Karen McDougal, born March 23, 1971, is an American model and actress, best known as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for December 1997 and Playmate of the Year in 1998. A former pre-kindergarten teacher, she launched her modeling career after winning a swimwear competition. She became a prominent fitness model, appearing on Men’s Fitness.
McDougal allegedly had a 10-month affair with Donald Trump from 2006–2007, which gained media attention around the 2016 U.S. presidential election. She is a motorcycle and car enthusiast with a private lifestyle.
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Karen McDougal Net Worth
Karen McDougal has a net worth of $1 million. She was Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in December 1997 and Playmate of the Year in 1998, voted second sexiest Playmate of the 1990s. McDougal was the first woman on the cover of Men’s Fitness magazine and worked as a fitness model.

As an actress, she appeared in films like Charlie’s Angels, Joe Dirt, and The Arena, and TV shows including Jake in Progress. She co-owns Pharmore Alternatives, a health supplement company, since 2010.
Early life
Karen McDougal was born in Merrillville, Indiana, near Gary, and is of Cherokee, Scottish, and Irish descent. Raised in Sawyer, Michigan, she is the eldest daughter among siblings Bob, Dave, Jeff, and Tina. Her mother Carol remarried when McDougal was nine.
She studied ballet, attended River Valley High School, and was active in cheerleading, marching band, and sports. Nicknamed “Barbie”, she later majored in elementary education at Ferris State University. McDougal taught pre-kindergarten before entering a swimsuit competition and pursuing modeling and acting.
Career
Karen McDougal began modeling as a promotional model at a Harley-Davidson show in Detroit. In 1997, after winning a Venus Swimwear swimsuit competition, she caught the attention of Playboy photographer David Mecey.
She was chosen Miss December 1997, with a winter-themed pictorial shot near Park City, Utah. In May 1998, she was named Playmate of the Year by Hugh Hefner and fans, receiving $100,000 and a Shelby Series 1 convertible. Her PMOY pictorial had a tropical theme in Saint Lucia.
Personal life
Karen McDougal’s family initially opposed her Playboy decision but later supported her, with her mother appearing in her Playmate of the Year Video Centerfold. In 1998, she had a healthy BMI of 19. In 2004, she won Best Radical Custom motorcycle in a Pomona competition.
A self-described chocoholic and health nut, she exercises regularly and loves animals, owning two cats. She has tattoos of a cat and a cross. McDougal has lived in Los Angeles and Phoenix, advocated breast cancer awareness, and is a registered Republican.
Did Karen McDougal go to college?
Karen McDougal attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, majoring in elementary education. After two years of college, she moved to a Detroit suburb and taught pre-kindergarten before entering a swimsuit competition that launched her modeling career.
Conclusion
Karen McDougal’s journey in the modeling and entertainment world is a testament to her adaptability and business savvy. From her iconic status as a Playboy Playmate to her ventures in fitness modeling and acting, her net worth of $1 million reflects her successful and diverse career in the limelight.
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FAQs about Karen McDougal Net Worth
- What magazines has Karen McDougal appeared in?
McDougal has graced the covers of Playboy, Men’s Fitness, and various bodybuilding magazines. - What films and TV shows has McDougal appeared in?
Her acting credits include films like “Charlie’s Angels,” “Joe Dirt,” and “The Girl Next Door,” and TV shows like “Anger Management.” - Has Karen McDougal been involved in any high-profile relationships?
She has been linked to several celebrities, including a widely publicized relationship with Donald Trump. - What business ventures has McDougal pursued?
She co-owns the health and wellness supplement company Pharmore Alternatives. - What are some key moments in McDougal’s modeling career?
Key highlights include being named Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1998 and becoming the first woman on the cover of Men’s Fitness magazine.
