'Money alienates you': Multi-millionaire Keira Knightley explains why she gives herself an allowance of just $50,000 a year

By Rebecca Davison

Published: 07:47 EST, 20 June 2014 | Updated: 11:04 EST, 20 June 2014

She reportedly has an estimated net worth of $50million but Hollywood actress Keira Knightley is determined to stay grounded.

In a recent interview with Glamour magazine, the 29-year-old revealed that she gives herself an annual allowance of just $50,000.

While this would still be a high figure to most, it's merely a drop in the ocean for the star of box office smashes such as Atonement and Love Actually.

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Keeping it real: Keira Knightley opens up about why she sticks to an annual budget of $50,000 in a recent interview with Glamour magazine

Keeping it real: Keira Knightley opens up about why she sticks to an annual budget of $50,000 in a recent interview with Glamour magazine

The Oscar-nominated actress told the publication: 'It’s something around that, I mean, if I want or need something that goes over that, I get it, but, yes, around that.

 

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'I think living an [expensive] lifestyle means you can’t hang out with people who don’t live that lifestyle. It alienates you. Some of my best, most hilarious times have been in the least luxurious places.'

She was praised for recycling the strapless pink tulle Chanel dress she has worn to countless events for her civil wedding to James Righton in the South of France last year.

Frugal fancy: Keira recycled her favourite Chanel dress to marry James Righton in an intimate ceremony in the South of France last year

Frugal fancy: Keira recycled her favourite Chanel dress to marry James Righton in an intimate ceremony in the South of France last year

Recycling: The actress wore her stunning prom princess dress for a third time at the end of last year as she attended a charity gala in London

Recycling: The actress wore her stunning prom princess dress for a third time at the end of last year as she attended a charity gala in London

 

The frugal starlet made sure to keep costs down by having just 11 guests at the wedding itself, and 50 at the reception.

She recently said: ‘Every time I’ve worn that dress, I’ve had a fantastic night and if you’ve got a dress where you’ve always had a fantastic night, it’s worth having another fantastic night in it’.

However, she recently confessed that in addition to the strapless number, she also had a custom-made £50,000 Valentino dress for a secret second ceremony.

Last year, documents reveal that Knightley paid herself 30,000 pounds ($50,000), even though her firm Kck Boo Ltd banked around $2.3 million through her films and commercial deals. 

'Oh yeah, is it?' Keira Knightley's upcoming first wedding anniversary with husband James Righton seemed to have completely slipped her mind during a recent interview
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Keira wed James Righton in an intimate ceremony in the South of France in May last year

According to news.com.au, a source said: 'Keira took home $31,000 in dividends from the company in 2012 and a salary of $17,000.

'Her biggest expenditure put through the books was $64,000 on security but she spent little else. Her travel costs were just over $6000.

'The accounts also show that she did not shell out a penny on clothes and make-up.'

Getting hitched: Keira said, 'When James proposed, I just thought, "Well, never done that before"

Getting hitched: Keira said, 'When James proposed, I just thought, "Well, never done that before"

The who stars on the cover of the magazine's new issue in a backless Altuzarra dress, admitted that when it came to marrying James Righton in an intimate ceremony in the South of France last year, it 'seemed like a fun thing to do.'

'When James proposed, I just thought, "Well, never done that before". It seemed like a fun thing to do,' she confessed.

Ms Knightley stars at Gretta alongside Mr Levine who plays her long-time boyfriend Dave. College sweethearts and songwriting partners, the pair move to New York after he lands a deal with a major label. New-found fame tempts Dave to stray, leaving a lovelorn Gretta on her own.

The film marks Ms Knightley's first romantic comedy since her 2003 hit, Love Actually - a challenge the actress said she was ready for.

Revealing all: The star told Glamour magazine that when it came to marrying James Righton in an intimate ceremony in the South of France last year, it 'seemed like a fun thing to do'

Revealing all: The star told Glamour magazine that when it came to marrying James Righton in an intimate ceremony in the South of France last year, it 'seemed like a fun thing to do'

Styled by Glamour's new fashion director, Jill Davison, and photographed by Tom Munro, the new issue of Glamour hits newsstands on June 17th.

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Wow.... that's the kind of money i would have to work 30 years to make..

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It is great to be sensible and keep your "normal" friends around you because all that money would alienate most of them. BUT, she also probably received TONS of free clothes and travel as perks of or because of her career.

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I disagree - money does not alienate people at all. Yes, you find out who your friends are when you make it big but that's not alienation, that's called human nature. As for the PR surrounding this stupid article, she should never have said those words - it's completely distasteful to talk as if you're still Keira From The Block when you're clearly wealthy enough to buy several streets of houses - it will set those very people you think you're bonding with against you. Has she been hanging out with Gloopus ?!?

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She's not talking about people deserting you because you're rich, she's talking about the fact that when you have more money to spend on leisure and lifestyle you end up not associating with people who can't afford the same things. You move to a better area, you stay in nicer hotels, you shop in more glamorous shops. Don't blame the poor people you left behind when you "made it big."

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What an insult to marriage and husband to say marriage seemed "like a fun thing to do". Flippant and shallow.

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She is pretty & talented. So are millions of folks worldwide.

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Why, thank you!

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Well schooled by her accountant wouldn't want taxman to come knocking

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Exactly.

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50k is her pocket money. She gets free hair styling, clothes, makeup, hotels, restaurants, and more. Don't make me laugh, Keira.

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I think she's very sensible to budget herself especially when you here of over the top stars in serious tax hassle and losing everything. It's away of monitoring yourself I presume and keeping your feet on the ground like still doing your own cleaning and washing up.

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Live in the real world, some people dont even earn half on that and still pay for mortgage, kids, bills etc..

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i just dont see the point of keira. is there one ?

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