Cate Blanchett baffles fans at Cannes Film Festival as she says she is middle class despite
Cate Blanchett baffles fans at Cannes Film Festival as she says she is 'middle class' despite $95million net worth and vast property portfolio
Cate Blanchett has left fans baffled after describing herself as 'middle class' despite a staggering $95million net worth.
The Aussie actress, 55, spoke during a press panel at Cannes Film Festival where she discussed the importance of giving refugee filmmakers space to tell their stories.
During the chat, Cate acknowledged her privileged position but left fans stunned as she went on to describe herself as 'middle class', despite her celebrity status.
'I'm white, I'm privileged, I'm middle class and I think one can be accused of having a bit of a white savior complex,' she said.
But many Australians and Americans were stunned that someone with a net worth of $95million and a multinational property portfolio would consider themselves 'middle class'.
Taking to the comments section, they wrote: 'Darling middle class?????'; She's upper class. Her net worth is 95million'; 'Middle class ??';
'Is she saying 'middle class' because she's not in the aristocracy?! Lol what is this naming convention some people use?';
'Middle class. Yup. Ok'; 'So out of touch if she considers herself middle class. Maybe middle of the road millionaire….'
However, some Poms pointed out she was using the term in a strictly British context, where class was traditionally tied to family and heritage, not their bank account.
In the UK, the term 'upper class' was historically used to refer to those of the highest social rank, the aristocracy or someone with a formal title like duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron.
When a British person calls themselves middle class or upper-middle class, they are usually saying they are comfortably well-off, but not aristocratic.
One fan explained: 'Important context is that in the UK, 'class' is more of a social label than a socio-economic one.
'Class has historically had more to do with your relationship to the aristocracy than the number in your bank account. The 'upper class' typically refers to people with aristocratic heritage.
Those in the 'middle class' can absolutely be very wealthy, but if you don't have a formal title, you still identify as 'middle class'.'
Cate was privately educated at a Melbourne girls' school and has gone on to become a global celebrity and Hollywood star with a net worth of $95million.
Cate, who was born and raised in Sydney, is based in the UK and has lived in East Sussex with her playwright husband Andrew Upton and their four kids since 2015.
The couple, who tied the knot back in 1997, share three sons Dashiell, 22, Roman, 19, and Ignatius, 16, and a daughter Edith, eight.
Cate owns a £5million historic country estate near Crowborough, East Sussex, where she also bought up land next door - a £1.5million farmhouse with 100 acres.
She also bought a £5million eco home in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, back in 2020 and has been busy renovating the five-bedroom property.
Cate and her Australian husband Andrew also have property Down Under as they also own an investment home in Sydney's CBD.
Earlier this year, they also sold their three-bedroom family home in Prahran, Melbourne, for more than $3million - much higher than the guide price of $2.25million-$2.45million.
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