A few celebrities who previously relied on their talents in music, film, or television for their fame have parlayed their stardom into huge business empires. Some are high-profile billionaires, whereas others have quietly slipped over the billion-dollar mark, building wealth through clever investments, brand deals, and stakes in huge businesses. But who are the celebrities that now belong to the exclusive billionaire club, some of whom are surprisingly under the radar?
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian, known through the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, has now become one business giant. Her cosmetics company, KKW Beauty, and her shapewear brand, SKIMS, which debuted in September, have helped the shipping price in Canada. Especially SKIMS, which has boomed, attracting large investments and valuations in the billions. Kardashian’s marketing savvy, brand building, and devoted fan base have enabled her to transcend celebrity and become a real entrepreneurial powerhouse.
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Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey has always been synonymous with wealth, but most people may not realize the sophistication of her business mind. With Harpo Productions, she has produced TV shows and films and has been a partner with major media networks. And… She has a large exit from (Oprah Winfrey Network) and finally, her relationship with Weight Watchers, Apple, and others has led to her bank account exploding. Oprah had created an empire within the media industry, and her net worth continued to rise to billionaire status from life decisions that were thought through and diversified.
Jay-Z
Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, is a familiar figure on the billionaire list. His rise from the streets of Brooklyn to one of the richest artists on the planet is the stuff of legends. His investments include music rights, stakes in the streaming service Tidal, the luxury champagne brands Armand de Brignac and D’Ussé cognac, and real estate. Jay-Z’s ear for trends and knack for building brands around his image has helped him accrue generational wealth that exceeds the music industry.
Rihanna
The Barbadian singer Rihanna has become a billionaire, largely thanks to her Fenty Beauty empire. Fenty Beauty, co-owned with LVMH, revolutionized inclusivity in the beauty business with myriad shades that spoke to a worldwide customer base. Rihanna: Savage X Fenty is an inclusive, body-positive lingerie brand. This success in the world of fashion and cosmetics has not only skyrocketed her net worth but has turned her into an icon of culture and business.
Taylor Swift
While Taylor Swift’s mega-wealth status may shock some, it has a lot to do with her recent business ventures. Swift produced hundreds of millions in revenue through her Eras Tour, which has become one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time. With her strategic decision to re-record her early albums and take back her masters, Taylor turned her artistic control into profits. She has also invested wisely in real estate and effectively utilized her brand and merchandising.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry’s ascent is a case study in ownership and self-sufficiency. Perry made his fortune outside the established Hollywood system as a filmmaker, playwright, actor, and studio owner. His Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios is among the largest privately owned film studios in the United States. Unlike many creators who license their work elsewhere, Perry owns the rights to his entire library, enabling him to produce long-term wealth. Real estate holdings and partnerships with major networks and streaming platforms cement his place on the billionaire list.
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld, whose landmark sitcom Seinfeld remains a cultural touchstone to this day, is another celebrity who achieved billionaire status with comparatively little fanfare. Seinfeld’s net worth has continued to rise, thanks to syndication deals in place and his work on comedy projects and television, including Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. His share of the Seinfeld series, which has been sold for hundreds of millions in licensing agreements, is still a key asset.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
You may know Arnold Schwarzenegger as a global action star and former California governor, but you probably don’t know how savvy an investor he is. Long before he was a Hollywood powerhouse, Schwarzenegger got into real estate, rolling early profits into an extensive portfolio. Along with income from acting, brand endorsement deals, and entrepreneurial projects in fitness and nutrition, Arnold quietly constructed a billion-dollar empire.
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Vince McMahon
The professional wrestling business has been very good to Vince McMahon. As chairman and former chief executive of WWE, McMahon transformed wrestling into a worldwide entertainment brand. An ongoing merger between WWE and UFC under one corporate umbrella, known as the TKO Group, has only inflated his wealth further, leaving him with a significant equity position in a new sports entertainment giant. McMahon’s control and expansion of WWE’s media footprint helped lift him into billionaire territory.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen, “The Boss,” as he’s popularly known, has always had a devoted following, but it seems that the business side of his career has finally matched the glory of the musical one. In 2021, Springsteen sold his music catalog to Sony, reportedly for $500 million, bringing his net worth closer to a billion. The rest has come from his tour earnings, music royalties, and investments. Before he played the even more modest man in public, Springsteen was, in fact, now officially one of the world’s richest entertainers.
