What Happened To Shirley Temple's Money?

According to The Atlantic, Temple was making $1,000 a week in 1934 when she was 6-years-old. At one point, she was making more than "anyone in Hollywood." In 1938, she made over $307,000. Known for her dimples and blonde curls, the National Women's History Museum writes that Temple had own line of merchandise that included clothes, dolls, sheet music, and much more. In addition, she endorsed a variety of products, like "Bisquick and Corn Flakes." Temple was a massive box office draw and at her peak "commanded $10,000 a week" (via Insider). What, then, had happened to fortune?

Ranker writes that when Temple went to access her money, she should have found $3.2 million. Instead, there was only $44,000 (per Aljazeera America). As Yahoo explains, Temple was essentially "ripped off" by her father. It's reported that he "failed to place her earnings in a court-ordered trust." Temple herself was only given $20 in "pocket money" despite raking in thousands weekly.

Although her father had mishandled her money, Temple later said "My attitude has always been get it over with and get on with life." She also expressed that she "felt neither disappointment or rage." After her retirement from acting, Biography reports that Temple became involved in politics. She died on February 10, 2014 at the age of 85. At the time of her death, Temple's net worth was estimated to be $30 million.

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