It was the hit TV series that brought drama, dark secrets and designer clothing to Wisteria Lane for eight seasons.
But behind the scenes, the leading ladies of Desperate Housewives were quietly building high-end property portfolios, translating their on-screen success into real estate gold.
The series, which aired from 2004 to 2012, was a global phenomenon, and the stars commanded staggering salaries, providing the launch pad for their savvy investments.
By the show’s peak, the four main actresses were among the highest-paid on television.
According to media reports, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross were each earning an estimated $US375,000 ($A572,000) to over $US400,000 ($A610,000) per episode in the later seasons.
Nicollette Sheridan reportedly earned $US175,000 ($A267,000) per episode before her contract was not renewed.
MORE: OG Home & Away cast: Fallout, wild spending
Sad Screech star’s life: Broke at 18, dead by 44
‘$100m’: Lawyers slam Paris in bitter MJ fight
Desperate Housewives aired from 2004 to 2012.
Here’s a closer look at the financial success of the show’s cast and their property portfolios.
Felicity Huffman (Lynette Scavo)
Felicity Huffman has a net worth of $US45 million ($A68 million), with an impressive real estate portfolio.
The award-winning actress and her husband, actor William H. Macy sold a mountain retreat near Basalt, Colorado for $US3.9 million ($A5.9 million) in 2015.
The couple also own a replica of Huffman’s childhood home in Little Woody Creek, Colorado.
Felicity Huffman (right) has a net worth of $US45 million.
The award-winning actress and her husband, actor William H. Macy sold a mountain retreat near Basalt, Colorado for $US3.9 million in 2015. Picture: Realtor
When Desperate Housewives ended, the pair snapped up a five-bedroom home in the Outpost Estate neighbourhood in Los Angeles.
They bought the house next door to their Hollywood Hills home, which gave them a three-acre compound with two main houses. The combined lot is worth $US8-10 million ($A12 -$A15 million).
The couple also own a replica of Huffman’s childhood home in Little Woody Creek, Colorado. Picture: Supplied
The combined Hollywood Hills compound is worth $US8-10 million. Picture: Google
Huffman became the centre of scandal in 2019 when she was arrested in relation to the US’s college admissions scandal.
The scandal involved celebrities and other wealthy Americans using their wealth to bypass college admissions process and buy their children into the country’s top schools.
Huffman pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud spent two weeks in prison.
Eva Longoria’s onscreen husband in Desperate Housewives, Ricardo Chavira, made headlines after claiming publicly that Huffman’s short prison sentence was an example of “white privilege”.
Eva Longoria (Gabrielle Solis)
With a net worth of $US80 million ($A122 million), Eva Longoria has made a name for herself as a savvy real estate investor.
In 2015, the actress snapped up a Hollywood Hills compound for $US11.4 million, ($A17.3 million) previously owned by Tom Cruise, and sold it in 2020 for $US8.2 million ($A12.5 million).
She also owns a gated residence in Zuma Beach, Malibu, purchased in 2008 for $US2.5 million ($A3.8 million), and a property in San Antonio that houses her charity, Eva’s Heroes.
The Young and the Restless alum bought a Beverly Hills mansion in 2017 for $US13.5 million ($A20.5 million). It hit the market in 2023 for nearly $US23 million ($35 million).
She later slashed the price to $US18.98 million ($A30 million) in May 2024.
Despite her success, Longoria claims to have endured a difficult team on set during her Desperate Housewives era.
Eva Longoria (left) has made a name for herself as a savvy real estate investor.
The Young and the Restless alum’s Beverly Hills mansion hit the market in 2023 for nearly $US23 million ($35 million).
In a letter supporting Felicity Huffman during a 2019 court trial, Longoria revealed she was bullied by another cast member for years.
She further claimed Huffman had intervened to stop the bullying, although the identity of the bully was never revealed.
More recently, Longoria traded her US life for a life in Spain and Mexico. The actress made the move late in 2024 after Donald Trump’s election
When Trump won the 2024 presidential election, the Desperate Housewives actress declared that she was “done” with life in “dystopian” America and was officially going to be based full time in Spain and Mexico.
At the time, the Hollywood star told Marie Claire that she’d “escaped” the country where she had lived for nearly five decades and will now reside full time with her husband, José Bastón, and their six-year-old son in their properties in Central America and Europe.
Teri Hatcher (Susan Mayer)
Teri Hatcher has maintained a significant net worth of $US50 million ($A75 million), largely stemming from her acting career.
In 2000, the Lois & Clark star nabbed a home in Studio City, California for $US1.5 million ($A2.2 million).
The three-bedroom house includes a private courtyard, outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, and spa.
In 2018, the Golden Globe winner turned the property into an income stream. She put the fully furnished pad up for rent for $US25,000 to $US30,000 ($A38,000 to $A45,000) per month.
Teri Hatcher (right) has maintained a significant net worth of $US50 million.
In 2000, the Lois & Clark star nabbed a home in Studio City, California for $US1.5 million. Picture: Realtor
But Hatcher’s success with Desperate Housewives came at the expense of her public image after reports of significant rifts with numerous other cast members.
Multiple sources state Hatcher didn’t get along with a lot of her co-stars, an allegation that was eventually supported by the fact the other actresses excluded Hatcher from a parting gift for the crew.
Marcia Cross (Bree Van de Kamp)
Marcia Cross boasts a net worth of $20 million ($A30.5 million), but has kept her property holdings private.
While the details of her real estate sales are scarce, the Melrose Place alum was last reported to move into a west Los Angeles residence in 2007.
Marcia Cross (right) boasts a net worth of $20 million.
Nicollette Sheridan (Edie Britt)
Nicollette Sheridan amassed net worth of $US25 million ($A38 million).
In 2008, the Knots Landing alum and then-fiance Michael Bolton purchased a mansion in Hidden Hills, California for $US1.3 million ($A1.9 million).
Nicollette Sheridan (right) amassed net worth of $US25 million ($A38 million).
In 2008, the Knots Landing alum and then-fiance Michael Bolton purchased a mansion in Hidden Hills, California for $US1.3 million. Picture: Realtor
Sheridan kept the residence after their break-up, which reportedly happened just two days after they finally moved into the house together.
The estate remained the actress’ primary home. She listed the home for sale in 2023 for $US16 million ($A24 million).
The TV star relisted the abode earlier this year for $US12.9 million ($A19.6 million).
Sheridan was the only main cast member not to star in the entire series, with her character being killed off in the fifth season after her contract was not renewed.
She later filed a $20 million (AUD $31 million) lawsuit against series creator Marc Cherry alleging she was fired because she reported him for alleged assault on set.
Cherry denied the allegations and the case was dismissed.
MORE: Shock detail in dead Friends star’s will
English (US) · 