Naya Rivera Bio: Age, Children, Net Worth, Husband, Cause of Death, Son, Movies, TV Shows

Biography

Naya Marie Rivera was an American actress, singer, and model born in Valencia, California, on January 12, 1987. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Santana Lopez on the popular television series “Glee,” where her portrayal of the strong, witty cheerleader showcased her acting and singing talents.

Rivera‘s career began in childhood, appearing in numerous commercials and shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Family Matters.”

Her talent extended to music; she released her debut album, “Sorry,” in 2013, which included her hit single “Happy.” Beyond her entertainment career, Rivera was known for advocating social issues, particularly those affecting the Latino community and the representation of diverse characters in media.

Tragically, Naya Rivera passed away on July 8, 2020, in a drowning accident at Lake Piru in California. Her legacy continues through her work and her son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, whom she shared with her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey.

Naya Rivera
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Naya Marie Rivera
Stage Name:	Naya Rivera
Born:	12 January 1987 (age 33 years old)
Place of Birth:	Santa Clarita, California, United States
Died:	8 July 2020 (age 33 years), Lake Piru, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Homeschooled
Height:	1.65 m
Parents:	George Rivera, Yolanda Previtire
Siblings:	Nickayla Rivera, Mychal Rivera
Spouse:	Big Sean (n. 2013-2014), Ryan Dorsey (m. 2014–2018)
Boyfriend • Partner:	David Spade (2017), Matthew Hodgson (2011-2013), Douglas Booth (2011), Cory Monteith (2009), Mark Salling (2007-2010), Tahj Mowry (2000-2004)
Children:	Josey Hollis Dorsey
Occupation:	Actress • Media Personality
Net Worth:	$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Naya Rivera was born on January 12, 1987, in Valencia, California, into a family with strong ties to the entertainment industry, facilitating her early exposure to acting.

She was of Puerto Rican and African-American descent, identifying as Afro-Latina, and was raised in a Christian household. Her parents, Yolanda Lynne (née Previtire) and George Rivera contributed significantly to her career path; Yolanda was a former model and television writer, while George was involved in music, production, and acting.

Naya had a younger sister, Nickayla Rivera, who also pursued acting, and a brother, Mychal Rivera, who is an American football tight end. Due to her acting commitments, Naya was homeschooled for much of her education, allowing her to balance her academic pursuits with her career. This setup was standard among child actors, providing the flexibility to work on sets while continuing education.

Career

Naya Rivera had a dynamic career that spanned acting, singing, and modeling, leaving a lasting impact, primarily through her television work. She started acting at a young age, appearing in commercials and shows like “The Royal Family,” “Family Matters,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

However, her breakout role came as Santana Lopez on the hit series “Glee.” Initially a recurring character, Santana quickly became a central figure thanks to Rivera’s beautiful portrayal, blending sharp wit, fierce attitude, and impressive vocal talent. This performance solidified Santana as an iconic character on the show.

Building on her success on “Glee,” Rivera explored music, releasing her debut single “Sorry” in 2013, followed by other tracks that often reflected her personal experiences. Her music allowed fans to connect with her on a deeper, more personal level. In addition to her work in entertainment, she ventured into modeling, appearing in numerous magazines and campaigns showcasing her beauty and sense of style.

Rivera was a vocal advocate for social issues, especially those affecting the Latino community and women, using her influence to promote better representation and opportunities in Hollywood. After “Glee,” she continued to work on various projects, though none had quite the same cultural impact as her role as Santana Lopez. She remained engaged with her fans through reality TV, social media, and sharing her journey as a mother and fitness enthusiast.

Social Media

• Instagram: Naya Rivera (@nayarivera)
• Facebook: Naya Rivera

Personal Life

Naya Rivera married actor Ryan Dorsey in July 2014 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Their relationship faced challenges, with Rivera filing for divorce in November 2016, reconciling briefly, but ultimately refiling in December 2017.

Their divorce was finalized in June 2018. Despite their separation, they remained committed to co-parenting their son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, born in 2015. Josey frequently appeared on Rivera’s social media, reflecting her devotion to motherhood.

Standing at about 5 feet 2 inches, Rivera‘s dating history included notable relationships. She briefly dated Ryan Dorsey before marrying him, reconnecting after her engagement to rapper Big Sean ended in April 2014. Their engagement came just six months after they began dating in October 2013.

Earlier in her career, Rivera was linked to her “Glee” co-star Mark Salling, though this relationship was less publicized. In 2017, she was briefly involved with comedian David Spade, which attracted attention through public sightings rather than detailed coverage.

Rivera‘s romantic history includes being engaged to Big Sean (2013-2014) and relationships with David Spade (2017), Matthew Hodgson (2011-2013), Douglas Booth (2011), Cory Monteith (2009), Mark Salling (2007-2010), and Tahj Mowry (2000-2004).

Cause of Death

Naya Rivera‘s death was ruled an accidental drowning. This conclusion was drawn from the autopsy and toxicology reports released by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office after her body was found in Lake Piru, California.

According to the reports, Rivera had small amounts of prescription drugs and alcohol in her system, but these were not deemed to have directly contributed to her drowning.

The circumstances suggested that she might have been caught in a current or exhausted herself while ensuring her son’s safety by getting him back onto their boat before she succumbed to the water.

Net Worth

Naya Rivera‘s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million at the time of her death in July 2020. This figure was accumulated over her extensive career in entertainment, which began in her childhood and peaked with her role as Santana Lopez on the television series “Glee.”

Rivera‘s income sources included acting, music (where she released an album and singles), book writing (with her memoir “Sorry Not Sorry“), and various modeling and endorsement deals. Her involvement in “Glee” significantly boosted her earnings, with reports suggesting she earned approximately $40,000 per episode at her peak with the show.

Body of Work

Here’s a list of Naya Rivera’s notable work in television, film, music, and other media:

Television

• “Glee” (2009-2015) – As Santana Lopez
• “The Royal Family” (1991) – Young Marquesa
• “Family Matters” (1996) – Various roles
• “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1991-1992) – Various roles
• “Smart Guy” (1997) – Various roles
• “Wizards of Waverly Place” (2008) – Guest appearance
• “Devious Maids” (2013) – Guest appearance
• “Step Up: High Water” (2018) – Judge (TV special)
• “The Following” (2014) – Guest appearance
• “Jane the Virgin” (2015) – Guest appearance

Film

• “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish” (2009) – Lindsay
• “The Master of Disguise” (2002) – Young Jennifer Baker
• “The Flamingo Rising” (2001) – Young Marshall
• “She’s Out of My League” (2010) – Cameo

Music

• “Sorry” (2013) – Debut album
  • Singles: “Sorry,” “Happy,” “Vida Loca,” “Girlfriend”

Books

• “Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up” (2015) – Memoir

Reality TV/Other Shows

• “Dancing with the Stars” (2020) – Contestant
• “The Choice” (2017) – Game show contestant

Voice Acting:

• “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” (2012-2013) – Carrie Kelley / Robin

Music Videos

• She appeared in various music videos, including for artists like Big Sean, in which she featured in “Guap.”

Modeling

• Naya was also involved in modeling, appearing in magazines and campaigns throughout her career.