According to Vanity Fair, actress Taraji P. Henson has built an impressive net worth of $25 million. 

The publication interviewed Henson, and she spoke about the early beginnings of her acting career.

“Well, I was always a ham. I didn’t really get serious about [acting] until college. I auditioned for a performing arts high school didn’t get accepted, and I thought that meant I couldn’t act. So I never acted again until I failed Pre-Calc in college. I decided I was going to try Electrical Engineering. That sounded good…it just sounded good! So I failed, and thank God I did because it forced me to study what I really wanted to, and that was acting.”

Henson said that although she knew what her passion was, it wasn’t an easy ride for her. The Empire actress put herself through college at Howard University by working as a part-time receptionist at The Pentagon. She also had a side hustle during her college career as a singing and dancing waitress on the Spirit of Washington dinner cruise.

“After I graduated, my dad said, ‘How do you expect to catch fish on dry land? You have to go where the jobs are.’ We raised $700, I packed my son up, and I moved to L.A.,” Henson shared. 

Henson moved to California and decided to pursue theatre. 

“I wasn’t in California to party and went to clubs,” the 51-year-old actress told People. “I just kept myself immersed in the craft of acting so that when opportunity struck, I would be ready.”

She added, “You just have to stay the course and not getting distracted or compare yourself to others. You have to really stay focused and stay grounded.”

In regards to her introduction into the entertainment industry, she said, “I think the industry knew I was talented.”

“But it’s about money. Are you bankable? I had to continuously prove that. I’ve been trying to prove and improve. I was asking for half a million. I didn’t get paid that until I did my first Tyler Perry film. He was the first person who paid me $500,000.” 

Related Story: Taraji P. Henson: “My Haircare Line is All About Self-Care”

Despite the 51-year-old being known for her legendary decades-long acting career on television shows and movies, she’s also secured a steady income of revenue outside of acting. 

Henson has generated income from real estate investment over time. She brought and sold a $1.5 million condo in Chicago then purchased another home there; she also bought two houses in California.

The Empire actress has curated her love for hair into a business, having helped developed TPH by Taraji Hair Care to create a scalp-first treatment for healthy hair.

Henson also has another source of income after having penned her autobiography, “Around the Way Girl.”