Table of Contents

Table of Contents

– [Net Worth Table](#net-worth-table)
– [Introduction](#introduction)
– [Early Life](#early-life)
– [Career](#career)
– [Personal Life](#personal-life)
– [Net Worth Over Time](#net-worth-over-time)
– [Components of Net Worth](#components-of-net-worth)
– [Conclusion](#conclusion)

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Net Worth Table

| Net Worth | Salary | Birthdate | Birthplace | Gender | Height | Profession | Nationality |
|———–|——–|————-|————|——–|——–|—————————|————-|
| $20 million | N/A | January 28, 1950 | New York City | Female | N/A | Model, actress, singer, songwriter, television personality | American |

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Introduction

Barbi Benton is a renowned American model, songwriter, actress, singer, and television personality with a net worth of $20 million. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she gained prominence through regular appearances in “Playboy” magazine and as a cast member of the comedy series, “Hee Haw.” Benton also established a successful career as a country and pop singer during the 1970s. This article delves into the highlights of Barbi Benton’s life, her early beginnings, her career accomplishments, personal life, net worth over time, and the components that contribute to her considerable net worth.

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Early Life

Barbi Benton was born on January 28, 1950, in New York City to a Jewish family. Her mother worked as an investment counselor, while her father was a gynecologist. At the age of two, her family relocated to Sacramento, California. Benton developed diverse interests during her upbringing, which included piano lessons and scuba diving. She attended Rio Americano High School, where she first dabbled in modeling. After completing high school, Benton enrolled at the University of California – Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. However, she discovered her inability to handle the sight of blood, ultimately redirecting her career path.

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Career

While studying at UCLA, Benton joined a commercial agency and began booking commercials nationwide. In 1968, she received her breakout opportunity with an extra role on the show “Playboy After Dark,” hosted by Hugh Hefner. Hefner noticed her studying on set and was captivated by her presence. This led to Benton’s increased involvement in the Playboy enterprise, including more significant roles on “Playboy After Dark” and ultimately becoming the show’s co-host alongside Hefner.

Subsequently, Benton’s association with Playboy increased her exposure and paved the way for her appearances on the cover of the magazine four times. Despite her frequent appearances, she was never an official Playboy Playmate of the Month. Benton also ventured into television, landing a spot on the comedy sketch show “Hee Haw,” where she remained a cast member for four seasons. However, she decided to leave the show in pursuit of a more serious acting career.

Expanding her horizons, Benton appeared in several films, including “The Naughty Cheerleader,” “The Great American Beauty Contest,”, “The Third Girl from the Left,” “Hospital Massacre,” and “Deathstalker.” She also made appearances in various television series such as “McCloud,” “Sugar Time!,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Love Boat,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “The Girls Next Store,” among others.

In addition to her acting endeavors, Benton found success as a recording artist. Her interest in country music sparked during her time on “Hee Haw.” In 1975, she released the single “Brass Buckles,” which reached the top five on the Billboard country singles chart. Benton’s career as a singer continued with the release of eight albums, with the final one being self-produced. She showcased her multiple talents by composing songs, singing, and playing the piano on the tracks. Her song, “Ain’t That Just the Way,” became a major hit in Sweden in 1976 and gained renewed popularity when Lutricia McNeal recorded a version in 1996.

Furthermore, Benton made notable appearances as a guest star on various late-night and game shows. She was a regular guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and a popular panelist on “The Hollywood Squares” throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

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Personal Life

During her time on “Playboy After Dark,” Benton entered into a romantic relationship with host Hugh Hefner, which lasted several years. They lived together from 1969 to 1976, primarily at the Playboy Mansion. While their relationship encountered strain due to Benton’s increased travel for work, they remained friends. Benton and Hefner’s connection was featured in an episode of the reality show “The Girls Next Door.”

On October 14, 1979, Benton married real estate developer George Gradow. They have two children together, Alexander (born in 1986) and Ariana (born in 1988). The couple owns homes in Aspen, Colorado, and Los Angeles, California. Benton showcased her Colorado home in an episode of HGTV’s “Million Dollar Room” in 2012.

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Net Worth Over Time

Barbi Benton’s net worth of $20 million is predominantly attributed to her successful modeling career, appearances in Playboy magazine, her time on “Hee Haw,” and her achievements as a singer-songwriter. Benton’s net worth has likely fluctuated over the years due to various factors such as investments, assets, earnings from her musical releases, and entrepreneurial endeavors.

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Components of Net Worth

Barbi Benton’s net worth comprises various components, including:

1. **Modeling Career**: Benton’s regular appearances in “Playboy” magazine, as well as her cover shoots, contributed to her overall net worth.
2. **Television Career**: Benton’s roles on “Playboy After Dark” and “Hee Haw” provided her with significant exposure and financial rewards.
3. **Music Career**: Benton’s success as a recording artist, with hit singles like “Brass Buckles” and “Ain’t That Just the Way,” has contributed to her net worth.
4. **Acting Career**: Benton’s appearances in films and television series contributed to her earnings and overall net worth.
5. **Investments**: Benton’s financial acumen and investments in real estate properties potentially played a role in increasing her net worth.

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Conclusion

Barbi Benton’s multifaceted career as a model, actress, singer, and television personality has played a significant role in amassing her net worth of $20 million. From her early beginnings as a model and her breakthrough moments on “Playboy After Dark” to her successful music career and ventures in acting, Benton has left an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. Her net worth is a testament to her talent, hard work, and entrepreneurial endeavors over the years.

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