Emma Wiklund—you probably know her as Emma Sjöberg from the 90s—has lived a life that many of us watched with a touch of envy. She was the tall, blonde Swedish stunner in Luc Besson’s cult classic Taxi, a face that dominated runways for Chanel, and a staple in every fashion magazine you’d pick up at the airport.
But when you look at her today, it’s clear she’s more than just a nostalgic face from the 90s. She’s built a quiet, steady life away from the flashing lights, and it makes you wonder: What’s that life actually worth? How do you measure the value of a career that spans decades, continents, and industries?
Let’s take a closer look at Emma Wiklund’s net worth, but more importantly, let’s look at how she got there and what her journey can teach us about building a sustainable life in the spotlight.
What is Emma Wiklund’s Net Worth?
When you search for celebrity net worths, you often get a lot of conflicting numbers. For Emma, estimates typically place her net worth between $10 million and $20 million. That’s a wide range, and the truth is, unless you’re her accountant, it’s hard to pin down an exact figure.
From what I’ve seen following her career, that estimate feels realistic. It reflects someone who worked consistently at the top of her fields—fashion and film—but who also made smart choices about when to step back. She wasn’t chasing every paycheck. She built a foundation early on and then chose a life that prioritized stability and family over constant fame. That kind of long-term thinking is often what turns a good career into lasting wealth.
How She Built Her Wealth: More Than a Pretty Face
You don’t accumulate that kind of net worth by accident. Emma’s story is a classic example of diversifying your portfolio—not just with money, but with your talents.
1. The Supermodel Years: The Real Foundation
People forget just how big Emma was in the modeling world. In the late 80s and throughout the 90s, she wasn’t just working; she was everywhere.
Her big break, like many Scandinavian models of that era, came when she moved to Paris. She had the look that designers loved—tall, elegant, but with a warmth that didn’t feel cold or unapproachable. She quickly became a favorite for big names.
She famously walked for Chanel, becoming a regular face in their campaigns. She also worked with Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, and Victoria’s Secret back when the “Angels” phenomenon was just taking off.
In my experience covering the industry, a campaign for a major fashion house in the 90s paid anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000 or more, depending on exclusivity and usage rights. When you stack a few of those a year, plus the runway shows and magazine editorials, you’re looking at a serious income. For at least a decade, modeling was her primary engine, and it gave her the financial freedom to be selective later on.
2. Acting: The Role That Changed Everything
Emma had already dabbled in acting, but her role as the clever and cool Petra in Luc Besson’s Taxi (1998) catapulted her into a different kind of fame. The film was a massive hit in France and across Europe.
While she wasn’t commanding the salaries of A-list Hollywood stars, starring in a successful European franchise comes with its own financial perks. For the Taxi sequels, she would have negotiated significant pay raises. Plus, these roles often come with residuals—small payments that trickle in years later when the movie airs on TV or streams online.
It wasn’t just about the paycheck for the film itself. Being the lead actress in a blockbuster opened doors. It increased her value for endorsements and public appearances, creating a halo effect that boosted her existing modeling career. It’s a perfect example of how success in one area can elevate your worth in another.
3. Television and Hosting: Staying Relevant
After the Taxi series wound down, Emma didn’t just disappear. She transitioned into television hosting in Sweden and France. This is a smart, often overlooked move for public figures. Hosting gigs offer steady, reliable income and keep you in the public eye without the grueling schedule of film sets.
These roles might not make you a millionaire overnight, but they provide consistency. They show that she understood the importance of longevity and wasn’t afraid to pivot when the nature of her early fame began to shift.
Emma’s Personal Life: A Story of Stability
This is where Emma’s story gets really interesting, and where you can see the “human” side of her financial picture. She’s been married to the Swedish celebrity chef Hans Wiklund since 2003. They have two children together.
Why does this matter for net worth? Because a stable, long-term marriage, especially when both partners have successful careers, is a huge factor in building wealth. You’re managing expenses together, investing together, and making decisions as a unit. Hans has his own successful media and culinary career, which adds another layer of financial security to their household.
Emma has spoken in interviews about choosing to raise her children away from the craziness of Paris or the relentless pace of fashion week. They’ve built a life in Stockholm that feels grounded. That choice to prioritize normalcy over constant exposure likely meant turning down lucrative opportunities. But in the long run, it probably preserved her sanity—and her bank account—by preventing burnout.
Life Today and Future Outlook
Now in her 50s, Emma has gracefully settled into a new phase. She still makes public appearances and does selective modeling work, but on her own terms. She’s become an icon of 90s style, which brings its own kind of modern-day relevance through magazine retrospectives and “where are they now” features.
Looking ahead, her wealth is likely secure. With a solid foundation from her peak earning years, plus her husband’s income, and a more relaxed lifestyle, she’s not under the same financial pressure as celebrities who need to constantly work. She’s a great example of someone who cashed in during the high season of their career and then wisely chose to enjoy the harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emma Wiklund still married? Yes, she has been married to Hans Wiklund since 2003. They have two children together.
What is Emma Wiklund doing now? She has stepped back from the full-time demands of modeling and acting. She focuses on her family life in Sweden and makes selective public appearances and media contributions, often reflecting on her iconic career.
How tall is Emma Wiklund? She stands at an impressive 5 feet 10.5 inches (179 cm), which was a classic height for the high-fashion runways she dominated in the 90s.
Was Emma Wiklund in any American films? Her career was primarily European. Aside from the French Taxi series, she had a small role in the Robert Altman film Ready to Wear (Prêt-à-Porter) in 1994, which gave her a brief moment in the Hollywood spotlight.
What is her connection to Chanel? She was a favorite muse of Karl Lagerfeld during his time at Chanel. She walked in numerous shows and appeared in their campaigns, solidifying her status as a top model of her era.
