The Net worth of Sanela Diana Jenkins:
Sanela Diana Jenkins, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and reality TV personality, possesses a net worth estimated at $300 million. Successively launching a thriving beverage start-up while solidifying her reputation as a highly respected human rights activist globally.
On May 11, 2022, Diana Jenkins joined the 12th season of the Bravo reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” However, she departed after one season.
Aside from her reality TV exposure, philanthropy, and business ventures, Sanela Diana Jenkins is renowned for selling a mansion in Malibu to Jan Koum, the founder of Whatsapp, for $87 million in February 2021, as later elaborated in this piece.
Early Years
In 1973, Diana Jenkins was born as Sanela Dijana Ćatić in Sarajevo to a middle-class family. Her father, an economist, and mother, an accountant, raised her and her younger brother. The family dwelled in a common concrete apartment block, typical during Yugoslavia’s communist period.
Her younger brother fell victim to murder by Serb soldiers at 21, propelling Diana to flee Bosnia during the Siege of Sarajevo in April 1992. The war stemmed from Yugoslavia’s dissolution, lasting until December 1995.
Initially seeking refuge in Croatia, Diana later relocated to London, UK, where she resumed her studies at City University. Despite challenges, she completed a BSc in Computer Science and Economics, earning honors.
Unlike other Yugoslavian refugees at the time, Diana secured permanent citizenship due to her exceptional academic trajectory and the absence of welfare reliance.
Melissa Odabash Swimwear
Post-graduation, Diana accumulated savings from various London jobs, eventually launching a successful jewelry store.
Bolstered by this achievement, she collaborated with model Melissa Odabash to introduce a swimwear brand, Melissa Odabash. Garnering popularity among celebrities like Kate Moss, Elle Macpherson, and Heidi Klum, the brand, co-owned by Diana, thrived.
(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
Personal Life
In 1999, Sanela tied the knot with British banker Roger Jenkins, resulting in her becoming Sanela Diana Jenkins.
Roger and Sanela had two kids before divorcing after a total of 10 years together, later describing their breakup as “the happiest divorce ever.” In 2020, Jenkins had a child with boyfriend Asher Monroe, and the couple announced their engagement. Following a miscarriage, they announced in December 2022 that they were expecting another child.
Divorce Settlement
Diana received an estimated settlement of $300 million as part of the divorce, instantly jolting her to the ranks of the richest women in the UK. She eventually retreated from London to Southern California, where she acquired an incredible 3-acre clifftop property in Malibu and began focusing on philanthropy and her own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Neuro Drinks
In addition to Melissa Odabash swimwear, Sanela Diana Jenkins is the founder of the health drink company Neuro Drinks, marketing itself as a healthy alternative to soda and caffeine. The brand offers lines that promote sleep, reduce stress, boost immunity, and increase energy, with Sanela serving as the Chairwoman and CEO of the company.
Philanthropy
An extremely active philanthropist, Sanela Diana Jenkins has donated and helped raise millions of dollars for various charities supporting a wide range of causes. In 2002, she established the Sanela Diana Jenkins Foundation for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Memory of Irnis Catic, reportedly the largest privately funded Bosnian philanthropic organization. Six years later, she founded the Sanela Diana Jenkins Human Rights Project at the University of California.
Her Jenkins-Penn Haitian Relief Organization provided medical care to thousands of victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, a joint effort of Jenkins and Sean Penn. Sanela has also organized fundraisers for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and posted bail for former Bosnian President Ejup Ganić, who was detained in the UK on a Serbian extradition request. Teaming up with George Clooney, she helped raise over $10 million for the “Not on Our Watch” organization, drawing attention to human rights atrocities in Darfur. In 2022, she founded the Sunela Foundation with a $100,000 donation for the victims of Lion Air Flight 601.
Awards
In 2012, Elton John awarded Sanela the Enduring Vision Award from his Elton John AIDS Foundation. That same year, she was named one of the “World’s Top Three Justice Innovators” by the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law. In 2013, Sanela received the 2013 Isa-beg Ishaković Award for Patriotism.
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation)
Sanela Diana Jenkins listed her previously-mentioned Malibu mansion in June 2020. The sale price was $125 million.
She bought the house for $21 million in the early 2000s. While touring potential homes with her friend, musician Kid Rock, she found the mansion. Kid was looking for homes for himself, but Diana ended up dropping $21 million.
The property was sold to her next-door neighbor, WhatsApp founder Jan Koum, for $87 million in February 2021. Jan had paid $100 million for the property next door in 2019, amounting to around $200 million worth of real estate in Malibu.
Hidden Hills Mansion
Diana Jenkins purchased a 4-acre property in Hidden Hills, California for $13 million in October 2021. The property features a 13,000 square foot mansion. She listed this home for sale in May 2023 for $20.5 million. Watch the video tour below: