Revealed: The staggering amount Emma Watkins is set to walk away with as she quits The Wiggles after 11 years to pursue an academic career
Emma Watkins announced on Tuesday she was quitting The Wiggles at the end of the year in order to devote more time to her other passions, including completing her PhD at Macquarie University.
And while the news is a devastating blow to millions of children around the world, Emma's amicable exit from the band after 11 years will see her walk away with more than just happy memories.
The 32-year-old Yellow Wiggle will have plenty of money to pursue her dreams, with Woman's Day reporting in August she was earning an estimated $750,000 a year for her role in the band.
More than just memories: Emma Watkins is set to walk away with millions after serving as a main member of children's band The Wiggles for almost decade
While Emma began performing with the group in 2010, it wasn't until 2013 that she replaced founding member Greg Page to join the main line-up, which is when it's believed she got her mammoth pay rise.
Based on her estimated salary, Emma's wealth today after tax would be about $3.4million minus her assets - and that's not including the three years prior when she wasn't a full-time band member.
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Emma was first cast as Fairy Larissa in the Dorothy the Dinosaur concerts and videos, and went on to play other roles including Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur, and a Wiggly dancer.
While her salary from 2010 to 2013 is unknown, estimates based on other secondary performers' wages suggest she would have earned a total of $300,000 after tax during this period.
Popular: In addition to earning an estimated $750,000 a year for her role in the band, Emma also shares sponsored posts on Instagram from time to time, which could earn her anything from $240 to $400 per post, based on her 61,000 followers
Emma also shares sponsored posts on Instagram from time to time, which, according to Influencer Marketing Hub, could earn her anything from $240 to $400 per post, based on her 61,000 followers.
In August, Emma sold her three-bedroom East Ryde home before its scheduled auction. The house had been listed for $1.6million, but no sale price was disclosed.
She is now rumoured to be moving to the NSW Southern Highlands to be closer to her parents, Richard and Kathryn, in Kangaloon.
Emma will also likely receive a cash settlement after spending more than a decade with The Wiggles.
A representative for the band said they would not comment on commercial matters.
Sold: In August, Emma sold her three-bedroom East Ryde home before its scheduled auction. The house had been listed for $1.6million, but no sale price was disclosed
Time to say goodbye: 'After 11 years of performing with The Wiggles, and nine of those as the Yellow Wiggle, the time has come for me to pass the yellow skivvy on,' Emma said on Tuesday
Emma said in a statement on Tuesday that the Covid-19 lockdown made her reassess her priorities, and she realised how much she missed being at home.
'After 11 years of performing with The Wiggles, and nine of those as the Yellow Wiggle, the time has come for me to pass the yellow skivvy on,' she said.
'Like many people around the world, the pandemic has given me time to reflect on what is important in life.
'For me, that means spending more time at home, something that I didn't realise I was missing out on being away eight months of the year on tour, but something that I have really cherished over the last 18 months.'
She continued: 'I am also really looking forward to devoting more time and energy on completing my PhD that incorporates my ongoing passion for sign language, dance and film editing, and to having more time to work with the deaf community.'
End of an era: Emma will pass the yellow skivvy to newcomer Tsehay Hawkins in 2022. Pictured with Simon Pryce (left), Lachlan Gillespie (second from right) and Anthony Field (right)
Emma is passionate about sign language and raising awareness of Australia's deaf community after growing up with her best friend having two deaf brothers.
Her PhD, which she has been researching for several years, focuses on the affective, artistic integrations of sign language, dance and film editing.
She has also completed a Diploma of Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
Emma added: 'I am eternally grateful to The Wiggles for giving me the amazing opportunity to be the first female Wiggle, a role that I have loved and one that has brought me so much joy and an abundance of bowtiful memories that I will treasure forever.
'As The Wiggles continue to evolve and someone new now steps into the yellow skivvy, I look forward to seeing children and families embrace them, just as I was when I began. I wish The Wiggles much continued success as they continue to delight children all over the world.'
Watkins is being replaced in 2022 by teenager Tsehay Hawkins, who joined the Wiggles family earlier this year for its 'Fruit Salad TV' YouTube series and has now been promoted to the main line-up.
At 16 years old, she is the band's youngest-ever member.
Replacement: Sixteen-year-old Tsehay Hawkins (pictured), who joined the Wiggles family earlier this year for its 'Fruit Salad TV' YouTube series, has been promoted to the main line-up
Tsehay (pronounced se-hi, which means 'the sun' in Amharic) is an award-winning dancer who represented Australia at the World Latin Dance Championships.
She was born in Ethiopia and adopted by Australian parents Robyn and Reg Hawkins at the age of seven months, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Tsehay said in a statement: 'I am honoured to be joining The Wiggles at such an exciting time for the group.
I grew up watching The Wiggles and I've already loved working with Anthony, Emma, Simon, Lachy, Evie, Kelly, John and all the Wiggly characters filming their latest TV series Fruit Salad TV.
'I'm now incredibly excited to be joining them in the yellow skivvy and to have the chance to go out on the road in the new arena tour, I can't wait to meet all the Wiggly fans.
'Dancing has always been my passion, and I look forward to being able to share the joy of song and dance with children all over the world.'
The Wiggles have also announced their new Australian tour, which kicks off in Cairns in February and concludes in Adelaide in May.
Newcomer: Tsehay (pronounced se-hi, which means 'the sun' in Amharic) is an award-winning dancer who represented Australia at the World Latin Dance Championships
