Meryl Streep was 'ready to retire' before 2006 'Devil Wears Prada' until she 'doubled' her salary

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meryl Streep, now 76, is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in Hollywood. Yet at one point, her career could have taken a very different turn. She was close to retiring before signing on for 'The Devil Wears Prada' back in 2006.

Instead of stepping away, she stayed and made a bold move. Her salary was doubled, and the moment brought a clear lesson. The industry needed her more than she needed it.

That decision changed the course of her career. It kept her in Hollywood and led to major projects such as 'Mamma Mia' (2008), 'Julie & Julia' (2009), and 'The Iron Lady' (2011). The last of these earned her another Academy Award for Best Actress.

Meryl Streep was ready to retire until she doubled her salary

During an appearance on 'TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle' on Wednesday, April 29, Meryl Streep opened up about a moment that reshaped her career. Speaking alongside co-stars Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, she revealed she was close to stepping away from acting before 'The Devil Wears Prada' project came along.

“They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said, 'No, not going to do it,' ” Streep said with a smile during the joint interview. The comment surprised the hosts, including Jenna Bush Hager, who asked what changed her mind.

Streep explained that her decision was strategic. “I knew it was going to be a hit and I wanted to see if I doubled my ask...” she said, pausing for effect. What happened next caught even her off guard. “And they went right away and said, 'Sure.'

The moment stayed with her. “And I thought, I'm 50, 60, it took me this long to understand that I could do that,” she continued, reflecting on how long it took to recognize her own value. “They needed me, I felt.”

Looking back, Streep said the experience was more than just a successful negotiation. It was a lesson that changed her perspective. “I was ready to retire, but that was a lesson,” she said, noting how the film ultimately kept her in the industry and reshaped her approach to future roles.

Meryl Streep returns as Miranda Priestly as the sequel explores a changing fashion world

Meryl Streep was 57 when she first played the powerful and unforgettable Miranda Priestly in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. Now, almost 20 years later, she is stepping back into the same role for the sequel.

In the new film, Streep once again plays Priestly, the strict and influential editor-in-chief. This time, the story looks at how she deals with a changing fashion world, where digital media is taking over, and old systems are being challenged.

The sequel also brings back Hathaway, Blunt, and Tucci. Their characters return with new journeys, adding more drama and depth to the story. The film is set to release on May 1, and early reviews say it nicely balances nostalgia with a fresh and modern storyline.