Candace Bushnell has captivated readers and audiences worldwide with her bold storytelling, unapologetic style, and unmistakable voice that defined a generation. Best known as the creator of Sex and the City, Bushnell is often regarded as the “real-life Carrie Bradshaw.” Her literary works, TV ventures, and theatrical performances have made her a cultural icon. But beyond the glitz and glamor, many are curious about the woman behind the legacy—and particularly, about Candace Bushnell net worth in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Candace Bushnell was born on December 1, 1958, in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and is 66 years old as of 2025. Her parents, Calvin Bushnell and Camille Bushnell, were influential in shaping her artistic and intellectual background. Interestingly, her father was an inventor involved in the Apollo space missions—he helped develop the air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell. Her mother, Camille, was known for her sense of style, which Candace has often credited as a major influence.
Bushnell moved to New York at the age of 19, drawn by the energy and ambition of the city. There, she began writing professionally, contributing to magazines like Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, and Mademoiselle. These early writing gigs laid the foundation for her breakthrough into mainstream media.
Rise to Fame: From Observer Columns to Global Phenomenon
Candace Bushnell rose to prominence through her daring column, Sex and the City, published in The New York Observer between 1994 and 1996. This column, inspired by her own dating escapades and those of her friends, became a literary phenomenon and was compiled into an anthology in 1996. That book became the foundation for HBO’s hit series Sex and the City, which ran from 1998 to 2004, and later expanded into two blockbuster films and the reboot And Just Like That….
Bushnell famously created the character Carrie Bradshaw as her alter ego, partly to shield her identity from her parents—she once admitted she used a pen name because she’d just been to a sex club and didn’t want her parents to find out.
Despite the global success of the franchise, Candace Bushnell net worth is surprisingly modest in comparison. She reportedly sold the rights for the TV and film adaptations for around $100,000 and does not receive royalties from the franchise’s ongoing profits, even as the reboot series gears up for its third season.
Books and Literary Achievements
In addition to Sex and the City, Bushnell is the international best-selling author of numerous other titles. Her novels have captured the imaginations of readers around the world and often reflect her own life experiences in New York.
Notable Works:
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Four Blondes (2000)
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Trading Up (2003)
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Lipstick Jungle (2005)
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One Fifth Avenue (2008)
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The Carrie Diaries (2010)
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Summer and the City (2011)
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Killing Monica (2015)
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Is There Still Sex in the City? (2019)
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Rules for Being a Girl (2020)
Lipstick Jungle and The Carrie Diaries were also adapted into TV series, airing on NBC and The CW, respectively, each for two seasons.
Bushnell has authored eight bestsellers and has been a professional writer for over four decades. She also made $5,000 a month writing for Vogue in the ’90s—a testament to her long-standing career in media.
One-Woman Show and International Success
Candace Bushnell has most recently found success with her one-woman show, True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City. Initially performed off-Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theater, the show was praised by The New York Times as a “Critic’s Pick.”
Bushnell’s dynamic storytelling and magnetic stage presence have captivated global audiences. She has since taken the show to international stages, including performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg, receiving standing ovations. She plans to tour across Europe and the United States in 2025, solidifying her relevance across generations.
Personal Life and High-Profile Relationships
Bushnell’s personal life has been as fascinating as her fictional stories. She married Charles Askegard, a principal ballet dancer, in 2002—after dating for just eight weeks. The couple divorced in 2012, with reports of Askegard’s alleged affair with ballerina Georgina Pazcoguin playing a role in their split.
Over the years, Bushnell has also been linked romantically to:
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Ron Galotti (former publisher of GQ and the inspiration for “Mr. Big”)
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Al D’Amato (brief marriage in 1999)
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Michael Bergin (described as a “friends with benefits” relationship in 2022)
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Bob Guccione Jr., among others.
Bushnell never had children and has spoken openly about how that decision shaped her life post-divorce. She embraces her independence and remains active in the dating scene. She once famously shared that she dated both a 21-year-old and a 91-year-old in the same week—her way of proving that age is, indeed, just a number.
Health, Fitness, and Lifestyle
Despite her glamorous public persona, Bushnell leads a relatively modest lifestyle. She currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side—in the same building once occupied by legendary writer Dorothy Parker.
When it comes to health and wellness, she prefers the outdoors to traditional gyms. She walks 8,000–10,000 steps daily, rides her mountain bike, and goes horseback riding. She also practices Pilates three times a week, avoids eating until 4 p.m., and writes while standing up—a habit she believes keeps her body active.
Though she has stated that she has never had plastic surgery, she does use Botox occasionally. Her view on wellness is holistic—blending organization, self-care, and social interaction as keys to maintaining a healthy mind and body.
Awards and Legacy
Bushnell’s work has earned her several accolades, including:
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The 2006 Matrix Award for books
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The Albert Einstein Spirit of Achievement Award
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The Legacy Award at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in 2018
Though Candace Bushnell net worth is estimated at only $2.5 million as of 2025, her cultural and literary impact is immeasurable. She’s not just an author; she’s a movement.
Fun and Lesser-Known Facts
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Her father was an inventor for the Apollo space missions.
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She was a regular at the iconic Studio 54 nightclub in the ’70s.
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Her book characters are often drawn from real-life relationships.
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She once hosted a reality TV show on VH1 titled Sex, Lives and Video Clips.
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Bushnell believes writing while standing up is better for her health.
Final Thoughts on Candace Bushnell Net Worth
In 2025, Candace Bushnell net worth remains at approximately $2.5 million—a figure that may surprise those who associate her with a franchise that generated hundreds of millions globally. However, the value of her influence cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Bushnell’s journey from magazine contributor to international sensation is a testament to her talent, determination, and originality. While she may not reap the royalties of the Sex and the City franchise today, her brand, stories, and legacy continue to shape generations of women and writers alike.
There’s no doubt that Candace Bushnell net worth will continue to rise—not just in monetary terms, but in the cultural capital she continues to build.