When Jeri Ryan walked onto the set of Star Trek: Voyager in 1997 as Seven of Nine, ratings jumped 60 percent — and science fiction gained one of its most iconic characters. But her career stretches far beyond the Borg: from Boston Public to Body of Proof to a triumphant return in Star Trek: Picard, she has built a three-decade television career on talent, discipline, and an unforgettable screen presence.
Jeri Ryan is an American actress born February 22, 1968, in Munich, Germany, best known as Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Picard. A Saturn Award winner and former Miss Illinois (1989), her net worth is estimated at $20–30 million as of 2026.
TL;DR: Jeri Ryan became a sci-fi icon as Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager (1997–2001), winning a Saturn Award and reprising the role in Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023). A Northwestern theatre graduate and Miss Illinois 1989, she also starred in Boston Public, Shark, and Body of Proof, and has been married to chef Christophe Émé since 2007.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Jeri Lynn Zimmermann |
| Born | February 22, 1968, Munich, Germany |
| Age | 58 years old (as of October 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Known For | Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Picard |
| Education | Northwestern University (B.A. Theatre, 1990) |
| Awards | Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television (2001) |
| Spouse | Christophe Émé (married 2007) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $20–30 million (2026 estimate) |
How did Jeri Ryan become Seven of Nine?
Her road to the Delta Quadrant was anything but typical. Born Jeri Lynn Zimmermann in Munich to Gerhard Florian “Jerry” Zimmermann, a U.S. Army master sergeant, and Sharon Zimmermann, a social worker, she grew up on military bases across Kansas, Maryland, Hawaii, Georgia, and Texas before the family settled in Paducah, Kentucky, when her father retired. She graduated from Lone Oak High School in 1986 as a National Merit Scholar, then earned a B.A. in theatre from Northwestern University in 1990.
During her Northwestern years she competed in beauty pageants, winning Miss Illinois 1989 and placing as third runner-up at Miss America 1990. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked guest spots and commercials — including her 1991 debut on Who’s the Boss? — before her breakthrough in 1996 as Juliet Stuart on Dark Skies. Then came the call that changed everything: in 1997 she joined Star Trek: Voyager in its fourth season as Seven of Nine, a Borg drone freed from the Collective. The character became a cultural phenomenon, ratings soared by a reported 60 percent, and she earned a Saturn Award in 2001. Fans of sci-fi screen heroines may also enjoy our profile of Hayley Atwell, another actress who turned a franchise role into a career foundation.
What TV shows has Jeri Ryan starred in?
Seven of Nine could have typecast her forever — instead, it launched a remarkably varied career. After Voyager ended in 2001, Jeri Ryan headlined Boston Public (2001–2004) as Veronica “Ronnie” Cooke, starred opposite James Woods in the legal drama Shark (2006–2008) as Jessica Devlin, and led ABC’s Body of Proof (2011–2013) as Dr. Kate Murphy. Her guest appearances read like a tour of prestige television: Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal, The O.C., NCIS, Leverage, Warehouse 13, Arrow, Bosch, Psych, and Major Crimes.
Her most celebrated move came in 2020, when she reprised Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Picard — playing an older, harder-edged version of the character across three seasons until 2023, earning another Saturn Award and critical acclaim for showing how far Seven had come. She also appeared in Designated Survivor opposite Kiefer Sutherland. According to her biography, Ryan reprised the role in Star Trek: Picard from 2020 to 2023, again showcasing the depth that made Seven of Nine a fan favorite (Jeri Ryan – Wikipedia).
Who is Jeri Ryan married to?
Jeri Ryan has been married to French chef and restaurateur Christophe Émé since 2007 — a low-key union of nearly two decades. She has two children: son Alex Ryan (born 1994) from her first marriage to investment banker Jack Ryan (1991–1999), and daughter Gisele Émé with her current husband. Her first marriage, to the future Republican political candidate, drew public attention in 2004 when sealed divorce and custody records became a political story.
Despite fame, she has kept her family life largely private, dividing her time between acting projects and family. Fellow stars who balanced iconic franchise roles with long private lives include Nancy Mace, profiled on this site last week.
What is Jeri Ryan doing now?
As of 2026, Jeri Ryan remains one of science fiction’s most beloved figures, a fixture at conventions and Star Trek events where appearance fees and fan loyalty keep her in constant demand. Following Star Trek: Picard’s conclusion, she continues to take select television roles and voice work, and her convention appearances draw thousands of fans who grew up watching Voyager. Her influence on the sci-fi genre — and on a generation of viewers who saw a complex, brilliant woman at the center of a starship — is permanent.
What is Jeri Ryan’s net worth?
Jeri Ryan’s net worth is estimated at $20–30 million as of 2026. That range, cited by celebrity wealth trackers, reflects more than three decades of television work: seven seasons of Voyager-era salaries and residuals, leading roles in Boston Public, Shark, and Body of Proof, three seasons of Star Trek: Picard, plus convention appearance fees, endorsements, and voice work. Syndication and streaming royalties from Voyager continue to pay dividends decades after the show ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jeri Ryan?
She was born on February 22, 1968, in Munich, Germany, making her 58 years old as of October 2026.
Is Jeri Ryan married?
Yes. She has been married to French chef Christophe Émé since 2007. She was previously married to Jack Ryan from 1991 to 1999.
What is Jeri Ryan best known for?
She is best known for playing Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager (1997–2001) and reprising the role in Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023).
Did Jeri Ryan win any awards for Star Trek?
Yes. She won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2001 for Star Trek: Voyager and earned another Saturn Award for Picard.
What is her net worth in 2026?
Her net worth is estimated at $20–30 million, built on her long television career, royalties, and convention appearances.