Tori Spelling's Net Worth and the Real Reason She's Living in an RV
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Tori Spelling's net worth may come as a surprise to some Beverly Hills, 90210 fans. After all, they're used to thinking of the actress as the daughter of TV mogul and 90210 producer Aaron Spelling—or as the ZIP code's very rich Donna Martin. But the truth is, the former child star has been having financial problems for years.
“I am not great with money,” she said on a 2019 episode of her short-lived reality show Tori Tried and True. “...I had a business manager since I was 18 years old, so I never handled any of my money. Everything, everything, went to them, so, unfortunately, I never quite learned about money. Now raising kids of my own, I’m like, that is so important.”
Most recently, the Stori Telling author made headlines for living with her five kids in an RV. How did Spelling end up in such a pickle? Here’s a look at how she got her start, why she didn't inherit her dad's millions and more.
How did Tori Spelling get famous?
Spelling started taking acting lessons at the age of 6. Throughout her childhood she was cast in guest roles on popular shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and Saved by the Bell. Then, as a teenager, she hit it big with a main role as Donna Martin in Beverly Hills, 90210.
While she was surely talented, it didn’t hurt that her father was renowned TV producer Aaron Spelling, who happened to work on a lot of these shows.
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Although she’s added many more TV and film credits to her resumé since 90210 aired its last episode in 2000, Spelling’s decade on the series is still what she’s best known for. “I was just 16 years old when the original 90210 started filming and too young to really understand and appreciate the impact our show would have on our generation and generations to come,” she told People in 2019. But have an impact it did!
What is Tori Spelling's net worth?
Tori Spelling has an estimated net worth of $250,000 in 2023.
Is Tori Spelling broke?
In 2013, news broke that Tori Spelling, whose father, Aaron Spelling, was worth about $500 million at the time of his death, was struggling with money. In her book Spelling It Like It Is, the actress wrote, “It's no mystery why I have money problems. I grew up rich beyond anyone's dreams. Even when I try to embrace a simpler lifestyle, I can't seem to let go of my expensive tastes.”
Despite her lavish childhood, Spelling has suffered periods of financial insecurity throughout her adult life. According to Good Morning America, she was essentially “on her own” money-wise after being cast in 90210, and at one point owed hundreds of thousands in credit card debt.
"Bad shopping habits die hard," she said. "In all honesty, I grew up a certain way. I never had to worry about money … that was my reality."
Although Spelling paid off $88,000 in debt a few years ago, in January it was reported that she owed $1.3 million in back taxes to the IRS—which is over five times more than her estimated net worth.
Why is Tori Spelling living in an RV?
Money troubles may be contributing to Spelling and her family’s current accommodations (a Sunseeker E450 RV, which is arguably a step up from the $100-a-night motel they were reportedly staying at in July).
Spelling shared on Instagram that she and her five kids were forced to evacuate their California home after discovering toxic mold.
Who did Aaron Spelling leave his money to?
Why exactly does Tori Spelling owe back taxes and live in an RV when her famous dad died with half a billion in the bank? According to her, it’s because he left her less than $1 million (and the same to her brother, Randy). The majority of Aaron Spelling’s estate went to his wife, Candy Spelling, after he died of complications from a stroke in 2006. He also reportedly suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
Spelling herself was not surprised by the inheritance, as she’d discussed it with her father before he passed.
"I think part of me, in the back of my head, maybe hoped it would be different? But I hated myself for hoping it would be different, because I didn't want to take advantage, I didn't want to be that girl who needed, or wanted, my dad's money,” she told ABC News in 2008.
How much did Tori Spelling inherit from her father?
Spelling reportedly inherited about $800,000, after taxes, from her father, Aaron Spelling.
What happened between Tori Spelling and her mom?
Family drama is not uncommon in Hollywood, and Tori Spelling and her mom, Candy, have a history of it. In a radio interview in 2009, Candy went as far as calling Tori the reason for Aaron Spelling’s death. “My daughter one day decided that she wasn’t speaking to my husband, myself and my son, and that’s how it’s continued for the last, oh gosh, four or five years. And it was sad. That’s what killed my husband, actually. He just didn’t want to live after that.”
Problems between the two started as early as Tori’s childhood. “I was very much a daddy’s girl,” Tori told Access Hollywood in 2014. “As an adult, I can go back and look at the relationship and see that he kind of always positioned her, as, like, he was good cop, and she was bad cop.”
As Candy alleged, Tori wasn’t speaking to her parents in the time leading up to Aaron’s death, but she reconciled with him shortly before he passed. She and her mom continued to air their frustrations with each other publicly for years. This eventually changed, though, as they made attempts to repair the relationship.
In 2016, Candy told TMZ she was helping Tori out financially. Further reports surfaced that while mother and daughter were on decent terms, Candy “couldn’t stand” Tori’s husband, Dean McDermott, which complicated things. In 2022, Tori said on Jeff Lewis Live that she and Candy text every day and are “really close.”
How much did Tori Spelling make for Beverly Hills, 90210?
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Beverly Hills, 90210 dominated the 1990s, running for 10 seasons and a total of 292 episodes. The show’s success launched multiple actors’ careers, but it’s unknown what cast members were paid for it (or how much they make in residuals).
In 2019, a reboot called BH90210 brought back some of the main cast, including Spelling. Although it was canceled after just one season, according to The Hollywood Reporter Spelling made $70,000 per episode and another $15,000 per episode as co-creator (along with Jennie Garth).
Related: All About '90210' Star Jennie Garth's Kids
What does Tori Spelling do for a living now?
Spelling continues to act, starring in the reality show @Home with Tori and appearing on other shows such as The Masked Singer. She’s also a bestselling author and co-hosts the throwback podcast 90210MG with Jennie Garth.
Is Tori Spelling still married to Dean McDermott?
Spelling and actor Dean McDermott first met on the set of the Lifetime movie Mind Over Murder in 2005. They began an affair—as both were married at the time— and married each other in 2006.
Over the years, their relationship weathered a cheating scandal (when McDermott admitted to infidelity in 2014) and numerous financial difficulties. While they’re not divorced, Spelling and McDermott have been separated since June.
"It’s with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and five amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways and start a new journey of our own," McDermott wrote in an Instagram post that has since been removed. "We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time."
Spelling is currently living in an RV—sans McDermott—with the five kids they share.
