Over the course of her career, Cates has earned around $35 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. This is a combined net worth with her husband Kevin Cline, who she has been married to for more than three decades. Cline, also an actor, met Cates in 1983 during her audition for "The Big Chill" (via Country Living). While the role for that movie went to Meg Tilly, the two stayed in touch and eventually started dating two years later. They married in 1989, and have two children together.

Following her acting career, Cates decided to focus on her family life. She also opened up her own boutique Blue Tree in New York City's Carnegie Hill neighborhood. The shop is known for "its eclectic and inspired selection of women's clothing and jewelry" according to the store's official site, which says that "there are no rules" at Blue Tree and that they're "always re-inventing, recreating in the hopes of delighting."

Cates' daughter, musician Frankie Combos, is also a frequent model for the boutique and is often seen on the website's new arrival page, as well as the store's Instagram page.