Last updated on: November 14, 2024

Meg Ryan is an American actress who became the top rom-com queen of the ’80s and ’90s. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” she romanced audiences through her charm and relatable characters.

Coming from a family background of teachers, Meg Ryan first studied journalism before dropping out to pursue acting. She started with a small role in Rich and Famous (1981) and found her breakthrough with When Harry Met Sally… (1989). She also starred in hit movies like Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Courage Under Fire. She had become one of Hollywood’s highest-paid movie stars by the end of the ’90s and was reportedly paid as much as $15 million per film.

Ryan left Hollywood for a while, but she comes back strong in 2023 with this new rom-com, What Happens Later. She acted in it and wrote it as well and directed it.

As of November 2024, Meg Ryan is 63 years old, her estimated net worth is $85 million, and she stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm or 1.73 m) tall.

Bio / Wiki

Full Name

Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra

Nickname

Meg Ryan

Profession

Actress

Career

Debut

Film

Rich and Famous (1981)

TV Show

As The World Turns (1982)

Best Known for

Meg Ryan is best known for her iconic roles in romantic comedies, particularly When Harry Met Sally…, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail.

Awards

Full list

Personal Profile and Background Details

Date of Birth

November 19, 1961

Age

As of today, Meg Ryan is 63 years old.

Zodiac sign

Scorpio

Signature

Nationality

American

Birth Place

Fairfield, Connecticut, United States of America

Residence

New York City, New York, United States of America

School / College / University

Meg Ryan finished high school in 1979 and started studying journalism, first at the University of Connecticut and then at NYU. But with just one semester left to graduate, she decided to follow her passion for acting full-time.

Religion

Meg Ryan was raised Catholic in Connecticut but has since evolved toward a more Buddhist-inspired perspective. She considers herself to be a “seeker,” searching for faith beyond her strict upbringing. Influenced by the writings of Eckhart Tolle, she finds inspiration in philosophies that combine Buddhist and Hindu ideas.

Race / Ethnicity

Rusyn (25%), Polish (25%) from the father’s side, and Irish (37.5%), German (12.5%) descent from the mother’s side.

Food Habits

Meg Ryan’s food habits aren’t widely known, but we get a glimpse from her role in When Harry Met Sally… where her character is famously picky about food. In real life, she’s faced health challenges, sometimes eating very little during tough times, which has worried her friends.

Hobbies

Meg Ryan has a mix of hobbies that show her personality well. She stays fit with yoga and Pilates, loves reading so much that she co-owned a bookstore in NYC, cares about the environment and supports green causes, and enjoys exploring film both as an actress and a director.

Physical Attributes and Measurements

Height

• In feet – 5′ 8″
• In Centimeters – 173 cm
• In meters – 1.73 m

Weight

• In kilograms – 57 kg
• In Pounds – 126 lbs

Body Measurements

35 – 25 – 35 inches

Shoe size

11 (US)

Dress size

4 (US)

Bra size

32C

Eye color

Blue

Hair Color

Blonde

Meg Ryan Family

Meg Ryan was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, grew up in a family that valued education and the arts.

Her dad, Harry Hyra, was a math teacher with Polish roots, and her mom, Susan Jordan, was an English teacher and former actress and she was the one who encouraged Meg’s love for acting. She has three siblings: Andrew, a musician in the band Billy Pilgrim; Annie, who passed away in 2019; and Dana, who passed in 2022.

Meg married actor Dennis Quaid on Valentine’s Day in 1991, and they had a son, Jack Quaid, born in 1992, who’s now an actor himself, known for The Boys. Meg and Dennis divorced in 2001, and a few years later, she adopted her daughter, Daisy, from China in 2006.

Husband

Dennis Quaid (1991-2001) (Divorced)

Father

Harry Hyra

Mother

Susan Jordan Duggan

Siblings

Andrew Hyra (Brother) (Musician)

Andrew Hyra, born on February 2, 1964, is an American singer, musician, and songwriter best known as one-half of the folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim with Kristian Bush. Known for their melodic folk-rock sound and thoughtful lyrics, Billy Pilgrim gained popularity in the 1990s.

He graduated with a history degree from Tulane University in 1987 and is the brother of actress Meg Ryan. Though he keeps a low profile compared to his sister, he has carved out a respected music career. Since 2008, he has been married to Rachel Christie, and they have two daughters, Char and Jade.

Andrew began his music journey in his mid-20s, first performing with his sister Annie in a group called The Hyras, where they gained local popularity at club performances. Later, he and Bush formed Billy Pilgrim and released albums like Words Like Numbers, eventually signing with Atlantic Records. After a break from music, Andrew released a solo album, Curios, in 2011, and in 2014, he started another band, Smokin’ Novas, with guitarist Brian Bristow, releasing albums like Smokin’ Novas and Travel Mercies.

