Top 10 Richest Celebrities

From iconic athletes to superstar musicians and influential media moguls, these celebrities have amassed immense wealth through their talent, savvy investments, and strategic business decisions. Explore our list of the top 10 richest celebrities in the world and learn how they achieved such financial success. Although many well-known public figures from other industries could easily be included, this list focuses exclusively on individuals whose fame stems from entertainment, including sports, music, and film.

10. Tiger Woods - $1.3 Billion

Tiger Woods, a legendary golfer and one of the sport’s most iconic figures, has a net worth of $1.3 billion as of October 2024. His wealth is a product of his amazing golf career and lucrative endorsement deals. Since turning professional in 1996, Woods has made over $1.8 billion in his pro golf career, including a PGA Tour-record $121 million in prize money. His major endorsement deals with Nike which started in 2000 have earned him around $700 million up until 2023. Woods' assets include a beautiful oceanfront estate in Jupiter, Florida, worth between $75 and $100 million, a $25 million yacht named "Privacy," and a $54 million Gulfstream G550 jet. Additionally, Woods co-founded TMRW Sports, a sports technology company that secured a $500 Million valuation in a funding round in June 2024 as per Bloomberg. 

9. Rihanna - $1.4 Billion 

Rihanna, a Barbados-born superstar and business mogul, has a net worth of $1.4 billion as of October 2024, making her the richest female musician in the world. While she first captured global attention with her hit songs and performances, the majority of Rihanna’s wealth now comes from her business ventures. Her biggest financial triumph is Fenty Beauty, a cosmetics brand she co-owns with luxury powerhouse LVMH. The brand’s value has soared to an impressive $2.8 billion, with Rihanna’s 50% stake alone contributing around $1 billion to her net worth. Additionally, her 28% stake in Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand valued at $3 billion just five years after its launch, has significantly boosted her fortune. Beyond her music and businesses, Rihanna’s expanding empire, which includes endorsements and savvy investments, consistently earns her $40-80 million annually.

8. Tyler Perry - $1.4 Billion

Tyler Perry, an American actor, director, playwright, and producer, has a net worth of $1.4 billion as of 2024. Renowned as one of the entertainment industry's most financially successful figures, Perry's wealth comes from his vast body of work, including over 30 movies, 20 stage productions, and eight TV shows. His 14 "Madea" films grossed more than $660 million, each costing less than $10 million to make. By independently writing, directing, and producing his films, Perry has been able to take home the lion's share of $300 million in profits. He earns between $200 and $250 million annually from his expansive entertainment empire. Perry's savvy business acumen has allowed him to own 100% of his content, revenues, and profits—a rare achievement in Hollywood. His production company alone earns $150 million annually from a deal with ViacomCBS. Tyler Perry's journey from living in his car to becoming a billionaire shows his unstoppable drive and the success he built all on his own. With investments in real estate, including a $100 million mansion, and a stake in BET+, Perry’s financial portfolio continues to grow.

7. Peter Jackson - $1.5 Billion

Peter Jackson is a New Zealand-born director, writer, and producer who has a net worth of $1.5 billion. Jackson’s fortune largely stems from his transformative work on "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies, which together have grossed over $6 billion worldwide. His role in these franchises earned him substantial earnings, with $180 million from "The Lord of the Rings" alone, and likely earned $20 million per Hobbit film, with 20% of the profit. In addition to his film success, Jackson hit a big financial milestone when he co-founded Weta Digital, a company known for its visual effects. In 2021, Weta Digital was sold to Unity Software for $1.65 billion. Jackson's share of this sale was $1 billion in cash and stock, making him a billionaire. His wealth is also boosted by his real estate investments, including a $17.35 million property in New York and a $20-30 million estate in New Zealand.

6. Kim Kardashian - $1.7 Billion

Kim Kardashian, an American reality television star, model, entrepreneur, and spokesperson, boasts a net worth of $1.7 billion as of 2024. Her vast wealth is mainly derived from her ownership stakes in KKW Beauty and Skims. KKW Beauty, launched in 2017, was valued at $1 billion when Kim sold a 20% stake to Coty for $200 million in 2020. This deal boosted her net worth to $900 million. Skims, her shapewear company founded in 2019, has skyrocketed in value, reaching $4 billion in 2023. Kim's 33% share in Skims is worth around $1.32 billion. 

