July 4, 2025 – Elizabeth Jane Hurley, born June 10, 1965, in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, is an English actress, model, and businesswoman whose multifaceted career spans over three decades. Renowned for her roles in films like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and her long-standing association with Estée Lauder, Hurley has built a $50 million empire through acting, modeling, and entrepreneurial ventures. Her iconic fashion moments, business acumen, and philanthropy have cemented her status as a global celebrity. This biography explores her early life, career milestones, net worth, personal life, and lasting impact.
Early Life and Education
Elizabeth Hurley was born to Angela Mary Hurley, a teacher at Kempshott Junior School, and Roy Leonard Hurley, a major in the Royal Army Educational Corps. The middle child with an older sister, Kate, and a younger brother, Michael, Hurley grew up in a modest household. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a dancer and enrolled in ballet classes, later studying dance and theatre at the London Studio Centre from 1983 to 1986. Her teenage years were marked by a rebellious streak, embracing punk fashion by dyeing her hair pink and piercing her nose, and briefly associating with New Age travellers. She attended Harriet Costello School in Basingstoke, taking A-levels in English, Sociology, and Psychology, but was expelled from the London Studio Centre in 1986 after going AWOL to a Greek island.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Hurley’s career began in the late 1980s with minor acting roles. Her film debut came in the anthology film Aria (1987), followed by small parts in TV series like Inspector Morse (1988) and Rumpole of the Bailey (1988). Her first major film role was in Passenger 57 (1992), but global fame arrived in 1994 when she attended the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant, wearing a plunging black Versace dress held together with gold safety pins. The iconic fashion moment thrust her into the spotlight, making her a media sensation overnight.
In 1995, at age 29, Hurley landed a lucrative modeling contract with Estée Lauder, becoming the face of fragrances like Pleasures, Sensuous, and Intuition. Despite being replaced as the primary face by Carolyn Murphy in 2001, she continued non-exclusive work with the brand, signing a contract for her 16th year in 2010. Her modeling portfolio expanded with campaigns for Jordache, Got Milk?, Lancel, Monsoon, and Blackglama mink, and she graced the cover of British Vogue three times.
Her acting breakthrough came with the role of Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), earning her the ShoWest Supporting Actress of the Year award. She reprised the role briefly in the 1999 sequel. Hurley’s portrayal of the Devil in Bedazzled (2000) opposite Brendan Fraser showcased her comedic and dramatic versatility, though critics like Julie Burchill were harsh, calling her performances “a notch above pornography.” Other notable films include EDtv (1999), Serving Sara (2002), and Method (2004), where she also served as executive producer.
In the 2010s, Hurley transitioned to television, playing Diana Payne in Gossip Girl (2011–2012) and starring as Queen Helena in E!’s The Royals (2015–2018), a role that earned critical acclaim for its commanding presence. She portrayed Marvel villain Morgan le Fay in Runaways (2019) and guest-judged on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (2021). In 2024, she produced and starred in Strictly Confidential, directed by her son, Damian Hurley.
Business Ventures
Hurley’s entrepreneurial spirit has significantly boosted her wealth. In 2005, she launched Elizabeth Hurley Beach, a luxury swimwear line debuted at Harrods, which she models annually and has expanded to include tunics, sarongs, and children’s wear. She designed a capsule collection of 12 swimsuits for Mango in 2008. Hurley also ventured into organic farming, raising pigs, cows, and sheep on her 400-acre Gloucestershire estate, selling organic snacks through Elizabeth Hurley Food at Harrods and partnering with Prince Charles’ Duchy Originals. Her real estate investments include Donnington Hall, a 21-acre Herefordshire estate purchased for $11 million in 2012, and a Los Angeles property sold for $4.3 million in 2024.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Elizabeth Hurley’s net worth is estimated at $50 million, derived from acting, modeling, and business ventures. Her Estée Lauder contract, reportedly worth millions annually at its peak, Austin Powers syndication royalties, and Elizabeth Hurley Beach sales are key contributors. Her real estate portfolio, including the appreciated Donnington Hall, adds to her wealth. While some sources, like Primes World, estimated her net worth at $35 million in 2023, most recent reports, including Celebrity Net Worth and IMDb, align on $50 million, reflecting her diversified income streams.
Personal Life
Hurley’s personal life has often made headlines. She dated actor Hugh Grant from 1987 to 2000, weathering his 1995 scandal involving a sex worker, and they remain close friends, with Grant as godfather to her son, Damian. Hurley gave birth to Damian Charles Hurley in April 2002, with American businessman Steve Bing confirmed as the father after a DNA test, following his initial denial. Bing, who died by suicide in 2020, left Damian a significant inheritance after a legal battle. Hurley married Indian textile heir Arun Nayar in 2007, with lavish ceremonies at Sudeley Castle and in India, but they divorced in 2011, citing Nayar’s “unreasonable behavior.” She was engaged to Australian cricketer Shane Warne from 2011 to 2013. As of April 2025, Hurley is reportedly dating country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, a relationship that began after they co-starred in Christmas in Paradise (2022), though it has sparked mixed reactions among fans and friends like Elton John.
Philanthropy
Hurley is a dedicated philanthropist, particularly in breast cancer awareness, motivated by her grandmother’s death from the disease. As a global ambassador for Estée Lauder’s Breast Cancer Campaign, she has helped raise over $1 billion for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with two research grants in her name at the Royal Marsden Hospital. The “Elizabeth Pink” lipstick, created by Estée Lauder, supports the cause. Hurley is also a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Prince’s Trust, City Veterans Network, End Hunger Network, ARK children’s charity, and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. Her charitable work includes co-presenting the 2003 Fashion Rocks event and launching the Get Into Cooking initiative in 2004.
Controversies
Hurley faced public criticism in 2000 for breaking a five-month Screen Actors Guild strike to film an Estée Lauder ad, resulting in a $100,000 fine and the label “Elizabeth Scably” from protesters. Her hosting of Project Catwalk (2006) drew flak for allegedly requesting free clothes from contestants, leading to her replacement after one season. Critics like Marcelle D’Argy Smith have dismissed her as “witheringly boring” and lacking fashion expertise, though supporters like GQ’s Dylan Jones defend her industry immersion.
Legacy and Current Relevance
At 60, Hurley remains a cultural icon, blending timeless beauty with business savvy. Her Versace dress moment redefined red-carpet fashion, and her Elizabeth Hurley Beach line continues to thrive. Recent projects like Strictly Confidential (2024) and her romance with Billy Ray Cyrus keep her in the spotlight. Hurley’s philanthropy, particularly in breast cancer awareness, has left a lasting impact, while her ability to reinvent herself across acting, modeling, and entrepreneurship ensures her enduring relevance. Fans on X praise her elegance, with posts like @Yahoo’s coverage of her Cyrus romance highlighting her continued media draw.