- - Eric Braeden’s Net Worth in 2026 After 45 Years on 'The Young and the Restless'

Laura Hooper BeckJanuary 17, 2026 at 11:30 PM

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Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

For over 45 years, Eric Braeden has starred as Victor Newman on the beloved CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. During his years on the show, Braeden has created one of the most complex characters in daytime history. While the ruthless Victor Newman was originally meant to be a brief role on the soap, his vulnerable and protective side won over viewers. Instead of playing Victor for just a few months as producers originally intended, Braeden has now embodied the character for several decades.

But Braeden's real-life journey is just as dramatic as any Y&R storyline. Born in war-torn Germany as Hans-Jörg Gudegast, he came to America as a teenager with nothing but athletic talent and ambition. After some success in Hollywood, executives told him that if he wanted to be a star, he'd need to change his very German name. So Hans-Jörg Gudegast became Eric Braeden—and on February 8, 1980, the world would meet him as Victor Newman on CBS' The Young and the Restless.

But in January 2025—just weeks before he was set to celebrate his 45-year anniversary on the show—Braeden would face a devastating loss after the Palisades Fire destroyed his real-life home of 45 years. However, just like his Y&R character, Braeden is resilient and continues to push forward.

So how much has the man behind one of TV's most beloved characters earned over nearly half a century? What is Eric Braeden's net worth? Let's break it down.

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What is Eric Braeden's net worth in 2026?

Eric Braeden's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. That wealth comes mainly from playing Victor Newman since 1980—a role that's given him the rare luxury of steady work for over four decades.

Unlike actors who jump from project to project, Braeden has enjoyed consistent employment on the No. 1-rated daytime drama for years. Soap opera salaries aren't usually public, but leading performers on long-running shows can usually pull in substantial six-figure paychecks annually. As arguably the most recognizable face of Y&R and one of daytime's biggest stars, Braeden's paycheck is certain to reflect his importance to the show.

Related: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Alum Makes Candid Confession About Eric Braeden Feud

How did Eric Braeden become famous?

Braeden was born on April 3, 1941, in Bredenbek, Germany, where his father was mayor. After his father died in 1953, his mom worked in a factory to support four sons. Eric excelled at track and field, winning the German National Team Championship in 1958. When Braeden was just 19, he immigrated to the U.S. and worked odd jobs until a track and field scholarship brought him to Montana State University.

While in college, he and a friend made a small documentary called The Riverbusters. After coming to L.A. seeking a film distributor, Braeden’s looks and accent got more attention than the actual documentary. Braeden started acting, landing small roles based on his European looks and accent—including playing Captain Hans Dietrich on the WWII series The Rat Patrol from 1966-1968.

After scoring the lead in the 1970 sci-fi thriller Colossus: The Forbin Project, a Universal Pictures exec told him it was time to drop his German name. Reluctantly, Hans Gudegast became Eric Braeden.

“Changing my name was one of the most painful decisions I’ve ever made, so I needed to choose a name that I could still identify with,” Braeden said. “Eric is a family name, and Braeden is from the name of my village in Germany.”

Throughout the '70s, he appeared in films like Escape from the Planet of the Apes and Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo—plus in TV projects like Gunsmoke and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

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When did Eric Braeden join 'The Young and the Restless'?

In January 1980, Braeden was offered a 26-week stint on The Young and the Restless as Victor Newman, a business mogul who'd serve as a temporary villain. At first, he wasn't interested in the role, but ultimately, his wife—Dale Russell Gudegast—convinced him to take the challenge.

Braeden made one request of Y&R co-creator Bill Bell: Give Victor a backstory that explained his behavior. Bell came up with the idea for a childhood spent in an orphanage— and suddenly, Victor had emotional depth. The moment Braeden filmed that scene with Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) he knew he'd found something special.

Viewers loved it. While Victor was supposed to disappear after six months, he became so popular that his contract kept getting extended. Now, 45 years later, Victor is one of daytime's most iconic characters—a complicated, fascinating leading man.

Related: 'Young & the Restless' Star Hits Back at Eva Longoria's 'Derogatory' Comments About the Soap

How much does Eric Braeden make from 'The Young and the Restless'?

Leading daytime actors with decades of experience pull serious money. According to Eric Braeden’s official bio, Y&R has over 120 million daily viewers worldwide and airs in more than 30 countries. And since Victor Newman is arguably the most recognized daytime character in history, Braeden carries tremendous value for the show.

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What awards has Eric Braeden won?

Braeden won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1998 and has been nominated multiple times since—most recently in 2024. In 1992, he won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a Daytime Series. He's also won three Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Beyond acting, in 1991, Braeden received the Federal Medal of Honor from Germany's President for promoting positive German-American relations. In 2007, he earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—the first German-born actor since Marlene Dietrich to receive this honor. In 2017, Braeden was inducted into the German-American Hall of Fame—alongside Albert Einstein and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

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What other roles has Eric Braeden played?

Outside of Y&R, Braeden's most famous role is playing John Jacob Astor IV in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster Titanic. Before Y&R, his breakthrough was The Rat Patrol, and his lead in Colossus: The Forbin Project made him the first German actor to play an American character in a major Hollywood film.

In 2017, Braeden published his bestselling memoir I'll Be Damned, which chronicles his journey from wartime Germany to international soap star.

What happened to Eric Braeden's house in the Pacific Palisades fire?

In January 2025, Braeden lost his Pacific Palisades home of 45 years to the devastating California wildfires. Fire officials initially told his wife not to worry—the wind was pushing flames toward the ocean. But within 20 minutes, their entire neighborhood was an inferno.

After Braeden returned and saw his longtime home was now ash and debris, he broke down. "45 years, man. I didn't think it would hit me this much. I'm devastated." The home was filled with decades of memories—including celebrating Christmas just weeks before with his granddaughter and watching his son Christian Gudegast—writer/director of the Den of Thieves films—penning its scripts.

Though it will take time, Braeden plans to rebuild. Meanwhile, he continues working on Y&R, the show likely serving as a welcome distraction from the devastating loss.

Is Eric Braeden married? Does he have children?

On October 8, 1966, Braeden married his college sweetheart Dale Russell. They have one son—blockbuster screenwriter and director Christian Gudegast (In addition to writing and directing the Den of Thieves films, he also co-wrote A Man Apart and London Has Fallen.) This October, Eric and Dale will celebrate their milestone 60th anniversary!

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What is Eric Braeden doing now?

Braeden continues working on Y&R with zero plans for retirement. "I'm a stubborn son of a bitch. I'm still here," he said. After nearly 46 years, he still loves those moments when a scene suddenly clicks and becomes real.

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Braeden is also a cancer survivor. In April 2023, he announced he'd been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Thankfully, he was cancer-free by August of the same year.

Eric Braeden truly embodies the American dream, and he has built an empire—including a reported $20 million net worth—to show for his decades of hard work. In many ways, his character Victor Newman is similar to Braeden himself, confronting every challenge with resilience and determination—with his family always first in mind.

Up next: ‘Young and the Restless’ Star, 84, Turns Heads With Workout Routine After Cancer Battle

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”