Jersey Shore: How Much The Stars Are Actually Worth
When the MTV series Jersey Shore premiered in 2009, it debuted to underwhelming reviews and ratings. After all, the cast was full of a bunch of nobodies — a group of hard partiers with crippling passions for tequila shots and tanning beds. And they were broke. In fact, cast member Vinny Guadagnino told Vulture that they did the first season for "zero dollars," except for the money they made at the Shore Store... which was likely nothing, considering how they barely showed up for work.
But as the show grew from a hidden gem to a cultural phenomenon, things started changing. Some of the cast members got married, had babies, and amassed pretty serious fortunes. From spin-off shows to sponsored posts on social media, side hustles, and club appearances, these meatballs are now worth some pretty pennies. But how much, though?
Keep reading as we explore how much the stars of Jersey Shore are really worth.
Sammi Sweetheart fell into fashion
If you somehow haven't heard, Jersey Shore came back to TV in 2018 with the reboot Jersey Shore Family Vacation. But Samantha "Sammi Sweetheart" Giancola opted out of appearing in the series. Sources attributed her decision to her turbulent relationship with cast member Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, but let's be real — it's not like she needed the money anyway. As Celebrity Net Worth notes, Giancola has a net worth of $2 million. Surely the reported $80,000 she made per episode on Jersey Shore helped her accumulate such a fortune.
After the show wrapped, Giancola went on to earn cash through her fashion boutique, Sweetheart Styles. According to her website, she's created three different fragrances and her own line of clutches. She also has her own podcast, Just Sayin', which she hosts with The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Siggy Flicker and TV host Claire Galterio. While you might not hear her chat about any drama with Ortiz-Magro, you can probably catch her raving about her hot new boyfriend.
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro keeps making headlines
Known for his fiery temper and his relationship drama with former on-screen flame Sammi Sweetheart, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro wasn't exactly a fan favorite among Jersey Shore viewers. However, it apparently made for great TV, earning him a reported $80,000 per episode, according to Radar Online.
He's managed to remain relevant for years since the show ended, too — even if a lot of his fame is about his make-ups and break-ups with girlfriend Jen Harley and his problematic behavior. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ortiz-Magro has a total net worth of $3 million, thanks to a series of side gigs and on-screen appearances. In addition to his payouts from Jersey Shore, he had stints on Famously Single and Celebrity Fear Factor, got involved with TNA Wrestling, had a cameo in 2012's The Three Stooges, and was involved with promotional deals with the dietary supplement Xenadrine. Oh, and, at the time of this writing, he's also starring on Jersey Shore Family Vacation.
Angelina Pivarnick got serious about her career
When you think of Jersey Shore, you probably don't even think about two-season wonder Angelina Pivarnick because, well, she wasn't exactly the most-liked person on the show — by cast members and fans alike. After nonstop drama, the self-proclaimed "Kim Kardashian of Staten Island" ended up leaving the hit series, garbage bags in hand, in season one and two. And since she left before Jersey Shore really hit its peak, she wasn't able to churn up a net worth as hefty as some of her former cast members. But her net worth isn't too shabby. According to Celebrity Net Worth, she's worth $2 million.
While most of her earnings are reportedly from the show, she also had a contract with TNA Wrestling and a stint on VH1's Couple's Therapy. At the time of this writing, however, she's since traded in her bikini for an EMT uniform and is working for the New York Fire Department.
Snooki capitalized on her fame
Snooki is a household name, and, with that kind of status, comes money. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi amassed her coins through her eponymous clothing company, a series of books, her podcast Naturally Nicole, and — of course — her Jersey Shore salary. By the show's sixth and final season, she was reportedly making as much as $150,000 per episode, according to Radar Online. Turns out partying for a living is actually a pretty lucrative gig.
When the show ended, Snooki reportedly raked in even bigger bucks from a slew of spin-offs. She made a reported $175,000 per episode of Snooki & JWoww. She also appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, Dancing With the Stars, and the FYI series Nicole & Jionni's Shore Flip, which also starred her husband, Jionni LaValle.
