Most people struggle to afford basic necessities while Taylor Swift’s cats live in unimaginable luxury. These three feline celebrities have their own merchandise lines, appear in major commercials, and one is worth nearly $100 million. From private jet travel to custom jewelry, these pampered pets enjoy privileges that most humans can only dream about. What makes their lifestyle so extraordinary, and how did ordinary house cats become some of the wealthiest animals on Earth?
Olivia Benson owns a $97 million fortune
Taylor Swift’s Scottish Fold cat Olivia Benson has accumulated a staggering net worth of $97 million, making her the third wealthiest pet in the world. Named after Mariska Hargitay’s character from Law & Order: SVU, this fluffy celebrity has earned her fortune through strategic business ventures. She appears in Taylor’s music videos, stars in major commercial campaigns, and serves as the official logo for Taylor Swift Productions. Her single Instagram photos regularly receive over 2 million likes, demonstrating her massive social media influence.
The cat’s wealth comes from her appearances in advertisements for major brands including Diet Coke, AT&T, and DirectTV. In one memorable DirectTV commercial, Taylor rode a giant unicorn version of Olivia, showcasing the cat’s cultural impact. Olivia has also influenced Hollywood productions, with her sleeping pose from Taylor’s documentary inspiring an official movie poster for the 2024 spy film Argylle. This level of cross-media influence has transformed a simple cat carrier photo into a multi-million dollar brand asset.
Private jet travel comes standard for these cats
While most pet owners worry about airline pet policies and cramped carriers, Taylor Swift’s cats travel exclusively on private jets. The famous felines accompany their owner on global tours, avoiding the stress and restrictions of commercial flights. Taylor has been photographed carrying Olivia through airports and city streets, treating her like a precious cargo that requires personal handling. This level of travel luxury eliminates the anxiety most pets experience during transportation.
The cats refuse to use traditional pet carriers during their journeys, preferring to be carried like human babies. Taylor explained that Benjamin Button specifically enjoys being held upright while traveling, treating him like a tiny passenger rather than cargo. This personalized travel experience includes custom accommodations and eliminates the typical pet travel restrictions that ordinary cat owners face. Their jet-setting lifestyle includes destinations like Miami and various tour locations worldwide.
Custom jewelry features their faces
Taylor Swift wears custom-made earrings featuring Olivia Benson’s face, turning her pet into a fashion statement. These personalized accessories represent the ultimate display of pet devotion, going far beyond typical pet owner behavior. The jewelry pieces are crafted specifically to showcase Olivia’s distinctive features, creating wearable art that celebrates the cat’s celebrity status. This custom accessory demonstrates how deeply integrated these pets are into Taylor’s personal brand and daily life.
The concept of pet-themed custom jewelry represents a level of luxury that most pet owners never consider. While regular cat owners might wear simple paw print pendants, Taylor commissions professional jewelers to create detailed portraits of her cats’ faces. These accessories likely cost thousands of dollars and serve as conversation pieces at high-profile events. The jewelry transforms her pets from simple companions into permanent fashion statements that accompany her everywhere.
Hollywood celebrities regularly visit these cats
Taylor Swift’s cats maintain social calendars that rival A-list celebrities, regularly hosting famous visitors at their home. Paula Abdul spent time with Olivia at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, while actresses Nina Dobrev and Ruby Rose have been photographed interacting with the famous felines. Ed Sheeran became so enamored with Olivia that he purchased his own Scottish Fold cat named Calippo in 2017. These celebrity interactions treat the cats as legitimate entertainment industry figures rather than simple pets.
The cats’ celebrity connections extend beyond casual meetings to genuine friendships and professional collaborations. Ryan Reynolds featured both Meredith and Olivia in Deadpool 2, wearing a custom t-shirt with their faces that read “Olivia & Meredith Best Friends Purrrrr-Ever.” This level of Hollywood integration means Taylor’s cats have working relationships with major movie stars. Their cat toys are probably more expensive than most people’s entertainment budgets, reflecting their elevated social status.
Dedicated merchandise lines generate serious revenue
Taylor Swift launched “The Meredith & Olivia Swift Collection” in 2018, creating an entire merchandise line dedicated to her cats. The collection included patches, pins, pens, stickers, and earrings, along with two different t-shirts priced at $23 each. This represents a level of commercial success that most human influencers struggle to achieve. The merchandise sold out quickly, demonstrating the cats’ genuine market appeal and commercial viability as standalone brands.
