Understanding Arianna Huffington’s Net Worth
Arianna Huffington, the dynamic powerhouse in journalism and business, has imprinted her story in golden letters with her entrepreneurial mindset and instinctive writing skills. Meanwhile, Arianna Huffington’s net worth continues to fuel curiosity and conversations among those intrigued by her trajectory and accomplishments.
This article will dive deep into her career and path to her fortune, the multiple business ventures, and more.
From Humble Origins To $100 Million Fortune: Huffington’s Wealth Accumulation
Born on July 15th, 1950, in Athens, Greece, Ariadnē-Anna Stasinopoúlou, known as Arianna Huffington, now 73 years old, was raised in a family already enthralled by the world of journalism and writing. She left Greece to go to Cambridge at 16, where she made history as one of the first female students from overseas to serve as a Cambridge Union president.
Today, Arianna Huffington holds an impressive net worth of $100 million, and she is often recognized as one of the world’s most influential women, In 2016, Arianna co-founded The Huffington Post, a liberal-leaning media conglomerate, that later AOL purchased for $315 million in 2011, and which she owned a substantial 30% stake.
Her professional portfolio extends to significant companies such as Uber, Thrive Global, Onex, and Global Citizen. She also stands out as an accomplished writer crafting numerous best-selling books.
From Author To Media Mogul: Huffington’s Trailblazing Career
Arianna Huffington first burst onto the public scene in the 1970s with her book The Female Woman, an indictment of the women’s liberation movement. The 80s saw her composing a series of influential biographies.
Her marriage to Michael Huffington marked her debut in US politics, and she began contributing to the Emmy-winning late-night talk show, Politically Incorrect.
In the subsequent decade, she wrote a series of remarkable biographies such as Maria Callas as well as self-help books from The Sleep Revolution and Thrive. Upon marrying Michael Huffington, she stepped into the U.S. political scene. In addition, she was a contributor to the Emmy-winning late-night show, Politically Incorrect.
Huffington’s writings extending beyond “The Female Woman” offer more profound insights into her perspectives and beliefs. Some of her other significant works include:
She next grabbed headlines with her leadership of The Detroit Project, a campaign coaxing auto manufacturers to embrace alternative fuels. In 2003, she candidly vied against Arnold Schwarzenegger for the California Governor seat.
Despite her fervent criticisms directed at Schwarzenegger during the campaign, she ultimately withdrew with only 2% of the populace backing her. Despite withdrawing, she remained on the ballot and secured 1% of the votes.
Moreover, Huffington’s media appearances extend beyond journalism and politics; she has also surfaced in TV series like The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, Any Questions?, Call My Bluff, Face the Music, and Real Time With Bill Maher.
The Huffington Post
2006 was pivotal for Huffington as she teamed up with Andrew Breitbart, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti to launch The Huffington Post. As a platform initially devised as an alternative news website, it featured content from voluntary bloggers and staff writers.
Despite her previous affiliations with the Republican party, The Huffington Post became a bastion for Democratic sympathizers. In 2012, the platform was honored with a Pulitzer Prize, carving its place as the first commercially-run digital media to achieve this feat.
In 2011, AOL purchased The Huffington Post for $315 million, a significant milestone in Arianna Huffington’s illustrious career path. As part of the deal, she assumed the role of president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group.
Owing to her 30% ownership of the website, the sale rewarded Huffington with a hefty payout of close to $100 million before taxes.
The media landscape again experienced upheaval in 2015 when Verizon Wireless acquired AOL for a whopping $4.4 billion. This transition made The Huffington Post part of Verizon Media’s expansive portfolio.
Thrive Global
In 2007, Huffington experienced a collapse due to sleep exhaustion and woke up with a broken cheekbone. This traumatic event served as the catalyst for her passion and belief in the connection between well-being and performance.
As she began sharing her story around the world, she noticed two significant trends: a widespread stress and burnout epidemic and a growing desire among people for a change in their work and lifestyle.
Inspired by these observations, Huffington founded Thrive Global, a wellness and behavioral change company based in New York City, in 2016. Soon after its launch, the company surpassed its revenue targets within six weeks, showing its strong potential for success.
As of November 2017, Thrive Global was valued at $120 million, highlighting its rapid growth. Arianna is the company’s CEO and hosts the Thrive Global Podcast.
Thrive
- 13 min reading time
- audio version available
Arianna Huffington’s Husband: Michael Huffington
In 1985, Arianna found love in Michael Huffington, a substantial figure in American political and business circles, renowned as a Republican politician and oil tycoon. The couple got married the following year.
Upon relocating to Santa Barbara, California, Michael Huffington secured a U.S. House of Representatives spot. Born into a significantly affluent family with a fortune in oil and natural gas assets in Indonesia, Michael also amassed profits from launching and selling a merchant bank.
In a 1994 political clash against Dianne Feinstein for a US Senate seat, Michael unveiled his personal wealth estimated at $75 million, equivalent to $130 million in today’s money.
Breathtakingly, Michael allocated about 40% of his wealth, approximately $28 million, to his campaign – a record-breaking expenditure for a non-presidential election in American political history. However, Michael lost to Feinstein by a marginal 1.9%.
Arianna and Michael Huffington were blessed with two children during their time together. Their marriage dissolved in 1997, and the following year, Michael opened up about his bisexuality.
Arianna Huffington’s Political Affiliation: A Shift from Republican to Democrat
Originally a conservative commentator, Huffington later identified as a liberal and supported Democratic candidates. Arianna Huffington’s transition from Republican to Democrat marked a noteworthy shift in her political ideology.
Arianna Huffington’s Sleep Routine and Revolution
Arianna Huffington advocates robust sleep routines and promotes a balanced lifestyle. According to her book The Sleep Revolution, she strives to get an adequate seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
The Sleep Revolution
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Arianna Huffington & Uber
In 2016, Arianna Huffington joined the board of directors of Uber. In her new role, she played a significant part in shaping the company’s culture post-allegations of sexual harassment that Uber faced in 2017.
Arianna Huffington has demonstrated that perseverance and adaptability can lead to great success. Consider reading Thrive if you want to learn more about her philosophy towards life, work, and well-being.
It is a practical book that discusses our need to redefine success to include well-being, wisdom, and our ability to give back. The book is available on Blinkist, and you can enjoy a free 7-day trial.
Don’t miss this wonderful chance to explore the enlightening philosophies of successful entrepreneur and acclaimed author, Arianna Huffington. She is well-known for her recommendations on leading a well-rounded, balanced life.
Take advantage of this incredible opportunity and tap into Arianna Huffington’s wisdom by checking out her book recommendations on Blinkist today.