Margot Robbie’s rise to international stardom has often overshadowed the personal hardships she has silently endured. From her childhood on Australia‘s Gold Coast to the overwhelming pressures of Hollywood fame, the actress’s journey has been marked by intense challenges and private heartbreak. These Margot Robbie tragic life details reveal a more complex story behind her glamorous public image.
The Impact of Childhood Family Turmoil on Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie’s early years were shaped by her parents’ divorce when she was merely five. Raised along with her three siblings on a farm by their mother, Sarie Kessler, after her father Doug Robbie—a fruit farmer—left the family in 1995, Margot grew up in a deeply changed household. Rather than dividing their time between both parents, Robbie and her siblings remained with their mother, who faced the challenges of single parenthood head-on. The actor has remained reserved about the circumstances of her father’s departure but has acknowledged the difficulty of speaking about it without casting blame.
Despite the fractured family dynamic, Robbie has expressed admiration for her mother’s resilience. In an interview, she said,
‘[My siblings and I] didn’t make life easy for her. We were always fighting and my mom had to be a very strong woman to hold things together.’
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Early Career Struggles and the Toll of Sudden Fame
Margot Robbie began her acting career in Australia, gaining recognition at 17 with a role on the soap opera Neighbours. A pivotal opportunity came with her part on the American series Pan Am, which introduced her to a broader audience and brought her to Hollywood’s attention. In 2013, director Martin Scorsese cast her in The Wolf of Wall Street, a breakthrough film that accelerated her career but also brought unexpected pressures.
Robbie has described this period as overwhelming to the point of questioning her career. She once told Vanity Fair,
“Something was happening in those early stages and it was all pretty awful, and I remember saying to my mom, ‘I don’t think I want to do this.’
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Her mother’s response helped her find strength:
“Darling, I think it’s too late not to.”
—Margot Robbie recounting her mother‘s words
This moment shaped Robbie’s determination. She stated,
“That’s when I realized the only way was forward.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Over time, Robbie adapted to the invasive nature of fame, learning to navigate paparazzi and maintaining her privacy while working as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid talents.
Unfounded Romance Rumors with Will Smith During Focus Filming
During the filming of the 2013 movie Focus, rumors circulated about Margot Robbie having an affair with her co-star Will Smith. The media fueled speculation with images of the two in a photo booth, leading some to accuse Robbie of being a “home-wrecker,” despite her ongoing relationship with Tom Ackerley at the time. To quell these damaging allegations, Robbie publicly denied any impropriety, writing on social media,
“Been working non-stop, just catching my breath. There’s absolutely no truth to the ridiculous rumor. It’s disappointing that goofing around on set could be taken so out of context.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
The controversy eventually died down, and Robbie and Smith worked together again on Suicide Squad in 2016 without incident, though some observers continued to note their on-screen chemistry.
A Sexist Portrayal in the Media Undermined Her Talent
As Margot Robbie was rising in prominence, some media coverage focused heavily on her appearance rather than her skills. A Vanity Fair profile from 2016 attracted criticism for its condescending tone, emphasizing Robbie’s physical traits over her artistic achievements. Writer Rich Cohen described Robbie in pointed aesthetic terms:
“She is 26 and beautiful, not in that otherworldly, catwalk way but in a minor knock-around key, a blue mood, a slow dance.”
—Rich Cohen, Writer
The profile also included dated stereotypes about Australia, further detracting from the seriousness of the piece. Margot Robbie herself expressed confusion over the article’s tone, admitting on Australia’s The Project show,
“I remember thinking, that was a really odd interview. I don’t know how that’s going to come out. And then when I read it, I was like … the tone of this is really weird. Like, I don’t really know what he’s trying to get at.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
The Dark Side of Fame: Stalking and Threats After Suicide Squad
While playing Harley Quinn in the 2016 film Suicide Squad became a defining role for Margot Robbie, it came with alarming consequences she had not anticipated. After the film’s release, Robbie faced stalkers and received death threats, leading her to hire personal security to protect herself. Reflecting on this, she shared with The Hollywood Reporter,
“You’re about to be in a comic book film; now here’s the worst-case scenario of how big and scary it can get.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Robbie emphasized the importance of security teams vetting those who issue threats, explaining,
“Have a security team do a background check on whoever sent them to see if there is any past history of violence.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
This experience exposed the hidden dangers that accompany high-profile roles, showing the toll celebrity can take beyond the spotlight.
Physical Sacrifices—Injury While Preparing for I, Tonya
Robbie’s role as Tonya Harding in the 2017 biopic I, Tonya required intense physical preparation. Training with choreographer Sarah Kawahara, Robbie committed to mastering ice skating despite limited prior experience. She admitted to Wonderland magazine,
“I thought I wasn’t too bad at ice skating—I used to play ice hockey. I soon realized that I’d just been running on ice, and now there was no padding. My alarm would go off at 5:30 a.m. and I’d want to cry.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Her dedication resulted in a serious injury early in training. As she revealed to The Hollywood Reporter,
“When you’re a kid, you’re fearless, but starting at 26 years old, I had a lot of fear.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Robbie suffered a herniated disc in her neck, which became apparent only after numbness in her arms developed weeks later, underscoring the physical demands and risks she embraced to portray Harding authentically.
