Maria Sten Body Measurements, Height, Weight, Family & Net Worth
Maria Sten began her journey as a beauty queen and has since developed into a versatile actress. She gained international recognition as Frances Neagley, a former Army colleague of Jack Reacher, in the hit series Reacher. Her character became a fan favorite and led to the spin-off show, Neagley, with Sten taking the lead role. Standing 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall, the former pageant winner has built a multifaceted career both in front of and behind the camera.
Maria Sten-Knudsen is the daughter of acclaimed Danish painter Nina Sten-Knudsen and a Congolese father, giving her a Danish, Swedish, and Congolese background. At 18, she moved to New York City to continue her education and pursue opportunities in the performing arts.
Before establishing herself in acting, Sten entered the world of pageantry. In 2008, she was crowned Miss Denmark Universe and went on to represent Denmark at the Miss Universe competition. From there, she built parallel careers as an actress and a screenwriter, allowing her to work both on and off the screen.
Quick Info:
| Full Name | Maria Sten-Knudsen |
| Born | 29 October 1989 (Copenhagen, Denmark) |
| Profession | Actress, writer, director, former beauty queen |
| Notable Work | Reacher, Neagley, Swamp Thing, Channel Zero |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 62 kg (137 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-36 inches (estimated) |
| Cup Size | D (modeling-era estimate) |
| Shoe Size | US 9 |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $2 million |
| Notable Trait | Miss Denmark 2008 |
Maria Sten Personal Details:
- Complete Name: Maria Sten-Knudsen
- Date of Birth: 29 October 1989
- Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Nationality: Danish
- Heritage: Danish, Swedish, and Congolese
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Religion: Christian
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black
Maria Sten Family Details:
Sten comes from an artistic family, with her mother, Nina Sten-Knudsen, being a well-regarded Danish painter. Although Sten has generally kept her family life away from the spotlight, her Danish, Swedish, and Congolese heritage has remained a notable part of her background and has attracted public interest throughout her career.
- Mother: Nina Sten-Knudsen (Danish painter)
- Father: Of Congolese descent
- Relationship Status: Private
- Children: None publicly confirmed
What Is Maria Sten’s Ethnicity and Background?
Maria Sten has a multicultural background, with Danish, Swedish, and Congolese heritage. She was born in Copenhagen to Danish painter Nina Sten-Knudsen, who has Swedish roots, and a Congolese father. Her diverse heritage has remained an important part of her identity, and Sten has used her public platform to support greater diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. She was born in Denmark and later moved to the United States as a young adult to pursue her education and career in the performing arts.
Maria Sten’s Relationships:
Maria Sten is very private about her personal life and has not publicly confirmed a current partner. Her most widely reported connection was with actress Crystal Reed, whom she worked with on the DC series Swamp Thing. In 2019, Reed referred to Sten as her “girlfriend” in a comment on social media, which led to reports that the two were romantically involved. However, neither actress has publicly addressed the relationship status.
Maria Sten Body Measurements:
Maria Sten has a tall, athletic figure that served her well first as a pageant competitor and later as an action actress. She stands 5 feet 10 inches with black hair and brown eyes, and her commanding physical presence is a notable asset in the action roles that have defined her career.
- Build: Athletic
- Height in Feet: 5 feet 10 inches
- Height in Centimeters: 178 cm
- Weight in Kilograms: 62 kg
- Weight in Pounds: 137 lbs
- Cup Size: D (modeling-era estimate)
- Feet/Shoe Size: 9 (US)
- Body Measurements: 34-25-36 inches (estimated)
How Tall Is Maria Sten Compared to Other Celebrities?
| Celebrity | Height | Difference vs Sten |
| Maria Sten | 5’10” | — |
| Alan Ritchson (Reacher co-star) | 6’3″ | +5″ taller |
| Crystal Reed (Swamp Thing co-star) | 5’8″ | -2″ shorter |
| Greyston Holt (Neagley co-star) | 6’0″ | +2″ taller |
| Adeline Rudolph (Neagley co-star) | 5’6″ | -4″ shorter |
At 5’10”, Sten is notably tall for an actress, which helps her hold the screen even alongside her towering Reacher co-star Alan Ritchson, who stands 6’3″.
