Keira Knightley is a famous British actress. On 26 March 1985, she was born in the Teddington suburb of London to stage actors Sharman Macdonald and Will Knightley. She started her career by working in small television roles and commercials. Her first major role was in the 2001 Walt Disney Productions feature film Princess of Thieves; she played the daughter of Robin Hood.
She played in both independent films and big-budget blockbusters and is specifically noted for her roles in period dramas. Knightley achieved global stardom with her role of Elizabeth Swann in the fantasy swashbuckler series Pirates of the Caribbean.
Her most successful release of the career was Pride & Prejudice; she played Elizabeth Bennet, which earned Best Actress in the Leading Role nomination at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes for her performance.
She was the celebrity face for the luxury goods brands Asprey and Shiatzy Chen, Lux hair care products, as well as Chanel perfumes. Knightley was recently cast in the upcoming holiday comedy film Silent Night. Let’s discuss the biography, career, and net worth of Keira Knightley, along with other essential details. But first, let’s gather some quick information.
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Early Life and Education
Keira Knightley was born in Teddington, a London suburb, to the stage actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald. Her father is English, while her mother is of Scottish and Welsh descent. She has an older brother named Caleb. When her parents had her brother, they faced significant financial difficulties. Her mediocre actor father agreed to have a second child only if her mother sold a script first.
Keira attended Teddington School and was diagnosed with dyslexia when she was six years old. With her parents’ support, she overcame it by the time she was eleven, although she is still a slow reader and cannot read aloud. Meanwhile, Keira started studying Classics, English Literature, and Political History at Esher College while doing her A-levels. However, she continued taking acting roles, which she believed would expand her experience as an actress.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Keira Christina Knightley
- Date of Birth: 26 March 1985
- Age: 38 years old
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: Actress
- Spouse\Boyfriend: James Righton (married in 2013)
- Children: 2
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Height: 5’6″ or 167 cm
- Weight: 54 kg or 119 lbs
- Bra Size: 32A
- Body Measurements: 32-23-33 inches
- Net Worth: $80 million
Career
Keira Knightley began acting at six and started working in commercials and TV films. In 2002, her career took off when she played the role of a tomboy footballer in the movie Bend It Like Beckham. She also appeared in Love Actually in 2003. From 2003 to 2017, She gained worldwide fame for her role as Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
In 2005, She received an Academy Award Best Actress nomination for portraying Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. Over the next few years, she starred in several period films, including Atonement (2007), The Duchess (2008), A Dangerous Method (2011), and Anna Karenina (2012).
She has showcased her talent in two West End productions – The Misanthrope in 2009 and The Children’s Hour in 2011. Her performance in The Misanthrope earned her a nomination for the prestigious Olivier Award.
Later, she ventured into contemporary pieces, with leading roles in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World in 2012, Begin Again in 2013, and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit in 2014. She returned to historical films, playing Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game (2014) and earning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination.
She played the lead role in Thérèse Raquin on Broadway in 2015. She later played the title character in Colette (2018) and journalist Loretta McLaughlin in Boston Strangler (2023).
Besides her acting career, she is also known for her activism and outspoken stance on social issues. She has worked extensively with organizations such as Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Comic Relief to raise awareness about human rights abuses and to support humanitarian causes.
Awards and Nomination
Keira Knightley is a highly acclaimed actress nominated for numerous awards. She has been nominated three times for the “Golden Globe Awards” and twice for the “Academy Awards,” She has also been nominated twice for the “British Academy Film Awards” and a “Laurence Olivier Award” nomination. She won the “Empire Award” for Best Actress after being nominated five times.
Personal Life
Keira Knightley previously dated actors Del Synnott, Jamie Dornan (2003–2005), and Rupert Friend from 2005 to 2010. James Righton, a musician, became her boyfriend in February 2011. They got married in Mazan, France, on May 4, 2013. Together, they have two daughters, born in 2015 and 2019. The family lives in London’s Canonbury, Islington.
Social Media Appearances
Keira Knightley has no social media profiles due to her family’s privacy. She understands that her daughters might want to use those platforms someday, but for now, she is content with her decision to stay offline.
“I’m very happy not being on social media,” she says to people. “I have had fleeting thoughts in the past, but I realized it is unnecessary.”
“What’s amusing,” she continues, “is that most of my friends are on it, yet they are always talking about how it’s causing them to feel depressed. So, I decided I didn’t want to go down that path.”
“If I were to join, I would just become obsessed with trying to make my life appear perfect, which seems quite exhausting,” the mother of two adds. “Honestly, I think it’s a rabbit hole that I don’t need to go down.”
Net Worth
According to various sources, Keira Knightley’s net worth is estimated to be around $80 million. She has amassed this significant fortune through her work in movies and TV shows. She reportedly earns between $5 million to $7 million per film project, contributing to her substantial income. Additionally, just like other artists, she earns income through promotions and brand endorsements.
In the past, she lived in a luxurious three-bedroom property in New York, which she rented for $45,000. Later on, the house was sold for $6 million.
