| Full Name | Mary-Kate Olsen |
| Age | 37 |
| Birthday | June 13, 1986 |
| Birth Place | United States |
| Net Worth | $250 million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
As one half of the legendary Olsen twins, Mary-Kate Olsen first won over audiences with her adorable portrayal of Michelle Tanner on the classic sitcom Full House. Along with her twin sister Ashley, Mary-Kate was a pint-sized dynamo, lighting up the screen with her infectious smile and boundless energy. Though she captured hearts as a child star, Mary-Kate has gone on to prove herself a savvy businesswoman and multi-talented entertainer over the years.
Mary-Kate and her sister Ashley rose to fame in the late 80s when they were cast on Full House as toddler Michelle Tanner. The twins shared the demanding role, filming alternate episodes thanks to clever shooting schedules. Almost overnight, the Olsen twins became household names, gracing everything from lunchboxes to sleeping bags. They won multiple Young Artist Awards for their performance on the show.
As a passionate longtime fan, getting to watch the Olsens grow up onscreen was a joy. They brought so much heart and humor to Full House with their spot-on comic timing and irresistible chubby-cheeked charm. It‘s no wonder they became pop culture phenomenons.
Early Life and Family
Born in 1986 to Jarnette and David Olsen, Mary-Kate is the older twin by two minutes. She has an older brother named Trent and a younger sister named Elizabeth. The family moved to Los Angeles when the twins were still babies to advance their acting careers.
Even as young children, Mary-Kate and Ashley had a tireless work ethic. When not filming Full House, they made educational straight-to-video series and promoted their image on books, posters and even music albums. Their company Dualstar Entertainment was founded when they were just 7 years old.
"I look at old photos of me, and I don‘t feel connected to them at all…I would never wish my upbringing on anyone." – Mary-Kate Olsen
The price of childhood fame was steep and Mary-Kate has been open about struggling with anxiety and an eating disorder as a young teen. But these days she seems happy and healthy, keeping a low profile outside of work.
Full House Fame
Full House quickly became one of ABC‘s top rated shows and propelled Mary-Kate and Ashley to dual stardom. As Michelle Tanner, the precocious youngest daughter of the Tanner family, Mary-Kate got to deliver cute catchphrases like "you‘re in big trouble, mister!" and "no way, Jose!" Her character captured the public‘s hearts and imagination.
While playing Michelle, the Olsen twins got to work with seasoned actors like Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier and Lori Loughlin. Saget, who played their character‘s father, was incredibly fond of Mary-Kate and Ashley.
“The Olsen twins are like my little sisters. I grew up with them…They’re very gifted and very smart.” – Bob Saget on Mary-Kate and Ashley
For eight seasons until 1995, Full House was a massive hit and cemented Mary-Kate and Ashley‘s status as the most successful child stars on TV.
Films and TV Shows
After Full House ended, the Olsen twins starred in a string of popular direct-to-video films for younger audiences. Movies like Billboard Dad, Switching Goals and Our Lips are Sealed allowed them to transition smoothly into more grown-up roles.
In 2004, Mary-Kate and Ashley starred in their first feature theatrical film, New York Minute. Though the reviews were mediocre, it performed well at the box office and showed the twins could hold their own in adult roles. They continued to appear in films like Factory Girl and Beastly as young adults.
On the small screen, Mary-Kate had a recurring role on the hit series Weeds playing Tara, a devout Christian love interest. She got to flex her comedy muscles on the show opposite star Mary-Louise Parker.
No matter the project, the Olsen twins always displayed an endearing sisterly chemistry and perfect comic timing.
Fashion Empire
As teenagers, Mary-Kate and Ashley became entrepreneurs when they took control of Dualstar, their production company. Under their leadership, Dualstar expanded into merchandise, video games, magazines and apparel for young girls.
Capitalizing on their fashion influence, in 2006 they launched The Row, a high-end luxury clothing label known for its minimalist aesthetic and impeccable tailoring. The line earned Mary-Kate two prestigious CFDA awards.
She‘s also been honored for her work with other labels like Elizabeth & James and Nasty Gal. Mixing high and low, the Olsen twins have produced affordable fashion lines for Walmart and JC Penney as well.
Mary-Kate has a knack for elevating basics with exquisite fabrics and details. She describes her personal style as "monochromatic, simple, and architectural" with an affinity for vintage pieces.
Out of the Spotlight
While Ashley Olsen has continued acting, in recent years Mary-Kate has stepped back from Hollywood to focus on fashion and philanthropy. She lives a private life away from the paparazzi, rarely giving interviews anymore.
After divorcing husband Olivier Sarkozy in 2021, Mary-Kate seems content being single and self-sufficient. Though acting took a backseat, she found even greater success in business thanks to her creativity and work ethic.
Now in her late 30s, Mary-Kate is a bonafide mogul, helming an empire worth over a billion dollars. Not bad for a former child star.
Though she‘s opted for privacy in adulthood, Mary-Kate‘s legacy as Michelle Tanner endures. She and Ashley captured our hearts and sparked an entire generation‘s imagination. And with her sharp business savvy, Mary-Kate continues to impress and inspire.