Nicole Murphy has a net worth of $10 million. The former model and reality TV star built her fortune through a decades-long modeling career, a high-profile marriage to comedian Eddie Murphy, and a string of business ventures that followed. Her financial story is far from simple, though. It includes a $15 million divorce settlement, a devastating fraud scheme that cost her millions, and a rebuild that turned her into a respected entrepreneur.
Quick Facts
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Born | January 5, 1968 (Sacramento, California) |
| Profession | Model, Entrepreneur, Television Producer |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Modeling career, marriage to Eddie Murphy, “Hollywood Exes” |
Early Life
Nicole Ronnette Mitchell was born on January 5, 1968, in Sacramento, California. Her mother, Ellen, worked as a homemaker and was originally from Britain. Her father, Eddie “Mitch” Mitchell, was an African American pilot in the United States Air Force.
Nicole’s parents separated when she was young. She and her three brothers grew up under her mother’s care. Her parents later got back together, giving Nicole a blended, unconventional childhood that shaped her independence early on.
Modeling and Entertainment Career
Nicole’s modeling career started at just 13 years old. She won an international modeling competition and signed with Ford Models, one of the most respected agencies in the industry. That win launched her into the world of high fashion almost overnight.
She soon moved to Europe and joined Glamour Models in Paris. Over the next seven years, she built a serious reputation as a runway and print model. Top fashion houses booked her regularly, including:
- Chanel
- Valentino
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Ungaro
Her career later shifted toward television. From 2012 to 2014, Nicole starred in and produced “Hollywood Exes,” a VH1 reality series that followed women who had once been married to famous men. The show gave her a new platform and a fresh income stream outside modeling.
She also appeared on the reality competition series “Global Beauty Masters” and took on acting roles in independent films, including Shut the Fuck Up (2009) and Just Love (2016).
Eddie Murphy Marriage and Divorce Settlement
Nicole met Eddie Murphy at the 1988 NAACP Image Awards. The couple married on March 18, 1993, and went on to have five children together: four daughters and one son.
In 2005, Nicole filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The split became final the following year.
As part of the settlement, Nicole received a one-time payment of $15 million. It should have set her up for life. Instead, a large chunk of that money disappeared within just a few years, thanks to a scheme most people never see coming.
By 2010, reports claimed Nicole was in serious financial trouble. She reportedly owed:
- $5 million on the mortgage for her Los Angeles home
- $600,000 to her legal team
- Nearly $900,000 to the IRS
Her finances eventually stabilized. In December 2013, she and then-fiancé Michael Strahan, the retired NFL star, purchased a $16 million mansion together in Los Angeles. The couple had been dating since 2007 and were engaged for five years, but they called off the relationship in 2014, citing their demanding schedules.
The Financial Scandal That Cost Her Millions
Nicole’s biggest financial setback wasn’t a bad investment. It was a calculated fraud carried out by someone she trusted.
Shortly after her divorce became public, a childhood friend named Troy Stratos approached her with what looked like an incredible opportunity. He claimed to have access to exclusive overseas business deals, including Middle Eastern oil contracts, and convinced Nicole to invest.
Nicole placed $11 million of her settlement into a revocable trust and gave Stratos full control over her finances. That included her real estate, luxury vehicles, and jewelry. He told her he could sell her Granite Bay mansion to a wealthy buyer from the Middle East. To make the story believable, he had her lease a Rolls-Royce and a BMW, then used both cars for himself while living in her home rent-free.
Stratos never invested a single dollar. Instead, he used her money to fund a lavish lifestyle, opened bank accounts under false pretenses in Florida, and operated under multiple fake identities, including Troy David, David Stafford, and Ken Dennis.
Nicole eventually hired a private investigator, a former FBI organized crime agent, to dig into Stratos’ past. The investigation revealed a long history of fraud stretching across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Several other victims came forward, including wealthy women and businessmen who had lost money to the same scheme.
Stratos was ultimately charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to defrauding Nicole and to a separate $11.25 million scam involving a businessman who believed he was buying pre-IPO shares of Facebook. He used that stolen money to pay gambling debts and buy a $92,000 Land Rover before he was sentenced to federal prison.
In total, Nicole lost at least $7 million in the scheme, a devastating blow that contributed to the financial struggles she faced in the years that followed.
Business Ventures and Later Life
Nicole didn’t let the scandal define her. Instead, she rebuilt her career and her finances through entrepreneurship.
In 2009, she launched FLP by Nicole Murphy, a jewelry line built around her personal style. In 2018, she expanded into skincare with ZOBELA, an anti-aging line aimed at women looking for accessible, effective products. She later partnered with Red Styxx Beverage to release her own premium Moscato wine.
These ventures, combined with her continued visibility in entertainment and media, helped her regain financial stability. Today, Nicole Murphy remains a recognizable name across fashion, wellness, and entertainment circles.
The Granite Bay Mansion
In 1998, Nicole and Eddie Murphy bought an 11,000-square-foot mansion in Granite Bay, California, an upscale suburb near Sacramento. The property sat on 2.5 acres inside a gated community and included an additional 6,000 square feet of outbuildings. They paid $3.8 million for it.
After the 2006 divorce, Nicole kept the home. She later fell behind on mortgage payments, as detailed above, and sold the property in 2007 for $6.1 million.
The house hit the market again in 2014, this time listed for $12 million. Despite the ambitious asking price, it ultimately sold at auction for just $3.5 million, a steep drop that reflected how much the property’s value had shifted over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Nicole Murphy get in her divorce from Eddie Murphy?
She received a one-time payment of $15 million as part of their 2006 divorce settlement.
How much money did Nicole Murphy lose in the fraud scandal?
She lost at least $7 million after childhood friend Troy Stratos convinced her to invest in a fake business scheme.
What businesses does Nicole Murphy own?
She runs the jewelry line FLP by Nicole Murphy, the skincare brand ZOBELA, and a Moscato wine line with Red Styxx Beverage.
Does Nicole Murphy still own the Granite Bay mansion?
No. She sold it in 2007 for $6.1 million, and it later sold again at auction in 2014 for $3.5 million.
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