Eva Marcille is an American actress, model, and television personality who rose to fame after winning America’s Next Top Model Season 3 in 2004. She has built an estimated net worth of $4 million through acting, modeling, reality TV, and business ventures. Two decades into her career, she remains one of the most recognized faces in Black entertainment.
Quick Facts
Here is everything you need to know about Eva Marcille in one place.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eva Marcille Pigford |
| Date of Birth | October 30, 1984 |
| Age (2025) | 40 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American, Puerto Rican (paternal) |
| Profession | Actress, Model, TV Host, Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth (2025) | $4 Million (estimated) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Children | 3 (Marley Rae, Michael Jr., Maverick) |
| Known For | ANTM Season 3, RHOA, All the Queen’s Men |
Early Life and Background
Eva Marcille grew up in South Central Los Angeles with big dreams and a confidence that stood out from an early age.
She was born Eva Marcille Pigford on October 30, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. Her middle name, Marcille, is actually a combination of her two grandmothers’ names — Marjorie and Lucille. That small detail says a lot about how deeply rooted she is in her family.
Her parents are Michelle Pigford and Evan Pigford. She grew up alongside three brothers in a modest household in South Central LA. From an early age, Eva had a clear sense of direction and the drive to match it.
She attended Raymond Avenue Elementary School, then Marina Del Rey Middle School, and later graduated from Washington Preparatory High School in 2002. She went on to enroll at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, where she studied Speech Communications and Theatre Arts. That academic foundation later gave her a real edge when she transitioned from modeling into acting.
She left college early after winning America’s Next Top Model, but she has spoken openly about how her time in school shaped her ability to perform and carry herself in front of the camera.
Career Journey and Rise to Fame
Eva did not wait for her big break. She competed for it and won it on national television.
In 2004, she entered the third cycle of America’s Next Top Model and beat out fellow finalist Yaya DaCosta to take home the title. The win came with a CoverGirl cosmetics contract, a modeling deal with Ford Models, and a feature spread in Elle magazine. At just 19 years old, her career was already launching at full speed.
After the show, she became a fixture in the fashion world. She appeared on the covers of Essence, King, IONA, Brides Noir, Women’s Health and Fitness, and several other major publications. She modeled for brands including DKNY, Samsung, Apple Bottoms, CoverGirl, and Avon, and walked in runway shows across New York and Los Angeles.
In November 2006, she made a significant personal move by officially dropping her surname Pigford and rebranding herself as Eva Marcille. She wanted to earn acting roles on her own terms, without riding the wave of her modeling fame.
Major Projects and Achievements
Eva Marcille built a career that goes far beyond a single reality TV win.
Her acting career kicked off with guest roles on shows like Kevin Hill and Smallville before she landed bigger recurring parts. Between 2007 and 2012, she played Tracie Evans in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, a role that introduced her to a much wider audience. From 2008 to 2009, she joined the cast of the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless as Tyra Hamilton, appearing in 72 episodes and earning two NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.
She also appeared in films including Premium (2006), Crossover (2006), and I Think I Love My Wife (2007) alongside Chris Rock.
In 2018, she joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta for its tenth season and stayed through 2021. Her candid personality and sharp wit made her a fan favorite on the show.
Since 2021, she has been starring as Marilyn “Madam” DeVille in the BET+ drama series All the Queen’s Men, a Tyler Perry-produced show that has been renewed for multiple seasons. It is currently one of her most high-profile acting roles to date.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Eva Marcille’s net worth in 2025 sits at an estimated $4 million.
That figure comes from multiple streams built over more than 20 years in the industry. Here is a breakdown of where her money comes from.
| Income Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Modeling | CoverGirl contract, Ford Models, magazine covers, brand campaigns |
| Acting | House of Payne, The Young and the Restless, All the Queen’s Men |
| Reality TV | The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2018–2021) |
| Business Ventures | cEVAd (CBD oil company), First Ave Eyewear, home décor line |
| Brand Endorsements | DKNY, Samsung, Avon, Apple Bottoms |
| Real Estate | Awarded a $1 million Georgia home in her 2023 divorce settlement |
In 2019, she launched cEVAd, a CBD oil company, timed around the birth of her son Maverick. She also founded First Ave Eyewear, her own eyewear line, adding entrepreneur to an already impressive list of credits. She has also invested in real estate, which has contributed quietly but steadily to her overall wealth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Eva Marcille’s personal life has gone through major public chapters, and she has handled all of it with her head up.
