Who Is Anna Delvey: Net Worth, Ankle Monitor And Everything Else You Need To Know About Her

If you enjoy watching Dancing With The Stars, you may have seen something unexpected in a recent episode. One of the contestants took to the dance floor sporting a noticeable shiny ankle monitor. That contestant is Anna Delvey, also known as Anna Sorokin. She’s a convicted con artist who deceived New York’s high society by posing as a rich European heiress.

Delvey, also known as Sorokin, was convicted of serious theft and received a prison sentence. She tricked her way into a lavish lifestyle, swindling over $200,000 (£150,000) from banks, lawyers, and even a private jet service. Her web of lies eventually led to her imprisonment, but she was released in February 2021. Now, she portrays herself as a 'fashionista based in New York,' currently living under house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor.

Reasons For Using An Ankle Monitor

Though Delvey was convicted in 2019 for her scams, the ankle monitor she currently wears is tied to her immigration issues in the U.S. After exceeding the duration of her visa while incarcerated, Sorokin is now under house arrest in New York City as she contests her deportation. This monitor is a requirement of her release, serving as a constant reminder of her ongoing legal troubles while she waits for a decision regarding her immigration case.

From Ordinary To Reality TV Fame

Even with her criminal history, Sorokin has reinvented herself as a figure in pop culture. In an official statement, ABC, which is owned by Disney, referred to her as "an artist, fashion icon, and notorious New York City socialite," even going so far as to label her a "well-known ankle bracelet trendsetter." Sorokin participated in the latest season of Dancing With The Stars alongside a lineup that featured a former NBA player, various reality TV personalities, and Olympic athletes, all part of the American version of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Not everyone is happy about Sorokin's rise to fame. Some critics say that the channel is glorifying her criminal history, with The New York Post describing her appearance as a "new low for pop culture." There are also concerns regarding Sorokin's legal ability to live and work in the US, given her immigration troubles as a German-Russian citizen. On the other hand, she does have supporters, like Dancing With The Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who urged the audience to focus on Anna's dancing skills and to give her an opportunity.

Even with the debate about her involvement, Sorokin's dance routine earned a score of 18 out of 30 from the judges. Carrie Ann Inaba, who acknowledged that she sensed a change in the atmosphere when Anna performed, encouraged the audience to concentrate on her dancing abilities instead of her past actions. "Let's allow this to unfold," Inaba urged. "We're here to appreciate her dance. Let's make room for that."

Who Is Anna Delvey, The Fake Heiress?

Anna Sorokin, who later became known as Anna Delvey, was born in a suburb of Moscow in 1991. In 2007, she and her family moved to Germany. Eventually, she made her way to Paris, where she adopted the identity of Anna Delvey, a wealthy European heiress. When she arrived in New York City in 2014, she maintained this elaborate charade. Her life in New York was a chaotic blend of high-end hotels, exclusive gatherings, and mingling with the city's elite, all while avoiding hotel payments and deceiving people out of significant amounts of money.

Delvey's fraudulent scheme unraveled on October 3, 2017, when the Los Angeles Police took her into custody during a sting orchestrated by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. A key figure in this operation was one of her victims, Rachel DeLoache Williams, who claimed that Delvey had cheated her out of over $60,000 during a trip to Marrakesh.

After her arrest, Delvey was taken to Rikers Island, where she was denied bail. Three weeks later, she faced charges for allegedly swindling around $275,000 through different schemes, such as complimentary vacations and private jet flights. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. stated that Delvey's offenses included check fraud and loans embezzled in six-figure amounts.

No Regrets, No Agreement

In June 2018, Delvey and her attorney tried to negotiate a plea agreement, but Judge Diane Kiesel turned it down, pointing to Delvey's failure to show any remorse. The matter proceeded to trial, and by April 2019, Delvey was found guilty on eight charges, such as second-degree grand larceny, theft of services, and first-degree attempted grand larceny. Later that May, she was sentenced to serve between four and twelve years in prison, required to pay a $24,000 fine, and mandated to compensate her victims.

Delvey's Notorious Netflix Tale

Even with her history of criminal offenses, Delvey's tale intrigued many, leading to the creation of a Netflix series titled "Inventing Anna," which was developed by Shonda Rhimes. Julia Garner took on the role of Delvey, showcasing her ascent and decline as the fraudulent heiress who deceived some of New York's richest individuals. While preparing for her character, Garner visited Delvey in prison and found her to be both "charming" and "gentle," but noted that this changed whenever she had a desire or request.

After spending nearly four years in prison, which included time at Rikers Island, Delvey was freed in February 2021. While it was anticipated that she would leave the United States, she chose to stay. In a June 2024 interview, Delvey mentioned that she was working on staying engaged and making the most of her time, although she recognized that her house arrest made it challenging. "I really don’t do anything thrilling day-to-day," she admitted. "It would be simpler to produce more content if I could just leave the house."

Delvey is still quite active on social media and frequently shares updates on Instagram under the name @AnnaDelvey. Despite her ongoing legal issues, she keeps interacting with her fans, many of whom are intrigued by her distinctive blend of charisma and infamy.

Anna Delvey's Net Worth: What Remains?

Some reports suggest that Delvey's net worth is about $50,000, but the true amount is hard to determine because of her legal issues. Insider mentions that Netflix gave her $320,000 for the rights to tell her story; however, a significant portion of that money has been put on hold by New York State due to the Son of Sam law, which prevents criminals from making money from their offenses.

Delvey allocated $199,000 from her Netflix earnings to pay off debts to her victims and another $24,000 to cover fines. Additionally, she spent $75,000 on legal expenses, which left her with just $22,000 from the deal. In 2020, when questioned about her work plans if she stayed in the U.S., Delvey expressed her desire to keep consulting on creative projects, similar to her role in Inventing Anna.

Anna Delvey's narrative is intricate, intertwining elements of crime, luxury, and transformation. Once a deceptive heiress tricking New York's elite, she has now evolved into a media icon and reality television personality. Her knack for remaining in the limelight is clear and remarkable.