Mae West was a multi-talented American actress, singer, screenwriter, playwright, and sex symbol who had a net worth of $50 million at the time of her death in 1980. At the height of her career in the 1930s, West was one of the highest-paid people in the United States, according to a 1937 Time magazine article.
West began her career in vaudeville and on stage in New York, where she became known for her use of double entendres. She moved to Hollywood in 1930 to pursue her acting career and starred in films such as “I’m No Angel,” “Every Day’s a Holiday,” and “My Little Chickadee.” She also wrote and starred in several Broadway plays, including “Sex,” “Diamond Lil,” and “Catherine Was Great.”
West was also a singer, releasing several albums throughout her career. She published several books, including “The Wit and Wisdom of Mae West” and “Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It.”
West was often the subject of censorship issues, but continued to perform in Las Vegas and the United Kingdom after her film career ended. She passed away at the age of 87 in 1980, three months after suffering a stroke.