Her first notable relationship was with actor Lance Gross. They started dating in July 2006 and got engaged on Christmas Eve 2008, but called it off in March 2010. She then dated rapper Flo Rida from 2010 to 2012.
In early 2014, she welcomed her daughter Marley Rae with singer Kevin McCall. The two split shortly after, with Eva taking custody of Marley.
In December 2017, she got engaged to Atlanta-based attorney Michael Sterling. The two married on October 7, 2018, and together had two sons — Michael Sterling Jr., born in April 2018, and Maverick Sterling, born in September 2019. Sterling also adopted Marley, with her last name officially changed to Sterling in 2019.
In March 2023, Eva filed for divorce in the Superior Court of Fulton County, citing the marriage as irretrievably broken. The divorce was finalized in August 2023. As part of the settlement, neither party pays direct child support, and Eva kept the $1 million Georgia home she had purchased herself in 2019.
In a candid interview after the split, Eva said the divorce hit her hard emotionally and physically. She attributed her noticeable weight loss at the time directly to the stress of the separation.
By mid-2025, the two had reconciled. Eva confirmed their rekindled relationship publicly, with the couple appearing together at events and co-parenting their three children closely.
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Philanthropy
Eva Marcille lives a full life well beyond the camera.
She is a devoted mother of three and regularly shares glimpses of her family on social media. She has spoken openly about prioritizing her identity outside of her professional roles, focusing on who she is as an individual, not just as an actress or a mother.
She is a vocal supporter of social justice causes and has participated in charity events and advocacy efforts tied to Black community empowerment. Her public stands on social issues reflect a woman who takes her platform seriously.
As an entrepreneur, she continues to explore new business directions in beauty, fashion, and wellness. Her eye for style has translated into multiple product ventures, and she shows no signs of slowing that side of her career down.
Lesser-Known Facts About Eva Marcille
A few things about Eva that most people do not know.
She named herself Eva Marcille by combining her two grandmothers’ names, and she dropped her last name entirely in 2006 to separate her modeling identity from her acting career.
Despite a common rumor online, Eva does not have a twin sister. She grew up with three brothers and no twin.
She was nominated twice for NAACP Image Awards for her role on The Young and the Restless — a recognition that often gets overlooked when people talk about her career highlights.
She launched her CBD company cEVAd in 2019 at the same time she gave birth to her youngest son Maverick. That timing alone tells you a lot about how she operates.
She appeared in music videos for 50 Cent’s “I Get Money,” Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song,” and the song “Baby,” adding a music video side to her already diverse portfolio.
Final Thoughts
Eva Marcille’s story is about consistency. She won a reality competition at 19, rebuilt her identity multiple times, survived a public divorce, launched multiple businesses, and is still leading a major streaming series in 2025. Her $4 million net worth reflects real, diversified work — not a one-hit moment. She earns it across acting, modeling, entrepreneurship, and real estate. With All the Queen’s Men continuing and her personal life back on steady ground, Eva Marcille is nowhere near done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eva Marcille’s net worth in 2025?
Eva Marcille’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $4 million. She earned it through modeling, acting, reality TV appearances, business ventures, and brand endorsements built over more than 20 years.
How did Eva Marcille become famous?
She became famous in 2004 after winning the third season of America’s Next Top Model at age 19. The win landed her a CoverGirl contract, a Ford Models deal, and a spread in Elle magazine, launching her career immediately.
Is Eva Marcille still married to Michael Sterling?
Eva and Michael Sterling finalized their divorce in August 2023 after about five years of marriage. However, by mid-2025, the two confirmed they had reconciled and are currently back together while co-parenting their three children.
How many children does Eva Marcille have?
Eva Marcille has three children. Her daughter Marley Rae is from her previous relationship with singer Kevin McCall. Her two sons, Michael Sterling Jr. and Maverick Sterling, are from her marriage to Michael Sterling.
What is Eva Marcille doing now in 2025?
In 2025, Eva Marcille continues to star in the BET+ series All the Queen’s Men as Marilyn “Madam” DeVille. She is also focused on her entrepreneurial ventures and is back in a relationship with her ex-husband Michael Sterling.
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