Cheryl Burke Net Worth, Early Life, Personal Life, Career
Cheryl Burke is a prominent American dancer, model, and television host, boasting a net worth of $3 million. She gained widespread recognition and financial success as a professional dancer on the hit show Dancing with the Stars.
Early Life
Cheryl Burke was born on May 3, 1984, in San Mateo County, California. She is the daughter of Stephen Burke and Sherri Bautista and has a sister named Nicole, along with a step-sister named Mandy. Burke began her dance journey at the age of 4 with ballet lessons but transitioned to ballroom dancing at 11, focusing on Latin styles. Her dedication led her to compete internationally within just a few years. She graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 2002.
Career
After high school, Cheryl Burke immersed herself in competitive dance, achieving significant milestones by 2005. That year, she was crowned the World Cup Professional Rising Star Latin Champion, along with titles such as the San Francisco Latin Champion and the Ohio State Ball Rising Star Latin Champion. Her career took off when she was cast in Dancing with the Stars after being discovered by an ABC talent scout. Burke made her debut in the show’s second season, partnering with celebrity Drew Lachey.
Together, they won the competition. In season three, she partnered with former NFL player Emmitt Smith, and once again emerged victorious. Although her subsequent seasons with partners Ian Ziering and Wayne Newton did not yield wins, she consistently placed in the top ten. Between seasons, Cheryl Burke participated in the Dancing with the Stars live tour across 38 cities during 2006 and 2007, often performing alongside Lachey. In seasons six through nine, she danced with partners including Christian de la Fuente and Maurice Greene.
Her partnership with Tom DeLay was cut short due to his injuries. In season ten, she paired with Chad Ochocinco, finishing fourth. Her notable partnerships continued with Rick Fox and Chris Jericho but failed to secure top placements. Season thirteen saw her almost clinch another win while partnered with Rob Kardashian, finishing second. During season fifteen’s All-Star edition, Burke reunited with Emmitt Smith but was eliminated in the semi-finals.
She collaborated with comedian D.L. Hughley in season sixteen and Jack Osbourne in season seventeen; their journey was particularly inspiring due to Osbourne’s battle with multiple sclerosis, culminating in a third-place finish. Burke’s later seasons included partnerships with Drew Carey and Antonio Sabato Jr., before announcing a temporary departure from the show. Burke returned for season twenty-three to partner with Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and took additional breaks before rejoining for seasons twenty-five and twenty-seven.
Her partnership with Juan Pablo Di Pace earned five perfect scores but ended unexpectedly in the semi-finals. In season twenty-eight, Burke danced with Ray Lewis; however, their journey was cut short due to an injury he sustained. She then partnered with AJ McLean in season twenty-nine and Cody Rigsby in season thirty.
Beyond Dancing with the Stars, Burke has appeared in various television productions, including a guest role on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and participating in I Can Do That. In 2017, she replaced Abby Lee Miller on Dance Moms, taking charge of the ALDC Elite competition team. Burke has also been featured in commercials for brands like Sargento Cheese and Depend Silhouette briefs. Through these partnerships, she raised over $50,000 for Dress for Success.
Personal Life
Cheryl Burke’s autobiography, Dancing Lessons, published in 2011, reveals personal challenges she faced, including being molested at age five by a handyman named Gerry Depaula. She bravely testified against him at six years old, leading to his imprisonment for 24 years; he was released in 2008.
Her relationship history includes meeting actor Matthew Lawrence in 2006 when his brother competed in Dancing with the Stars. They dated briefly before getting engaged on her 34th birthday in May 2018 and marrying in San Diego in May 2019. However, they divorced in September 2022. Cheryl Burke continues to be a significant figure in dance and television, known for her resilience and contributions to both fields.
