The $97 Million Feline Dynasty: Unveiling The Names, Breeds, And Shocking Net Worth Of Taylor Swift's Cats
As of December 2025, Taylor Swift’s three beloved cats—Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button—continue to be pop culture icons, rivaling their famous owner in global recognition and even surpassing many celebrities in estimated wealth. These three felines are more than just pets; they are a central part of the Taylor Swift brand, frequently starring in social media posts, music videos, and even high-profile endorsements, cementing their status as perhaps the most famous cat family in the world.
The fascination surrounding the names, breeds, and personalities of this furry trio is immense, driving millions of searches daily from Swifties and cat enthusiasts alike. From the stoic, older Meredith to the multi-millionaire superstar Olivia and the rescued-from-set Benjamin, each cat has a unique story rooted in Taylor Swift’s favorite fictional characters, making their biographies a delightful deep-dive for anyone curious about the "Childless Cat Lady" and her purr-fect companions.
The Feline Dynasty: Complete Profile of Taylor Swift's Cats
Taylor Swift's life as a self-proclaimed "cat lady" began in 2011 and has since grown into a formidable trio of celebrity pets. Each cat's name is a direct homage to a character that Taylor Swift loves, establishing a consistent and clever theme for her famous family.
Meredith Grey
- Full Name: Meredith Grey Swift
- Adoption Date: 2011
- Breed: Scottish Fold
- Inspiration: Dr. Meredith Grey, the protagonist of the long-running medical drama, Grey's Anatomy.
- Personality: Often described by Taylor as "a really old cat that is only nice to you half the time." She is the oldest and most reserved of the three, known for her dramatic, sometimes aloof expressions.
- Recent Update: As of late 2024, Meredith made a rare public appearance in a video shared by producer Jack Antonoff, confirming her continued health and sassy demeanor.
Olivia Benson
- Full Name: Olivia Benson Swift
- Adoption Date: June 2014
- Breed: Scottish Fold
- Inspiration: Detective Olivia Benson, the main character from the crime procedural series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, played by Mariska Hargitay.
- Personality: The most famous and commercially successful of the trio. She is known for her expressive, wide-eyed stare and her frequent, often hilarious, social media appearances.
- Recent Update: Olivia celebrated her 11th birthday in January 2025, solidifying her status as a veteran celebrity pet. Her net worth remains a major topic of discussion.
Benjamin Button
- Full Name: Benjamin Button Swift
- Adoption Date: 2019
- Breed: Ragdoll
- Inspiration: Benjamin Button, the character from the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, played by Brad Pitt.
- Personality: The youngest and the only male cat. He is a Ragdoll, known for his docile, floppy nature, which contrasts with the Scottish Folds' more independent personalities.
- Unique Story: Taylor Swift adopted Benjamin Button after he appeared on the set of her "ME!" music video, where he was a kitten featured in the opening scene. She instantly fell in love and decided to adopt him.
The $97 Million Paw-Print: How Olivia Benson Became a Global Superstar
The most shocking and compelling detail about Taylor Swift’s cats is the staggering financial valuation of her middle child, Olivia Benson. According to reports from pet-focused publications like All About Cats, Olivia Benson has an estimated net worth of approximately $97 million.
This valuation places the Scottish Fold as the third wealthiest pet in the world, following German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette. The incredible figure is not based on a trust fund, but rather on Olivia's independent earning potential and commercial appearances.
Olivia’s wealth stems from her commercial success and influence. She has starred alongside Taylor Swift in numerous high-budget music videos, including the "ME!" video, and has been featured in major ad campaigns. Her image has been used on official Taylor Swift merchandise, and her social media presence drives significant engagement and commercial value.
The commercial success of the cats is a testament to the power of the Taylor Swift brand. Fans eagerly purchase cat-themed merchandise, from t-shirts to pet supplies, inspired by the "Eras Tour" and the cats' unique personalities.
The Characters Behind the Cats: Name Inspirations and Breeds
The choice of names for the cats is a classic example of Taylor Swift's love for pop culture and her penchant for clever, narrative-driven details. Naming her pets after strong, fictional characters is a hallmark of her "cat lady" identity.
Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson: The Scottish Folds
Meredith Grey, the oldest cat, is named after the resilient, often dramatic, protagonist of ABC’s *Grey’s Anatomy*. Olivia Benson, the millionaire cat, is named after Mariska Hargitay's iconic, long-running character in *Law & Order: SVU*. Both characters are known for their strength, longevity, and complex personalities, traits that Taylor Swift often playfully projects onto her feline counterparts.
Both Meredith and Olivia are Scottish Folds, a breed instantly recognizable by their small, folded-down ears. This unique feature is due to a natural, dominant gene mutation affecting cartilage throughout the cat's body.
It is important to note that the Scottish Fold breed is controversial among animal welfare groups. The genetic mutation that causes the folded ears, known as osteochondrodysplasia, can also affect cartilage and bone in other parts of the body, potentially leading to painful joint issues and arthritis later in life. This controversy has led some countries to ban the breeding of two folded-ear cats together.
Benjamin Button: The Ragdoll
Benjamin Button, the youngest, is a Ragdoll cat. Unlike the Scottish Folds, Ragdolls are known for their striking blue eyes, semi-long coat, and their tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up—hence the name "Ragdoll."
His name is inspired by the Brad Pitt film, *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, about a man who ages backward. This name choice is especially poignant given that Benjamin was a tiny kitten when Taylor adopted him from the set of her music video, representing a new beginning for the third member of her cat family.
The Cultural Impact: Karma is a Cat
The cats' fame reached new heights with the release of Taylor Swift's 2022 album, *Midnights*. In the song "Karma," she famously sings, "Karma is a cat / Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me." This lyric instantly became an anthem for cat lovers and a defining quote for the Swiftie community, further cementing the importance of her pets in her public persona and music.
Taylor Swift's deep affection for her cats is often shared in interviews, where she has described them as her constant companions and a source of comfort. The cats, especially Olivia and Meredith, have been with her through multiple album cycles, tours, and major life events, making them silent, furry witnesses to her incredible career.
The story of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button is a fascinating blend of celebrity, pop culture, and animal companionship. They are a powerful reminder that even the world's biggest pop star finds solace and joy in the simple, purring presence of her three very famous, very wealthy, and very loved cats.
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