Taraji P Henson is an American actress, singer and author who has appeared in a number of successful television shows and movies over the years.
She is actually one of the most knowledgeable and highest paid actresses in Hollywood, having spent several decades building an impressive portfolio that has seen her play some award-winning roles as well as have remarkable impacts on the entire entertainment industry but she also has a rags-to-riches story inspiring enough to motivate anyone looking for glimmers of hope along their path to stardom
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What Is Taraji Penda Henson’s Net Worth And Salary?
Taraji P Henson, the actress, singer, and author, is believed to have a net worth of $25 million. She became highly regarded for her television and film roles, but her portrayal of Cookie Lyon in Empire stood out most substantially. For acting, endorsements and business ventures, she’s raked in millions.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Taraji Penda Henson |
| Date of Birth | September 11, 1970 |
| Age | 53 (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer, Author, Entrepreneur |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
| Education | Howard University (BFA in Drama) |
| Notable Works | Empire, Hidden Figures, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hustle & Flow, Think Like a Man |
| Awards & Honors | Golden Globe Award (2016), Academy Award Nomination (2009), Primetime Emmy Nominations, NAACP Image Awards |
| Net Worth | $25 million (as of 2024) |
| Salary (Empire) | $175,000 per episode |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Parents | Bernice Gordon (Mother), Boris Henson (Father) |
| Children | Marcell Johnson (Son) |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Ex-Fiancé | Kelvin Hayden (Engagement called off in 2020) |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Real Estate | Hollywood Hills mansion, other properties in Chicago and Atlanta |
| Business Ventures | TPH by Taraji (Haircare line) |
| Books | Around the Way Girl: A Memoir (2016) |
| Philanthropy | Mental health advocacy, scholarships for underprivileged students |
| Social Media | Instagram (@tarajiphenson), Twitter (@TherealTaraji) |
Early Life
Taraji P Henson was born on September 11, 1970, in Washington, D.C., and spent her childhood there as well. Raised by a single mother, Henson developed a love for the performing arts at a young age. She went on to attend Howard University, where she studied drama and dance before earning a theater degree. During this time, she worked two jobs to help pay for her schooling.
Career
Taraji P Henson’s first prominent film role was in the 2001 film Baby Boy, where she portrayed Yvette alongside singer Tyrese Gibson. In 2005, Henson starred in Hustle & Flow. She appeared opposite Terrence Howard†as a prostitute and ^DJ|DJ in her first leading role.
In late 2008, she co-starred opposite Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton†and Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Notable Roles
- Empire (2015–2020): She became a household name after her role as Cookie Lyon, which won her a Golden Globe Award.
- Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson played NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson to raves.
- Think Like a Man (2012) & Think Like a Man Too (2014): Romance-comedies that proved successful at the box office.
- Proud Mary (2018) & What Men Want (2019): Led major Hollywood productions.
Taraji P Henson has further utilized her vocal talents, featured in music videos, and worked as a voice actress.
Salaries
During her years in television, Taraji P Henson’s salary changed over time. For Empire, Henson would reportedly take home $175,000 per episode, making her one of the highest-paid actresses on television. Meanwhile, for Hidden Figures, she earned a reported $1.5 million, a stark change from her previous film work.
The actor has also endorsed brands, made investments and released a book that has contributed to his net worth.
Personal life
Taraji P Henson has been open about her highs and lows. The actress is a mother to son Marcell Johnson, who was born in 1994 during a previous relationship. Tragically, his father was murdered in 2003.
Taraji P Henson’s also used her platform to spread awareness about mental health issues, particularly within the Black community.
In 2018, she got engaged to former NFL pro Kelvin Hayden, but they called off the engagement in 2020.
Real Estate
Taraji P Henson owns real estate, having purchased homes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. She purchased a $6.4 million mansion in Hollywood Hills, complete with all the amenities, in 2017. She has also flipped properties for profit over the years as the real estate market has soared.
Awards and Honors
Over the course of her career, Taraji PHenson has been the recipient of several awards, including:
- Golden Globe Award (2016) for Empire
- Academy Award Nomination (2009) for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Empire—Primetime Emmy Nominations for Empire
- NAACP Image Awards for various roles
Read More: Justine Bateman Net Worth
FAQs
1. What is Taraji P. Henson’s net worth?
As of 2025, she has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
2. What’s Taraji P. Henson’s biggest role?
Her best-known part is Cookie Lyon in Empire, for which she was hailed by critics and won a number of awards.
3. How much did Taraji P. Henson make per episode of Empire?
She made $175,000 per episode at the show’s height.
