Table of Contents
Who Is Mary-Kate Olsen?
Mary-Kate Olsen, alongside her twin sister Ashley, first captured the public’s attention as young actresses on the ABC sitcom Full House. Their acting debut came at just nine months old. By the age of 12, the Olsen twins had achieved remarkable commercial success, with their brand generating an estimated $1 billion in retail sales annually. In 2004, Mary-Kate sought treatment for anorexia, marking a challenging period in her life. Together, the twins also own Dualstar Entertainment, their production company.
Early Life
Born on June 13, 1986, in Sherman Oaks, California, Mary-Kate Olsen is the daughter of mortgage banker David Olsen and manager Jarnie Olsen. Mary-Kate and her twin sister Ashley became two of the most recognized and successful young personalities in the entertainment industry. Their careers began in 1987 when they shared the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House, which ran for eight years and propelled their rise to fame.
TV, Movie, and Music Success
By age 12, the Olsen twins had expanded their presence to a wide range of multimedia ventures, including home videos, feature films, and television series. They starred in the TV show Two of a Kind and created numerous straight-to-video movies under their production company, Dualstar Entertainment. Among their most successful projects were the Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley and You’re Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley’s Party series. They also released a series of companion books, which achieved chart-topping success, with Our First Video reaching the top of the Billboard video music chart in 1993.
The twins also made their big-screen debut in 1995 in the film It Takes Two. By this time, they had become a major force in “girl marketing,” with their name on a wide array of products, from computer games and dolls to an extremely popular clothing line sold at Wal-Mart, generating about $1 billion in annual retail sales.
NYU and Entering Rehab
In 2004, the Olsen twins announced plans to attend New York University. Shortly after, Mary-Kate checked into a rehabilitation facility for anorexia, a move that followed growing concerns about her health. Despite the challenges, the twins continued their professional pursuits, releasing their next film, New York Minute. In 2005, they gained full control of Dualstar after purchasing the minority shares of the company. Mary-Kate also ended her relationship with Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos III and decided to leave college to focus on her business ventures.
Foray into Fashion
In 2006, the Olsen twins ventured into the high-end fashion industry by launching their luxury fashion label, The Row. The following year, they introduced Elizabeth and James, a contemporary clothing line named after their siblings. In addition to these premium brands, they have also launched more affordable lines like StyleMint and Olsenboye.
The Olsens’ fashion prowess was recognized when they won the prestigious CFDA Fashion Award in 2012, followed by the Women’s Wear Designer of the Year Award for The Row in 2015.
Other Projects
Mary-Kate and Ashley’s influence extended beyond fashion. In 2010, they released a bestselling book, Influence, which delves into the artists and designers who have shaped their personal and professional lives. The book, published by Penguin Young Readers, featured notable figures such as Christian Louboutin and Lauren Hutton.
Mary-Kate also returned to acting, making appearances in Weeds (2007) and Samantha Who? (2007), as well as starring in the 2008 film The Wackness. She had a significant role in the 2011 fantasy drama Beastly.
Personal Life
In January 2008, Olsen made headlines after the death of her close friend, actor Heath Ledger, from a prescription drug overdose. Though she kept a low profile regarding the incident, reports suggested that Olsen had been contacted by Ledger’s staff, which led her to send her security personnel to investigate.
Mary-Kate married French banker Olivier Sarkozy, the half-brother of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, in 2015, after becoming engaged in 2014. The couple divorced in May 2020.
Through her diverse career and business ventures, Mary-Kate Olsen has evolved from a child star into a successful entrepreneur and fashion icon, continuing to leave a lasting mark on both the entertainment and fashion industries.