steps out in striking white Christian Louboutin pumps adorned with studs, paired with stockings for a bold and edgy red carpet lookLaverne Cox steps out in striking white Christian Louboutin pumps adorned with studs, paired with stockings for a bold and edgy red carpet look (Credit: WENN)

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