Who Is Naya Rivera? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Naya Rivera was born on January 12, 1987, and tragically passed away on July 8, 2020, at the age of 33. Born in Santa Clarita, California, Rivera began her career in entertainment at a young age. Before her breakout role on Glee, she made appearances in various television shows, showcasing her exceptional acting and singing talents. Her legacy continues to inspire many across the globe. For more details, you can visit her Wikipedia page here.
| Occupation | Women's Rights Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1987 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Valencia, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 8 July, 2020 |
| Died Place | Lake Piru, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Naya Rivera's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Naya Rivera stood at an impressive height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and had a weight of approximately 125 pounds (57 kg). Her captivating presence and striking features were often highlighted by her graceful style. Rivera had a well-proportioned figure, boasting measurements of 34-26-34 inches, which contributed to her appeal as a television actress and model.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Naya Rivera came from a tightly knit family. She was the daughter of Yolanda and George Rivera, who supported her passion for the arts. Rivera was previously married to actor Ryan Dorsey in 2014, and together they had one son, Josey. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2018, but they maintained a cordial relationship for the sake of their child. As of 2025, Rivera's relationships are remembered fondly by her fans, who continue to celebrate her legacy.
She was raised in Valencia and lived in or around Los Angeles for most of her life. She was of African-American, German, and Puerto Rican descent. When the term "Afro-Latinx" became widespread in the 2010s, she was often identified as such.
Her mother, Yolanda Previtire (née White), is a real estate agent and former model, while her father, George Rivera, worked various IT jobs including positions at Disney and Universal Music.
Her parents had married in 1986, but divorced in 1996, and her mother was remarried to Charles Previtire in 1999; Rivera was close with her stepfather, but did not really know her grandparents.
Her maternal grandmother was Clara White, an abortion counselor and figure in the civil rights movement who was involved in the March on Washington, Selma to Montgomery marches, and 1968 Chicago riots, and who organized protests with and was represented by activist and lawyer Lloyd Barbee.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing, Naya Rivera's estimated net worth was around $5 million. Her earnings largely came from her roles in television and film, alongside her music career. Even posthumously, her work continues to generate income through royalties, merchandise, and re-runs of her popular shows.
Career, Business and Investments
Naya Rivera's career kicked off in the early 2000s, with multiple guest appearances on television shows. However, her role as Santana Lopez in Glee (2009-2015) propelled her to stardom. Her transition into music was equally impressive, with hit singles such as "Sorry" and "Dance" reflecting her vocal ability. Rivera was also involved in charitable work and had invested in projects that supported the arts and youth programs, leaving a positive mark on the community.
She began her career as a child actress and model, first appearing in national television commercials. At the age of four, she landed the role of Hillary Winston on the short-lived CBS sitcom The Royal Family (1991–1992), earning a nomination for a Young Artist Award at age five.
After a series of recurring television roles and then guest spots as a teenager, she got her breakthrough role in 2009 as Santana Lopez on the Fox television series Glee.
For the role, she received critical acclaim and various awards, including a SAG Award and ALMA Award, as well as earning nominations with the rest of the cast for two Grammy Awards and one Brit Award.
Social Network
Naya Rivera was highly active on social media, where she garnered a significant following. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter allowed her to connect with fans, share her experiences, and promote her work. Though her accounts are managed by her estate now, her posts continue to inspire and motivate countless followers who celebrate her spirit and achievements.
Rivera appeared in commercials for Kmart as a baby, but her first significant acting job was at the age of four when she appeared as Hillary Winston on the CBS sitcom The Royal Family in 1991. As she could not read the scripts, she would learn her lines through recitation and memorize them.
This skill stayed with her, as she was known for learning lines quickly and never messing up on set. The show received positive reviews and high ratings initially, but it was canceled soon after star Redd Foxx suffered a fatal heart attack on set, which Rivera witnessed.
Rivera wrote that she and Foxx "were intergenerational BFFs from the moment [they] met", and that she considered him like a grandfather. Watching Foxx die in front of her at a young age affected her for the rest of her life, particularly around filming season finales.
Still, she said that on The Royal Family she "fell in love with being on TV"; she received a Young Artist Award nomination for her performance in the series.
Education
Naya Rivera attended Valley College in Los Angeles, where she studied to enhance her skills in performing arts. Her commitment to her education played a significant role in her understanding of the entertainment industry, allowing her to excel in her career.
In January 2015, during an appearance as a guest host on The View, Rivera suggested "that she might be bisexual". In the episode, Rosie O'Donnell remarked on a study showing that bisexual women were more likely to have mental health problems than lesbians, to which Rivera replied: "Rosie, no wonder I'm crazy. This just solves it all".
Esquire wrote after her death that "Rivera never disclosed her real-life sexuality", and Gay Times included her and character Santana on their list of "beloved LGBTQ+ characters who were actually played by LGBTQ+ actors".
