Sarah Rafferty: Suits star’s net worth, red hair & more

If you’ve watched even a single episode of Suits, you’ve likely found yourself drawn to Donna Paulsen — the sharp, loyal legal secretary with the perfect red hair. Sarah Rafferty, the actress who brought Donna to life, has a story that extends far beyond the television screen — from her surprise Stranger Things appearance to the ongoing curiosity about her friendship with Meghan Markle.

Born: December 6, 1972 · Height: 5′9″ (1.75 m) · Spouse: Santtu Seppälä (m. 2001) · Net Worth (Est.): $4 million

Eight details define Sarah Rafferty’s public profile:

What happened to Sarah Rafferty after Suits?

What is Sarah Rafferty’s net worth?

• Estimated net worth of $4 million, according to industry estimates (USA Network).
• Her salary on Suits in later seasons is believed to have been between $100,000 and $150,000 per episode (USA Network).

What movies and TV shows has Sarah Rafferty been in?

• Suits (2011–2019) as Donna Paulsen (USA Network).
• Stranger Things season 4 (2022) in a supporting role (USA Network).
• Grey’s Anatomy (three-episode arc in 2020) (USA Network).
• Upcoming: Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys (USA Network).

Who is Sarah Rafferty’s husband?

• Santtu Seppälä, married on June 23, 2001 (USA Network).
• The couple has two daughters (USA Network).

How old is Sarah Rafferty?

• Born December 6, 1972 — currently 52 years old (USA Network).

The pattern: Rafferty hasn’t chased stardom after Suits. Instead, she’s leveraged the show’s lasting popularity through the podcast and small-screen appearances, building a second act that prioritizes steadiness over spectacle.

Are Sarah Rafferty and Meghan Markle friends?

Was Sarah Rafferty at Meghan Markle’s wedding?

• No. Despite playing close characters on Suits, Rafferty did not attend the royal wedding in 2018 (USA Network).

What is the nature of their friendship?

• They co-starred on Suits from 2011 to 2017 and were often paired in press events (USA Network).
• Rafferty has spoken positively about Markle in interviews, calling the relationship “very exciting” in 2016 (HOLA! USA (Hispanic celebrity magazine)).
• In 2024, Rafferty said Markle is on the dream guest list for the Suits: Sidebar podcast, adding “Everybody’s invited” (Entertainment Weekly).
• No public statement from either confirms a close ongoing friendship after Suits ended.

The trade-off: The lack of a confirmed close friendship with Markle hasn’t hurt Rafferty’s profile — her Suits legacy is strong enough on its own. But for those hoping for a royal connection, the silence indicates a deliberate boundary.

Is Sarah Rafferty a true redhead?

What ethnicity is Sarah Rafferty?

• She is of Irish, English, and German descent (USA Network).
• Rafferty is a natural redhead — she confirmed in a 2013 interview that she learned which colors work on “a red head” and uses warm-toned makeup (YouTube (behind-the-scenes makeup interview)).

How tall is Sarah Rafferty?

• 5′9″ (1.75 m) (USA Network).

The catch: While her red hair is natural, Rafferty’s on-screen look on Suits involved significant makeup work — bronzer mixed with lotion to give her fair skin a warm glow, as the 2013 interview details. The character Donna was a carefully crafted image, not just a genetic gift.

How much did Sarah Rafferty get paid for Suits?

What is Sarah Rafferty’s net worth?

• Estimated net worth of $4 million (USA Network).
• Reported per-episode salary in later seasons: $100,000–$150,000 (USA Network).
• Additional income from the Suits: Sidebar podcast and guest roles (Entertainment Weekly).

The implication: Rafferty’s net worth of $4 million puts her in the middle tier of TV actors. She didn’t become rich from Suits, but she built a comfortable foundation that allows her to choose projects selectively.

Why was Donna written off Suits?

Was Donna Paulsen written off?

• No. Donna Paulsen was not written off — she remained a main character until the series finale in 2019 (USA Network).
• The character’s ending was part of the natural conclusion of the series, not a mid-season departure (USA Network).
• Rafferty has discussed the character’s evolution in interviews, noting that Donna’s growth reflected the show’s arc (Glamour).

Why this matters: The persistent rumor that Donna was written off likely stems from confusion with other Suits departures (e.g., Meghan Markle’s exit in 2017). Rafferty’s Donna was a constant throughout the show’s entire run.

For Sarah Rafferty, the path forward is clear: continue leveraging her Suits legacy through the podcast and selective roles, or risk being typecast as Donna forever. The choices she makes in the next two years will determine whether she becomes a niche cult figure or a versatile character actor with a second wind.