Robin Givens: A Closer Look At The Iconic Actress And Model

How Much is Robin Givens Worth?

Robin Givens, the trailblazing American actress and model, boasts a net worth of $1 million. Now, you might know her best from her acting gigs, but did you know she was also a pre-med student at Sarah Lawrence College? Yep, she's got brains and talent. Her big break came in 1986 when she joined the cast of the beloved ABC sitcom "Head of the Class." For five years, she was a key player on the show, playing the character Darlene Merriman, a rich girl with a lot of heart.

Givens didn't stop there. She continued to take on roles in TV shows like "The Women of Brewster Place" and "Boomerang." In 1996, she starred in "Sparks," and from 2000 onward, she appeared on talk shows such as "Forgive or Forget." In more recent years, she's graced our screens in shows like "The Game," "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," "Chuck," "Riverdale," and "Katy Keene." Away from acting, she's also authored an autobiography titled "Grace Will Lead Me Home." Outside of her career, Robin is known for her marriage to Mike Tyson, which, unfortunately, was marred by domestic violence. She has since become a vocal advocate for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Her Journey Begins

Robin's Early Life

Robin Simone Givens was born in New York City on November 27, 1964. Her childhood wasn't without its challenges; her parents split when she was just two years old, and she was raised in a Catholic household in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York. Even as a teenager, Robin was making waves in the entertainment world, booking modeling gigs for magazines like "Seventeen" and "Mademoiselle." She also took on early film roles in "The Wiz" and "Fort Apache: The Bronx."

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At just 15 years old, Robin graduated from a private school and enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College, where she majored in pre-med. She was one of the youngest students to ever attend the school. While in college, Robin juggled her studies with acting in daytime dramas. She graduated at 19 in 1984 and even attempted further education at Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, though she eventually left to focus on her acting career.

Building Her Legacy

Robin's Acting Career

Robin's career took off after she landed a guest spot on "The Cosby Show." Bill Cosby became her mentor and encouraged her to leave school, promising to cover her tuition if she didn't succeed within two years. After roles in "Different Strokes" and the TV film "Beverly Hills Madam," Robin's big moment came in 1986 when she joined "Head of the Class." For five years, she played the character Darlene Merriman, and during this time, she also appeared in "The Women of Brewster Place" and the Eddie Murphy film "Boomerang."

After "Head of the Class," Robin faced a bit of a slowdown in her career. In 1994, she made headlines by posing nude for Playboy, which brought her a lot of media attention. However, her career was revitalized in 1996 when she starred in the TV movie "The Face" and joined the sitcom "Sparks." She also made a memorable appearance on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and appeared in a Toni Braxton music video in 2000. That same year, she hosted the talk show "Forgive or Forget," though it was short-lived.

In 2007, Robin released her autobiography, which delves into her life experiences, including her battle with domestic violence. In 2008, she appeared in the film "The Family That Preys" and took on a recurring role in "The Game." She also appeared in "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and "Burn Notice," reigniting her career. Robin ventured into Broadway, performing in productions like "The Vagina Monologues" and "Chicago." In 2011, she guest-starred in three episodes of "Chuck."

Her Love Life

Robin's Romantic Relationships

At 16, Robin met Eddie Murphy and dated him for a year in the early '80s. She also dated Michael Jordan briefly in the late '80s. Her relationship with Mike Tyson began in 1987, despite early incidents of domestic abuse. The marriage was tumultuous, and after miscarrying in 1988, it began to fall apart. Tyson described the marriage as "torture" and "pure hell." There were rumors that Robin received a $10 million divorce settlement, but she later claimed she didn't get a dime.

In 1988, Robin filed for divorce and obtained a restraining order, citing spousal abuse. She faced criticism from the media, especially in the sports world, for divorcing Tyson. Afterward, she dated celebrities like Brad Pitt and Howard Stern, as well as several tennis players.

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Her Real Estate Ventures

Robin's Home with Mike Tyson

During their marriage, Robin and Mike Tyson purchased a stunning home in Bernardsville, New Jersey. This 18,000-square-foot property, which sits on 14 acres, features stone gothic styling. They bought the mansion for a cool $4 million, making it a significant investment during their time together.