Paulette Goddard was a clever, ambitious woman who rose from very modest beginnings to become a Hollywood star and, later in life, an extremely wealthy socialite. Although she was never considered the greatest actress of her era, she made smart personal and financial choices that allowed her to live a life of luxury and leave behind a remarkable legacy.
She was born in 1910 in New York City and grew up in fairly poor circumstances. From a young age, Paulette was determined to escape poverty. She entered beauty contests and worked as a model, using her looks, charm, and intelligence to open doors in the entertainment world.
At just 17 years old, she married her first husband, a much older and very wealthy man. The marriage lasted only about two years, but it proved to be financially important. When they divorced, Paulette walked away with a substantial settlement, giving her early financial security and independence—something very rare for young women at the time.
Her second relationship, and the one that truly launched her career, was with Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin was already one of the most powerful and famous figures in Hollywood, and he played a major role in making Paulette a star by casting her in several of his films, including Modern Times and The Great Dictator.
There has always been debate about whether they were legally married or simply lived together in a common-law marriage. Paulette claimed they were married, while Chaplin later insisted they were not. Regardless, the relationship elevated her status, fame, and earning power.
Paulette was known for attracting wealthy admirers who showered her with lavish gifts, especially jewelry. One of her most famous possessions was a necklace made of 570 stones, many of which were diamonds taken from former admirers’ engagement rings. These gifts became increasingly important as her acting career began to slow down.
Despite her success, Paulette was not popular behind the scenes in Hollywood. Many coworkers found her difficult. Legendary costume designer Edith Head openly stated that Paulette was one of the very few actresses she truly disliked working with.
Her third marriage was to actor Burgess Meredith. Their marriage lasted about five years. One memorable incident occurred when the couple was riding in a taxi and were suddenly surrounded by an angry mob accusing Meredith of being a communist (during a time when such accusations were dangerous). Paulette reportedly joked,
“Shall I roll down the window and hit them with my diamonds, Bugsy?”
The comment perfectly captured her sharp wit and awareness of her wealth.
Paulette’s final and most financially significant marriage was to Erich Maria Remarque, a rich and much older German writer best known for All Quiet on the Western Front. This marriage lasted 12 years, until Remarque’s death. When he passed away, he left Paulette an enormous fortune, including valuable real estate and priceless artwork across Europe.
After Remarque’s death, Paulette continued living an elegant, glamorous life. She attended elite social events, dressed in haute couture, and was rarely seen without spectacular jewelry. By this point, she was far wealthier than she had ever been during her acting career.
When Paulette Goddard died in 1990, she made one final surprising decision. Instead of leaving her money to relatives or Hollywood institutions, she donated about $20 million to New York University. The gift was used to support education in the arts and humanities, ensuring that her wealth would benefit future generations.
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