The success of pet-themed merchandise reflects these cats’ transformation from pets to profitable business ventures. While most cat owners might create simple photo albums or social media posts, Taylor’s cats generate actual revenue streams through licensed products. The merchandise quality rivals professional band merchandise, with careful design and premium materials. These band merchandise standards apply to cat-themed products, creating a new category of pet celebrity commerce that didn’t exist before.
Professional photo shoots rival human celebrities
Benjamin Button joined Taylor Swift on the cover of Time magazine in 2023 when she was named Person of the Year, receiving the same professional treatment as human cover models. The photo shoot required professional lighting, makeup teams, and multiple takes to capture the perfect shot. This level of production value treats the cat as a legitimate co-star rather than a simple prop. The resulting images were distributed worldwide, giving Benjamin international recognition comparable to human celebrities.
The cats regularly participate in high-end photography sessions for music videos, advertisements, and promotional materials. These shoots require professional animal handlers, specialized equipment, and extensive planning to ensure the cats’ comfort and safety. The production budgets for these sessions often exceed what most people spend on their entire annual entertainment. Professional camera equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars captures every whisker and expression, creating images that generate millions in advertising revenue.
Music video appearances earn substantial paychecks
Taylor Swift’s cats have appeared in multiple music videos, earning performance fees that exceed most human actors’ salaries. Olivia starred in the “Blank Space” music video, while all three cats appeared in the “Me!” video featuring Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie. These appearances aren’t simple cameos but featured performances that required multiple takes and professional direction. The cats receive the same treatment as human performers, with dedicated handlers and customized sets designed around their comfort.
Benjamin Button’s origin story began on a music video set, where he was part of a program designed to help kittens find homes through media appearances. Taylor fell in love with him during filming and immediately decided to adopt him, creating an instant rags-to-riches story. The music video appearances contribute significantly to the cats’ overall net worth, with each performance generating substantial residual income through streaming platforms and television broadcasts. These pet beds on set probably cost more than most people’s monthly rent.
Meredith Gray maintains mysterious privacy worth millions
Meredith Gray, Taylor’s first cat adopted in 2011, has chosen a more reclusive lifestyle that paradoxically increases her market value. Named after Ellen Pompeo’s Grey’s Anatomy character, Meredith actively avoids cameras and social media appearances, creating an air of exclusivity around her image. Taylor had to publicly address fan concerns about Meredith’s wellbeing, explaining that the cat simply prefers privacy over publicity. This camera-shy behavior has made her rare appearances more valuable and sought-after.
The Scottish Fold’s refusal to participate in photo shoots and public appearances has created a scarcity effect that drives up her perceived value. When Meredith does appear in content, it generates significantly more engagement than regular posts featuring the other cats. Her mysterious persona contributes to the overall mystique of Taylor’s cat empire, proving that sometimes staying out of the spotlight can be more profitable than seeking it. Even her cat food probably costs more per pound than premium human meals.
Social media influence generates millions in engagement
Taylor Swift’s cats command social media audiences that rival major human influencers, with single posts receiving millions of likes and shares. Olivia’s Instagram appearances regularly generate over 2 million engagements, representing advertising value that exceeds most corporate marketing campaigns. The cats’ social media presence has influenced pet ownership trends, with Scottish Fold and Ragdoll breeds experiencing increased popularity following their appearances. This influence extends beyond simple entertainment to actual market impact on pet industries.
The cats’ social media success has created new revenue streams through sponsored content and brand partnerships. Their posts promote everything from pet products to luxury goods, with each appearance commanding premium advertising rates. The engagement levels on cat-related content often exceed Taylor’s regular posts, demonstrating their independent market value. Professional social media managers likely coordinate their appearances, treating them like human influencers with dedicated content strategies. Their influence has made pet accessories a booming market segment worth billions of dollars annually.
Taylor Swift’s cats have redefined what it means to be a pampered pet, creating a new category of animal celebrity that generates real wealth and cultural influence. Their combined net worth exceeds what most humans will earn in multiple lifetimes, while their lifestyle includes luxuries that remain fantasies for ordinary people. These three cats have transformed from simple companions into business empires, proving that in the right circumstances, even pets can achieve extraordinary success and financial independence.
