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Fame and wealth often go hand in hand, but only a select few celebrities have managed to turn their popularity into billion-dollar fortunes. According to Forbes, fewer than 24 individuals globally have achieved this extraordinary milestone.
The majority of these celebrity billionaires have reached the ten-figure mark within the past decade. Changing dynamics within entertainment and sports industries have played a crucial role. Athletes now command astronomical salaries and secure massive endorsement deals, while many have ventured into entrepreneurship, helping stars like NBA legend LeBron James achieve billionaire status. Similarly, in the music industry, celebrities like Rihanna and Jay-Z have leveraged their fame to create lucrative businesses in fashion, beauty, and spirits, moving beyond their music careers.
Defining "celebrity" isn't simple. For this year’s World's Billionaires list, Forbes chose to feature individuals who became famous before amassing their wealth. As a result, the list heavily favors entertainers and athletes, excluding those who are primarily known for their business success, such as Donald Trump and Mark Cuban.
In 2025, Forbes identified 18 celebrity billionaires, collectively worth an impressive $39 billion—an increase from the 14 billionaires worth $31 billion recorded in 2024. Newcomers to the list include Jerry Seinfeld, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vince McMahon, and Bruce Springsteen.
Here’s a closer look at these elite celebrity billionaires, ranked by net worth:
Jerry Seinfeld
Net Worth: $1.1 Billion | Age: 70 | Country: U.S.
Best known for his role in the iconic '90s sitcom Seinfeld, most of Jerry Seinfeld’s fortune stems from his continued earnings from the show. He and co-creator Larry David each receive around 15% of the show's profits. However, Seinfeld’s wealth far surpasses David’s, partly due to David’s costly 2007 divorce. Seinfeld continues to earn handsomely from stand-up tours and Netflix specials, including 23 Hours to Kill, for which Netflix paid him $20 million.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Net Worth: $1.1 Billion | Age: 77 | Country: U.S.
The former Governor of California and Terminator star earned around $500 million from his acting career. Beyond Hollywood, Schwarzenegger built another fortune through savvy investments in venture capital (he invested early in Google), real estate, private equity, and other business ventures.
Dick Wolf
Net Worth: $1.2 Billion | Age: 78 | Country: U.S.
Television powerhouse Dick Wolf, the creator of legendary franchises like Law & Order and FBI, has been a dominant figure in TV production for over 30 years. He reportedly earns up to $350,000 per episode for his top shows. Wolf also boasts a luxurious lifestyle, owning yachts, multiple properties, and an extensive art collection.
Bruce Springsteen
Net Worth: $1.2 Billion | Age: 75 | Country: U.S.
The rock legend behind Born to Run earned his largest payday when he sold his entire music catalog to Sony for approximately $500 million in 2021. Springsteen also enjoyed a successful run on Broadway and has earned millions from album sales and worldwide tours.
LeBron James
Net Worth: $1.3 Billion | Age: 40 | Country: U.S.
The NBA superstar became the first active player to reach billionaire status. Over his 22-year career, he has earned more than $500 million in salary and hundreds of millions more from endorsements with companies like Nike and PepsiCo. James has also expanded into business ownership, with stakes in Liverpool FC, the Boston Red Sox, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rihanna
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion | Age: 37 | Country: Barbados
Rihanna first rose to fame with hits like Pon de Replay and Umbrella, but her billionaire status stems largely from her business ventures. Her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, and cosmetics empire, Fenty Beauty, propelled her to new financial heights.
Tiger Woods
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion | Age: 49 | Country: U.S.
Golf legend Tiger Woods earned massive sums through endorsements, becoming the world's highest-paid athlete for much of the early 2000s. He has invested heavily in luxury real estate, mini-golf ventures, and a golf course design company.
Tyler Perry
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion | Age: 55 | Country: U.S.
Perry’s career took off with his portrayal of Madea, a beloved character he created for stage plays and later adapted for films and television. Today, his fortune largely stems from ownership of his content library and Tyler Perry Studios, one of the largest production facilities in the U.S.
Magic Johnson
Net Worth: $1.5 Billion | Age: 65 | Country: U.S.
The former NBA star turned business mogul made smart investments after retiring from basketball. He holds minority stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Commanders and is the majority owner of EquiTrust, a major insurance company.
Taylor Swift
Net Worth: $1.6 Billion | Age: 35 | Country: U.S.
Swift joined the billionaire ranks following the first leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour, which netted her an estimated $190 million after taxes. Much of her wealth also comes from her music catalog and real estate investments.
Peter Jackson
Net Worth: $1.7 Billion | Age: 63 | Country: New Zealand
The Lord of the Rings director made headlines when he sold part of his visual effects company, Weta Digital, to Unity Software in 2021, earning him nearly $1 billion.
Kim Kardashian
Net Worth: $1.7 Billion | Age: 44 | Country: U.S.
After finding fame through reality TV, Kim Kardashian built her fortune with the shapewear brand Skims, now valued at $4 billion, and her skincare brand, SKKN by Kim. She also owns several luxury properties.
Jay-Z
Net Worth: $2.5 Billion | Age: 55 | Country: U.S.
Jay-Z’s wealth is built on music, luxury liquor brands (Armand de Brignac and D'Usse), early investments like Uber, and a valuable art collection. He sold parts of his liquor businesses to LVMH and Bacardi for hundreds of millions.
Vincent McMahon
Net Worth: $3 Billion | Age: 79 | Country: U.S.
Starting as a wrestling announcer, McMahon turned WWE into a global brand. He later merged WWE with UFC to create TKO Group Holdings. Despite stepping down amid controversy, he has been cashing out shares of the company.
Oprah Winfrey
Net Worth: $3 Billion | Age: 71 | Country: U.S.
Winfrey became the first Black woman billionaire through her long-running talk show and subsequent business ventures. Today, she continues acting and producing while investing heavily in real estate across California and Hawaii.
Michael Jordan
Net Worth: $3.5 Billion | Age: 62 | Country: U.S.
The basketball icon made most of his fortune through endorsement deals, particularly his ongoing royalty arrangement with Nike’s Jordan brand, which earns him over $100 million annually.
George Lucas
Net Worth: $5.1 Billion | Age: 80 | Country: U.S.
Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, made billions after selling LucasFilm to Disney in 2012 for $4 billion. Although he no longer profits from new Star Wars movies, he remains one of the richest celebrities in history.
Steven Spielberg
Net Worth: $5.3 Billion | Age: 78 | Country: U.S.
One of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Spielberg’s films have grossed billions. He continues to earn from directing, producing, and a lifelong deal earning him a share of ticket sales from Universal theme parks.
These celebrities have redefined what it means to be wealthy and famous. Through hard work, smart investments, and brand-building, they have turned their fame into multi-billion-dollar empires, inspiring millions around the world.
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