Unraveling the Net Worth of Susan Bennett: The Voice Behind Siri
In the tech world, the name “Siri” is synonymous with the helpful virtual assistant that resides in millions of Apple devices. However, not many people know the real person behind that iconic voice. Meet Susan Bennett, the talented voice actor who provided the original voice for Siri when it made its debut with the first-ever iPhone release back in October 2011.
Born in Burlington, Vermont, in 1949, Susan Bennett is not just any voice actor; she is one of the world’s most renowned and versatile voices. Her vocal talents have graced various platforms, including serving as the public address system voice in all Delta Air Lines terminals worldwide, being the voice of GPS navigation software, and lending her voice to commercials for major companies like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Ford.
However, Susan Bennett’s claim to fame is undoubtedly her role as the original voice of Siri. Along with other voice actors for the American, British, and Australian versions of Siri, Bennett recorded her voice for ScanSoft, now known as Nuance, around 2005. Little did she know that these pre-made recordings would eventually become the heart and soul of Siri when Apple integrated the virtual assistant into the iPhone 4S and beyond.
As of June 1, 2023, Susan Bennett boasts a net worth of approximately $5 million. Despite her invaluable contribution to the success of Siri and the iPhone, Bennett was never compensated for her work by Apple. The tech giant utilized her recordings without her prior knowledge, leaving her without any financial reward for her significant role in shaping Siri’s identity.
However, Susan Bennett seems to have taken this situation in stride. In an interview with Insider, she candidly stated that she has “enjoyed being Siri” and is genuinely proud of her association with one of the most recognized virtual assistants worldwide.
Revealing how Siri came into being, Bennett shared her experience of recording for ScanSoft, where she initially expected to voice regular phrases such as “Thanks for calling” or “Please dial one.” To her surprise, she was tasked with reading nonsensical sentences like “Cow hoist in the tug hut today” or “Say shift fresh issue today,” as the company aimed to capture every possible sound combination in the English language.
Beyond her personal journey, Bennett is also vocal about the challenges faced by voice actors, especially those lending their voices to AI systems. Many people do not realize that real individuals record AI voices and, as such, these talented individuals deserve proper compensation for their contributions to the technology industry.
Over the years, Siri’s voice has undergone several updates, providing Bennett with the opportunity to interact with the virtual assistant without cringing at her own voice. As she continues to excel in her successful voice acting career, Susan Bennett remains an inspiration and a reminder of the incredible talent and artistry that bring life to the technologies we rely on daily.