Though she's traded in the "meatball" life for motherhood, she hasn't lost any of the Snooki-ness that made us love her in the first place, and she's got the wealth to prove it. Her net worth is $4 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
The Situation had a, well, situation
At the peak of Jersey Shore's success, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino reportedly had a net worth of $10 million, earning a stunning $150,000 per episode, according to Radar Online. However, after a series of legal troubles, he's gone from riches to rags, as of the time of this writing.
In 2014, he and his brother, Marc, were indicted for failing to pay nearly $9 million in taxes. Sorrentino was hit with even more charges in 2017, accused of tax evasion and structuring funds to evade currency transaction reports. He pleaded guilty to the charges the following year. His legal woes seem to have significantly reduced his net worth, as it's reportedly dwindled to just $300,000, per Celebrity Net Worth.
But his finances might be on the up and up. At the time of this writing, he's currently starring in Jersey Shore Family Vacation, so maybe he can squeeze in a few appearances in exchange for a paycheck before starting his eight-month prison bid.
Deena Nicole Cortese has kept a low profile
Deena Nicole Cortese is also on the lower side of the net worth spectrum, but this makes sense. She didn't join Jersey Shore until its third season, and she hasn't explored as many side gigs as her co-stars have — with the exception of sponsored Instagram ads and stints on Couples Therapy and Celebrity Fear Factor. It appears that she favors living a more modest life instead. According to Digital Spy, she works at a doggy daycare center in New Jersey, and, when she's not there, she's enjoying life with her husband, Christopher Bucker, and growing her family. In July 2018, she announced that she and Bucker were expecting a child.
Though she might not be the "blast in a glass" she used to be, it's okay, because she seems perfectly happy with her life — and, according to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth still sits at a cool $1 million. Not bad — not bad at all!
Vinny Guadagnino was tapped by the TV industry
Vinny Guadagnino's reality TV charm helped him make a killing, as it propelled him into various TV appearances after the beloved MTV series concluded. After Jersey Shore, he went on to star in shows like 90210 and MTV's The Hard Times of RJ Berger, as well as the 2012 Syfy film Jersey Shore Shark Attack. He also landed multiple spin-offs: the short-lived The Show with Vinny, which featured celebrity guests coming to have dinner at his mother's home, and Vinny & Ma Eat America, where the food-loving duo traveled around the country in search of tasty treats she'd never tried before. Of course, he's also, at the time of this writing, starring on Jersey Shore Family Vacation, so clearly he's experienced no shortage of income.
In fact, all his hard work has earned the self-professed "mama's boy" a nice $3 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Yeah, buddy!
JWoww has a lot going on
Even after Jersey Shore wrapped, Jennifer "JWoww" Farley continued her career in TV and movies, and, at the time of this writing, Celebrity Net Worth estimates she's worth $3 million. In 2012, she had a cameo in The Three Stooges alongside her Jersey Shore castmates, and she went on to star in the 2015 indie flick The Mint. Add that to a series of TV appearances — including Snooki & JWoww, Marriage Boot Camp, and One Life to Live — and her line of skincare products, and it's not so surprising that she's amassed such a fortune.
Although JWoww's professional life has earned her plenty of cash, she's struggled in her personal life. Although she and her long-time beau Roger Mathews have had two children, daughter Meilani and son Greyson, she filed for divorce from him in September 2018, citing "irreconcilable differences." But Mathews expressed his determination to keep their family together, saying, "I am going to win my wife back."
Pauly D is making the big bucks
Paul "Pauly D" Delvecchio has the highest net worth out of the entire Jersey Shore cast — by a landslide. He's parlayed his reality TV fame into a successful DJ career, bringing out heaps of fist-pumping crowds to his shows with stars like Britney Spears. He also signed with 50 Cent's G-Note record label and became the resident DJ at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. As a result, he has a staggering estimated net worth of $20 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
"It still doesn't feel real to me. I wake up in the morning and still pinch myself to make sure I'm not actually dreaming," he said to People of his successful music career and swelling income. "It was always a dream of mine to tour the world as a DJ. And the show has given me the audience to do that. I truly am living my dream."
Pauly D also raked in big bucks for various ventures including his own tanning lotion and a clothing line.