Do you remember Effie White in Dreamgirls? She is Jennifer Hudson. She is a famous American singer and actress. Hudson first became well-known on the TV show “American Idol.” Although she didn’t win the show, her voice still won the hearts of fans. Her talent not only gives her fame but also makes her wealthy. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jennifer Hudson has a net worth of $30 million in 2024. In this article, we’ll talk about what contributes to her wealth, including income sources, as well as her early life, career, age, husband, and more.
Early Life
Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents are Darnell Donerson and Samuel Simpson, who drove buses for Greyhound Lines. She’s the youngest of three siblings. Her mom, who raised her, took care of her and her older sister Julia, who also drove a school bus, and her brother Jason.
Her dad wasn’t around much when she was growing up. She only met him when she was 14, and found out he had 26 other kids. Even now, she hasn’t met all of her half-siblings.
She grew up going to a Baptist church in Englewood. She went to Dunbar Vocational High School and graduated in 1999. Her favorite singers, like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle, inspired her a lot. She also looked up to Mariah Carey.
Jennifer started singing in church and doing plays in her community when she was 7, with help from her grandma, Julia. She went to Langston University but left after a semester because she missed home and didn’t like the weather. Then she went to Kennedy–King College.
In January 2002, she signed her first record deal with Righteous Records, a small label in Chicago. But she left after five years so she could go on American Idol in 2004.
Jennifer Hudson’s Net Worth and Income Sources
As you’ve already discussed Jennifer Hudson’s net worth, which is $30 million, now let’s explore her income sources.
She’s one of the executive producers of ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ produced by Warner Bros. She gets $200,000 for each episode and 10% of the ad revenue, totaling $4 million annually.
Hudson partners with big brands like H&M, Disney, Pepsi, and Macy’s. She gets paid between $50,000 to $750,000 per endorsement.
From her music, she’s made:
- $10 million from “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
- $5 million from “Spotlight”
- $4 million from “Remember Me (If I Die Young)”
- $3 million from “One Day I’ll Fly Away”
- $2 million from “I Will Always Love You”
- $1.5 million from “If This Is It”
- $1 million from “No One Knows”
- $750,000 from “River Deep, Mountain High”
- $500,000 from “I Am Changing”
- $250,000 from “Where Is the Love”
She’s investing in real estate, adding $15 million worth of properties to her portfolio. She owns homes in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and a farm in upstate New York. Recently, she bought a $5 million mansion in Burr Ridge, Chicago, and a $2 million penthouse in Tribeca, NYC.
Jennifer Hudson’s Career
Jennifer Hudson started her career on American Idol in 2004. She wowed the judges but was eliminated early. However, she gained fame and was praised as one of the best contestants ever. In 2006, she got a big break in the movie Dreamgirls, where she played Effie White. Her performance was outstanding, earning her many awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
After Dreamgirls, Hudson released her debut album in 2008, featuring hit songs like “Spotlight”. She continued acting in movies like Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees. In 2011, she released her second album, I Remember Me, which also received positive reviews.
Hudson kept busy with roles in films like The Three Stooges and TV shows like Smash. She also became a coach on The Voice UK and US. In 2019, she starred in the film adaptation of Cats.
In 2021, she portrayed Aretha Franklin in the biopic Respect, earning critical acclaim. She also won a Daytime Emmy Award for producing Baba Yaga. In 2022, Hudson won an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) and launched her own talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Who is Jennifer Hudson’s Husband?
Jennifer Hudson started dating James Payton in 1999, when she was 18. They broke up in late 2007. Then, she met David Otunga, a wrestler and Harvard Law graduate. They got engaged in September 2008. In August 2009, Hudson had her first child, David Daniel Otunga, Jr. But in November 2017, she and Otunga split up.
In 2022, while working on their movie “Breathe,” Hudson started dating Common, a rapper and actor from Chicago. They made their relationship public in January 2024 on The Jennifer Hudson Show. Common described their romance, saying that he’s in a relationship with one of the most beautiful people he’s ever met. He praised Jennifer’s intelligence, her love for God, her down-to-earth nature, and her talent.
So, is Jennifer Hudson married? No, she’s not married yet. However, Common stated he’s the ‘marrying type’ after confirming his relationship with Jennifer Hudson, suggesting that they might tie the knot soon.
How old is Jennifer Hudson?
Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, so she is currently 42 years old.
Jennifer Hudson’s Family
Hudson’s family experienced a tragedy on October 24, 2008. Jennifer’s mom, Darnell Donerson, who was 57, and her brother, Jason, 29, were found dead in their home in Chicago. They had been shot. Jennifer’s sister, Julia, lived there too.
Julia reported her 7-year-old son, Julian King, missing. The police issued an AMBER Alert to help find him. Three days later, they found Julian’s body in Chicago. He had been shot multiple times.
The police arrested Julia’s husband, William Balfour, who was 27 and separated from Julia. They charged him with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of breaking into their home.
In July 2012, Balfour was found guilty on all counts. He got three life sentences without the chance of getting out of prison, plus an extra 120 years for other crimes.
After this tragedy, Jennifer’s family set up two foundations. One is called The Hudson-King Foundation, named after the victims. The other is the Julian D. King Gift Foundation, in memory of Jennifer’s nephew. It helps families in Chicago by giving them Christmas gifts and school supplies.
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