Ariel Winter, the talented American actress best known for her role as Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, has built a successful Hollywood career and an impressive fortune. As of 2024, Ariel Winter’s net worth is estimated at $12 million, the result of years of acting, voice work, and smart real estate investments. At 26 years old, she continues to evolve as an artist while maintaining her financial independence.
Early Life and Background
Born Ariel Winter Workman on January 28, 1998, in Los Angeles, California, she grew up in a family rooted in entertainment. Her sister, Shanelle Workman, is best known for her role in One Life to Live, while her brother, Jimmy Workman, played Pugsley in The Addams Family movies. Ariel is of Greek and German descent and was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church.
Her early years were marked by family struggles, including a high-profile custody battle. In 2012, her sister Shanelle filed to become Ariel’s legal guardian due to alleged abuse by their mother. The court eventually granted guardianship to Shanelle, and Ariel became legally emancipated in 2015, a move she described as liberating.
Career Beginnings: From Commercials to Hollywood Sets
Ariel began acting at just four years old, landing her first job in a Cool Whip commercial. She quickly transitioned into television with roles on series like Listen Up!, ER, Monk, Bones, and Freddie. At a young age, she also dove into voice acting, voicing characters on Phineas and Ferb and in films such as Ice Age: The Meltdown, Over the Hedge, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Horton Hears a Who!.
Her voice talents were further recognized when she starred in the lead role of Princess Sofia in Disney’s hit animated series Sofia the First, a fan favorite that aired for multiple seasons.
The Breakthrough: Modern Family
In 2009, Ariel was cast as Alex Dunphy in ABC’s Modern Family, a role that would define her career. The show ran for 11 seasons until 2020, spanning 250 episodes and becoming a cornerstone of network television.
Ariel’s portrayal of the book-smart, sarcastic middle child earned her four Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ensemble cast. She formed a strong off-screen bond with co-stars, especially Sarah Hyland, who played her on-screen sister.
Modern Family Salary
In the early seasons of Modern Family, Ariel earned $70,000 per episode. That figure rose to $125,000 per episode after 2017. With an average of 22 episodes per season, Ariel earned up to $2.75 million annually during the show’s later years.
Beyond Modern Family: Expanding Her Career
While on Modern Family, Ariel juggled multiple projects. She voiced characters in Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Bambi II, and Robot Chicken, Seth Green’s adult animated series.
In live-action, she appeared in films such as:
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
- Speed Racer
- Duress
- Opposite Day
- Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred
- The Chaperone (which earned her a Young Artist Award nomination)
In 2017, she starred in The Last Movie Star alongside Burt Reynolds, earning praise for her dramatic range. In 2019, she guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU, continuing to explore more serious roles.
Personal Life and Health Decisions
Ariel’s personal journey has been marked by growth, empowerment, and self-advocacy. She publicly shared her experience with breast reduction surgery at age 17, moving from 32F to 32D. She cited both physical pain and self-image issues as reasons for the procedure, gaining admiration for her openness.
In her dating life, Ariel was previously in a relationship with Canadian actor Levi Meaden, whom she dated for three years starting in 2016. Their relationship ended in 2019. In 2020, she began dating Luke Benward, with whom she shares a strong connection. The couple continues to remain low-key but affectionate on social media.
Real Estate Ventures: Smart Investments at a Young Age
Ariel Winter has shown financial maturity through her real estate choices. At 18, she purchased a $1.5 million home in Sherman Oaks, California. After renovating it, she flipped the house for $1.65 million, earning nearly $100,000 profit in under a year.
She then bought a 5,000-square-foot home in Studio City for $2.7 million, which she later listed for $2.8 million. In November 2020, Ariel upgraded again, purchasing a $3.5 million mansion, also in Studio City. In April 2022, she sold that home for $3.999 million, turning another solid profit.
These transactions show her strategic mindset when it comes to wealth management, ensuring her net worth stays strong even after the end of her flagship series.
Education and Long-Term Goals
Despite her success in entertainment, Ariel has always had a backup plan. She graduated from high school in 2016 and expressed a desire to attend UCLA to study law, stating she wanted something to fall back on. Though she’s studied on and off since graduation, she remains an advocate for education and intellectual growth.
