Not many can say they were millionaires before they hit puberty, but Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen claimed the spotlight — and its resulting wealth — at a very young age. The fraternal twins began their long-lasting career at just nine months old as Michelle Turner on "Full House," and they jointly played the role. Throughout their young adulthood and teen years, they catapulted into iconic stardom, with many more TV and film roles. Combined with their income from their successful clothing line, The Row, they’re now worth around $500 million, per Celebrity Net Worth. While that might sound like a hefty sum, it’s not surprising for a pair whose careers began when they were just infants. By the fourth grade, they were already multimillionaires.
Behind the Olsen twins' early-established success were two parents who worked hard to make it happen. Jarnette and David Olsen were not only driving factors behind the twins' stardom, but they also had some complications of their own. They had their ups and downs as the parents of a family in the limelight. In addition to the twins, they’re also parents to daughter Elizabeth and son Trent, both of whom have acting careers as well. Here’s a look behind the scenes at these show biz parents.
- They were skeptical of 'Full House' at first
- They worked the twins hard
- Jarnette and David divorced when the twins were young
- David's rumored financial woes
- The family didn't make a big deal about their fame
- Elizabeth Olsen spoke about their upbringing
They were skeptical of 'Full House' at first
According to Life and Style Mag, Jarnette Olsen was pressured into auditioning the twins for "Full House." Their father was reportedly opposed to it as well. "I didn’t even want to be bothered with it," David Olsen told The Washington Post in a 1991 profile of the twins' success. "I said, 'Honey, if you want to do this, fine.'
After the twins landed the gig, their parents hesitated to continue their career at such a young age and even considered pulling them from the TV show after the first season. However, their skepticism soon turned to surprise as the twins' popularity exploded. "They utilize their personalities pretty well," David said. "They’re just kind of funny. They were almost like chimpanzees when they were little. You just dress them up, and they’re fun."
They worked the twins hard
Similar to Kris Jenner, who is known as the mega-manager of the Kardashian family, the Olsen parents also co-managed their daughters' careers. Jarnette and David Olsen started a company, Dualstar, which created countless Olsen twin movies, books, merchandise, and more. Though Ashley Olsen insisted that her parents were never "stage parents," early fame wasn’t always easy on the young girls. Mary-Kate Olsen told Marie Claire in 2010 that she "wouldn’t wish [her] upbringing on anyone" and recalled being a "monkey performer" for the screen.
In a 2009 interview, Ashley reflected on the pressure of their busy lifestyle. "I look back at the things that we did and the clothes that we wore, and I think, 'Wow, we really were troupers.' It was almost like I was in the army," she explained.
Jarnette and David divorced when the twins were young
David Olsen's relationship with Mary-Kate and Ashley has been rumored to be complicated at times. To add to the complex dynamic, David and Jarnette divorced in 1996 when the twins were just nine years old. That same year, David married his former secretary, McKenzie Olsen. The couple had two children together. Tabloids painted the experience as strenuous for the twins, who were allegedly split in their loyalties.
However, David insisted that the experience wasn’t difficult at all. "The reality is that the transition has been very smooth," he claimed in a family interview after the split. "Everyone sees eye to eye. The girls are fine."
David's rumored financial woes
Despite managing the twins and creating a successful brand, David Olsen may have run into financial problems. In 2010, tabloids began reporting that David had filed for bankruptcy. Rumors suggested he had fallen behind on mortgage payments for his home in Tarzana, California, owing the bank about $2.2 million.
Many wondered at the time why his daughters didn’t come to his aid, leading to speculation about a strained father-daughter relationship. However, none of these rumors were confirmed, and the twins have spoken positively about their parents.
The family didn't make a big deal about their fame
While Mary-Kate and Ashley were major household names in the 1990s, their family didn’t hype it up. Their parents didn’t come from Hollywood lineages, so the international success of their daughters was a novel concept to them. David worked as a mortgage broker before shifting into real estate, while Jarnette was a former ballet dancer who became a homemaker.
When the girls played Michelle Tanner on "Full House," David mentioned that the family often missed the episodes as they aired. This lack of fixation on their celebrity led to discretion in Mary-Kate and Ashley's lives.
Elizabeth Olsen spoke about their upbringing
Mary-Kate and Ashley's younger sister, Elizabeth Olsen, also became an actor. She spoke about their upbringing, firmly stating that their parents had little to do with her sisters' careers after getting them their first job. Elizabeth emphasized that David and Jarnette let Mary-Kate and Ashley run their own brand and careers.
Along the way, there were moments of tension as Mary-Kate and Ashley reached superstardom. David acknowledged the dynamics and how sometimes the girls missed being away from their friends for long periods.
| Name | Age | Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Mary-Kate Olsen | 36 | Actress, Fashion Designer |
| Ashley Olsen | 36 | Actress, Fashion Designer |
| Elizabeth Olsen | 34 | Actress |
| David Olsen | 60 | Real Estate Agent |
| Jarnette Olsen | 60 | Homemaker |
