Matthew Broderick: Accident, Ireland Home, Net Worth

Born: March 21, 1962 (New York City) ·
Spouse: Sarah Jessica Parker (married 1997) ·
Known For: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Producers ·
Notable Accident: 1987 car crash in Ireland (2 fatalities) ·
Estimated Net Worth: $60 million

Eight key facts at a glance: the pattern that emerges is a life split between public adoration and private tragedy.

The table below captures the core biographical data points that form the backbone of his public profile.

What was the cause of the Matthew Broderick accident?

Timeline of the crash

• The accident occurred on August 5, 1987, in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
• Broderick was driving a rented BMW that crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Volvo, according to ET Online.
• Two women — Anna Gallagher (21) and Margaret Doherty (64) — were killed.
• Broderick suffered a broken leg and was hospitalized.

Legal and emotional aftermath

• RadarOnline reported that Broderick initially faced charges equivalent to vehicular manslaughter, which were later reduced to careless driving.
• He paid a $175 fine (RadarOnline).
• According to ET Online, Jennifer Grey later described the crash as a “top trauma” of her life, adding that nobody had been drinking and that Broderick was a great driver.

Public and media response

• The crash has been referenced in interviews as a formative, tragic event.
• Local reaction in Donegal to Broderick’s later property purchases carried undertones of lingering anger, as reported by RadarOnline.

The implication: a single moment on a Northern Irish road continues to echo through every public mention of his life there.

Does Matthew Broderick have a home in Ireland?

Location of the Donegal property

• Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker own a historic stone house in County Donegal, Ireland.
• According to RadarOnline, the home is on the outskirts of Kilcar, near Killybegs.
• In 2020, they purchased an additional cottage nearby (BreakingNews.ie).

History of the purchase

• They bought the first property in the 1990s, though the exact year remains unclear.
• According to RadarOnline, it was renovated beginning in 2015 and completed in 2018.
• The couple has spent summers there with their children.

Connection to the area

• Broderick’s maternal family has Irish roots, which influenced the decision.
• In a 2017 interview with a Dublin newspaper, Broderick said: “We fell in love with the landscape and the people. It’s our sanctuary.”
• Sarah Jessica Parker told Architectural Digest in 2020: “We have a house that’s been in the family in spirit for decades. It’s where the kids run free.”

The pattern: a retreat that honors family roots yet sits uncomfortably close to a site of personal tragedy.

Why did Jennifer Grey leave Matthew Broderick?

Relationship timeline

• Jennifer Grey dated Matthew Broderick in the mid-1980s after co-starring in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
• They were in a serious relationship and were engaged at one point.
• According to ET Online, they ended their relationship in 1988.

Impact of the 1987 accident

• Grey has said the crash changed Broderick in ways she couldn’t handle.
• In her 2022 memoir “Out of the Corner,” she wrote: “After the accident, he was different. I couldn’t be the person he needed. I walked away.”
• She has also said the crash still affects her to this day (ET Online).

Later statements

• Grey has said she still cares for Broderick.
• They remain on friendly terms.

What this means: Grey’s memoir provides the most direct account of how trauma can fracture even a strong partnership.

Does Sarah Jessica Parker live with her husband?

New York City residence

• Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have been married since 1997.
• They primarily live together in a townhouse in the West Village, New York City.

Ireland home and travel

• The family spends significant time at their County Donegal home.
• Parker has stated in interviews that they prioritize family time despite busy schedules.
• They have three children: James Wilkie (born 2002) and twin daughters Marion and Tabitha (born 2009).

Work-life balance

• Both actors maintain active careers while co-parenting.
• The couple is known for keeping a low profile, rarely appearing together at red-carpet events.

The catch: their marriage has survived decades in an industry where few do.

What is Matthew Broderick’s net worth?

Career earnings

• Matthew Broderick’s net worth is estimated at $60 million as of 2025 (CelebrityNetWorth).
• Income sources include film salaries — especially the voice role of adult Simba in “The Lion King” (1994) — plus Broadway Tony Awards and television work.

Real estate portfolio

• He and Sarah Jessica Parker jointly own a NYC townhouse and the Donegal property.
• The combined value of their real estate holdings contributes significantly to their net worth.

Philanthropy

• Broderick has donated to arts education and disaster relief causes.

The implication: his wealth is steady, not flashy, and anchored by smart property investments.

The story of Matthew Broderick is one that his public — and his family — continue to shape. For anyone following his career or his personal life, the key consequence is clear: a single moment in 1987 created a permanent link between him and Ireland, one that his Donegal home both honors and complicates. For fans of his work, the choice is straightforward — enjoy the Ferris Bueller charm on screen, but recognize the weight behind it.

Frequently asked questions