Impact of Her Measurements on Her Career
Her height and striking looks launched her career in pageantry, where she won Miss Denmark and represented her country at Miss Universe. As her career shifted toward acting, that same physical presence became equally useful and made her a natural fit for strong action-oriented roles. This has been especially evident in her portrayal of Frances Neagley in Reacher.
Measurement Accuracy & Sources
Maria Sten’s height is reported inconsistently, from 5’8″ to 5’11”, with most listings placing her around 5’10”. Her body measurements and bra size trace back to her modeling and pageant years and vary across sources, so the figures here are dated estimates.
Maria Sten Career Highlights:
Pageantry and Writing
She first gained public attention by winning Miss Denmark Universe in 2008 and representing Denmark at Miss Universe. After moving to the United States, she built a dual career by pursuing acting and screenwriting simultaneously.
Breaking Into Acting
Maria gradually established her acting résumé through genre television, playing Jillian Hope Hodgson in Channel Zero: The Dream Door (2018) and Liz Tremayne in DC’s Swamp Thing (2019). These projects gave her opportunities to demonstrate her dramatic range and helped establish her as a rising television performer.
Reacher and Frances Neagley
Sten’s major breakthrough came with Prime Video’s Reacher, where she plays Frances Neagley. Appearing as a regular character in the series’ second and third seasons alongside Alan Ritchson, her portrayal of the formidable Neagley turned the character into a fan favorite and one of the franchise’s most popular figures.
Leading Her Own Series: Neagley
The popularity of Frances Neagley eventually led Amazon to develop a spin-off centered entirely on Sten’s character. It premieres on 16 September 2026, with all eight episodes released together. The series relocates Neagley to Chicago as a private investigator, where she begins investigating the suspicious death of a former friend and gradually uncovers a much larger mystery.
Awards & Recognition:
- Miss Denmark Universe 2008 and Miss Universe 2008 participant
- 2017 Black List x Women in Film Episodic Lab selection (as a writer)
- 2018 Young & Hungry List — named among Hollywood’s top new writers
Top Filmography:
| Title | Role | Years |
| Channel Zero: The Dream Door | Jillian Hope Hodgson | 2018 |
| Swamp Thing | Liz Tremayne | 2019 |
| Reacher | Frances Neagley | 2022–present |
| Neagley | Frances Neagley | 2026 |
Maria Sten Net Worth:
Estimated Net Worth: $2million
Primary Income Sources
- Acting salaries, led by Reacher and the Neagley spin-off
- Screenwriting, including work on Big Sky and her own short films
- Earlier modeling and pageant income
- Directing and producing projects
Earnings Context
Maria Sten’s net worth is estimated at approximately $2 million, though figures vary across sources from roughly $2 million to over $5 million. Her wealth comes from a multifaceted career, acting salaries led by the hit series Reacher, screenwriting credits including ABC’s Big Sky, and her earlier modeling and pageant work. Taking the lead in Neagley marks a significant step up in both her portfolio and earning power. As the lead star of a major franchise spin-off, she has greater visibility, and if the series continues successfully, it could become a significant contributor to her future income.
FAQs about Maria Sten:
Who does Maria Sten play in Reacher?
She plays Frances Neagley, Jack Reacher’s loyal former colleague from the Army’s 110th Special Investigations Unit.
When does the Neagley spin-off come out?
Neagley premieres on Prime Video on 16 September 2026, with all eight episodes released at once.
How tall is Maria Sten?
She is around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm).
What is Maria Sten’s ethnicity?
She is of Danish, Swedish, and Congolese descent.
What is Maria Sten’s net worth?
It’s estimated at around $2 million, though sources vary.
Is Maria Sten married?
She keeps her personal life very private and has not confirmed a partner, marriage, or children.
Was Maria Sten Miss Denmark?
Yes, she was crowned Miss Denmark Universe in 2008 and represented Denmark at Miss Universe that year.
Is Maria Sten a writer?
Yes, she is an accomplished screenwriter, named to Hollywood’s Young & Hungry List and selected for the Black List x Women in Film Episodic Lab.
Maria Sten Interesting Facts:
- Her mother is the acclaimed Danish painter Nina Sten-Knudsen.
- She moved from Copenhagen to New York City at 18 to pursue performing arts.
- Maria Sten is an accomplished screenwriter, named to the Tracking Board’s Young & Hungry List in 2018.
- She was crowned Miss Denmark Universe in 2008 and competed at Miss Universe before turning to acting.









