Linda Jean Córdova Carter was born in Phoenix, Arizona USA, on the 24th July 1951, of English and Scots-Irish (father) and French, Spanish and Mexican (mother) descent. Lynda Carter is a well-known singer, songwriter and actress, perhaps best known for her portrayed of “Wonder Woman’, in the popular 70s television series of the same name.
So just how rich is Lynda Carter? Sources estimate that Lynda’s net worth is $10 million, all of it made in the entertainment industry: television series, small and big screen projects, studio albums, tours, shows and advertising. She was making $3 million a year back in the ’80, but Lynda Carter and her husband own a 20,000 square foot Georgian-style mansion in Maryland, the house coming with six landscaped acres of land; it has 16 bathrooms, library with a fireplace, swimming-pool, tennis court, hot tub and a waterfall.
Lynda Carter Net Worth $10 Million
Before becoming a beauty queen, Lynda Carter was already a singer, mostly known in Arizona. As a teenager she performed in bands and dropped out of college to follow her music career. After trying her luck in Los Angeles, she came back home discouraged, but she became famous as a beauty queen when she was crowned Miss World USA in 1972, and later that year she was one of the semi-finalists in Miss World 1972. She used the money won in the beauty contest to learn how to act, and then started making serious money after she turned from singing to acting. She was the highest-paid actress on TV in the ‘70s: as Wonder Woman, she was paid $3,500 an episode and later on she was making about $1million a year, which was a record for a woman in a television series.
In 1980, Lynda Carter became the spokesperson for Maybelline Cosmetics, and in the ’90s she endorsed Lens Express. The former beauty queen has continuously been working in the industry after the television series was over. She had her own Las Vegas variety show, not only very popular, but unexpectedly successful from the financial perspective and, a few years after, she continued with a lot of variety show specials airing on CBS. Movies also contributed to her net worth, her work as an actress bringing her another estimated $3 million in the later years. Lynda Carter also had many appearances in television movies and series, such as “Slayer”, “Law & Order”, “Smallville”, “Two and a Half Men”, and “Skin Wars”.
Lynda has never given up on her calling for music either, and in 2005 she successfully appeared in “Chicago” at London’s West End Adelphi Theatre. In 2007 she put on a cabaret show, “An Intimate Evening” with Lynda Carter, performed on big stages all over the USA. After a first not so successful album released in 1978, 30 years later she has released another two albums, At Last (2009) and Crazy Little Things (2011), both well received by the American public.
Music and entertainment is another chapter which seems to help Lynda Carter become not only more and more popular, but also richer. In the last four years Lynda Carter’s net worth almost doubled, from $5.1 million in 2011 to an estimated $10 million in 2015.
In her personal life, probably the hardest moment for Lynda Carter’s finances was in 1992, when her husband Robert Altman, who was the president of First American Bank, became involved in a huge bank scandal. The entire affair ended with Altman cleared of charges, but with costs of $10 million in legal fees. These costs depleted her net worth somewhat, before Lynda Carter and the lawyer Robert Altman married in January 1984; they have two children. The singer has always remained dedicated to her family and even quit on her music career until her children went to college. She was previously married to Ron Samuels, who was also her agent at the beginning of her career.
Lynda Carter is a supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure (the largest breast cancer organization in the USA), of Pro-Choice rights for women and of the legal equality for LGBT people. She uses also her fame to speak about IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) a disease which affects more and more women nowadays.
ALMA Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in Made for Television Movie or Mini-Series, TV Land Greatest Gadgets Award, ALMA Award for Year in Music - New Artist, VGX Award for Best Supporting Female Performance
Movies
Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw, Sky High, Super Troopers, I Posed for Playboy, The Dukes of Hazzard, Terror Peak, When Friendship Kills, Born to Be Sold, Family Blessings, Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess, She Woke Up Pregnant, Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All, Someone to Love Me, The Creature of the Sunny Si...
TV Shows
I Love the '70s, Hawkeye, Partners in Crime, Wonder Woman, Matt Helm, Nakia
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Trademark
1
Deep sultry voice
2
Voluptuous figure
3
Sparkling blue eyes
4
Natural brunette hair
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Quote
1
Some of the best memories of my childhood were of being with my grandmother when she was making tortillas, having to cut the tripe when she made menudo, or sorting the sticks and stones out of the beans on her table.
2
Mexican food is my weakness. Thank God I live in Washington where it's horrible. They put in some tomatoes and bell peppers and call it salsa!
