Playing the title character, Lizzie McGuire, on the American comedy television series that premiered on Disney Channel on January 12, 2001, Hilary Erhard Duff became a rich woman. As of 2024, she has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
The final episode, after 65 episodes, aired on February 14, 2004. Buena Vista Pictures released The Lizzie McGuire Movie, a theatrical movie based on the series, on May 2, 2003.
Hilary Duff received $15,000 per episode and $1 million for her role in The Lizzie McGuire Movie (Credit: Disney Channel)
Earnings from the Series and Movie
Starring in one of the most popular Disney Channel shows of the early 2000s, according to EW, she earned $15,000 per episode and $1 million for the movie.
After the success of the original “Lizzie McGuire” series and its subsequent movie, plans were made to expand the franchise further, including a second movie and a prime-time comedy series on ABC that would follow Lizzie McGuire during her high school years.
However, these plans were halted in 2003 due to failed negotiations between Hilary Duff, who played Lizzie, and Disney. The breakdown in negotiations reportedly centered around financial and contractual disagreements, leading to the cancellation of the proposed projects and ending the expansion of the franchise at that time.
Lalaine as Miranda, Hilary Duff as Lizzie, and Adam Lamberg as Gordo, the beloved trio from “Lizzie McGuire,” enjoying a lighthearted bubble-blowing moment (Credit: Disney Channel)
The Lizzie McGuire Reboot: Hope and Disappointment
In August 2019, a sequel series was announced to be entering production for Disney+. The reboot was canceled in 2020 due to creative disagreements between Duff and Disney+ executives.
Hilary Duff discussed the reasons behind the cancellation of the “Lizzie McGuire” reboot on SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Show.” Duff highlighted that her vision of the character as an adult did not align with Disney’s, which wanted to maintain a certain image of Lizzie that was suitable for Disney+.
“I think they’re really trying to figure out what kind of content they want living on Disney+,” said Duff. “That doesn’t totally align with where I see Lizzie right now. I’m like very protective of her, and they’re very protective of her.”
“The way that she could connect with what was going on in people that were watching the show, it was like, they’re watching themselves. And that was where they related,” the “How I Met Your Father” actress explained.
“It only makes sense to me to shoot a show where she’s acting like a 30-year-old in a modern world.”
Hilary Duff was 13 years old when making her debut as Lizzie McGuire on the beloved Disney Channel series (Credit: Disney Channel)
In the “Lizzie McGuire” movie, Lizzie McGuire was 15 years old. The film features her graduation from junior high and a subsequent school trip to Rome, which typically marks the transition between middle school and high school in the U.S. Filmed in the fall of 2002, it was released on May 2, 2003, when she was 15.
The original “Lizzie McGuire” TV series began airing on the Disney Channel in January 2001. At the start of the series, Lizzie is depicted as a 13-year-old navigating the complexities of early teenage years. Duff, born September 28, 1987, celebrated her 14th birthday in 2001.
Despite playing Lizzie McGuire’s on-screen rival Kate Sanders, Ashlie Brillault and Hilary Duff are good friends in real life (Credit: Disney Channel)
Reasons Behind the Show’s Cancellation
The series was canceled after Disney Channel failed to reach an agreement with Hilary Duff regarding her pay per episode. Her family sought $100,000 per episode, but the studio only offered to increase her per-episode salary from $15,000 to $35,000.
Following the success of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which grossed a worldwide total of $55.5 million, Hilary Duff was offered $4 million for a sequel plus a percentage of the profits. Unfortunately, they were not able to reach a financial agreement.
Hilary Duff was paid $1 million for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, a 2003 American teen comedy film directed by Jim Fall
”We very much wanted to continue the Lizzie franchise,” Disney Studios production chief Nina Jacobson told The Los Angeles Times.
“But every deal has its tipping point, the point at which it no longer makes sense. Unfortunately, that’s the point we reached in the Lizzie negotiations, and we ultimately had to say goodbye, she added.”
”Disney’s strong-armed tactics and failure to pay our client a fee commensurate with offers received from other studios and networks caused the breakdown of negotiations with the Duffs. While the Lizzie McGuire franchise may be over for Disney, Hilary Duff’s career is flourishing,” a lawyer representing Hilary Duff responded.
Personal Life Glimpse: A Day Out with Family
In December 2015, Hilary Duff enjoyed a Sunday out with her son Luca in Studio City.
Hilary Duff covers her hair with a trendy hat while out in Studio City with her son Luca on December 6, 2015 (Credit: WENN)
The then-28-year-old actress embraced the autumn weather by wearing a green-and-navy plaid shirtdress from Equipment that featured sheer long sleeves.
Hilary Duff wears an Equipment shirtdress while out with her son Luca (Credit: WENN)
Hilary accessorized with a large fedora hat, a pair of oversized sunnies, a long necklace, and a black fringed bag by Saint Laurent.
Hilary Duff pairs thigh-high boots with a plaid button-up shirtdress (Credit: WENN)
She pulled her blonde locks back into a low, messy ponytail and completed her look with neutral makeup.
Hilary Duff’s feet in thigh-high suede boots (Credit: WENN)
Thigh-high boots tend to look best on tall women with long legs, but the 5’2” actress made the pair of black suede over-the-knee boots work for her.
Hilary Duff’s feet in thigh-high suede boots (Credit: WENN)
Hilary’s boots resemble Saint Laurent “Babies” boots, which feature tapered toes, side zip closures, and 1.5-inch heels. You can get this pair at Farfetch and Matches Fashion.
Saint Laurent “Babies” Knee Boots, $1,495