Daisy Ridley: Career, Health Diagnosis & Net Worth

When an actress who played one of the most iconic roles in modern cinema steps back into the spotlight not for a film premiere but for a health disclosure, it’s a reminder that even billion-dollar franchises don’t shield you from real life. Daisy Ridley, best known as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, revealed in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder. This article pieces together her career path after the galaxy far, far away, the health challenge she’s navigating, and what the numbers say about her net worth.

Full Name: Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley ·
Born: 10 April 1992 (age 33) ·
Birthplace: Westminster, London, England ·
Breakthrough Role: Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) ·
Spouse: Tom Bateman (m. 2023)

Five key facts that define Ridley’s profile, from diagnosis to career benchmarks:

What is Daisy Ridley diagnosed with?

In August 2024, Daisy Ridley disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease in 2023. The condition, an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid, was revealed in an interview with Women’s Health (Women’s Health (women’s lifestyle magazine)).

Ridley explained that her symptoms began while filming the thriller Magpie. She experienced fatigue, hot flashes, a racing heart rate, weight loss, and hand tremors. After consulting a doctor, she learned her thyroid was overactive, a hallmark of Graves’ (ABC News (US news network)).

What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease?

Graves’ disease affects roughly 1 in 200 people, according to The Washington Post (The Washington Post (major US newspaper)). Common signs include:

• Fatigue and muscle weakness
• Irritability and anxiety
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Weight loss despite normal appetite
• Hand tremors
• Heat intolerance and increased sweating

Ridley’s openness about her diagnosis has drawn attention to the disorder, which can be managed with medication, radioiodine therapy, or surgery (Healthline (health information publisher)).

How did Daisy Ridley publicly disclose her condition?

Ridley chose to speak about her diagnosis in a candid interview with Women’s Health, published on August 6, 2024. She described the moment she realized something was wrong: “I was really irritable and had hot flashes and my hands were shaking” (Women’s Health). The interview was picked up by major outlets within hours, including ABC News and Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles Times (major US newspaper)).

What was Daisy Ridley’s career struggle after Star Wars?

After the end of the Star Wars sequel trilogy in 2019, Ridley faced a quiet reality: the blockbuster offers didn’t keep coming. She told Women’s Health that “there weren’t that many offers,” a comment that resonated among fans who assumed the franchise would guarantee a lifelong Hollywood career (Women’s Health).

Why did offers decline after the sequel trilogy?

Ridley’s post-Star Wars experience is a case study in how the industry can typecast or overlook actors who played iconic roles. According to Screendollars (entertainment finance analysis), the gap between the final film and new projects reflected a broader hiring slowdown for actors emerging from franchise megahits (Screendollars (entertainment finance analyst)). She stepped away from the spotlight, focusing on smaller independent films rather than waiting for studio calls.

What projects did Daisy Ridley pursue after Star Wars?

Ridley turned to indie dramas and thrillers. Notable titles include:

• Ophelia (2018) – a reimagining of Hamlet from Ophelia’s perspective
• Chaos Walking (2021) – sci-fi film opposite Tom Holland
• Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023) – a Sundance hit about social isolation
• The Marsh King’s Daughter (2023) – survival thriller
• Magpie (2024) – a thriller that Ridley produced and starred in

In 2023, Lucasfilm announced a new Star Wars film centered on Rey, with Ridley attached to reprise her role. Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will helm the project, though a release date has not been set (The Washington Post).

Is Daisy Ridley related to Keira Knightley?

No. The two English actresses are often compared because of a striking facial resemblance, but they share no family connection. Ridley was born in 1992 to a father of Scottish descent and a mother of English background (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). Keira Knightley, born in 1985, has parents from different backgrounds entirely.

What are the genetic similarities?

The “Daisy Ridley – Keira Knightley double take” is a recurring meme on social media. Both have dark hair, similar jawlines, and expressive eyes, but genetics play no role. Entertainment site CinemaBlend (entertainment news) noted that fans have long speculated about a possible sisterhood, but it remains a pure case of coincidental resemblance (CinemaBlend (entertainment news outlet)).

What is Keira Knightley’s known health condition?

Keira Knightley has not publicly disclosed any diagnosis of Graves’ disease or similar autoimmune disorders. Unlike Ridley, her health narratives have focused on body image and the pressures of early fame. The confusion sometimes arises because fans of one sister assume the other’s health updates. According to Healthline, there is no credible link between the two actresses’ medical histories (Healthline (health information publisher)).

Timeline

Confirmed Facts and Unclear Details

Confirmed facts

• Daisy Ridley has Graves’ disease. (Women’s Health)
• She is not related to Keira Knightley. (Wikipedia)
• She was born in Westminster, London. (Wikipedia)
• Her net worth is estimated at $8–10 million (2025 estimates from multiple sources). (HotNewHipHop)

What’s unclear

• Exact future release date for her next Star Wars film. (The Washington Post)
• Whether she will have children (no public information).

In Her Own Words

“There weren’t that many offers.”

— Daisy Ridley, Women’s Health (2024), on her career after Star Wars

“I was really irritable and had hot flashes and my hands were shaking.”

— Daisy Ridley, Women’s Health (2024), describing her Graves’ disease symptoms

Ridley’s candor about both the career slowdown and her health condition has been widely praised. For an actress who spent years in the largest franchise on the planet, her willingness to speak about vulnerability makes her a credible voice for millions managing chronic illness.

Frequently asked questions

For an actress who stepped from a galaxy far, far away into the quiet challenges of autoimmune disease and a post-franchise career, Daisy Ridley’s story is a grounded reminder that fame is a platform, not a shield. For her fans, the message is clear: watch her indie projects, follow her health journey, and trust that her next Star Wars appearance will arrive when she’s ready.