3
[England, September 2005] I've been in recovery for nine years. I describe the experience as like being an unwilling participant with alcoholism. The whole experience is very frightening and I know it's a big problem here like it is back home. It's a scary situation to be in. I'm just trying to do my bit and let people know that they're not alone if they're going through it. If I can help them out, do the work I love to do and spend the rest of my time with friends and family, enjoying my time with the people I love, then that's what it's all about.
4
It never really felt like I had a lot of substance in my life. I had broken up with my former husband [Ron Samuels] and I kind of looked around. I didn't have a lot of friends. I had become isolated by fame. I longed for a family and some substantive relationships. Fame is a vapor. You can't grab hold of it.
5
[regarding her years as a born again Christian]: I kinda gave that up. I kinda got burned out, going around and banging on people's doors and telling them what to believe. I mean, what's that all about?
6
[on life before Wonder Woman]: To tell you the truth, I couldn't pay my next month's rent when I got the part. I was thrilled to have a pilot of my own.
7
Wonder Woman struck a chord that no one expected.
8
[on the Wonder Woman (1975) series being updated from World War II]: I think they [CBS] wanted to retool it and modernize it when they bought it, so they weren't just buying the same show.
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I think I was much better in the part when it was modernized. The series matured as it went along.
10
I'm 5' 9", but most people think I'm about 6 feet tall. It's because I have very long legs.
11
I really loved doing the stunts. I had a lot of stunt women, because they all did something different, but I ended up doing most of the fights myself. The stunt guys taught me how to throw a punch, and eventually I became an honorary member of the Stunt Women's Association.
12
[on characterizing Wonder Woman]: I tried to play her like a regular woman who just happened to have superhuman powers. I figured she'd lived with it every day of her life.
13
[on the enduring popularity of the Wonder Woman (1975) series]: I'd like to think I had something to do with it, but it's a phenomenon unto itself. And it's not too bad to be a sort of pop icon, you know? It's not too tough to handle.
14
[on hanging from the helicopter for an episode of Wonder Woman (1975)]: The stunt girl was about to go under it and I said "Oh, I can do this!". I ran under and they went up, and when the producers found out about it, they went ballistic.
15
[When told by an interviewer that he owned a copy of her solo record album "Portrait"]: Oh my God. You and three other people.
16
I won't consider myself a star until I've had more experience. I think the real stars are people like Streisand, Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Hepburn... Hepburn is my favorite. She epitomizes to me what a star should be.
17
[When asked if she made a profit from the Wonder Woman dolls]: I think that you're probably familiar with a problem in Hollywood, and that is that they market you and they use you. They did a mask of my face and put it on the doll and they put my name on for the first run of it. And then they took my name off and said they didn't have to pay me anymore. So it's the kind of thing that you can be used SO much in this industry. I make nothing. I don't even make anything from the reruns. Don't ever settle for net profits. It's called "Creative Accounting".
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Fact
1
A longtime supporter of the Democratic Party, she is also good friends with Hillary Clinton and endorsed her 2016 Presidential campaign.
2
Carter sang at Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada on April 28, 2015.
3
The only time Lynda performed her role of Wonder Woman after the television series ended on CBS was in the opening for her first television music special. She could not pass the torch of her iconic role of the DC comic book Amazonian superhero to a younger actress until Gal Gadot won the role for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) on December 4, 2013.
4
Her mother died from Alzheimer's disease on February 18, 2013 at age eighty-nine.
5
Performed a three night cabaret act at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles, California. [June 2007]
6
Performed a 6 night cabaret show at the York Hotel's Plush Room in San Francisco, California. [May 2007]
7
Carter released an album entitled "Portrait" in 1978, but the sales of the album were poor. She released the Jazz type LP "At Last" in 2009, which was 31 years after her first album. The album peaked at a respectable #6 on the Jazz charts. Recently, she released another album called "Crazy Little Things".
8
According to a DVD commentary by Lynda Carter, she invented the "spin" move when Diana Prince would transform into Wonder Woman.
Hosts the Lynda Carter Golf Tournament for charity.
11
Has been involved in many charitable causes, including a pioneering role with the Susan G. Komen Foundation (for breast cancer education and research) in which she received the Jill Ireland Award for her volunteer work, the Red Cross, USO, Ronald McDonald House, and many charities benefiting children.
12
In early June 2008, Carter found a body floating in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. while rowing out of the Potomac Boat Club. She called out to some fishermen and waited for the police to arrive.
Toured as a singer with several rock groups before returning to Arizona in 1972.
15
Attended Globe High School in Globe, Arizona and Arcadia High School in Phoenix. She attended Arizona State University, but after being voted the "most talented" student, she dropped out in order to pursue a career in music.
16
Grew up an avid reader of the Wonder Woman comic books.
