Jill Ireland had a net worth of -$10 million upon her death in 1990. Jill Ireland was an English screen actress, author, and singer best known for acting in more than a dozen movies with her husband, action star Charles Bronson.
Jill Ireland was not only an accomplished actress, but after her own successful battle with cancer, Ireland became a spokesperson for cancer awareness and made a far greater and more impactful contribution to Hollywood and the world than all of her movies combined.
Early Life
Jill Dorothy Ireland was born on April 24, 1936, to Dorothy & Jack Ireland, a wine purveyor. Jill was previously interested in the arts at a very young age—she began acting in the 1950s.
Acting Career
Jill Ireland made her film debut as Jill Doe in the film “No Love for Judy” in 1955 and had small roles afterwards. For the next few years, her résumé was enhanced with films like
Three Men in a Boat (1956)
There’s Always a Thursday (1957)
Carry On Nurse (1959)
The Desperate Man (1959)
By the 1960s, she was getting steady TV appearances on shows like The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Star Trek.
Charles Bronson to the Rescue
In 1968, Jill began a working relationship with Charles Bronson, who became her eventual husband and regular co-star. The two starred together in a number of films, like
Villa Rides (1968)
Violent City (1970)
The Mechanic (1972)
Breakout (1975)
Death Wish II (1982)
Assassination (1987)
Jill was developing a home in Hollywood action and thriller films in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to her association with Bronson.
Producing & Writing
Ireland also contributed to films behind the camera, as associate producer on The Evil That Men Do (1984) and co-producer on Murphy’s Law (1986).
Ireland published two books about her life:
Life Wish: A Personal Story of Survival (1987)—the story of her struggles with breast cancer
Lifeline: My Fight to Save My Family (1989)—the book that became the basis for the 1991 TV film Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story.
The Personal
Jill Ireland married actor David McCallum in 1957, and had a brood of three offspring, Valentine, Paul, and adoptive son Jason (who died due to a drug overdose in 1989). After divorcing McCallum, she married Charles Bronson in 1968. They welcomed baby Zuleika during their marriage and also adopted daughter Katrina, sharing a total of 7 children—blending their families and raising them in Los Angeles and Vermont.
Illness & Death
In 1984, Jill was diagnosed with breast cancer. She devoted her life’s work to cancer awareness, including testifying to Congress in 1988 about spreading medical expenses. In the same year, she was honored with the American Cancer Society’s Courage Award, presented to her by President Ronald Reagan.
Jill Ireland died on May 18, 1990, and was 54 years old. Her ashes remained in a cane until 2003, when Charles Bronson died, and he was buried with her ashes.
Awards & Honors
Photoplay Award Nominee (1967) – Most Promising New Star (Female)
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1989) – Motion Picture category
The American Cancer Society Courage Award presented by President Reagan (1988)
Jill Ireland’s Net Worth At Death
Net Worth (1990): \$4 million
Net Worth Today (2025): ~ \$10 million
Sources of income:
Film and TV acting roles
Producer credits
Book sales (Life Wish and Lifeline)
Royalties from work with Charles Bronson
FAQs About Jill Ireland
What was Jill Ireland’s net worth?
In 1990, Jill Ireland was estimated to have a net worth at the time of her death of \$4 million (about \$10 million today).
Who was Jill Ireland married to?
She was married to actor David McCallum (1957–1967) and the actor Charles Bronson (1968–1990)
What are some of Jill Ireland’s movies?
Some of the more notable films she starred in including The Mechanic (1972), Breakout (1975), Death Wish II (1982), and Assassination (1987)
Did Jill Ireland write any books?
Yes. She wrote two memoirs titled Life Wish (1987) and Lifeline (1989) describing her battle with cancer and struggles involving family.
How did Jill Ireland die?
Jill died at 54 years old on May 18, 1990, due to breast cancer.
Was Jill Ireland honored for her cancer activism?
Yes. She became an advocate for the American Cancer Society in the attention to her breast cancer diagnosis and received the Courage Award from President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
Jill Ireland lived a life of talent, persistent strength, and courage. She died with a net worth of \$4 million when she passed, leaving behind a legacy of film, books, and advocacy for cancer awareness.