The Emotional Exhaustion Behind Babylon’s Nellie LaRoy
In Damien Chazelle’s 2022 film Babylon, Margot Robbie played the ambitious and relentless Nellie LaRoy, a role she described as both exhilarating and draining. Talking to Hello! magazine, the actress said,
“She’s like a tornado and she’s not going to let anyone stand in her way. I love her so much but she’s so exhausting. She took everything from me, physically and emotionally.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Robbie acknowledged the film’s demanding nature, recalling to a podcast host,
“I remember I said to my husband, ‘This is the hardest I have ever worked.’ And he was like, ‘What? You always work hard.’ But this was something else because Damien expects so much of you as an actor.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Despite the toll it took on her, the movie‘s reception was disappointing, underperforming at the box office and drawing mixed reviews. Robbie reflected on the film’s struggle, stating,
“I don’t get it either. I often wonder if in 20 years people are going to be like, ‘Wait, Babylon didn’t do well at the time? That’s crazy!’”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Facing Self-Doubt Before Starring as Barbie
While Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Barbie was widely praised, the actress experienced significant anxiety before filming. Long plagued by imposter syndrome after years of red carpet appearances, she confessed to Vogue,
“After 10 years of going to red carpet events … I had major imposter syndrome. I was like, ‘I can’t believe they’ve let me in. Someone’s gonna notice that I don’t belong here, and they’re gonna kick me outta Hollywood.’”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
The pressure intensified when Robbie transitioned from producer to lead actress on the project. She described a personal crisis to the Los Angeles Times, saying,
“I went to Greta [Gerwig]’s house and had that crisis. I’d spent years trying to get this movie going. And suddenly we’re going to shoot the thing. And I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I dunno how to do this.’”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
The actor labeled the experience a “meltdown,” adding,
“The panic was palpable and debilitating.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Being Overlooked for an Oscar Amidst Recognition for Co-Stars
Despite leading Barbie and sharing in its global success, Margot Robbie did not receive an Oscar nomination for her performance, while her co-stars Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera were both recognized in supporting categories. The film was nominated for best picture, but both Robbie and director Greta Gerwig were passed over, a snub that surprised many fans and critics alike.
Ryan Gosling spoke in praise of Robbie and Gerwig, stating,
“[T]here is no ‘Barbie’ movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie. … [They are] the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film.”
—Ryan Gosling, Actor
Although Robbie has been nominated for Oscars in the past for I, Tonya and Bombshell, she responded to the snub gracefully during a Screen Actors Guild panel, saying,
“There’s no way to feel sad when you know you’re this blessed.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
She went on to praise Gerwig’s work, emphasizing,
“[W]hat she did is a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing, what she pulled off.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Complex and Strained Ties with Her Father
Margot Robbie remains cautious about discussing her relationship with her father, Doug Robbie. Though many believe they are estranged since his departure in her childhood, Robbie revealed limited contact and stark dissimilarities between them. Speaking to Harper‘s Bazaar, she said,
“None. Nothing. I’m not like him at all.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
However, Doug’s brother, Wayne Robbie, disputed the belief that there is no relationship, insisting in 2023 that Doug maintains contact and feels pride in his daughter’s achievements. He shared,
“He certainly does have a relationship with her. He is very proud of her.”
—Wayne Robbie, Uncle
Doug Robbie even reportedly visited Sydney to support Margot during a film promotion, but public statements remain conflicting, with Margot’s guardedness suggesting persistent distance.
The Need for Rest After Intense Spotlight on Barbie
Following the worldwide sensation of Barbie and the media frenzy dubbed “Barbenheimer,” Margot Robbie chose to step back from acting for a period. While she continues producing projects, the break from on-screen appearances reflects both personal desire and industry fatigue. Robbie joked with Deadline,
“Everyone’s like, ‘Are you having a break?’ And I’m like, ‘You do know I’m a producer, right? We don’t get a break.’”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
She also acknowledged public fatigue, explaining,
“I also think everyone’s probably sick of the sight of me for now. I should probably disappear from screens for a while.”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
Robbie understands the importance of timing her return carefully:
“If I did another movie too soon, people would say, ‘Her again? We just did a whole summer with her. We’re over it.’”
—Margot Robbie, Actress
This cautious approach signals a period of reflection and recalibration as the actress balances longevity with creative control over her career.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Margot Robbie a millionaire?
A. By 2024, Margot Robbie’s net worth is around $60 million. This is $20 million more than last year, likely because of her $50 million earnings from the Barbie movie, both acting and producing.
Q. What makes Margot Robbie special?
A. Her role as Harley Quinn established her as a top actress in Hollywood and showed her ability to play complex characters.
Beyond acting, Margot Robbie has explored film production, creating more opportunities in her career.
Q. What syndrome does Margot Robbie have?
A. Join Margot Robbie as she shares her experiences in Hollywood, talks about dealing with imposter syndrome, and discovers her role in the film industry.
Q. Is Margot Robbie a natural blonde?
A. We have unexpected information about the famous blonde she’s known for—she’s actually a natural brunette. In 2016, during “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Jimmy Kimmel revealed her true hair color. He showed an old picture of the “I, Tonya” actress at age 13, where she wore glasses and braces, looking very different.
