Samantha Richelle is a Brunei-born Filipina actress, entrepreneur, and fashion designer, best known for playing Detective Kai Mendoza in Almost Paradise, and is the daughter of Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah, making her one of the most uniquely positioned celebrity figures in Southeast Asian entertainment today.
She turned 37 in December 2025. Beyond the screen, she runs her own ready-to-wear fashion label, commands a following of over 137,000 on Instagram, and is engaged to Filipino footballer Anton del Rosario. Her story blends royal heritage, creative hustle, and multicultural identity, which is why millions search for her every year.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Samantha Richelle Jefri Bolkiah |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1988 |
| Age (2026) | 37 years old |
| Birthplace | Brunei |
| Nationality | Bruneian-Filipino |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Filipino-Bruneian) |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | Approx. 56 kg (123 lbs) |
| Father | Prince Jefri Bolkiah |
| Mother | Puan Fatimah binti Abdullah (née Evangeline Teodoro del Rosario) |
| Sibling | Karraminah Clarisse (younger sister) |
| Boyfriend / Fiancé | Anton del Rosario |
| Children | One son (Myles) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $1–5 million USD |
| @samrichelle | |
| Known For | Almost Paradise, Fashion Label, Royal Heritage |
Who Is Samantha Richelle?
Most people discover Samantha Richelle through Almost Paradise. But her background runs far deeper than any TV role.
She is the daughter of Prince Jefri Bolkiah — the younger brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei — and his non-royal wife, Puan Fatimah binti Abdullah. That makes Samantha literal Bruneian royalty. She rarely trades on that title, though. She built her career on talent, not lineage.
Born in Brunei, she attended high school in Los Angeles, then moved to London, returned to Los Angeles, and eventually settled in the Philippines — where she currently lives and works. That international upbringing shaped both her worldview and her style.
Samantha Richelle Age and Height
As of 2026, Samantha Richelle is 36–37 years old, born on December 16, 1988 in Brunei.
Her reported height varies slightly across sources:
- Most commonly cited: 5 ft 6 in (1.70 m)
- Some sources list: 5 ft 4 in
- Weight: approximately 56 kg / 123 lbs
She has noted at least nine tattoos across her body — a detail she has spoken about openly in interviews. She disclosed her passion for tattoo art in 2015, describing it as a significant part of her identity.
Education and Early Career
Samantha's path into fashion and film began with serious academic groundwork. She trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles — one of the most respected fashion schools in the United States.
Her educational timeline looks like this:
- Fine arts major — foundation in visual arts
- Design school in New York — refined her creative approach
- FIDM, Los Angeles — formal fashion training
Before acting, she worked under other designers. She told Assignment X that she spent years working for other designers before deciding to launch her own label. That experience built the confidence and craft she needed to go independent.
Acting Career — From Syd to Almost Paradise
Samantha's on-screen career started quietly. Her early credits include Syd (2015), The Cassandra Project, and How Are You? (2017), all projects where she also contributed as a writer.
Her breakout came in 2020. She starred as Kai Mendoza in Almost Paradise, a WGN America production alongside Christian Kane, a show praised for its thrilling storyline and Richelle's captivating performance.
Why Almost Paradise mattered to her personally:
"It was something that really interested me because growing up, I never saw anything like this representing the Philippines," she said in an interview with Manny the Movie Guy on YouTube. "You get to see the beautiful landscapes and beaches that we have here."
The second season landed on Amazon Prime Video, continuing the story of a former DEA agent who retires to the island of Cebu, with Richelle reprising her role as Kai Mendoza.
Full Filmography at a Glance:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | PNP Pacer 2: Crime Does Not Pay | — | TV Movie |
| 2015 | Syd | — | Also writer |
| 2017 | How Are You? | — | Short film, writer |
| 2020 | Almost Paradise | Kai Mendoza | Main cast, 10 episodes |
| 2020+ | Almost Paradise Season 2 | Kai Mendoza | Amazon Prime Video |
| TBA | The Cassandra Project | — | Short film, in production |
Samantha Richelle's Fashion Label
Many fans know her as Kai Mendoza. Fewer know she considers herself a fashion designer first.
Richelle launched her own namesake fashion label in January 2020. Her ready-to-wear line features a mix of casual and formal styles, carefully manufactured in Manila.
Her pieces have been worn by major Filipino celebrities including Anne Curtis, Liza Soberano, Nicole Andersson, and Kiana Valenciano.
Her own wardrobe? She boasts a designer collection ranging from Dior handbags and Versace outfits to Roberto Cavalli gowns. Her style philosophy is rooted in the past: she told Calyxta she is inspired by 1940s and 1950s cinema and prefers classic, timeless silhouettes over fleeting trends.
What sets her fashion brand apart:
- Ready-to-wear — accessible, not just runway
- Ethical manufacturing in Manila
- A fine arts and FIDM-trained creative vision
- Worn by A-list Philippine celebrities
For more profiles of style-forward personalities, explore Danielle Campbell – Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Boyfriend.
