Sarah Jessica Parker rose to international stardom after her iconic portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in the beloved series Sex and the City, which has since become a cult classic. However, Parker’s journey to success began long before that, as she ventured into the entertainment industry during her early teenage years.
Today, at the age of 56, Sarah Jessica Parker enjoys a fulfilling married life, raises her children, and maintains a highly successful career. What truly makes her life inspiring and impressive is her humble beginnings and the fact that she started from scratch.
So, how did Sarah Jessica Parker reach the pinnacle of success? Here’s everything you need to know about her!
Sarah Jessica Parker’s early life began on March 25, 1965, in Nelsonville, Ohio. She was the youngest of eight children, having three siblings and four half-siblings. Unfortunately, her parents divorced when she was very young.
Raised by her mother, Barbara, who later married a truck driver named Paul Forste, Sarah Jessica Parker faced financial hardships. Her stepfather frequently struggled to find employment, while her mother managed a nursing home and had to single-handedly care for the children. Life was challenging.
“People like to put a Dickensian twist on it as if I were an orphan,” she shared with the Daily Mail. “There were times when we didn’t have electricity because we couldn’t pay the bill on time – we simply didn’t have the money that month. Sometimes we relied on the government for free lunches. But my parents were very clever and industrious; culturally, our lives were very rich, even though, in practical ways, things were kind of a mess.”
Living in poverty is an unfortunate reality for many children, including Sarah Jessica Parker. However, when reflecting on her past, she expresses no regrets. On the contrary, Parker is grateful for her childhood as it instilled in her a strong work ethic. “I’ve never borrowed a penny from anybody. I think it’s a real privilege to grow up the way I did, and I think my son is strangely at a disadvantage because he’s a child of affluence, and he doesn’t know what that means,” she explained.
At the young age of eight, Sarah Jessica Parker landed her first professional leading role in a production of The Little Match Girl. Recounting the experience on Inside the Actor’s Studio, she shared how she auditioned at the local NBC station and eventually secured the role. For five days of filming, she was paid $500, with the condition that she could attend her ballet classes.
Soon, her talent caught the attention of industry professionals, leading to her first Broadway role in The Innocents in 1976. To support Parker’s acting career, her family relocated to New Jersey, and she quickly began earning substantial amounts of money, becoming the primary breadwinner.
Sarah Jessica Parker received training in both singing and ballet, attending the American Ballet School and the Professional Children’s School.
In 1979, Parker achieved her breakthrough on Broadway by starring as the orphan in Annie. She continued to star in various productions while attending Dwight Morrow High School. After graduating, she devoted herself full-time to her acting career.
In 1982, she had her first significant television breakthrough in the sitcom Square Pegs. This marked the beginning of her appearance in multiple shows and films. As the 1990s approached, Parker secured roles in increasingly prominent films. In 1991, she starred alongside Steve Martin in L.A. Story, followed by Honeymoon in Vegas alongside Nicolas Cage the following year. In 1994, she appeared in Tim Burton’s acclaimed film Ed Wood.
However, it was her role in Sex and the City that truly transformed Sarah Jessica Parker’s career. In 1998, the first episode of the series aired, with Parker portraying the iconic character Carrie Bradshaw. The show, which revolved around the lives of four friends in New York City, quickly gained a dedicated fan base and achieved cult status.
Sex and the City ran for 98 episodes until 2004, propelling Sarah Jessica Parker into the realm of uber-celebrity. Interestingly, she almost turned down the opportunity to star in the show. Her agent informed her that the creator, Darren Star, had written the pilot with her in mind. Initially hesitant, Parker ultimately met with Star and, despite some concerns about nudity and language, decided to take on the role.
This decision proved to be pivotal in her career. She went on to star in the Sex and the City movie and, in 2021, the mini-series And Just Like That…, reuniting the original cast.
Not only did Sarah Jessica Parker captivate audiences with her acting skills, but her character’s impeccable fashion sense also resonated with viewers. Taking inspiration from her on-screen persona, Parker delved into the fashion industry herself. Alongside her successful acting performances, she collaborated on fragrance lines, advertisements for Gap, a cosmetics deal with Garnier, and even launched her own clothing line. Her collaboration with the US chain Steve & Barry’s reportedly earned her around $4.6 million.
Despite her considerable wealth, Sarah Jessica Parker ensures that her clothing line remains affordable, with all items priced under $15.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, she currently boasts a net worth of around $200 million. However, she maintains a grounded perspective on money and acknowledges her responsibility to support her family. In an interview with Oprah in 2004, she expressed that she would never consider herself wealthy, having spent many years without financial security.
Today, Sarah Jessica Parker’s personal life contrasts with her character, Carrie, from Sex and the City. In 1997, she married actor Matthew Broderick. They have three children together: son James Wilkie Broderick (born in 2002) and twin daughters Tabitha Hodge Broderick and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick (born in 2009). The family resides in New York City.
Parker cherishes her relationship with her husband, describing him as the funniest, wittiest, and most clever man she has ever known. She appreciates his laughter and the intellectual art background from which he hails. Despite her own success, she remains concerned about his career and recognizes the unique contributions he makes.
Over the years, Sarah Jessica Parker has received accolades for her acting talent. Additionally, her appearance, including her radiant skin and natural beauty, has garnered attention on social media. She has shared her skincare tips in various interviews and continues to be regarded as a beauty icon, both with and without makeup.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s commitment to her craft, resilience in the face of adversity, and dedication to her family have contributed to her inspiring journey. From a modest upbringing to international fame, she serves as an embodiment of talent, hard work, and authenticity.