17
Ranked #3 on Wizard magazine's "Sexiest Women of TV" list. [March 2008]
18
Daughter-in-law of television producer Sophie Altman.
19
She has two children with Robert Altman: James Clifford Altman (born January 14, 1988) and Jessica Carter Altman (born October 7, 1990).
20
She returned to her first love, singing, by appearing in the play "Chicago" at London's West End Adeplhi Theatre on September 26, 2005 as "Mama Morton", the leather-clad women's jailer for an eight-week run. Lynda has now successfully appeared in all three forms of acting, stage, screen and television.
She has English and Irish ancestry through her father, but Mexican and Spanish ancestry though her mother.
23
The son of one of her stunt doubles, Jeannie Epper, told his classmates that his mother was Lynda's stunt double on the series Wonder Woman (1975), but they didn't believe him, not even after he showed them a picture of his mother in the Wonder Woman costume from the set. When Lynda herself found out about this, she invited the boy's class to the set so they could see Jeannie herself in action.
24
On the Circus of the Stars #2 (1977), Lynda was the target for David Janssen, who threw daggers at her. He came close, but he missed her every time.
When asked, during her on-line Lens Express chat on Monday, November 8, 1999, who she would like to portray Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in a big screen movie version, she stated that she would prefer either actress Catherine Zeta-Jones or supermodel Cindy Crawford. The first actress to portray Diana Prince/Wonder Woman on the big screen turned out to be Gal Gadot.
27
Owns the DVD release rights to her television specials.
28
While filming Battle of the Network Stars (1976), she poured champagne over the head of host Howard Cosell after her team won the tug of war contest not knowing he wore a hairpiece. Cosell was really upset. Later, whenever she saw him at a restaurant in New York, she would send over a bottle of champagne and he always knew that it was from her.
29
Ended each of her television specials singing the song "Always".
30
Performed many of her own stunts on Wonder Woman (1975) including hanging from a helicopter, to the nervousness of CBS, during the second season episode, Wonder Woman: Anschluss '77 (1977).
31
A friend sat Lynda and her present husband, lawyer Robert Altman, together at a social dinner in the hopes that the two would hit it off.
32
Won the title of Miss World USA representing her home state of Arizona in 1972.
33
Performed in a band during high school called 'Just Us', which consisted of a marimba, a congo drum, an acoustic guitar, and a stand-up bass played by another girl. When she was 17, she joined another band for more exposure called 'The Relatives' (because two members were cousins) which opened at the Sahara Hotel casino lounge in Las Vegas for three months. Because Lynda was under 21, she had to enter the casino through the kitchen. Gary Burghoff (who played Radar O'Reilly on M*A*S*H (1972)) was the drummer. In 1970, she joined the last band she sang with, called 'The Garfin Gathering with Lynda Carter', and their first performance was in a brand new San Francisco hotel that had no sidewalk entrance built yet, so they played to mostly the janitors and whatever hotel guests parked their cars in the underground garage. But she performed so well under such intimidating circumstances, that Howard "Speedy" Garfin nicknamed Lynda "Wonder Woman!".
34
Does motivational/professional speaking engagements.
35
She is a singer for cabarets and a television actress.
Video Game performer: "Baby It's Just You", "Good Neighbor", "I'm The One You're Looking For", "Man Enough", "Train Train" / writer: "Baby It's Just You", "Good Neighbor", "I'm The One You're Looking For", "Man Enough", "Train Train"
Body and Soul
1984
TV Movie performer: "The Hero", "Blues In The Night Melody", "'Deed I Do", "Just You And I", "Fascinatin' Rhythm", "Cheek to Cheek", "Three Sides of Every Story", "Gimme Some Lovin'", "Always"
Born to Be Sold
1981
TV Movie lyrics: "What Have You Got to Lose" / music: "What Have You Got to Lose"
The Dick Emery Hour
1980
TV Movie performer: "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"
The Muppet Show
1980
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Wonder Woman
1979
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw
1976
performer: "Are You Lonely Like Me"
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Stillwatch
1987
TV Movie executive producer
Body and Soul
1984
TV Movie executive producer
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Fallout 4
2015
Video Game
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Feminist Icon
2005
Video short special thanks
Revolutionizing a Classic: From Comic Book to Television - The Evolution of Wonder Woman from Page to Screen
2005
Video documentary short special thanks
Beauty, Brawn, and Bulletproof Bracelets: A Wonder Woman Retrospective
2004
Video documentary short thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Daybreak
2010
TV Series
Herself
Fallen Idols Aka DOPE.
