From Success at 16 to Struggle With Mental Health: Patty Duke's Life, Work and Net Worth
| Name | Patty Duke |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Annual Income | $1 Million |
| Source of Income | Acting |
| DOB | Dec 14, 1946 |
| DOD | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Gender | Female |
| Professsion | Actor, singer, writer, author |
| Nationality | American |
What is Patty Duke's net worth?
Academy Award-winning Hollywood veteran and acclaimed TV personality, Patty Duke has left behind a legacy of contributions to films and theatre, along with a $10 million net worth. The actress who passed away on March 29, 2016, at the age of 69, earned numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, and three Primetime Emmy Awards. She started her journey with the film "Miracle Worker" at the age of 16, and became the youngest person to win the Academy Award with that movie. Tremendous success followed on the small screen as well, with Duke bagging her own sitcom titled "The Patty Duke Show" the following year.
What are Patty Duke's sources of income?
Most of Duke's fortune was amassed from her acting career which lasted for more than five decades. Her talent was discovered early, and by the age of 12, she had already won $32,000 on the game show "The $64,000 Question." Despite a scandal involving the rigged nature of the show, Duke's career soared when she portrayed Helen Keller in the Broadway play "The Miracle Worker," later earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film adaptation.
Business ventures
Patty Duke's career extended beyond acting. In the 1980s, she served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild, showcasing her involvement in the business side of the entertainment industry. She also directed productions, including a staging of "The Miracle Worker" in Spokane, Washington. She also became an author with memoirs including her autobiographies as well as "Brilliant Madness," which contained an account of Duke's life with manic depression.
Earnings growth by year
| Year | Earnings |
| 2021 | $4 Million |
| 2022 | $7 Million |
| 2023 | $10 Million |
Personal life
Patty Duke's early life was marked by challenges, including her parents' struggles with alcoholism and clinical depression. Placed under the care of talent managers at the age of eight, she faced exploitative practices that fueled her advocacy for the protection of child actors later in life.
She also saw multiple marriages, divorces, and struggles with mental health. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982, she became a vocal advocate, lobbying the United States Congress and collaborating with mental health organizations. Apart from that, Duke also stood up for causes such as AIDS awareness and nuclear disarmament.
Awards and recognition
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Three Primetime Emmy Awards
Two Golden Globe Awards
FAQs
How did Patty Duke start her career?
Patty Duke began her career at a young age, winning $32,000 on the game show "The $64,000 Question" at 12. Her breakthrough came with the Broadway play and film "The Miracle Worker."
What was Patty Duke's net worth at the time of her death?
Patty Duke's net worth was $10 million at the time of her death on March 29, 2016.
What awards did Patty Duke win during her career?
Patty Duke won an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and three Primetime Emmy Awards over the course of her career.