Ina Garten is arguably one of the most famous—and beloved—celebrity chefs in the world. Although the bestselling cookbook author and The Barefoot Contessa star is an expert in the kitchen now, she had a very unconventional path on her way to becoming a professional chef. Through her unexpected journey to kitchen stardom, the 71-year-old has amassed a significant net worth.
Believe it or not, Ina’s first career was pretty much the polar opposite of whipping up decadent meals for a living—she worked in finance. Specifically, she held a position in the Office of Management and Budget at the White House in 1978 during Jimmy Carter’s administration. Even at the time, Ina knew she was destined "to do something more creative and fun than writing nuclear energy budgets," she pens in her blog. One day she came across an advertisem*nt in the New York Times for a speciality food store for sale in the Hamptons. After deciding to check out the shop with her husband, Jeffrey, "it was love at first sight." With no business experience to her name, Ina made an offer on the shop with money she made flipping houses in Washington D.C., according to the Washington Post. Soon after, Ina was the proud owner of the The Barefoot Contessa.
Make Delicious Dishes With Ina's Bestselling Cookbooks
'Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook'
'Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks'
'Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust'
'Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook'
The store was a huge success, and after 18 years of running the store, Ina sold it to its manager and its chef. Starting in 1996, she began writing cookbooks, and The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, released in 1999, became a best-seller, soon making her a household name. Ina credits its success to the hands-on approach she took to creating it; she told Forbes she hired her own photographer and publicist for it.
Her successful cookbooks led to her Food Network show in 2002, The Barefoot Contessa, which has been a hit. "I do the TV because it's an important part of the business, but it's the cookbooks I love writing,” she told Forbes. She’s also hosted Cook Like a Pro on the network. Previously, according to a 2013 book about the network, Ina apparently tried to sell a cooking show to Martha Stewart Living and shot pilot episodes, but Stewart ended up nixing the project.
Only Ina and her accountant know her net worth for sure, but various sites have estimated that Ina is pulling in big bucks. Celebritynetworth.com estimates her net worth at $50 million, thanks to her Food Network show, cookbooks, grocery line, and merchandise.
Ina husband, Jeffrey, is also a financial powerhouse. According to Celebritynetworth.com, Jeffrey is worth $100 million, mostly thanks to his former jobs as managing director of Lehman Brothers and Blackstone Group. Previously, Jeffrey worked in economic policy during the Nixon, Ford, and Carter administrations, and is now an author and professor at the Yale School of Management.
Ina and Jeffrey also own some impressive real estate. In 2016, Forbes reported that they bought a $4.65 million apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in NYC. She recently posted on Instagram about a new custom Lacanche range she installed there, which costs $15,000.
In 2017, they put a second New York City apartment in the area up for sale for $1.975 million. Their primary residence is in East Hampton, New York, where Ina films her television show. They have expanded and renovated their property several times over the years, but it’s clear it’s where they call home—and where Ina makes her impressive living.
FAQs
#BarefootContessa #InaGarten | Ina Garten | TikTok. But you know what I always say? You can be miserable before you eat a cookie, and you can be miserable afterwards. But never while you're eating a cookie.
How much is Ina Garten's husband worth? ›
Ina husband, Jeffrey, is also a financial powerhouse. According to Celebritynetworth.com, Jeffrey is worth $100 million, mostly thanks to his former jobs as managing director of Lehman Brothers and Blackstone Group.
Did Ina Garten ever want children? ›
Ina Garten is opening up about her decision not to have kids. During a recent appearance on Julia Louis-Dreyfus' podcast "Wiser Than Me," the Food Network star got candid about having "no interest in having children" and how her husband Jeffrey Garten has been supportive of her choice.
Are Bobby Flay and Ina Garten friends? ›
Flay and Garten have been friends and colleagues for decades, so it's no surprise that Flay has such respect for her person and her cooking. And Garten has returned that love in kind. In an interview with the Food Network, Garten waxed impressed about the staggering achievements and stamina of Flay.
Is Ina Garten Religious? ›
Garten is Jewish by birth and heritage, as is her husband, but rarely refers to her religion and ethnicity, though they are showcased through the inclusion of classic Jewish cooking in her television show and cookbooks, when she makes such dishes as rugelach, challah, and brisket.
What ethnicity is Ina Garten? ›
Born Ina Rosenberg to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York City and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, Garten was one of two children born to Charles H. Rosenberg, a surgeon specializing in otolaryngology, and his wife, Florence (née Rich), a dietitian.
Who makes more money, Ina or Jeffrey? ›
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ina Garten's net worth in 2024 is estimated at $60 million. When combined with that of her husband Jeffrey, that amount is estimated at a whopping $120 million.
What does the Barefoot Contessa's husband do for a living? ›
Currently, Jeffrey serves as the Dean Emeritus at the Yale School of Management and teaches courses on the global economy. According to his faculty page, prior to joining Yale, he worked for multiple White House administrations, served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was a managing director on Wall Street.
Does Ina Garten own a home in Paris? ›
The Food Network star, 75, and her husband Jeffrey Garten rang in 2024 while in Paris, where they own an apartment. Sharing a snap of their exquisite, orange-themed tablescape, Garten wished her 4.2 million Instagram followers a Happy New Year.
Does Ina Garten have a college degree? ›
Ina Garten once worked in the White House and worked her way up, which eventually put her in charge of writing the nuclear budget for the United States. She also managed to earn her MBA from George Washington University at the same time. Despite her success, she decided she wanted a different life.
With a track record like hers, it is safe to assume that Ina Garten's net worth of $60 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth) is quite accurate — as well as impressive. And if you combine that with the net worth of her husband Jeffrey, the couple's combined net worth sits just above a cool $120 million.
Is Ina Garten still married to her husband Jeffrey? ›
The Food Network star and her husband have been married for over 50 years. Ina Garten, 76, has called her husband Jeffrey Garten the "love of my life" — and he seems to feel the exact same way.
Is Bobby Flay a Millionaire? ›
What is Bobby Flay's net worth in 2024? Bobby Flay's net worth in 2024 is estimated at $60 million. Flay's made his fortune not just through his Food Network stardom, but also through his ownership of restaurants and chains like Amalfi, Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, Bobby's Burgers and Bobby's Burger Palace.
Does Ina Garten cook in her own kitchen? ›
But we'd guess that not many of us spend as much time in our kitchens as Ina Garten, the Food Network personality and cookbook author who goes to work in her kitchen all year long.
Do Flay and Fieri get along? ›
As two of Food Network's biggest stars, it's easy to think that Guy Fieri and Bobby Flay might hold a bit of animosity towards each other. However, in reality, it seems that the relationship between the two chefs is the exact opposite of this popular trope.
What is Ina Garten best known for? ›
The recipes that made Ina Garten Famous!
- the ultimate chocolate cake. If you haven't tried this classic Ina Garten recipe yet, prepare to shove aside every other chocolate cake you've ever tried. ...
- cauliflower gratin. ...
- brownie pudding. ...
- buttermilk bran muffins. ...
- 1770 House meatloaf.
Before Ina purchased the shop in 1978, the previous owners had dubbed it the Barefoot Contessa, inspired by the 1954 Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart movie of the same name. Ina decided to keep the name after taking ownership, according to People.com.
Why is Ina Garten so famous? ›
For over 20 years, Ina Garten has shared her comforting and foolproof recipes with the world through her beloved cookbooks and "Barefoot Contessa" show. But before becoming a Food Network star, Garten wrote budgets at the White House and ran a Hamptons grocery store. Here's her incredible life story.
