Dino De Laurentiis Net Worth

Dino De Laurentiis was an iconic Italian-American film producer whose career spanned over six decades, leaving a lasting mark on world cinema. At the time of his death in 2010, De Laurentiis had an estimated net worth of $120 million, a fortune he built through his prolific film production, food ventures, and international business interests. Known for his flair in producing both arthouse masterpieces and blockbuster films, De Laurentiis cemented his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most influential figures.

Dino De Laurentiis Net Worth	$120 Million
Date of Birth	August 8, 1919
Place of Birth	Torre Annunziata, Italy
Profession	Producer

Table of Contents

Early Life

Born Agostino De Laurentiis on August 8, 1919, in Torre Annunziata, Italy, Dino grew up in a family that owned a pasta factory. As a young man, he sold spaghetti made by the factory before pursuing his dream of working in film. He studied at Rome’s Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Italy’s national film school, but his education was interrupted by World War II.

His passion for film remained strong, and by the early 1940s, he was already producing movies, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most successful producing careers in cinema history.

A Prolific Film Career

De Laurentiis founded Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica in 1946 and went on to produce over 180 films. His portfolio was both diverse and groundbreaking, ranging from neorealist classics to big-budget Hollywood productions.

In the 1950s, he achieved global acclaim by producing Federico Fellini’s “La Strada” (1954), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He followed this with productions like War and Peace (1956) and The Great War (1959).

The 1960s and 1970s marked his expansion into epics and international collaborations. He produced The Bible: In the Beginning (1966), Barbarella (1968), Serpico (1973), and Death Wish (1974). His 1976 production of King Kong was a massive box office hit, grossing over $90 million.

Moving to the U.S. in the mid-1970s, De Laurentiis founded De Laurentiis Entertainment Group in North Carolina, a venture that helped transform Wilmington into “Hollywood East.” In later years, he produced cult classics and major films such as Conan the Barbarian (1982), Dune (1984), Blue Velvet (1986), Hannibal (2001), and Red Dragon (2002).

Business Ventures Beyond Film

While primarily known for movies, De Laurentiis also ventured into the food industry. He launched DDL Foodshow, an Italian specialty food market with locations in New York and Los Angeles. Though short-lived, the stores reflected his passion for Italian cuisine and culture, a legacy carried on by his granddaughter, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.

His wealth also came from strategic real estate holdings. In 1987, he and his wife Martha purchased a 6-acre Beverly Hills estate for $2.8 million. Decades later, the property was sold for more than $37 million, highlighting his sharp business instincts beyond filmmaking.

Personal Life and Family

De Laurentiis married actress Silvana Mangano in 1949, and together they had four children: Veronica, Raffaella, Francesca, and Federico. Raffaella and Federico followed him into film production, though Federico tragically died in a plane crash at just 26. Dino and Silvana divorced in 1988, and she passed away the following year.

In 1990, he married Martha Schumacher, a film producer who collaborated with him on several projects. They had two daughters, Dina and Carolyna, and remained married until his death.

Dino De Laurentiis Awards

Over his lifetime, Dino De Laurentiis received numerous accolades, including:

Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (La Strada, 1957)
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (2001)
Multiple David di Donatello Awards in Italy
Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Producers Guild of America (2004) and the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (1997)

His ability to balance commercial success with artistic innovation earned him a place among cinema’s greatest producers.

Dino De Laurentiis Death

Dino De Laurentiis passed away on November 10, 2010, at the age of 91 in Beverly Hills, surrounded by his family. His granddaughter Giada described him as “a true inspiration, my biggest champion in life and a constant source of wisdom and advice.”