2008
Documentary
Wonder Woman
KTLA Morning News
2005-2007
TV Series
Herself
Best Ever Muppet Moments
2006
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
2005
TV Special
Herself
The Paul O'Grady Show
2005
TV Series
Herself
This Week
2005
TV Series
Herself
20/20
2005
TV Series documentary
Herself
Extra
2005
TV Series
Herself
Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Feminist Icon
2005
Video short
Herself
Revolutionizing a Classic: From Comic Book to Television - The Evolution of Wonder Woman from Page to Screen
2005
Video documentary short
Herself
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
2004
TV Special
Herself
The Best of 'So Graham Norton'
2004
Video
Herself
Beauty, Brawn, and Bulletproof Bracelets: A Wonder Woman Retrospective
2004
Video documentary short
Herself
The 2nd Annual TV Land Awards
2004
TV Special
Herself
Double Dare
2004
Documentary
Herself
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
2003
TV Special
Herself
The Bronx Bunny Show
2003
TV Series
Herself
CBS at 75
2003
TV Special documentary
Herself
I Love the '70s
2003
TV Series documentary
Herself
Larry King Live
1986-2003
TV Series
Herself
The Caroline Rhea Show
2003
TV Series
Herself
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
2002
TV Movie
Herself
E! True Hollywood Story
2002
TV Series documentary
Herself
2001 ALMA Awards
2001
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Heart-throbs of the 70s
2001
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The 70s: The Decade That Changed Television
2000
TV Movie documentary
Herself
I Love 1970's
2000
TV Series documentary
Herself - Host
The Mexican-Americans
2000
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Intimate Portrait
1999-2000
TV Series documentary
Herself
So Graham Norton
2000
TV Series
Herself
1999 ALMA Awards
1999
TV Special
Herself
Work with Me
1999
TV Series
Herself
A Very Special Christmas from Washington, D.C.
1998
TV Special
Herself
The RuPaul Show
1998
TV Series
Herself
CBS: The First 50 Years
1998
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Live with Kelly and Michael
1991-1997
TV Series
Herself
The Oprah Winfrey Show
1997
TV Series
Herself
Leeza
1996
TV Series
Herself
George & Alana
1996
TV Series
Herself
The Suzanne Somers Show
1994
TV Series
Herself
One on One with John Tesh
1991
TV Series
Herself
The Chuck Woolery Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
Win, Lose or Draw
1989
TV Series
Herself
CBS This Morning
1988
TV Series
Herself
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987
TV Special documentary
Herself
Bob Hope with His Beautiful Easter Bunnies and Other Friends
1987
TV Special
Herself
Late Night with David Letterman
1987
TV Series
Herself
Showbiz Today
1987
TV Series
Herself
The Morning Program
1987
TV Series
Herself
Good Morning America
1979-1986
TV Series
Herself
The Late Show
1986
TV Series
Herself
Hour Magazine
1984-1986
TV Series
Herself
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
1986
TV Series documentary
Herself
Bob Hope Buys NBC?
1985
TV Special
Herself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1975-1985
TV Series
Herself
Night of 100 Stars II
1985
TV Movie
Herself
The 42nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
1985
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Best Actress / Actor in a TV-Series Drama
Body and Soul
1984
TV Movie
Herself
Breakaway
1984
TV Series
Herself
Happy Birthday, Bob!
1983
TV Special
Herself
Night of 100 Stars
1982
TV Special
Herself
Lynda Carter: Street Life
1982
TV Movie
Herself
The John Davidson Show
1982
TV Series
Herself
The Merv Griffin Show
1981-1982
TV Series
Herself
Television: Inside and Out
1981
TV Series
Herself
Celebration
1981
TV Movie
Herself - Singer
Women Who Rate a 10
1981
TV Movie
Herself
The Midnight Special
1981
TV Series
Herself
The 38th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1981
TV Special
Herself
The 8th Annual American Music Awards
1981
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The Dick Emery Hour
1980
TV Movie
Herself / Musical Guest
Men Who Rate a 10
1980
TV Special
Herself
Crackerjack!
1980
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Top of the Pops
1980
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Encore!
1980
TV Special
Herself
Dinah!
1976-1980
TV Series
Herself
The Muppet Show
1980
TV Series
Herself - Special Guest Star
Lynda Carter Special
1980
TV Special
Herself
The Mike Douglas Show
1976-1979
TV Series
Herself - Co-Host / Herself - Actress / Herself
The 6th Annual American Music Awards
1979
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1978
TV Special
Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music
Grease Day USA
1978
TV Movie documentary
Premiere Guest
Happy Birthday, Bob
1978
TV Special
Herself
The 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1978
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Circus of the Stars #2
1977
TV Special
Herself - Performer
The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1977
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series