<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-01</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001013220</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLP-NYSE</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001243413</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROSENBLATT ALICE F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1 WELLPOINT WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>THOUSAND OAKS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91362</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
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Chizzo  -  Attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

