Jarnette Olsen is the mother of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, the former Hollywood star actresses turned fashion moguls. Jarnette Olsen was born on February 22, 1954, and is 70 years old as of 2024.
A former ballerina, Jarnette Olsen was the person who drove her twin daughters to the first audition that launched their careers when they were just nine months old. She also morphed into their manager as their career took off to greater heights. While some Hollywood parents end up having issues with their children over money and the like, this has never been the case with Jarnette, and she continues to maintain a close relationship with her girls to this day.
Profile Summary
Full Name | Jarnette Olsen |
Date of Birth | February 22, 1954 |
Age | 70 |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian (German, French, and Italian ancestry) |
Profession (Former) | Ballerina, Talent Manager |
Father | Daniel Dejarnett Jones (Accountant) |
Mother | Mary Rose Jones (Teacher) |
Siblings | Not confirmed, may have siblings |
Ex-Husband | David Olsen (Former Realtor) |
Marriage Duration | Married in 1977, divorced after 19 years |
Children | – Trent Olsen (b. May 22, 1984) – Mary Kate Olsen (b. June 13, 1986) – Ashley Olsen (b. June 13, 1986) – Elizabeth Olsen (b. February 16, 1989) |
Notable Achievements | Managed her twin daughters, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, in their early acting careers |
Twin Daughters’ Career | Launched Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s acting career at nine months old; they starred in Full House and later became fashion moguls. |
Youngest Daughter’s Career | Elizabeth Olsen is a famous actress, known for roles in Godzilla, Silent House, Ingrid Goes West, and as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. |
First Son’s Career | Trent Olsen is a comic writer, photographer, and has worked with Storm King Productions. |
Residence | Los Angeles, California |
Current Status | Living a low-profile life, maintains close relationships with her children. |
Who is Jarnette Olsen? Her Early Life and Background Details
Jarnette Olsen is a mother to the famous Olsen twins, she was born on 22 February 1954 in Los Angeles, California, USA, and was previously married to David Olsen. Jarnette Olsen is also a professional ballet dancer, performer, and actress who started her career as a dancer at a tender age. Little is known about her early life, but her transition from a ballet dancer to the mother of one of the most iconic sibling duos is worthy of note. As a former dancer, it is believed that Jarnette’s artistic background may have played a role in shaping her daughters’ early foray into showbiz.
How Old is Jarnette Olsen?
Jarnette Olsen is 70 years old as of 2024. She was born on the 22nd of February 1954 in Los Angeles, California. Olsen is of American nationality and Caucasian ethnicity. She has German, French, and Italian ancestry, courtesy of her parents.
Olsen’s father is Daniel Dejarnett Jones, who is said to be an accountant, while her mother is Mary Rose Jones (nee Fuller), reportedly a teacher. There are no records of any siblings, but she may have a few.
Jarnette Olsen grew up in Los Angeles and completed a reasonable level of education. She also took some dancing classes and became quite a good ballerina. She was able to record some impressive feats before calling time on that stage of her career.
Who is Jarnette Olsen’s Husband?
Jarnette Olsen is presently divorced and does not have a husband. Her ex-husband and the father of her kids is David Olsen, a former realtor. David is also a Los Angeles native, just like his ex-wife, and hails from Sherman Oaks specifically. He was born on the 15th of October 1953 and is 71 years old in 2024.
Jarnette Olsen and David Olsen crossed paths with each other in Los Angeles sometime in the 70s and by 1977, were married. The couple would go on to stay together for the next 19 years before they divorced. During their marriage, they welcomed a total of four children: one son and three daughters.
Jarnette Olsen and David Olsen’s Marriage and Divorce
Jarnette Olsen’s marriage to David Olsen ended in 1996, just as their daughters’ fame skyrocketed. Despite the challenges that come with divorce, the couple ensured a smooth transition for their children. Jarnette and David worked hard to shield their kids from the turmoil, providing a stable environment while the twins continued to rise in fame.
Following the split, Jarnette Olsen has never remarried but may have possibly been engaged in some romantic relationships. Her ex-husband, on the other hand, got married to his secretary McKenzie shortly after the divorce in 1996. They welcomed two children, Jake (b. 1996) and Taylor (b. 1998), before divorcing in 2014.
The Influence of Jarnette Olsen on Mary Kate and Ashley’s Journey to Stardom
The influence of Jarnette Olsen on her daughters’ journey to stardom cannot be over emphasized. It all began with a casual introduction to the entertainment industry by a talent agent who spotted her daughters while they were out shopping. The rest is history and today, the Olsens are widely recognized celebrities in the whole of United States and beyond.
The Relationship Between Jarnette Olsen and the Olsen Twins
Despite the overwhelming fame her daughters garnered at such a young age, Jarnette maintained a balanced relationship with Mary-Kate and Ashley. Known for being a supportive yet private mother, Jarnette ensured her daughters had as normal a childhood as possible amidst the limelight. Their close relationship continues today, although Jarnette prefers to remain out of the public eye.
