Thuso Mbedu is a South African actress who has gained international fame for her roles in various films and TV shows. She is best known for playing Winnie in the drama series Is’Thunzi, Cora in the limited series The Underground Railroad, and Nawi in the historical epic The Woman King. She is also the first South African actress to lead an American television series and to win an Independent Spirit Award.
In this article, we will explore Thuso Mbedu’s net worth, biography, career, achievements, education, marital status, height, weight, likes, dislikes, and family.
Thuso Mbedu Net Worth Biography
| Full Name | Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu |
|---|---|
| Nick Name | Thuso |
| Date of Birth | 8 July 1991 |
| Nation | South Africa |
| Profession | Actress, producer |
| Age | 32 years (as of 2023) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height and Weight | 5′4″ (163 cm) and 125 lb (57 kg) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Net Worth | $5 million (estimated) |
| Instagram ID | @thuso.mbedu |
| Birth Place | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal |
Thuso Mbedu Net Worth Career
Thuso Mbedu started her acting career in 2014 with a small role in the soap opera Isibaya. She then appeared in other shows such as Scandal!, Snake Park, Saints and Sinners, and Side Dish. Her breakthrough came in 2016 when she landed the lead role of Winnie in the teen drama series Is’Thunzi. Her performance earned her two consecutive nominations for the International Emmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in 2017 and 2018.
She also starred in the MTV series Shuga as Ipeleng, a young mother who struggles with HIV and domestic violence. In 2021, she made her debut in American television as Cora, a runaway slave who journeys across the antebellum South in search of freedom, in the Amazon Prime Video adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel The Underground Railroad. The show was directed by Barry Jenkins and received critical acclaim. Mbedu’s portrayal of Cora won her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series.
In 2022, she made her feature film debut as Nawi, a fierce warrior who fights alongside her sister Nanisca (played by Viola Davis) to defend their kingdom from French invaders, in the historical epic The Woman King. The film was inspired by the true story of the Dahomey Amazons, an all-female military unit from the Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin).
Some of the films and TV shows that Thuso Mbedu has appeared in are:
| Year | TV series/Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | The Woman King | Nawi |
| 2021 | The Underground Railroad | Cora |
| 2017–2019 | Shuga | Ipeleng |
| 2018 | Side Dish | Phiwe |
| 2018 | JJC: Johnny Just Come | Fifi |
| 2018 | Liberty | Rosie |
| 2016–2017 | Is’Thunzi | Winnie |
| 2017 | Lokoza | |
| 2015 | Scandal! | Kitso |
| 2014 | Isibaya | Nosisa |
Thuso Mbedu Net Worth Net Worth
According to some sources, Thuso Mbedu has an estimated net worth of around $5 million as of 2023. She earns her income from her acting career as well as from endorsements and sponsorships. She has also launched her own production company called Tribal Soul Productions.
Thuso Mbedu Net Worth Achievements
Thuso Mbedu has won several awards and accolades for her acting skills. Some of them are:
| Award | Year | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Spirit Award
|
2022 | Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series (won) | The Underground Railroad |
| International Emmy Award | 2017 and 2018 | Best Performance by an Actress (nominated) | Is’Thunzi |
| South African Film and Television Award | 2017 and 2018 | Best Actress in a TV Drama (won) | Is’Thunzi |
| Golden Horn Award | 2017 | Best Actress in a Lead Role in a TV Drama (won) | Is’Thunzi |
| Africa Movie Academy Award [^49 |
