Naya Rivera net worth, Naya Rivera was an American actress, singer, and media personality best known for her role as Santana Lopez on the hit musical comedy series Glee. Born on January 12, 1987, in Valencia, California, Rivera began acting as a baby in commercials and landed her first major role at age four on Eddie Murphy’s sitcom The Royal Family. Over the years, she appeared in numerous popular TV shows, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and The Bernie Mac Show. Her breakout role on Glee earned her critical acclaim, multiple ALMA Awards, and widespread recognition, making her one of the most memorable figures in television during the 2010s.
Beyond acting, Rivera pursued a music career, signing with Columbia Records and releasing her debut single “Sorry” featuring Big Sean, which charted on Billboard. She also appeared in films like At the Devil’s Door (2014) and Mad Families (2017), as well as the series Step Up: High Water (2017–2020). At the time of her tragic death in July 2020, Naya Rivera net worth of $5 million, accumulated from her successful career in television, music, and other entertainment ventures. Her talent, charisma, and pioneering representation of LGBTQ+ characters on screen left a lasting impact on fans and the industry alike.
Naya Rivera Bio:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Naya Rivera |
| Born | January 12, 1987, Valencia, California, USA |
| Died | July 2020, Lake Piru, California, USA |
| Age at Death | 33 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Media Personality |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Early Career | Started as a baby in Kmart commercials; first major role at age 4 in The Royal Family |
| Notable TV Roles | Glee (Santana Lopez), The Bernie Mac Show, Devious Maids |
| Musical Career | Signed with Columbia Records; debut single “Sorry” ft. Big Sean |
| Film & Other Work | At the Devil’s Door (2014), Mad Families (2017), Step Up: High Water (2017–2020) |
| Awards | Multiple ALMA Awards for Favorite Female Music Artist & TV Actress |
| Real Estate | Owned Los Feliz homes in Los Angeles, bought $2.6M (2013), sold $3.55M (2018), bought new home $2.7M |
| Personal Life | Dated Tahj Mowry, Mark Salling, Big Sean; married Ryan Dorsey (2015–2018); son Josey born 2015 |
What Was Naya Rivera’s Net Worth and Salary?
Naya Rivera was an American actress, singer, and media personality with an estimated net worth of $5 million at the time of her death in July 2020. She gained international fame for her role as the fierce and ambitious cheerleader Santana Lopez on the musical comedy series Glee, which became her signature role and brought her widespread recognition.
Early Life
Naya Rivera was born on January 12, 1987, in Valencia, California. She was of mixed heritage: one-quarter African American, one-quarter German, and half Puerto Rican. Her mother, Yolanda Previtire, had moved to Los Angeles to pursue modeling and later worked as a real estate agent, while her father, George Rivera, worked in IT. Her parents married in 1986 but divorced in 1996, and her mother remarried Charles Previtire in 1999. Naya attended Valencia High School, graduating in 2005.
Career
Rivera began acting at just nine months old, represented by her mother’s talent agent. She appeared in Kmart commercials as a baby and earned her first significant role at age four, playing Hillary Winston in Eddie Murphy’s sitcom The Royal Family (1991–1992), appearing in 15 episodes before the show was canceled after star Redd Foxx passed away. She received a Young Artist Award nomination for her performance.
From 1992 to 2002, Rivera appeared in numerous popular TV shows as a child and teen, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, Baywatch, Smart Guy, Even Stevens, and The Bernie Mac Show. As she grew older, her acting roles became less frequent, and she took jobs as a telemarketer, nanny, and Abercrombie & Fitch greeter. She also appeared in the stage production U Don’t Know Me: The Musical (2006–2007).
Glee
Rivera’s breakthrough came in 2009 when she was cast as Santana Lopez on Glee. Initially a recurring character in seasons 1 and 6, she became a main cast member from seasons 2 to 5, appearing in 99 of the show’s 121 episodes. Her performance earned her multiple award nominations, including ALMA Awards in 2011 and 2012 for Favorite Female Music Artist and Favorite TV Actress. Rivera’s character development, including Santana’s coming-out storyline, allowed her to explore more emotional and complex scenes, earning critical praise.
Musical Career
While on Glee, Rivera pursued a music career. She signed with Columbia Records for a solo album and collaborated with 2Cellos on a cover of Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole.” In 2013, she released her debut single, “Sorry” featuring Big Sean, which reached the top 40 on the Billboard Rhythmic chart.
Other Work
Rivera appeared in her first feature film, At the Devil’s Door (2014), and later took a recurring role on Devious Maids (2015). She also became a regular guest host on The View and appeared in films like Mad Families (2017). In 2017, she starred in the YouTube Red series Step Up: High Water, which later moved to Starz in 2020, with Rivera continuing her role.
Real Estate
In 2013, Rivera purchased a Los Feliz home in Los Angeles for $2.6 million. She sold it in 2018 for $3.55 million and purchased another nearby property for $2.7 million. By January 2021, this home was listed for just under $2.7 million.
Personal Life
Rivera dated actor Tahj Mowry from 2000 to 2004 and remained close to him and his family. She also dated her Glee co-star Mark Salling (2008–2010) and actor Ryan Dorsey briefly in 2010. In April 2013, she began dating rapper Big Sean, becoming engaged in October before splitting in April 2014. She later rekindled her relationship with Dorsey.
In February 2015, Rivera announced she was expecting her first child, a son named Josey, born in September. She and Dorsey divorced in June 2018.
Death
In July 2020, Rivera went missing after her son was found alone on a rented boat at Lake Piru, California. She tragically drowned after reportedly helping her son back into the boat but being unable to get in herself. Rivera was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
FAQ’s
When and where was Naya Rivera born?
She was born on January 12, 1987, in Valencia, California, USA.
What was Naya Rivera net worth?
At the time of her death in July 2020, Naya Rivera net worth of $5 million, earned through her acting, music, and television work.
What is Naya Rivera best known for?
She was best known for her role as Santana Lopez on Glee, appearing in 99 of the show’s 121 episodes and earning multiple ALMA Awards.
Did Naya Rivera have a music career?
Yes, she signed with Columbia Records and released her debut single, “Sorry” featuring Big Sean, which charted on Billboard.
What were some of Naya Rivera’s other acting roles?
She appeared in TV shows like The Bernie Mac Show, Devious Maids, and Step Up: High Water, as well as films like At the Devil’s Door (2014) and Mad Families (2017).
Conclusion
Naya Rivera began acting as a baby and landed her first major role at age four in The Royal Family. She appeared in TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and The Bernie Mac Show. Her breakout came in 2009 with Glee, playing Santana Lopez, earning multiple ALMA Awards. Rivera also pursued music, signing with Columbia Records and releasing her debut single, “Sorry” ft. Big Sean.
She appeared in films like At the Devil’s Door and TV series including Devious Maids and Step Up: High Water. Her acting and music career helped her earn an estimated net worth of $5 million by 2020. She also invested in real estate, owning homes in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. Rivera’s talent and versatility made her a lasting influence in television, music, and pop culture.
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