How Much Was Jackie O Net Worth?

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, known to the world as Jackie O, remains one of the most iconic and glamorous figures in American history. Beyond her legacy as First Lady, she was also a savvy investor, heiress, and public figure who built considerable personal wealth throughout her lifetime. At the time of her death in 1994, Jackie O’s net worth was estimated at $150 million, which is equivalent to about $270 million today.

Early Life

Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in Southampton, New York, on July 28, 1929, Jackie grew up in a wealthy family thanks to an inheritance from her grandfather and the success of her father, John “Black Jack” Bouvier, a Wall Street stockbroker. Despite their wealth, her family’s fortunes were later strained due to her father’s gambling and drinking habits.

Jackie became a public figure in 1961 when her husband, John F. Kennedy, was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. As First Lady, she captivated the world with her poise, elegance, and cultural contributions to the White House. But her time in the spotlight was cut short following JFK’s assassination in 1963, which left her a widow at just 34 years old.

Kennedy Inheritance and Trusts

After her husband’s death, Jackie was provided for through a Kennedy family trust, which paid her an annual income of approximately $200,000 — a figure that would be about $1.7 million today. However, a clause in the trust stated she would forfeit this income if she ever remarried.

Jackie O Marriage to Aristotle Onassis

In 1968, Jackie made headlines once again when she married Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate and one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time, with a fortune estimated at $500 million — about $4 billion today. To protect her finances, Jackie negotiated a $3 million payment before the wedding and secured a personal trust that paid her $150,000 annually.

Her life with Onassis was one of luxury. She received extravagant gifts, including a 40-carat diamond ring worth $1 million (about $7.5 million today), and the couple shared several residences across the globe, including a sprawling apartment on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and the Greek island of Skorpios.

Their marriage grew strained in the early 1970s, and when Onassis died in 1975, Jackie entered a legal battle with his daughter, Christina. The dispute ended with Jackie receiving a $26 million settlement, or about $120 million in today’s value, instantly placing her among the wealthiest women in America.

Real Estate and Investments

In addition to her financial settlements, Jackie owned valuable real estate and personal assets. Her children — John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Kennedy — inherited key properties such as the family’s 15-room apartment in New York City and a home on Martha’s Vineyard. In 2003, Caroline sold the NYC apartment for $30 million.

Jackie O’s Final Years

Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1994, Jackie Kennedy Onassis passed away in her sleep on May 19 of the same year. Her will reflected a deep understanding of her children’s inherited wealth. Each of them received $250,000, while the bulk of her estate was managed through various trusts.

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She also left $500,000 each to her sister’s children and ensured that a portion of her fortune supported a charitable organization she had established, the C&J Foundation, named after her children.

In 1996, her children organized an auction of her personal belongings, which raised $34.5 million. Among the most notable items sold was the diamond engagement ring from Aristotle Onassis, which fetched a stunning $2.6 million.

Jackie O Net Worth

Jackie O net worth was $150 million.