From Cult Classics to Billionaire Status: How One Actress Quietly Became Richer Than Hollywood Royalty

The Partnership That Changed Everything

In 1989, Gertz married Tony Ressler, a young and ambitious financier. At the time of their marriage, the financial balance in their relationship was unusual: Gertz was the established earner, and Ressler was a risk-taker with vision but modest means. She provided the financial stability that allowed him to focus entirely on his professional ambitions.

Ressler’s career trajectory was extraordinary. In 1990, he co-founded Apollo Global Management, which would become one of the world’s most influential private equity firms. Later, he co-founded Ares Management, adding to a growing portfolio of high-value investments. Their combined wealth, already significant from her earnings in Hollywood, multiplied exponentially through these ventures. Unlike the typical trajectory of Hollywood wealth, theirs was built on infrastructure, strategy, and long-term vision rather than fame or public attention.

Their influence extended even further into professional sports. Ressler became the majority owner of the Atlanta Hawks and acquired stakes in other teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers. The couple’s financial empire grew quietly but decisively, leveraging both expertise and patience to maximize the impact of every asset.