Kim also generates substantial income from endorsements, Instagram sponsorships, and her mobile game "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood," which has earned her millions. Her real estate portfolio includes properties like a $70 million Malibu mansion and a $23 million estate in Hidden Hills, California.

5. Jay-Z - $2.5 Billion

American rapper and producer Jay-Z has a net worth of $2.5 billion. Jay-Z's financial empire includes his successful music career, ventures in business, and strategic investments. He first became a billionaire in June 2019, and his fortune has continued to grow. In February 2023, Jay-Z sold half of his 50% stake in D'Usse cognac to Bacardi for $750 million, valuing his remaining 25% stake at another $750 million. His investments also include a 50% stake in Armand de Brignac's champagne empire, otherwise known as Ace of Spades. Jay-Z has also earned substantial income from touring, music royalties, and endorsements. His diverse investments extend to companies like SpaceX, Uber, and Sweetgreen, and he co-owns a global real estate portfolio valued at over $150 million. His recent purchase of a $200 million mansion in Malibu is one of the largest private home transactions in U.S. history. 

4. Oprah Winfrey - $3 Billion

Oprah Winfrey, an American media mogul, television host, and author, commands a net worth of $3 billion as of 2024. She earns around $315 million annually through her diverse media empire. Oprah gained fame with "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which ran from 1986 to 2011 and became a major success. Her wealth skyrocketed when she started producing her own shows through HARPO Productions, which, along with profits from films like The Color Purple, Beloved, and Selma, has brought her estimated profits of over $2.5 billion. In 2011, she launched the cable channel OWN and sold most of her stake in the network to Warner Bros. Oprah's diversified investments include a substantial stake in Weight Watchers, worth over $400 million, and a vast real estate portfolio valued at over $200 million, including properties in Montecito, California, and Maui, Hawaii. Besides her business success, Oprah is a renowned philanthropist, having donated over $400 million to educational and charitable causes.

3. Michael Jordan - $3.5 Billion

Basketball legend Michael Jordan has a staggering net worth of $3.2 billion, making him one of the richest athletes in history. While his NBA career earned him around $93.7 million in salaries, it’s his savvy business moves and endorsements that skyrocketed his wealth. His partnership with Nike, which started with the Air Jordan brand, alone brings in about $60 million annually. Jordan’s income from endorsements has exceeded $1.4 billion, thanks to deals with brands like Gatorade, Hanes, and McDonald's. But the real game-changer was his stake in the Charlotte Hornets. Buying the team for $175 million in 2010 and selling his majority stake in 2023 at a $3 billion valuation cemented his billionaire status. Even though he sold his majority stake, he retained a minority stake, ensuring a continued income from the team's growth. 

2. George Lucas - $5 Billion

George Lucas, the mastermind behind the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, has an astounding net worth of $5.5 billion. His wealth largely stems from the phenomenal success of his movies, which have grossed over $12 billion worldwide. In 2012, Lucas sold his company, Lucasfilm, and the rights to Star Wars to Disney for a whopping $4.1 billion. This deal included $2.21 billion in cash and 37 million Disney shares, which significantly boosted his fortune. Lucas’s decision to retain merchandising rights and sequel rights back in 1973 was a game-changer, leading to one of the most lucrative film deals in history. Beyond films, Lucas is a generous philanthropist, planning to donate much of his wealth to education and other causes. 

1. Steven Spielberg - $5.3 Billion

Steven Spielberg, an American director, screenwriter, and producer, has a net worth of $5.3 billion as of October 2024. Known as one of the most successful filmmakers in history, Spielberg has built his fortune through iconic films like Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List, with his films grossing more than $10 billion worldwide. In 1994, he cofounded DreamWorks studios with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. His unique ability to negotiate lucrative deals has significantly contributed to his massive wealth. For example, his agreement with Universal Pictures earns him a percentage of the gross ticket sales from Universal theme parks, adding millions to his fortune each year, thanks to blockbuster hits like Indiana Jones. Beyond film, he owns substantial real estate, including a multi-million dollar Pacific Palisades estate and a New York City apartment.

These celebrities have taken their talent and fame beyond their careers, turning them into smart investments and businesses that have made them incredibly wealthy.