Publish date: 2024-01-17 13:56:34
What was Dina Merrill's Net Worth?
Dina Merrill, an American heiress, socialite, philanthropist, and actress, had a remarkable net worth of $5 billion. Dina's mother, Marjorie Merriweather Post, was once the wealthiest woman in the United States. In 1914, Marjorie's father passed away, leaving her with a massive fortune of $250 million. Adjusted for inflation, this would amount to $5 billion at the time of her death. While Dina Merrill enjoyed a successful acting career, her extraordinary wealth was predominantly inherited rather than earned through her work in the entertainment industry.

Early Life
Dina Merrill, born as Nedenia Marjorie Hutton on December 29th, 1923 in New York City, belonged to a prosperous family. Her mother was the heiress to the Post Cereals fortune, while her father, Edward Francis Hutton, founded E. F. Hutton & Co as a Wall Street Stockbroker. She attended George Washington University before enrolling at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she received guidance from renowned acting tutor Uta Hagen.
Career
After adopting the name Dina Merrill, she entered the world of acting, making her stage debut in 1945. However, it was in the 1950s and 1960s that she rose to prominence as a Hollywood actress. Some of her notable film roles during this period include "Desk Set" (1957), "A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed" (1958), "Don't Give Up The Ship" (1959), and "Operation Petticoat" (1959). She was also considered a potential replacement for Grace Kelly.

- Notable Films:
- The Sundowners (1960)
- Butterfield 8 (1960)
- The Young Savages (1961)
- The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963)
- I'll Take Sweden (1965)
- The Greatest (1977)
- A Wedding (1978)
- Just Tell Me What You Want (1980)
In addition to her film career, Dina Merrill made numerous appearances on television. She participated in made-for-TV movies such as "Seven in Darkness," "The Lonely Profession," and "Family Flight," along with numerous guest appearances on popular shows like "Batman," "Bonanza," "The Love Boat," and "Murder, She Wrote."
- Notable Television Shows:
- Batman (1966)
- Bonanza (1968)
- The Love Boat (1979)
- Murder, She Wrote (1985)
Outside of her acting career, Merrill was a familiar face on game shows such as "The Match Game," "To Tell the Truth," "What's My Line," and "Hollywood Squares." She also made appearances in several Broadway plays, including "On Your Toes."

Mar-a-Lago Resort
The original Mar-a-Lago resort was funded by Dina Merrill's mother, Marjorie Merriweather Post, and her husband, Edward F. Hutton. However, after Marjorie's death, she left the 17-acre estate to the United States government, which was declined by President Jimmy Carter due to the high maintenance cost. The property was then returned to the Post Foundation, owned by Dina Merrill and her sister, and they decided to sell it.
Donald Trump attempted to purchase the estate for $15 million, but his offer was rejected. In response, Trump bought a nearby plot of land for $2 million and threatened to build a structure that would obstruct Mar-a-Lago's ocean view. Eventually, he acquired the property for $7 million.


Relationships
Dina Merrill was married three times in her life. Her first husband was Stanley M. Rumbough Jr., an American businessman and Colgate-Palmolive heir. They married in 1946 and had three children together. Interestingly, two of their children were given middle names that matched their respective fortunes: Nedenia Colgate Rumbough and David Post Rumbough. Merrill and Rumbough divorced in 1966.
Less than a year after her divorce from Rumbough, Merrill married actor Cliff Robertson, who would later win an Oscar. They had one child together before divorcing in 1986. Three years later, Dina Merrill married her third husband, producer Ted Hartley.

Passing
Dina Merrill passed away on May 22, 2017, at the age of 93. In her final years, she battled dementia with Lewy bodies.
Real Estate
In 2018, Dina Merrill's prestigious estate in East Hampton Village was sold for $8.2 million. Interestingly, the buyer of the property was Merrill's own daughter, Nedenia Rumbough.
If you would like to know other articles similar to How Much Was Dina Merrill Truly Worth? Unveiling the Mystery Behind Her Net Worth. updated this year 2025 you can visit the category Actors networth.
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