It’s not just Jessica Simpson’s once-swollen ankles that are back in business. The new mom is back in a bikini nearly four months after the birth of her third child, daughter Birdie Mae.
The former pop star — who just announced that she’s writing her first book, a memoir — picked the perfect occasion to slip into a plunging, leopard-print bikini: her 39th birthday. Simpson celebrated her special day on July 10, treating fans to a glimpse of her postpartum curves and declaring, “39 is all mine!”
The mom of three was surrounded by several friends on her big day, but they weren’t the only ones cheering her on. Simpson’s fans were undeniably here for it.
“39 and just had a baby!” read one comment. “Dang you go with your bad self.”
“Looking great, mama!” added a well-wisher.
“Note to self: Look this good at 39,” wrote a commenter, while another hailed her as a “goddess.”
And of course, many couldn’t resist calling attention to the nursing mom’s post-baby cleavage, with one follower joking, “No more swollen ankles! Just swollen tatas!”
Mind you, Simpson’s never needed an excuse to break out the bikini. Just days before giving birth to Birdie, the heavily pregnant star was praised for “keeping it real” by showing off her bump in a two-piece.
So how much is she worth at 39?
As Simpon’s family grows, so will her expenses. The cost to raise a child to age 17 is now $233,610, according to United States Department of Agriculture. That means Simpson will spend more than $700,000 to raise her children. Luckily, the star is worth a reported $150 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, some news outlets reported her net worth is closer to $170 million. Here is how she made her fortune and what she is doing today.
After Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola discovered her, Simpson launched her career in 1999 with “Sweet Kisses” and the hit “I Wanna Love You Forever.” This hit reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She made approximately $5.13 million from her initial success, according to Cinemaholic.
She followed up with other smash hits in 2001. However, her career skyrocketed following the release of her quadruple-platinum album, “In This Skin.” From this album alone, Simpson made $8.56 million, the Cinemaholic reports.
She was an early pioneer of reality television
When reality television was still in its infancy stages, Simpson and then-husband Nick Lachey starred in an MTV reality show, “Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica,” which launched in 2003 after Simpson made several appearances on “That 70’s Show.” During an episode of “Nick & Jessica,” Simpson made the famous query while eating tuna fish to her Lachey, pondering whether Chicken of the Sea is chicken or tuna. The couple, who married in 2002 divorced in 2006.
Film roles followed
Simpson’s career expanded further as she made her movie debut as the iconic character Daisy Duke in a “The Dukes of Hazzard,” plus released the film’s soundtrack, a remake of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made for Walkn.” She also had roles in “Employee of the Month,” as well as “Blonde Ambition,” and “The Love Guru.” She made $4 million from her “Dukes of Hazzard” role and $1 million from “Employee of the Month,” The Cinemaholic reports.
Simpson is an entrepreneur
Simpson’s apparel and shoe line generated $750 million in sales in 2010, according to Biography. A myriad of retail stores like Macy’s, Dillards, and Nordstrom carried Simpson’s line. Plus she sold her brand on shopping channel HSN. Simpon’s retail brand alone is expected to generate $1 billion in sales, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
She also became the spokesperson for Weight Watchers after losing 50 pounds post-pregnancy. Simpon reportedly made $3.5 million from her partnership with Weight Watchers, according to The Cinemaholic.
Where she stands today
She sold the majority of her retail line, which may have bumped her net worth to $170, CNBC reports. However, Simpson continues to be engaged with fashion and now beauty. She is reportedly launching a makeup line, according to People.
“I’m very excited, because the JS Collection is now going into beauty and it’s something that we haven’t done before, but it’s a major passion of mine,” she told People. “I’m from Texas, so I definitely have always had the contour and the big hair.”
Sources Cheat Sheet, AOL
No more swollen ankles! Just swollen tatas!