Samantha Richelle Net Worth — 2026 Estimate
Net worth estimates for Samantha vary significantly across sources. Here is a transparent breakdown:
| Source Type | Estimate |
| Conservative (acting income only) | $600K – $1.5M |
| Mid-range (acting + brand + Instagram) | $1M – $5M |
| High-end (speculative, includes royal assets) | $10M–$15M |
The most credible mid-range estimate sits at $1–5 million USD as of 2026. Her income comes from:
- Acting fees from Almost Paradise and other productions
- Her self-named ready-to-wear fashion label
- Instagram brand partnerships (137K+ followers)
- Potential brand endorsements and appearances
She is notably private about finances. No confirmed figure has been released directly by Richelle or her management.
Samantha Richelle's Boyfriend — Anton del Rosario
Richelle met Anton del Rosario at a bar called Fiama in Makati, Philippines. The couple got engaged in 2016.
Who is Anton? He is an American-born Filipino professional football player who represented the Philippines National football team from 2004 to 2018.
Together they have a son named Myles. Samantha keeps her son largely out of the public eye, consistent with her approach to privacy overall.
Key relationship facts:
- Met: At Fiama bar, Makati, Philippines
- Engaged: 2016
- Son: Myles
- Marital Status (2026): Engaged, not yet married
Want to read about other celebrity couples and personal lives? Check out Juliana Paes – Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Husband and Paige O'Brien – Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Husband.
Samantha Richelle Royal Heritage — The Brunei Connection
This is the detail that surprises most new fans. Samantha Richelle traces her lineage directly to the ultra-wealthy Brunei royal family — her father is Prince Jefri Bolkiah, brother of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.
She doesn't broadcast this. According to multiple media sources, she keeps her royal background relatively private, though she frequently attends Brunei royal family functions.
She is reportedly close to Princess Ezurin, who is also an active social media personality.
Her mother, Puan Fatimah binti Abdullah (born Evangeline Teodoro del Rosario), is Filipino, which explains the deep ties to the Philippines that define Samantha's life and career choices.
Samantha Richelle Social Media — 2026 Update
| Platform | Handle | Followers (approx.) |
| @samrichelle | 137,000+ | |
| Twitter/X | Active | Not publicly confirmed |
| Active | Not publicly confirmed |
Instagram is her primary platform. Her content spans streetwear, beachwear, and high fashion — a versatile mix that reflects both her personal style and fashion brand identity.
FAQs
Q: How old is Samantha Richelle in 2026?
A: Samantha Richelle is 37 years old as of 2026. She was born on December 16, 1988, in Brunei. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Q: Who is Samantha Richelle's father?
A: Her father is Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the youngest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and the brother of Brunei's reigning Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. This makes Samantha a member of the Brunei royal family.
Q: What TV show is Samantha Richelle known for?
A: She is best known for playing Detective Kai Mendoza in Almost Paradise, which aired on WGN America in 2020 and later on Amazon Prime Video for its second season. The show is set in Cebu, Philippines.
Q: Is Samantha Richelle married?
A: As of 2026, Samantha Richelle is not married. She has been engaged to Filipino-American footballer Anton del Rosario since 2016. The two share a son named Myles.
Q: What is Samantha Richelle's height?
A: The most consistently cited height for Samantha Richelle is 5 feet 6 inches (approximately 1.70 m), with a weight of around 56 kg. Some older sources list her at 5 feet 4 inches.
Q: What is Samantha Richelle's net worth in 2026?
A: Samantha Richelle's estimated net worth in 2026 ranges from $1 million to $5 million USD. Her income comes from acting, her fashion label, and Instagram brand partnerships. No official figure has been publicly confirmed.
Q: Does Samantha Richelle have her own fashion brand?
A: Yes. She launched her self-named ready-to-wear fashion label in January 2020. Her pieces are manufactured ethically in Manila and have been worn by top Filipino celebrities including Liza Soberano and Anne Curtis.
Q: What is Samantha Richelle's nationality?
A: She holds Bruneian nationality and is of mixed Filipino-Bruneian ethnicity. She was born in Brunei but grew up internationally and currently resides in the Philippines.
Q: Where did Samantha Richelle go to school?
A: She studied fine arts before attending a design school in New York. She later completed formal fashion training at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles.
Q: How many tattoos does Samantha Richelle have?
A: As of her last public comment on the subject in 2015, she had at least nine tattoos. She has described tattooing as a significant part of her identity and an art form she deeply respects.
Also worth reading: Hannaha Hall – Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Boyfriend | Grace Narducci – Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Boyfriend
References
- Wikipedia — Samantha Richelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Richelle
- IMDb — Samantha Richelle: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4018536/
- South China Morning Post — Meet Samantha Richelle: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3228225/
- Luxury Launches — Samantha Richelle Royal Profile: https://luxurylaunches.com/celebrities/meet-samantha-richelle.php
- MyDramaList — Samantha Richelle Profile: https://mydramalist.com/people/71709-samantha-richelle
- GlamourBiz — Samantha Richelle Wikipedia, Married, Net Worth: https://glamourbiz.com/celebrities/samantha-richelle-wikipedia-married
