Irene Cara Net Worth (Updated 2023), Income Source, Earning, and Wiki

What is Irene Cara Net Worth?

Irene Cara was an American actress and singer who died on 25 November 2022 with a net worth of $2 million.

Irene Cara received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy for her performance and co-writing of the song “Flashdance What a Feeling,” which appeared in the 1983 film “Flashdance.”

Total net worth:  $2 million
Profession: Actress & Singer
Date of birth: March 18, 1959 – November 25, 2022
Nationality: American
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, United States

Quick Information

  • Name – Irene Escalera
  • Date of birth – 18 March 1959
  • Date of death – 25 November 2022
  • Profession – Singer
  • Source of Income – Singing

Irene Cara, a singer, and actress, died recently at the age of 63. She was best recognized for her performance of the title music ‘Flashdance’,  ‘What a Feeling’ from the blockbuster 1983 film ‘Flashdance,’ as well as acting in the 1980 musical drama Fame.

Cara began her career in the 1970s and performed till the late 2010s. She was able to amass considerable wealth for herself over the years. Here’s a breakdown of the late singer’s net worth and earnings.

irene cara net worth

Irene Cara Net Worth, Income & Property

  • Total net worth – $2 Million
  • Monthly Income – N/A
  • Yearly Income – N/A

Early Life

Irene Cara Escalera was born on March 18, 1959, in The Bronx, New York City. Gaspar Escalera, a retired saxophone, was a manufacturing worker, and Louise worked as a cinema usher.

Irene’s mother’s family is Cuban-American, and her father’s side is Puerto Rican. Cara has four elder siblings and was a finalist in the Little Miss America competition when she was three years old.

Irene learned to play the piano by ear as a child and studied acting, music, and dance. She began her career on Spanish-language television singing and dancing.

During her childhood, Cara recorded a Spanish-language CD and an English-language Christmas album, and she attended Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School.

Career

Cara began her career in Broadway musicals, appearing in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1978), The Wiz (1980), and Jesus Christ Superstar (1983).

She made her television debut in 1970 with CBS’ Love of Life. She later appeared in Kojak’s (1976), What’s Happening (1977), and Roots: The Next Generations (1980).

Cara also starred in other films, including Aaron Loves Angela (1975), Apple Pie (1976), and Sparkle (1977).

Fame, in which she played Coco Hernandez, catapulted her to stardom in 1980. She also sang the songs Fame and Out Here on My Own in the film. Fame ranked one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

irene cara image

“Fame” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with both songs nominated.

“Fame” received Gold certification in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, in addition to topping the “Billboard” Dance Club Songs list and hitting #1 in five other countries.

The chart-topping single “Out Here on My Own” made the number 19 position on the Billboard Hot 100. Cara has been named one of the top female vocalists by Billboard and one of the most promising female vocalists by Cashbox Magazine.

Irene’s third album, “Charismatic,” was released by Elektra Records in 1987. She later made guest appearances in the films “Gabriel’s Fire” (1991) and “Hearts Are Wild” (1992) and hosted the documentary film “Beyond Awareness to Action: Ending Abuse of Women” (1995).

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Personal Info

  • Known as – Irene Cara
  • Age at death – 63 years
  • Birthplace – The Bronx, New York, United States
  • Hometown – The Bronx
  • Sun sign/ Zodiac Sign – Pisces
  • Religion – N/A
  • Nationality – American

Physical Appearance

  • Height – In centimeters – 163 cm, In Meters – 1.63 m, In feet inches – 5′4″
  • Weight – In Kilograms – 62 kg, In pounds -136 lbs
  • Eye Color – Black
  • Hair Color – Black

Family

  • Father – Gaspar Cara
  • Mother – Louise Cara
  • Brother – 2
  • Siblings – 4
  • Children – 4

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Relationship & Personal Life

  • Affairs – N/A
  • Marital Status  – Divorced

On April 13, 1986, in Los Angeles, Irene wed Conrad Palmisano, an actor, film director, and stuntman; their marriage lasted five years before ending in divorce.

Salary from royalty payments

Her song Flashdance, What a Feeling was included on Cara’s album What a Feelin’. She had only received $183 in royalties from her record company, Network Records, by the middle of 1984. The label sent her $60,000 in royalties over the following few months.

However, in 1985, she filed a lawsuit against the corporation, saying that chief executive Al Coury failed to clear $2 million in royalties for Flashdance, What a feeling. The artist sought $10 million in punitive damages from the record label.

Following the case, Cara claimed that the company was unfairly treating her because Coury had initiated a smear campaign against her. In 1993, a Los Angeles court awarded her $1.5 million for career damages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 What was Irene Cara’s net worth?

Ans: Irene Cara’s net worth was reported to be $2 million.

Q.2 What was Irene Cara’s age?

Ans: Irene Cara was 63 at the time of her death.

Q.3 Where was Irene Cara born?

Ans: Irene Cara was born in The Bronx, New York, United States.

Q.4 What was Irene Cara’s birth name?

Ans: Irene Escalera was the birth name of Irene Cara.

Q.5 What was Irene Cara’s height?

Ans: Irene Cara was 5 ft 4 in tall.