Susan Olsen may always be remembered as Cindy Brady from The Brady Bunch—but her life and career extend well beyond that iconic role. In this article, we offer a detailed yet approachable portrait: Susan Olsen net worth, age, family, biography, and facts, with the latest social media and public updates. The tone is neutral and informative, avoiding sensationalism while delivering depth and gentle context.
Susan Olsen Net Worth 2025
As of mid‑2025, multiple reputable sources—including Celebrity Net Worth—estimate **Susan Olsen’s net worth at approximately $2 million. That figure has remained consistent over recent years and appears reasonable given her steady but modest income from legacy projects and other endeavors. Her earnings have come from:
- Residuals and royalties (limited due to contract terms) from The Brady Bunch and subsequent specials;
- Appearances in reunion projects such as A Very Brady Renovation;
- Her graphic design work and occasional media or voice-over roles;
- Modest income via radio hosting and public appearances.
While she does benefit from Brady-related fame, historical contracts limited residual earnings—the child actors were paid residuals only on the first ten reruns, with no ongoing royalties thereafter, unlike adult cast members.
Age & Early Life (Susan Olsen Age Biography)
- Date of Birth: August 14, 1961
- Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
- Age (in 2025): 63 years old
Susan Marie Olsen is the youngest of four children born to Lawrence and DeLoice Olsen in Santa Monica. She graduated from William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California, completing her studies in 1979 alongside some of her Brady Bunch castmates.
Susan Olsen Family & Personal Life
Susan Olsen Family Background
Susan has three older siblings—Christopher, Diane, and Larry. Christopher Olsen acted as a child in films like The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), but Susan remained the only sibling with a sustained public profile.
Marriages and Children
- First marriage: Steve Ventimiglia (1988–1990)
- Second marriage: Mitch Markwell (1995–2004); they had one son, Michael Markwell, born in 1997. Michael has Asperger’s syndrome (a mild form of autism).
- Current marriage: Comedian Chris Fonseca since 2009; splitting time between Los Angeles and Colorado Springs.
Susan has spoken candidly in interviews about her roles as mother and caregiver, taking a step back from public life to focus on her family in the years following her second marriage.
Susan Olsen Career & Biography
Hollywood Beginnings & The Brady Bunch
- Acting debut in 1968 with minor roles in TV shows like Ironside, Julia, and Gunsmoke, and the Elvis Presley film The Trouble With Girls as a singer in a contest.
- Cast at age 7 as Cindy Brady on The Brady Bunch (1969–1974), her defining role in television history. She also voiced Cindy on the animated The Brady Kids series (1972–1974).
- She appears in all Brady reunion films and specials—except A Very Brady Christmas (1988), which she missed due to her honeymoon.
Later TV Work & Media Projects
After the original series ended, Susan made fewer onscreen appearances. She reprised Cindy in The Bradys (1990) and appeared occasionally in TV dramas and movies including Pacific Blue and The Young and the Restless. In 2019 she participated in A Very Brady Renovation on HGTV, restoring the iconic Brady house. She also appeared in Blending Christmas (Lifetime, 2021) alongside fellow Brady cast members.
Radio & Art & Advocacy
- In the mid‑1990s, Susan co‑hosted talk radio programs—on KLSX with Ken Ober (1995–96), and later with Allan Havey at Comedy World in 2000.
- She authored a coffee‑table book, Love to Love You Bradys: The Bizarre Story of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (2009), exploring the 1976–77 variety show version of The Brady Bunch.
- As an artist, Olsen contributed to social justice–oriented exhibits such as Art with an Agenda in Fullerton (2012), featuring a piece about Kelly Thomas, a homeless man beaten to death by police; proceeds supported animal rescue charities.
- She has served on the board of Precious Paws, an animal welfare organization, and has advocated for rescue efforts and animal rights for many years.
Controversy & Public Profile
In late 2016, Susan was reportedly fired from her radio show Two Chicks Talkin’ Politics following a confrontation in which she used homophobic language about a guest. At the time she denied being fired and labeled the reports “fake news” in later interviews. In the years since, she has claimed that political disagreements over her views influenced a planned Brady revival project—but those claims are disputed by production sources citing her hate speech as the cause.
Susan Olsen Facts You Should Know
Susan Olsen Biography Highlights
- Childhood star turned media contributor across decades.
- Author of a retrospective Brady book; radio host; visual artist; design entrepreneur (e.g. 1998 glow‑in‑the‑dark Converse shoe line).
Awards & Recognition
- Ranked No. 34 on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Kid Stars in 2005.
- Co‑recipient of the TV Land Award for Pop Culture, celebrating The Brady Bunch legacy.
Acting Range
- From early TV westerns and sitcoms to voice acting, reunion specials, reality‑style renovation shows, even holiday films—her career touches many facets of media.
Advocacy & Activism
- Strong supporter of animal rights, contributing artwork and serving on nonprofit boards.
- Public about migraine advocacy, design for social justice exhibits, and raising awareness about autism via her experiences with her son Michael.
Social Media Presence (2025 Update)
While not highly active on mainstream platforms, Susan Olsen maintains a modest public profile via Instagram:
- Instagram (@thesusanolsen): around 18,000 followers, 554 posts → she often posts about teaching acting and filmmaking to children at Vibe Performing Arts in Santa Clarita, CA.
Other Instagram accounts under similar names appear unrelated. Susan does not maintain a verified Facebook, Twitter/X, or TikTok presence as of 2025.
Susan Olsen Summary Table
Category | Details (2025) |
---|---|
Net Worth | ~$2 million |
Age / DOB | 63 years old (born August 14, 1961) |
Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
Known For | Cindy Brady in The Brady Bunch (1969–1974) |
Major Career Roles | TV, radio, author, graphic designer, artist |
Political / Media Controversy | Fired from radio over homophobic remarks |
Marriages / Children | 3 marriages; one son Michael (born 1997) |
Current Spouse | Comedian Chris Fonseca (since 2009) |
Social Media | Instagram ~18K followers |
Animal & Social Advocacy | Precious Paws, art exhibits, autism awareness |
Conclusions & Gentle Perspective
Susan Olsen’s life and work show a journey from early stardom to multifaceted creativity, advocacy, and independence. Her net worth—as of mid‑2025, roughly $2 million—reflects a career sustained by occasional media roles, public appearances, creative design, and modest author and radio work.
At 63, Susan balances past fame with present priorities—raising her adult son, engaging in animal rescue causes, teaching performance arts to youth, and continuing to shape a legacy beyond Cindy Brady. She reflects a personal path not defined solely by celebrity, but by ongoing choice and commitment.
Her story reminds us: while The Brady Bunch was her launching pad, Susan Olsen has built a layered life—creative, grounded, and generous in small-scale but meaningful ways.
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