Get All Access for $5/mo

'You'd Do That For Your Mom': Margot Robbie Reveals That She Paid Off Her Mom's Mortgage With Paychecks The "Barbie" star earned an estimated $12.5 million for the film.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Getty Images

Margot Robbie has made a splash hit as the titular character in the new "Barbie" movie, which grossed an estimated $337 million worldwide during its box office debut over the weekend.

But Robbie, who earned an estimated $12.5 million for her role in the film, didn't always have such success, especially early on in her career.

The Australian actress spoke in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning and revealed that her mother used to take money out of their house mortgage to help fund her daughter's career — something Robbie said was pertinent for her to pay back once she could afford it.

Related: The Barbie Movie May Have Brought In Big Bucks at the Box Office, But One Collector Has Thousands Worth of Barbies in Her Toy Box

Robbie was raised in Queensland, Australia, by a single mom.

"I kept it. Everything I owed my mom, I had written down," she said. "One day, when I made enough money, I just paid that whole mortgage off completely. I was like, 'Mom, don't even worry about that mortgage anymore. It doesn't exist anymore.'"

Related: The 'Barbie' Movie May Have Caused A Global Pink Paint Shortage

Robbie has an estimated net worth of $40 million, much of which has been fueled by her successful roles as Tonya Harding in "I, Tonya" (which she earned an Academy Award nomination for) and as Harley Quinn in "Suicide Squad" and other Marvel spinoffs.

Her breakout role was in the 2013 hit "The Wolf of Wall Street" with Leonardo DiCaprio. Robbie also runs a production company with her husband, Tom Ackerly, called LuckyChap Entertainment.

"Anyone in my position, you'd do that for your mom," Robbie said. "Of course, you would."

"Barbie" is already breaking box office records after its mid-July premiere: the biggest U.S. opening for a non-superhero film and the biggest opening for a female director (Greta Gerwig).

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.