If you’re still looking for the Olsen twins on a movie poster, you’re about two decades too late. It’s been a long time since New York Minute. Honestly, the days of "You got it, dude" are basically ancient history at this point.
While the rest of the 90s child stars were busy navigating the messy transition to adult acting or reality TV, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen did something much weirder. They just… left. They didn't just quit acting; they deleted themselves from the Hollywood mainframe to build something that actually lasts.
So, what do Mary-Kate and Ashley do now? As of 2026, they aren't just former actresses with a clothing line. They are the architects of a billion-dollar luxury powerhouse called The Row, and they’re playing a much bigger game than anyone expected.
From Michelle Tanner to Business Moguls
You probably remember the direct-to-video movies and the Wal-Mart collections. It was all very "tween queen." But when the sisters turned 18, they took over their company, Dualstar, and shifted gears entirely. They moved to New York, enrolled at NYU (briefly), and started obsessing over the construction of a perfect T-shirt.
That obsession turned into The Row.
It wasn't a celebrity vanity project. In fact, for the first few years, they didn't even put their names on it. They wanted the clothes to sell because they were good, not because the girl from Full House designed them. By 2026, that bet has paid off massively. The Row is now valued at approximately $1 billion, following a massive investment round in late 2024 and 2025 that saw the owners of Chanel (the Wertheimer family) and the heiress of L'Oréal (Françoise Bettencourt Meyers) snapping up minority stakes.
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Think about that. The people who own the most prestigious luxury brands in the world are now betting on the Olsens.
Why The Row is Actually a Big Deal
- The Valuation: A $1 billion tag isn't just a number; it’s a status symbol in the fashion world.
- Quiet Luxury: They basically invented the "quiet luxury" aesthetic long before it became a TikTok trend. No logos. No flash. Just $5,000 cashmere coats.
- Control: Despite the new investors, Mary-Kate and Ashley still maintain majority ownership and total creative control. Ashley serves as the CEO, while Mary-Kate is the Creative Director.
Their Relentless Pursuit of Privacy
You won't find them on Instagram. They don't have public TikTok accounts. They don't even like being photographed at their own runway shows. In early 2025, they famously banned phones and filming at their Paris Fashion Week show. They wanted people to actually look at the clothes, not record them for a Story.
It’s a vibe that feels very "old world."
In a world where everyone is oversharing, the Olsens have mastered the art of being invisible. Mary-Kate has been spotted at equestrian events—she’s a serious competitive rider—and occasionally at a high-profile gala, but that’s about it. Ashley has been even more low-key, especially after marrying artist Louis Eisner in 2022 and welcoming their son, Otto, in 2023.
Recent Public Sightings
- US Open 2025: Mary-Kate made a rare appearance, looking every bit the New York fashion editor.
- Amagansett Store: In late 2025, locals caught a glimpse of the sisters actually working in their store, arranging racks and acting like normal business owners.
- W Magazine Party: They stepped out together for a New York Fashion Week cocktail party in late 2025, proving they haven't completely retired from the social scene—just the parts they don't like.
What Happened to Elizabeth and James?
If The Row is the "aspirational" high-end brand, Elizabeth and James was always the "accessible" one. Named after their siblings, the brand had a huge run in department stores like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
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However, fashion is a fickle business.
In 2019, the sisters pivoted the brand into an exclusive partnership with Kohl’s. It was a move that surprised some, but it made sense: it allowed them to keep the brand alive at a price point that regular people could actually afford, while they focused their personal energy on the ultra-luxury world of The Row. By 2026, Elizabeth and James remains a staple at Kohl's, focusing on fragrances and "effortless" style, though the sisters are much less involved in the day-to-day there than they are with their high-fashion baby.
The Work Ethic Nobody Talks About
There's a common misconception that they just "picked out colors" and let others do the work. That's wrong. People like Gigi Hadid, who have worked with them, describe their office as a place where the sisters are at their desks every single day. They are "in the weeds" of the business.
They’re perfectionists. Mary-Kate once said that the reason they do fashion is to "constantly try to fix our imperfections." That’s a pretty intense way to look at a sweater. But it’s why their bags, like the Margaux Tote, have 100% value retention on the resale market. In 2026, a Margaux is basically the new Birkin.
Real-World Business Stats (2026 Estimates)
- Annual Revenue: The Row is estimated to pull in between $250 million and $300 million annually.
- Retail Footprint: They only have five flagship stores globally. This scarcity is intentional. It makes the brand feel like a secret club.
- Resale Power: Their pieces consistently rank in the "unicorn" category on platforms like Rebag, meaning they actually hold their value or even appreciate.
Living a "Normal" Life in New York
Mary-Kate’s life has had its share of headlines, specifically her high-profile divorce from Olivier Sarkozy in 2020. Since then, she’s been linked to various people, including rumors about NHL star Sean Avery in 2024 (though sources say they're just friends), but she’s mostly kept her head down. She lives in New York and spends her summers in the Hamptons.
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Ashley is leaning into the "mom era." She and Louis Eisner are famously private about their son. You won't see "baby's first steps" on a magazine cover. They’ve managed to raise a family in Manhattan without the paparazzi circus that follows most celebrities.
It’s almost like they’ve won the game of fame by refusing to play it.
The Future: What’s Next for the Twins?
The Row is expanding. With the 2024/2025 investment from the Wertheimers and the Bettencourt Meyers family, the brand is looking to scale. We’re likely going to see more category expansions—maybe more into home goods or a more robust jewelry line.
They aren't going back to acting. Ever. They’ve been asked about Fuller House a thousand times, and the answer is always a polite (or silent) "no." They’ve moved on, and frankly, so should we.
Actionable Takeaways for Olsen Fans
- Follow the Brand, Not the People: If you want to see what they’re up to, follow @therow on Instagram. It’s mostly art and architecture, but it’s the best window into their brains.
- Investment Pieces: If you’re looking to buy into their world, look for the Margaux bag or their tailored coats on the resale market. They hold value better than almost any other American brand.
- The "Olsen" Look: You don't need $10,000 to dress like them. The "Olsen aesthetic" is about oversized silhouettes, high-quality fabrics, and a complete lack of logos.
The story of Mary-Kate and Ashley isn't a "where are they now" tragedy. It’s a success story about two women who realized that being a child star is a job, but being a mogul is a legacy. They chose the legacy.