She was born on February 26, 1953, which makes her 72 years old in 2025. She is a successful American actress, writer, and producer who has done a lot of work in film and TV, including starring parts in Pensacola: Wings of Gold, One Life to Live, Cedar Cove, and Chesapeake Shores. Niven has also been in a lot of Lifetime and Hallmark movies, which have helped her become very famous. Barbara Niven net worth is thought to be around $8 million as of 2025.
She has made this money from acting, directing, motivational speaking, and media training. Even though she has a busy work schedule, she is known for her charitable work, especially her work for animal rights as a National Ambassador for American Humane. Jessica is Niven’s daughter. He has been married three times.
Social Profiles
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barbara Lee Bucholz (also known as Barbara Lee Niven) |
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1953 |
| Age (2025) | 72 years |
| Place of Birth | Portland, Oregon, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Writer, Producer |
| Notable Roles | Pensacola: Wings of Gold, One Life to Live, Cedar Cove, Chesapeake Shores, Hallmark & Lifetime movies |
| Career Start | 1986 (TV film “Promise”) |
| Education | Beverly Hills Playhouse |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Children | One daughter, Jessica |
| Net Worth (2025) | Approximately $8 million |
| Other Activities | Motivational speaker, media trainer, animal rights activist, National Ambassador for American Humane |
Barbara Niven Net Worth in 2025
Barbara Niven’s net worth is thought to be around $8 million as of 2025. She got rich through a varied career as an actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her roles in Hallmark and Lifetime movies, TV shows like Chesapeake Shores and Pensacola: Wings of Gold, and movie appearances. Besides acting, she has also made money by producing, giving motivational talks, training the media, endorsing causes, and giving public speeches. She has had more than 100 roles in movies and TV shows over the course of 30 years, which has helped her make a lot of money.
Income Sources
| Source | Approximate Earnings | Details |
|---|---|---|
| TV Movies (Hallmark/Lifetime) | $2.5M–$3M | Numerous starring/recurring roles in family films |
| TV Series | $1.5M–$2M | Main/recurring roles on top shows |
| Films | $0.5M–$0.8M | Feature and indie films |
| Voice Acting | $150K–$300K | Narration and minor characters |
| Producing/Screenwriting | $100K–$200K | Producer credits |
| Endorsements/Spokesperson | $250K–$500K | Brand representation, life coaching, motivational events |
| Public Speaking/Coaching | $300K–$600K | Keynotes, media training, online courses |
| Guest Work/Hosting | $100K–$200K | Hosting, interviews, lifestyle/reality shows |
Comparison with Co-Stars (2025 Estimated Net Worth)
| Celebrity | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Alison Sweeney | $9M |
| Emilie Ullerup | $5M |
| Brendan Penny | $1M–$3M |
| Treat Williams | $10M (at time of 2023 passing) |
Also Read More: Alison Arngrim Net Worth
Business Ventures and Income Sources
In addition to her acting job, Barbara Niven has a number of different businesses and ways to make money.
- She runs Barbara Niven Enterprises, Inc., which is in charge of her work as an author, speaker, media trainer, actress, and video director.
- She started Unleash Your Star Power!TM and is the owner of the company. The company helps entrepreneurs, speakers, writers, and CEOs become experts in their field through videos, TV and radio interviews, and public speaking.
- Niven runs a studio in Los Angeles where people can make videos. He also gives one-on-one lessons, workshops, and video boot camps both in-person and online.
- She runs Show Business 101TM, a business that teaches actors and TV hosts how to be on camera, act, and do auditions. She teaches the “business” side of show business so actors can run their jobs like CEOs.
- She also teaches media and makes movies. She is also a best-selling author and inspiring speaker.
- She has also worked on artistic partnerships, sponsorships, and endorsements, as well as producing projects.
- In addition, she has interests in real estate and businesses that make things as part of her long-term plan to get rich.
These businesses make money from coaching fees, book sales, video production services, speaking events, producing credits, and the money she makes from her TV and movie work over time.
Real State Ownership and Properties
Barbara Niven has smartly invested in real estate, especially in Los Angeles and other great places. Her properties have gone up in value, adding a lot to her total net worth. While she doesn’t want to talk about the specific buildings she owns, her strategic real estate holdings are a big part of her long-term plan to build her wealth over time. These investments help her make more money in the entertainment industry by adding to the money she makes from acting, directing, endorsements, and other business ventures.
Personal Life
Niven was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 26, 1953. She has been married three times: to Ronald Garrison in 1974 and later divorced; to David Alexander in 1985 and later divorced; and to David Niven Jr. in 1993 and later divorced. She has a daughter named Jessica and is also very proud to be a grandma. Niven is a citizen of both the United States and Canada because her father was born in Canada.
Niven has been open about her fight with bulimia, which lasted thirty years, her whole life. Because of what happened to her, she is now a strong supporter of healthy living and mental health awareness. She gives talks about eating disorders and encourages people to be open about their mental health issues.
She is also known for her charitable work, especially as an animal rights campaigner and National Ambassador for American Humane. She takes in older pets as foster pets and helps with animal rescue tasks. She also supports many causes, such as LGBTQ+ rights and ending bullying. Niven puts her family and close relationships first, despite her public image. She often shares her life lessons and positivity as a motivating speaker, hoping to encourage others to seek happiness, authenticity, and purpose.
Career Journey
Barbara Niven‘s job path shows how to be persistent and flexible in the entertainment business. Niven was born in Portland, Oregon, and worked in export planning, construction, commercial real estate, and modeling before she decided in her late twenties to become an actress. In the 1986 TV movie “Promise,” she got her first starring job. This earned her a SAG card and started her career on screen.
