📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

'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

entrepreneur daily
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

Entrepreneur Staff

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

Devices

Stay Locked In and Accessible with These Open-Ear Headphones, Marked Down $40

These open-ear Bluetooth headphones sit on top of the ear, and are available for the best price online.

Devices

Get This Powerful Refurbished Lenovo Mini Desktop for Just $180 Through April 30

Get more for your money and breeze through business tasks with a robust A-grade refurbished mini desktop.

Side Hustle

3 Secrets to Starting a Small Business Side Hustle That Gives Your Day Job a Run for Its Money, According to People Who Did Just That — and Made Millions

Almost anyone can start a side hustle — but only those ready to level up can use it to out-earn their 9-5s.

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.

Business News

Elon Musk Reveals His Tactics for Building Successful Companies, Including Sleeping Under His Desk and 'Working Every Waking Hour'

Musk shared the secrets on a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, CEO of the $1.6 trillion Norges Bank.

Business News

'My Mouth Dropped': Woman Goes Viral For Sharing Hilarious Cake Decorating Mishap at Walmart

Peyton Chimack has received over 703,000 views on her TikTok post of her birthday cake.