Following his sister Annie’s passing in 2019, Andrew reunited with Kristian Bush, releasing remastered music and touring again in 2023, playing at notable venues like the Grand Ole Opry.

 

Annie Hyra (Sister) (Singer) (Died in 2019)

Annie Hyra, Meg Ryan’s sister and musician Andrew Hyra’s singing partner, was born on February 24, 1966, and passed away on March 21, 2019.  Annie was part of The Hyras, a duo with her brother Andrew, and contributed her voice to his early band, Billy Pilgrim. Although she wasn’t as famous as her siblings, Annie was a big influence on Andrew’s music journey. Her passing was a deep loss for the family and inspired Andrew to reconnect with his music.

Dana Hyra (Sister) (Died on 2022)

Dana Hyra was one of the siblings of actress Meg Ryan and musician Andrew Hyra. She was born on March 9, 1968, and passed away on January 10, 2022. Dana was known for her supportive role within the family, although she did not pursue a public career in the arts like her sister Meg or brother Andrew.

Children

Jack Quaid (Son) (Actor) (Born on April 24, 1992)

 

Daisy True Ryan (Adopted daughter)

Relationship & More

Marital Status

Single

Marriage Date

February 14, 1991

Affairs or dating history

Anthony Edwards (1986-1987)

Dennis Quaid (1988-2001)

Russell Crowe (2000)

John Cusack (2002-2003)

John Mellencamp (2010-2019)

Favorite Things

Favorite Genre – Romantic Comedy

Net worth 2024

$85 million

As of November 2024, it’s estimated that Meg Ryan has a net worth of about $85 million, based on information from different reliable sources. She is the rom-com queen of the ’80s and ’90s and built her fortune and legacy not just through acting but by making some smart moves across different areas of entertainment and real estate. Here’s how she’s made her money over the years and the stories behind it all:

1. Movie Salaries and Stardom

In her peak, Meg Ryan became one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. She started with modest roles but quickly skyrocketed to fame, which meant her paychecks did too. Some of her biggest salaries include:

• “I.Q.” (1994): She took home $5 million.

• “City of Angels” (1998): The movie was a hit, and she earned $8.5 million.

• “You’ve Got Mail” (1998): Meg pocketed a cool $10.5 million for playing Kathleen Kelly, the lovable bookstore owner opposite Tom Hanks.

• “Proof of Life” (2000): Here, she received an impressive $15 million.

• “Kate & Leopold” (2001): Again, she scored a paycheck of $15 million.

These hefty sums, especially in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, reflect how she was at the top of her game. And while these are only a few highlights, these big payouts made her a Hollywood powerhouse. Each film added to her bank balance and cemented her reputation as a rom-com icon.

2. Box Office Success

Meg’s films have pulled in nearly $900 million worldwide. Blockbuster hits like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail are some of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time. While we don’t have exact numbers on her share of box office profits, stars at her level often negotiate for a percentage of the film’s earnings, which would have added even more to her income.

3. Real Estate Ventures

Meg also ventured into real estate, a smart move that’s helped her wealth grow over the years. Here’s a look at some of her big investments:

• Bel-Air Mansion: Meg bought a stunning Bel-Air mansion for $8.5 million in 1999. This mansion would have appreciated significantly over time, especially considering the rising value of Bel-Air real estate.

• Montecito Properties: In 2020, Meg bought a cozy home in Montecito, California, for $5 million, followed by another property in the same area for $9.5 million in 2021.

Montecito is a celebrity hotspot, and property values have soared there, so these homes are likely worth even more today. This has definitely been a smart move for her portfolio.

4. Branching Out into Production and Directing

Not content to just be in front of the camera, Meg stepped into production and directed as well. It allowed her to expand her creative control and earn from multiple roles on a project.

• “Ithaca” (2015): This was her directorial debut, a drama based on William Saroyan’s novel The Human Comedy. Although it wasn’t a blockbuster, but its the beginning of a new role in the industry.

• “What Happens Later” (2023): In this recent rom-com, Meg not only directed but also co-wrote the script.

Although directing isn’t always as financially rewarding as starring in big films, it’s a way to gain artistic satisfaction and sometimes longer-term income if the projects become cult favorites.

5. Early Endorsements

Long before her stardom, Meg did commercials for big brands, including Burger King and Aim toothpaste. It’s easy to overlook these, but they were likely her first significant earnings in the industry. Commercial gigs are a great way for actors to support themselves and gain experience early in their careers, and for Meg, they were the first stepping stones to the big screen.

Also Read

Tom Hanks Net worth

Val Kilmer Net worth

Nicole Kidman Net worth

Car collection

1. 1966 Ford Bronco
2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
3. Toyota Prius
4. Vespa Scooter

Social Media Profiles.

Facebook

facebook.com/RealMegRyan

Twitter

Tweets by RealMegRyan

Instagram

instagram.com/megryan