Heath Ledger’s fortune continues to grow in value, seventeen years after his death.
The late Australian actor’s estate is now estimated to be worth $US25 million ($A38 million), Finance Monthly reports.
According to the outlet, the Oscar-winner’s wealth stems from renewed interest in his most iconic roles, royalties from The Dark Knight, and a posthumous revival of collectibles and digital tributes.
At the time of his passing in 2008, the 28-year-old’s net worth was estimated to be around $US16 million ($A24 million) as per Celebrity Net Worth.
In addition to his film earnings and royalties, Ledger’s other assets included real estate.
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Heath Ledger’s estate is now estimated to be worth $US25 million.
The Oscar-winner’s wealth stems from renewed interest in his most iconic roles and royalties from The Dark Knight. Picture: Warner Bros Entertainment
Here is a closer look at what became of the star’s properties and who inherited his fortune.
Bronte home
Ledger forked out $4.45 million for a three-level house at Bronte Beach in 2004.
The Patriot actor renovated the four-bedroom property, adding a 1700-bottle wine cellar and a home cinema with tiered seating and Tasmanian oak-panelled walls. He sold the beachside stunner sold in 2006 for $7 million.
The home hit the market weeks after photographers sprayed Ledger with water at the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain.
Ledger forked out $4.45 million for a three-level house at Bronte Beach in 2004. Picture: Supplied
The Monster’s Ball star reportedly offloaded the coastal retreat because the paparazzi attention in the enclave was “scaring” him.
“Bronte is scaring me at the moment. I don’t feel like living there anymore,” Ledger explained to TeenHollywood.com.
“It’s a shame because I obviously love it. It’s breaking my heart because you can’t go back there.
“You can’t do anything. You don’t want to go with your wife and kids down to the beach and swim when there are 10 people photographing you.
“It really is awful so … that’s keeping me away from Australia.
“I feel like the paparazzi are going to kick me out of that city.”
The Patriot actor sold the beachside stunner sold in 2006 for $7 million. Picture: Supplied
LA hilltop pad
In 2005, Ledger offloaded a hilltop property in L.A.’s Los Feliz neighbourhood to No Doubt guitarist Tony Kanal for $US2.7 million ($A4.1 million).
The 10 Things I Hate About You star snapped up the five-bedroom mansion in 2000 for $US1.4 million ($A2.2 million).
The Spanish-style estate has a period courtyard with an outside fireplace, fountain and vintage tile. Other features are a media room, gardens and a detached guesthouse.
Hollywood Hills Treehouse
Around the time of his Los Feliz sale, the Knight’s Tale actor bought a Hollywood Hills house from Ellen DeGeneres for $US2.3 million ($A3.5 million).
Nicknamed “The Treehouse”, the two-bedroom pad features a deck with an outdoor grill and a screening room. The deck offers views of the private wooded hillside property.
After his death, Ledger’s estate sold the home for $US2.5 million ($A3.8 million).
The Knight’s Tale actor bought a Hollywood Hills house from Ellen DeGeneres for $US2.3 million. Picture: The Agency via Fox News
After his death, Ledger’s estate sold the home for $US2.5 million. Picture: The Agency via Fox News
Brooklyn Townhouse
Back in 2005, Ledger and then-partner Michelle Williams purchased a six-bedroom home in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill for $US3.6 million ($A5.5 million).
The townhouse features a library, a wine cellar, and a 92 square metre loft-like parlour floor.
After his death, Williams continued to live in the property with their daughter Matilda.
The Dawson’s Creek alum sold the house in 2017 for $US8.8 million ($A10.8 million).
Back in 2005, Ledger and then-partner Michelle Williams purchased a six-bedroom home in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill for $US3.6 million ($A5.5 million). Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Williams sold the Brooklyn townhouse in 2017 for $US8.8 million. Picture: Supplied
NYC Apartment
At the time of his death, Ledger was renting an apartment in Manhattan’s SoHo neighbourhood for roughly $US25,000 ($A38,000) a month.
On Jan. 22, 2008, the Australian actor was found dead in his bedroom — his death caused by an accidental overdose of prescription medication, the New York Post reports.
Shortly after his passing, the building, built in 1873, was transformed into a condominium and renovated with two storeys added. The pad sold in 2023 for $14.25m (AU$21.3m).
Made up of three bedrooms and three bathrooms, the home has an open-floor plan with a great room, and comes fully furnished.
The abode also includes coffered ceilings and cast-iron columns. Before and after photos show that the unit has remained fairly the same with updated features.
In the years since, the chef’s kitchen has been renovated with high-end appliances.
The bedroom has exposed brick, and the bathroom has been updated to include marble walls and flooring.
The unit has 3m-high ceilings, and the building also comes with sound-insulated windows.
The loft also has a woodburning fireplace, central aircon and its own laundry room.
At the time of his death, Ledger was renting an apartment in Manhattan’s SoHo neighbourhood for roughly $US25,000 a month. Picture: Cocoran Group/Realtor via The Post
The pad sold in 2023 for $14.25m (AU$21.3m). Picture: Cocoran Group/Realtor via The Post
Who inherited Heath Ledger’s estate?
Ledger left his entire estate to his parents and three sisters, Kate, Ashleigh and Olivia.
The will, which was written in 2003, preceded his relationship with Williams and the birth of their daughter, Matilda.
“Matilda is an absolute priority and Michelle is an integral part of our family,” Ledger’s father, Kim, told People in 2008.
“They will be taken care of and that’s how Heath would want it to be.”
A few months later, the family decided Matilda would be the sole beneficiary.
“Our family has gifted everything to Matilda,” Kim told People.
“That was the plan from the moment my boy passed away.
“There was never any question about the fact that Heath’s estate would go to Matilda.
“Never a question. We are very close to Michelle and Matilda.”
In addition to inheriting her father’s money and assets, Matilda also received donations from Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law.
The three actors who stepped in to replace Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus gave their salaries to his daughter.
Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.
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