Carey Evelyn Lowell was born on February 11, 1961, in Huntington, New York. Her father’s work as a geologist kept the family moving through Libya, the Netherlands, France, and finally Denver. Constant relocation exposed her to diverse cultures and helped her develop a flexible mindset that later proved vital in a highly competitive industry. After high school in Colorado she enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder, then transferred to New York University to study drama, choosing passion over predictability.
Modeling Years Build Capital and Connections
The early 1980s saw Lowell step into high fashion at five-foot-ten with a striking presence that suited labels such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. Runway work and magazine spreads delivered lucrative contracts, while industry networking opened doors in entertainment. Modeling income also provided a financial cushion, allowing her to turn down acting parts that did not advance her craft. The discipline of photo shoots—long hours, exact timing, minimal margin for error—translated smoothly to life on film sets.
Licence to Kill Propels Her to Hollywood Spotlight
In 1989 she played CIA pilot Pam Bouvier opposite Timothy Dalton in Licence to Kill, the sixteenth James Bond feature. The role offered global recognition and long-term residuals thanks to the franchise’s evergreen broadcast and streaming deals. Playing a proactive ally rather than a passive love interest boosted her credibility, leading to opportunities that were both artistically rewarding and financially sound.
Strategic Screen Choices After the Bond Breakout
Instead of chasing every audition that followed, Lowell selected projects that added variety to her résumé. Memorable appearances in Sleepless in Seattle and Leaving Las Vegas showcased range across romance and drama. While those films did not always top box offices, they benefited from strong critical response and cable syndication, ensuring steady royalty checks. Her measured pace protected brand value and prevented overexposure.
Law & Order Delivers Syndication Gold
Joining Law & Order in 1996 as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross changed her income trajectory. The flagship NBC crime drama became a rerun staple worldwide. Lowell appeared in fifty-three episodes over five seasons and later reprised the role in spin-offs. Residual payments from this vast syndication pipeline form one of the most reliable pillars of her estimated twelve-million-dollar net worth in 2025. The show’s lasting popularity also boosts convention invitations and guest-spot rates.
Personal Life Adds Complex Financial Layers
In 2002 she married actor Richard Gere after a courtship that began on the set of a 1994 Gap commercial. The couple owned high-value real estate, including a Pound Ridge, New York estate once listed at sixty-five million dollars. Their 2016 divorce was settled privately, yet industry observers agree that an equitable distribution of marital assets significantly strengthened Lowell’s long-term financial security. She has one son, Homer, from a previous relationship and continues to prioritize family stability.
Humming Bird Ceramics and Luxury Jewelry Ventures
Shifting focus from acting, Lowell turned creative energy to ceramic art under the brand Humming Bird Ceramics. Hand-thrown porcelain vases, bowls, and sculptural pieces sell directly to collectors, with notable items like the Porcelain Triple Polypore Vase fetching seven hundred dollars and the Porcelain Robot Vase listing at nine hundred. Collaboration with jewelry designer Sidney Garber expanded her artisan profile. Limited edition necklaces and bracelets begin at fifteen hundred dollars, positioning her firmly in the luxury craft market and diversifying cash flow beyond Hollywood.
Philanthropy and Public Engagement
Lowell supports several environmental and children’s health organizations, often donating ceramic pieces for charity auctions. Public appearances remain selective, reflecting a preference for quality over quantity. Her willingness to discuss mental health and creative reinvention at industry panels adds authenticity to a public image built on substance rather than sensationalism.
Net Worth Drivers and 2025 Outlook
A conservative analysis places her current fortune at twelve million dollars, derived from four main channels: fashion earnings reinvested early, residuals from Licence to Kill and Law & Order, proceeds from the Gere divorce settlement, and profits from Humming Bird Ceramics plus jewelry lines. Ongoing popularity of streaming platforms, new collectors entering the art market, and possible guest roles or voice-over work suggest that her wealth could climb further. Lowell’s path demonstrates that consistent brand management, timed diversification, and reinvestment are potent strategies for financial longevity in entertainment.
Impact and Legacy
Carey Lowell’s career illustrates how thoughtful evolution can sustain relevance across decades. Model, Bond heroine, respected television attorney, ceramic artist—each chapter builds on the last without diluting her core identity. Young performers looking for a roadmap can study her balanced approach: secure early income, protect your image, diversify into passion projects, and keep learning. Lowell shows that a twelve-million-dollar net worth is not just a number; it is evidence of adaptability, calculated risk, and commitment to authenticity.