Jarnette Olsen’s Influence on the Olsen Twins’ Careers
While not a traditional “stage mom,” Jarnette Olsen certainly influenced her daughters’ early careers by managing their schedules and navigating the complexities of Hollywood. However, she also knew when to step back, allowing the twins to take control of their own brand. This hands-off approach allowed Mary-Kate and Ashley to grow their empire while remaining true to their own vision.
Jarnette Olsen’s Relationship with Her Other Children
In addition to Mary-Kate and Ashley who are the are the more famous among the Olsens, Jarnette is also a proud mother to Trent and Elizabeth Olsen. Elizabeth, like her sisters, has pursued a career in acting, with notable success in Hollywood. The entire Olsen family shares a close-knit bond, and Jarnette’s has been a supportive mother to all her children, ensuring their success in whatever path they chose.
Who are Jarnette Olsen’s Children?
Jarnette Olsen’s children are Trent Olsen (b. 22 May 1984), Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen (b. 13 June 1986), and Elizabeth Olsen (b. 16 February 1989). Jarnette shares all four of her children, comprising three daughters and a son, with her ex-husband David Olsen.
Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen
Jarnette Olsen’s children are all grown up and are thriving in their different pursuits. Twins Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are former star actresses turned fashion business moguls. It was Jarnette who kick-started the girls’ journey to stardom when she drove them to an audition for a TV sitcom at the age of nine months old.
They gave a wonderful account of themselves and were hired to play the role of Michelle Tanner, the youngest child in a family that had just lost their mom on the sitcom Full House. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen both took turns playing Michelle so that producers would not offend child labor laws. They did tremendously well and stayed on Full House from its inception in 1987 to its ending in 1995.
Following the conclusion of Full House, the Olsen twins went on to star in several other movies and TV series, usually together. They also set up their own company and produced several movies and TV series in which they featured together. Their mom served as their manager in the early days of their career.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were able to become some of the wealthiest child celebrities in Hollywood. When they became adults, they featured in some solo projects before officially calling time on their acting career in 2012. The twins are now fashion moguls and have multiple fashion brands, namely The Row, StyleMint, and Olsenboye.
Elizabeth Olsen
Another famous actress that Jarnette Olsen has in her family is Elizabeth Olsen, her youngest daughter. There is no doubt that Elizabeth was hugely influenced by her elder sisters. She got her start by starring in their TV series and TV films at the age of four. She also went on to cut her teeth in several other projects. Elizabeth importantly remained grounded and had no grand illusion about acting. She did not fantasize about any celebrity status but rather saw it as a job and worked quite hard.
Today, Elizabeth Olsen is a famous actress in her own right. She has appeared in movies such as Godzilla, Silent House, and Ingrid Goes West. She also plays the role of Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has portrayed the role in several movies as well as a miniseries titled WandaVision.
Elizabeth has scored multiple award nominations and has spoken about her sister’s influence on her career. She has revealed that she doesn’t run lines with them but that they have given her great advice such as how to protect her privacy as well as the good people to work with in the industry.
James Trent Olsen
Jarnette Olsen’s first child and only son is James Trent Olsen. He goes by his middle name and was born on 22 May 1984. Trent is 40 years old in 2024. He attended Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles before completing a degree at the University of Southern California.
Trent did some acting while growing up, appearing in his sisters’ productions. Presently, he is a comic writer, photographer, etc. Trent has worked in the feature film and television division of Storm King Productions, a company that specializes in horror and vampire movies. He has also penned some comic books. He maintained close relations with his famous sisters and inspired their Elizabeth and James fashion brand alongside his younger sister, Elizabeth.
Where is Jarnette Olsen Now?
Jarnette Olsen presently lives in Los Angeles, enjoying a quiet life out of the spotlight. She rarely makes it to the red carpet. She was, however, pictured with her youngest child, Elizabeth, on a shopping run in 2022. It was a casual outing, which suggests that they live near each other or possibly together. It is also possible that she had come to visit her daughter.
Despite being the mother of three superstars, Jarnette Olsen maintains a low profile and does not court public attention. Such a habit would have helped her avoid the pitfalls of having a child who is a celebrity, one of which is disputes over money and the like. Jarnette has a great relationship with her daughters and Elizabeth has praised her as well as their dad for helping them grow up to become strong feminist-type women.
Key Takeaways and Little-Known Details
- Jarnette was a ballet dancer before becoming a full-time mother.
- She had no prior experience in Hollywood when her daughters began acting.
- Jarnette prefers a private life, avoiding the public eye despite her daughters’ fame.
- Her support helped shape the Olsen twins’ careers without overshadowing them.