Scarlett Johansson discusses life struggles despite being highest-paid actress

Scarlett Johansson has opened up about the pressures of balancing career and family life, saying that true work-life balance does not exist even as she continues to enjoy major professional success.

Speaking in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Johansson explained that there is always a “deficit” somewhere in life, regardless of achievement or income. Her comments come after reports that she earned $43 million in 2025, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.

“I think actually admitting that there is no work-life balance is the first step,” Johansson said. “It’s not possible. There’s always something that is… there’s a deficit in some area.”

The Marvel star added that she has learned to be kinder to herself over time, acknowledging that not everything can be perfectly managed at once. She described success as an ongoing adjustment rather than a fixed state.

“Somebody once told me, if you’re successful as a parent like 75% of the time, that’s good,” she noted, adding that this perspective helped her rethink expectations around parenting and work.

Johansson is currently balancing multiple responsibilities, including her acting career, business ventures, and family life with husband Colin Jost, along with raising her children.

The actress, known globally for her role in the Marvel franchise, also reflected on her early years in Hollywood, previously describing how growing up in the entertainment industry placed intense pressure on young women in the spotlight.

She has often spoken about the challenges of fame, noting how expectations around appearance and roles for women in the early 2000s were significantly more limited than today.

Despite her success, Johansson’s latest remarks highlight a more grounded perspective on fame, success, and personal life, emphasising the ongoing tension between professional achievement and private responsibilities.