How Hayley Mills Became Famous and Her Current Net Worth

Hayley Mills is a British actress known for her roles in classic Disney films such as “Pollyanna” and “The Parent Trap.  Hayley Catherine Rose Vivien Mills was born on April 18, 1946, in Marylebone, London, United Kingdom.

Coming from a family of actors—her parents were Sir John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell, and her sister is actress Juliet Mills—she began her acting career at a young age and quickly gained recognition.

Hayley Mills started her career as a child actress. Mills was cast in her first role at age 12 by director J. Lee Thompson for the film “Tiger Bay,” which co-starred her father. The film’s success at the British box office led to further opportunities.

Disney producer Bill Anderson noticed her performance and suggested she be cast in “Pollyanna,” a role that propelled her to stardom in the U.S. and earned her a special Academy Award.

Hayley Mills received critical acclaim and won the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her role in the British crime drama film “Tiger Bay” in 1959. A year later, she won the Academy Juvenile Award for her performance in Disney’s “Pollyanna” and the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress in 1961.

During her early years, Mills appeared in six films for Walt Disney. One of her most notable roles was in “The Parent Trap” (1961), where she played twins Susan and Sharon.

Her performance in “Whistle Down the Wind,” based on a novel written by her mother, earned her a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best British Actress and led to her being voted the biggest star in Britain in 1961. Critics have noted that Mills was a genuine movie star for about a decade, with a carefully managed public image and a long-term contract with Disney.

In the late 1960s, Mills transitioned to theatrical plays, debuting in a 1969 West End revival of “Peter Pan.” She also took on more mature roles and continued acting in films and television. For her contributions to Disney, she received the Disney Legend Award.

Mills continued to work in film and television after leaving Disney. She appeared in “The Truth About Spring” and “The Trouble with Angels,” among other films. She also returned to stage acting and made her Off-Broadway debut in 2000. Her television work included roles in “The Love Boat,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and a trio of “Parent Trap” television films.

As of 2024, Hayley Mills’ estimated net worth is $5 million. Her wealth stems from her successful acting career, which began in childhood and continued into adulthood. Mills earns a salary of thousands of dollars per year from her ongoing work in the entertainment industry.