Vera Wang net worth is a topic that interests many fashion lovers. She is one of the most famous designers in the world. Her wedding dresses and luxury fashion have made her a top name in the industry. She has also created perfumes, jewelry, and home products that add to her success.
So, let’s take a closer look at how she built her wealth and became a fashion icon.
Vera Wang in Brief
Full Name | Vera Ellen Wang |
Date of Birth | June 27, 1949 |
Place of Birth | New York City, USA |
Occupation | Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur |
Height | 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm) |
Weight | 125 lbs (57 kg) |
Spouse | Arthur P. Becker (m. 1989–2012) |
Children | Josephine and Cecilia |
Net Worth | $650 million |
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What Vera Wang Net Worth?
Vera Wang is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $650 million. Her fortune comes from her global fashion empire, which includes bridal wear, evening gowns, ready-to-wear collections, accessories, and fragrances.
Her wedding dresses can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $100,000, and celebrities often pay even more for custom designs. Over the years, her gowns have been worn by stars like Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, and Hailey Bieber. These high-profile clients have helped make her brand one of the most recognizable names in the industry.
In addition to her bridal and fashion lines, Wang has partnered with major retailers like David’s Bridal, Kohl’s, and Zales, bringing her designs to a wider audience. These collaborations generate millions of dollars in revenue each year.
Early Life
Vera Ellen Wang was born on June 27, 1949, in New York City. Her parents, Florence Wu and Cheng Ching Wang, moved to the U.S. in the 1940s. Her mother worked for the United Nations, and her father had a successful career in the oil and medicine industries. Vera has one brother, Kenneth, who is involved with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Vera started figure skating at eight years old. She trained in Denver and New York, competing at the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. She was in Sports Illustrated in January 1968 but did not make the U.S. Olympic team, which was a big disappointment for her. She then turned to the fashion industry.
Vera attended Friends Seminary, Chapin School, and Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a degree in art history. In 1968, she was introduced to high society at the International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
Career
Vera Wang started her career as an editor at Vogue right after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College. At just 23, she became the youngest editor at the magazine. She worked there for 17 years before leaving in 1987 to join Ralph Lauren. After two years, she became an independent bridal designer.
Vera Wang is famous for her elegant wedding gowns. She has designed dresses for many well-known figures, including Hayley Williams, Vanessa Hudgens, Ivanka Trump, and Alicia Keys. She is also known for her evening wear, which has been worn by people like Michelle Obama.
Vera designed costumes for figure skaters, including Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan, at the Winter Olympics. In 2009, she was honored by being inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Wang also designed uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.
In 2001, she published a book called Vera Wang on Weddings. In 2005, she won the Council of Fashion Designers of America award for Womenswear Designer of the Year. She also received the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Wang’s designs have been worn by stars at red carpet events, such as Viola Davis at the 2012 Academy Awards. She received the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
In 2006, Vera Wang launched a line called Simply Vera for Kohl’s, offering affordable ready-to-wear clothing. In 2018, Forbes listed her as the 34th richest self-made woman in America, with $630 million in revenue.
After a two-year break, Vera Wang returned to New York Fashion Week in 2019, celebrating her brand’s 30th anniversary. The show was praised for its unique style, although there were some mishaps with the models’ footwear.
In December 2024, WHP Global acquired Vera Wang’s brand. However, Vera will remain as Founder & Chief Creative Officer. She will also become a shareholder in WHP Global.
Personal life
In June 1989, Vera Wang married Arthur P. Becker, an investor. They had a ceremony that combined both Baptist and Jewish traditions. Wang and Becker have two adopted daughters.
In July 2012, they decided to separate after many years of marriage.
Fashion Success
In 1990, Vera Wang opened her first design salon in the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. It was known for her beautiful bridal gowns. Over time, Wang expanded her brand. She opened bridal boutiques in New York, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. She also introduced collections for fragrances, jewelry, eyewear, shoes, and homeware.
In 2011, Wang launched White by Vera Wang at David’s Bridal. Bridal gowns in this collection cost between $600 and $1,400. Later, she expanded into home fashion with the Vera Wang China and Crystal Collection in 2002. She also created a line called Simply Vera in 2007, sold only at Kohl’s.
Wang continued to grow her brand by teaming up with Men’s Wearhouse in 2012. They offered tuxedos for sale and rental. That same year, Wang opened a store in Sydney called Vera Wang Bride Sydney and her first Asian store in Seoul, South Korea.
In a 2013 interview, Wang talked about how difficult it was to go from being a journalist to a businesswoman. She said the change was painful, but she had no choice. She learned that even small decisions she made could affect her team and her work in fashion. Wang has had a huge impact on the fashion world, especially with her designs on the red carpet.