Joan Collins Hospitalized at 89 — The Actress, Who Has 3 Kids & 4 Homes, Fell Ill on Luxury Vacation

Legendary film actor Joan Collins has known nothing but success in her career and robust health over the years. However, a recent instance during a luxury vacation in Monaco left her on the brink of death.

Joan Collins has been in the entertainment industry for over eight decades and, in that time, has achieved immeasurable success as an actress, author, and columnist.

While success has been a constant in her life, she hit new heights after appearing as Alexis Colby on the drama series "Dynasty." In all that time, Collins has been fortunate to escape significant health conditions, a blessing not many can boast of, including her family members.

However, she has always held a fear of contracting Alzheimer's disease. She disclosed that after watching her mother-in-law struggle with the progressive illness, she wouldn't want to put her family through the trauma if she ever developed the condition. She mused:

"Touch wood, I've never had any health problems other than a bit of toothache... But my husband Percy's mother had Alzheimer's, and that's a terrifying illness."

A SUDDEN HEALTH SCARE

After being as fit as a fiddle for years, except for a bit of toothache here and there, Collins' recent brush with death was an unwelcome surprise. Instagram photos showed the "Island in the Sun" actress enjoying a luxurious vacation in Monaco and having the time of her life.

She looked stunning in white shorts, paired with a white and blue shirt, and completed the ensemble with a white Chanel baseball cap, large blue shades, large gold earrings, matching bangles, and a watch. She was on a yacht and looked stunning, enjoying the vast waters in the company of friends.

As she would later update her Instagram fans, her vacation was cut short after being rushed to Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco due to a trapped nerve in her leg. The actress shared the devastating news on her Instagram, prompting hundreds of messages from her fans wishing her a quick and painless recovery. She wrote:

"Enjoying a great day out, one week before, I had to go to the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco for a trapped nerve in my leg. Not fun!"

"I'M NOT EXACTLY RICH": HER MULTI-MILLION FORTUNE AND FOUR HOUSES

After becoming an internationally recognized actress for her role in "Dynasty," Collins went on to bag numerous other parts and subsequent accolades and build wealth that many people spend their lives wishing for.

Collins began her career when she was only nine in the play "A Doll's House," then at 16, she made her feature debut as a film extra playing a beauty contestant in "Lady Godiva Rides Again." She eventually began landing more prominent roles and, with it, handsome rewards.

All her years in the industry have earned her quite the wealth, and the actress is today worth £20 million, according to the Celebrity Net Worth website. Most of her wealth reportedly came from her role in "Dynasty," where she earned £12,000 per episode when she started.

In addition to her immense wealth, the acting legend has invested mainly in real estate. She owns a sprawling Manhattan abode and some fabulous properties in Los Angeles, London, and Saint-Tropez, in the South of France, where she loves spending her summers.

In addition to making big bucks in her movies ad TV shows, the actress has sold over 50 million books adding to her wealth. Even so, she still does not consider herself rich.

During an interview with BBC journalist Michael Buerk, Buerk made a throwaway comment about the actress' wealth, asking her what motivates her as she is so prosperous, to which Collins snapped back:

"What's rich? I'm not exactly rich, no."

THE ICONIC ACTRESS' FAMILY — CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

Collins may be one of her generation's most successful movie icons, but she boasts more than material wealth. The actress also has a successful family life, including three children she adores.

She had two of the three, Tara and Alexander, with her second ex-husband Anthony Newley, then her third child Katyana with her third husband, Ron Kass.

Tara, the eldest of the Collins children, followed in her mother's footsteps and is an English writer, broadcaster, and producer. At only six, she made her acting debut in the 1969 British musical "Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?"

She also appeared in the 2011 documentary "Celebrity Naked Ambition" as herself. The Sun reports how intimidating she felt being Collins' and Newley's daughter:

"Being the daughter of Joan Collins and Anthony Newley could be daunting, but I had to find out who I am. "

Alexander Newley is Collins' second-born child. Also known as Sacha Newly, Alexander is a teacher, a writer, and a British contemporary artist. He is famous for his portrait paintings, including ones of Steven Berkoff, Oliver Stone, and Billy Wilder.

Collins' third child is Katyana, who she shares with her third husband, Ron Kass. She has also followed in her mother's footsteps and made her acting debut as a barely-one-year-old in "The Optimist."

Away from being a doting mother to her three children, Collins is also a grandmother to three beautiful babies. One, Ava Grace, is her son's only child. In a photo posted on her Instagram, Collins boasted her look-alike granddaughter in a split-screen snapshot.

One end of the screen shows 16-year-old Ava Grace, while on the second is the 20-year-old Collins during her appearance in the 1955 "Land of the Pharaohs."

Fans could not help but notice the uncanny resemblance between the actress and her granddaughter and filled the comment section with compliments. The icon's other grandchildren are Tara's babies, Weston Skeates and Miel Celeste.

While Collins claims to be anything but rich, the fact remains that she has amassed considerable wealth over the years. And even though she's never commented on the same, it is assumed she will leave her wealth to her children and maybe even her grandchildren when the time comes.