With guest parts on shows like ER, NCIS, and Charmed, as well as appearances on soap operas like One Life to Live (as Liz Coleman Reynolds) and The Bold and the Beautiful, Niven slowly got better known. She became famous all over the country as the lead in the action-drama Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1998–2000). After that, she starred in many Hallmark and Lifetime movies, including Chesapeake Shores, Cedar Cove, and A Perfect Ending.
Niven did more than just act. She also produced and wrote movies and TV shows. Through her “Unleash Your Star Power!” method, she also worked as a motivational speaker and media trainer. She has been in over 100 movies and TV shows, led shows and infomercials, and been in over 2,500 radio and TV ads. Niven won the 2016 Legends Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Peachtree Village International Film Festival and the EOTM Award for Best Actress in an Indie Film for “A Perfect Ending” for her work on the movie.
She has also worked hard for animal rights and done a lot for the community. For three years, she was on the National Board of Directors for the Screen Actors Guild. Niven keeps acting, coaching, and speaking out, encouraging people to follow their dreams and live their true selves.
Physical Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters)
- Weight: Approximately 60–61 kilograms (132–135 pounds)
- Body Measurements: 37-26-38 inches (Bust-Waist-Hips)
- Bra Size: 42C
- Dress Size: 8 (US)
- Shoe Size: 10 (US)
- Hair Color: Blonde
- Eye Color: Blue
- Body Type: Hourglass / Average build
Struggles with Mental Health, Addiction & Homelessness
In her teens, Barbara Niven began to battle with bulimia nervosa, which she had for about 30 years. She talked about how she got an eating problem after hearing her mother talking about purging and trying it herself as a “secret weapon” to lose weight. Niven hid the disorder even though she had a successful job. She had to deal with physical and emotional problems like toothaches, tiredness, low self-esteem, and problems with how she looked.
The turning point came when her 15-year-old daughter passed out at cheering practice because other girls on her team were purging too. This made both the mother and the daughter decide to go to therapy. Niven worked to get better by going to therapy, getting nutrition guidance, and taking care of herself. She changed the way she ate and how she dealt with stress in healthier ways.
Today, Niven speaks out about eating disorders and mental health. She tells her story in public to break down stereotypes and encourage others to get help. She does this by speaking at events, schools, and in interviews with the media. As part of her journey, she gives motivational talks about dealing with problems, having faith in yourself, and following your dreams. Being honest about his mental health problems has helped a lot of people see that they are not alone and that they can get better.
Current Status
In the year 2025, Barbara Niven is still a busy and successful person in the theater business. She keeps acting in movies and TV shows. Her roles in Hallmark and Lifetime movies are especially well known. Recently, she has been in several movies in the popular Hannah Swensen mystery series, like “Pie to Die For” and “Reality Bites.” She also keeps showing up in family-friendly movies.
Niven is an actor, but he is also a motivational speaker, a media trainer, and an animal rights campaigner. Through her “Unleash Your Star Power!” program, she combines her work experience in the media with training in business. She is also a National Ambassador for American Humane.
She has been working as an actress for over 30 years and has been in over 100 movies and TV shows, over 2,500 commercials, and many productions. She is very active on social media, talking to fans and sharing news about her work as an advocate and in her career. Niven’s net worth is thought to be $8 million as of 2025, which shows how successful she is in many areas of the coaching and entertainment industries.
Public Perception & Media Coverage
The public and the media usually see Barbara Niven as a warm, approachable, and strong actress who is honest and professional all the time. Niven’s fame is built on decades of steady work in over 100 movies and TV shows, mostly in Hallmark and Lifetime movies. This is different from actors who become famous overnight. The media often talks about how she plays characters who seem real and approachable, like Megan O’Brien in Chesapeake Shores. Her acts, rather than her flashy fame, are what make people connect with her.
People praise her for quietly making a name for herself as a trustworthy source of family-friendly and motivational content. They often say that she embodies warmth, strength, and truthfulness. Instead of trying to become a big star, she has become “irreplaceable” in parts that need depth and emotional truth.
Barbara also gets good press for fighting for the rights of people and animals and being open about her own mental health problems, such as her long battle with and healing from bulimia. This openness has made her look like a more inspiring and caring person outside of her entertainment job.
Her social media presence strengthens her relationship with her fans and spreads happiness, support, and strength. The media show her as a quietly successful actress with a meaningful legacy. People admire her for being professional, honest, and dedicated to causes that are important to her.
FAQs
What is Barbara Niven’s current net worth?
In 2025, Barbara Niven is thought to be worth $8 million.
Is Barbara Niven related to David Niven Jr.?
She used to be married to David Niven Jr., but she is not related to star David Niven.
Who is Barbara Niven’s daughter?
Jess Niven is her daughter. She is married and has kids.
What movies is Barbara Niven known for?
“A Wonderful Ending,” “The Rat Pack,” “Chesapeake Shores,” “Cedar Cove,” and many other Hallmark and Lifetime shows.
Is Barbara Niven married now?
No, Barbara Niven is not married right now, in 2025.
Conclusion
Barbara Niven went from not becoming famous until much later to becoming a Hallmark star and inspiring speaker. Her story isn’t just about luck; it’s also about hard work, being flexible, and using her fame for good. The fact that she is expected to be worth $8 million in 2025 shows that her work is based on talent and purpose. Fans and aspiring actors can learn from her career. Watch her movies or talk about your favorite Barbara Niven part!
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