Shirley Ballas, the most recognizable personality in television dance, has built a great financial empire from her modest beginnings as a ballet dancer from Wallasey.
The Shirley Ballas net worth is estimated at a current value of $5 million (approximately £3.7 million), which can be attributed to decades of commitment to ballroom dancing, television, and other business pursuits.
Shirley Ballas Bio Profile
| Full Name | Shirley Annette Ballas (née Rich) |
| Date of Birth | September 6, 1960 |
| Age | 64 years old |
| Birthplace | Wallasey, Cheshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (1.59m) |
| Profession | Ballroom Dancer, Judge, Choreographer, TV Personality |
| Famous As | Head Judge on Strictly Come Dancing, “Queen of Latin” |
| Net Worth | $5 million (£3.7 million) |
| Children | Mark Ballas (professional dancer) |
| Ex-Husbands | Sammy Stopford (1980-1984), Corky Ballas (1985-2007) |
How Shirley Ballas Built Her Net Worth
Shirley Ballas net worth is impressive and it was not amassed overnight. Her financial prosperity comes from several sources of revenue that she has created during her brilliant career.
Championship Dance Career
Shirley started dancing when she was seven years old and began competing when she was nine. By the age of 21, she had won almost all major titles in Latin dance across the world. Her performance awards include:
- Victories in Professional Latin at Blackpool Dance Festival in 1983, 1995, and 1996 with Corky Ballas
- First and only competitor to win the British Open to World Latin American Championships twice with different partners
- 17 finals appearances
These championship victories gave her fame and led to high-paying teaching and coaching roles that made her very wealthy.
Strictly Come Dancing Salary
In 2017, the largest addition to Shirley Ballas net worth was when she took over the role of head judge on Strictly Come Dancing on BBC, replacing Len Goodman. Initially, Shirley was contracted for her first series at £180,000, which was £70,000 less than her predecessor was getting.
After her protest about gender pay inequality, BBC raised her pay to £250,000 per series in 2018, equal to that of Goodman. This huge annual income from Strictly is her main source of income, making her one of the best-paid judges on British television.
Dance Coaching and Choreography
Having retired from competitive dancing in 1996, Shirley became a dance teacher and is now one of the most in-demand dance coaches in the world.
She charges high fees for individual lessons and masterclasses and has produced several world-renowned dancers who have become very successful. Her reputation was cemented when she mentored Derek and Julianne Hough during their childhood years in London.
Her expertise as a coach enables her to charge premium rates, which supplements her television earnings by tens of thousands. Professional dancers allegedly pay substantial fees for her specialized training.
Television Appearances
Strictly Come Dancing is just one of many projects that Shirley has in television. She has also been:
- A commentator and masterclass instructor on the American version, Dancing with the Stars
- Guest on The Masked Singer UK (2024)
- Panelist on Loose Women
- Featured on Who Do You Think You Are?
- Guest on The Jonathan Ross Show
- And many other shows
Each appearance adds to the Shirley Ballas net worth, with celebrity appearances typically fetching between £10,000 and £50,000 per appearance depending on the show.
Books and Publications
In 2018, Shirley wrote her autobiography Behind the Sequins, which became a bestseller. Subsequently, she sold a two-book deal to HarperCollins for her “Sequin Mysteries” series, cozy crime novels set in the world of ballroom dance:
- Murder on the Dance Floor (2023) – Christmas bestseller
- Dance to the Death – Second book in the series
Book royalties are a passive source of income that keeps adding to her wealth. An average successful celebrity autobiography can fetch a six-figure advance and ongoing royalties.
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Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships
As a renowned television personality, Shirley enters into endorsement arrangements with brands that align with her lifestyle and values. Although specific partnerships are not publicly disclosed, celebrity judges of her profile typically receive between £50,000 and £200,000 per year from endorsements and sponsorships.
Live Tours and Stage Shows
Shirley also participates in:
- Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour – Tours the UK annually, with performers earning between £20,000 and £35,000 per tour
- An Audience with Shirley Ballas – Her own stage performance
- Annual pantomimes – Earning £50,000 or perhaps even higher for a season run
Professional Achievements That Built Her Fortune
Shirley’s journey to financial success is filled with remarkable achievements. Her dedication and skill earned her the title “Queen of Latin.” Her awards include:
- Three Carl Alan Awards (regarded as the Oscars of dance)
- Teacher of the Year Award
- Inducted into the United States and International Dance Hall of Fame
- World champion in all major titles by age 23
- Three-time British Open to World Latin American champion
- Ten-time United States Latin American champion
- Multiple-time British national champion
- Youngest woman to make a final appearance in the British Open to World Dance Championship
Properties and Assets
Although Shirley keeps her property portfolio private, it has been reported that she owns:
- A lavish house in London with modern, costly furniture and facilities
- Previously owned property in Los Angeles (sold when she permanently moved to the UK to join Strictly Come Dancing)
Shirley Ballas Net Worth Compared to Other Judges
The Shirley Ballas net worth of $5 million makes her one of the richest panelists among Strictly judges:
- Craig Revel-Horwood – Said to have an equal net worth
- Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse – Have varying finances depending on their respective careers and investments
Recent Financial Updates
In 2024, Shirley announced her breakup with fiancé Danny Taylor (13 years younger), whom she had been with for six years. She has addressed money issues in the relationship publicly, stressing her financial independence going forward. This choice indicates her determination to remain financially independent, having been divorced twice before.
Shirley continues to flourish professionally and financially despite personal challenges, including a stalking case that was concluded in 2025, when a man was found guilty of causing her serious distress over six years.
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Charity Work and Philanthropy
Shirley devotes time and money to charity, in addition to building her wealth. After the tragic death of her brother David in 2003, she became an ardent supporter of mental health awareness and participated in fundraising with the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
In 2023, she took on:
- A zip wire challenge
- Wing walking
- Skydiving
All to raise funds for charity, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to important causes.
Future Earnings Potential
Shirley Ballas net worth continues to grow at age 64 as she remains active in television and dance. Her deal with Strictly Come Dancing appears secure, and her growing literary career provides additional income streams. With more books to write and more television opportunities on the horizon, financial experts predict her wealth may rise to $7-8 million in the next couple of years.
As head judge of Britain’s most-watched entertainment show, her future relevance and earning power are guaranteed. As long as Strictly remains popular, Shirley’s financial future looks very bright.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shirley Ballas’s net worth?
Shirley Ballas has an estimated net worth of approximately £3.7 million ($5 million USD) in 2026. Her net worth has been gained through her dance career, salary on Strictly Come Dancing, coaching, books, and television appearances.
How much does Shirley Ballas earn from Strictly Come Dancing?
Shirley Ballas is paid £250,000 per series as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, a pay rise from her original £180,000, which was raised to match the salary of her predecessor, Len Goodman.
Does Mark Ballas have any relation to Shirley Ballas?
Yes, Mark Ballas is the son of Shirley Ballas from her marriage to Corky Ballas. Mark is an American professional dancer who starred on Dancing with the Stars and made Shirley a grandmother in November 2023.
Did Shirley Ballas live in America?
Yes, Shirley Ballas lived in Houston, Texas, with her husband Corky Ballas after they married in 1985. They won seven US International Latin Championships before returning to the UK.
Why is Shirley Ballas called the Queen of Latin?
Shirley earned the title “Queen of Latin” through winning multiple championships in the International Latin division, including three British Open to World championships and ten United States Latin American championships.
