Taylor Swift is the first person to achieve billionaire status from songwriting and performing.
Image: JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP
The 2024 Forbes World Billionaires List features 14 celebrities who have transformed their fame into astounding fortunes, collectively amassing $31 billion (approximately R570 billion).
From sports legends to media moguls, these stars have used their talents, investments, and business acumen to join the exclusive three-comma club.
Here’s a closer look at these individuals, ranked by their net worth as of March 2024:
14:Taylor Swift
Net Worth: $1.1 billion (R20.2 billion)
Age: 34
Swift’s landmark year saw her earning $190 million post-tax from her record-breaking Eras Tour. As the first person to achieve billionaire status from songwriting and performing, she remains a cultural phenomenon.
13: Dick Wolf
Net Worth: $1.2 billion (R22.1 billion)
Age:77
Creator of crime show giants like “Law & Order” and “FBI”, Wolf has earned nearly $2 billion pretax over a 30-year TV career.
12: Magic Johnson
Net Worth: $1.2 billion (R22.1 billion)
Age: 64
This basketball icon built his fortune through business ventures, including stakes in sports teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and life insurance provider EquiTrust.
11: LeBron James
Net Worth: $1.2 billion (R22.1 billion)
Age: 39
With over $1 billion earned both on and off the court, James invests in real estate, Blaze Pizza, and sports ownership stakes, including Fenway Sports Group.
10: Tiger Woods
Net Worth: $1.3 billion (R23.9 billion)
Age:48
Still active in golf, Woods owes much of his wealth to endorsements, particularly a long-standing deal with Nike. He’s now launched his own clothing line, Sun Day Red.
9: Rihanna
Net Worth: $1.4 billion (R25.8 billion)
Age:36
The pop star’s cosmetics company Fenty Beauty and lingerie brand Savage X Fenty have made her a billionaire, showcasing her entrepreneurial prowess.
8: Tyler Perry
Net Worth: $1.4 billion (R25.8 billion)
Age: 54
The actor and filmmaker has earned billions through TV, movies, and stage productions, cementing his place as a self-made entertainment tycoon.
7: Peter Jackson
Net Worth: $1.5 billion (R27.6 billion)
Age: 62
The “Lord of the Rings” director gained much of his wealth from selling assets of his visual effects company, Weta Digital, for nearly $1 billion.
6: Kim Kardashian
Net Worth: $1.7 billion (R31.3 billion)
Age: 43
Kardashian’s shapewear brand, Skims, and former makeup line KKW Beauty have solidified her position as a billionaire businesswoman.
5: Jay-Z
Net Worth: $2.5 billion (R46 billion)
Age: 54
The rapper-turned-mogul has stakes in luxury alcohol brands like Armand de Brignac and D’Usse, alongside investments in tech giants like Uber.
4: Oprah Winfrey
Net Worth: $2.8 billion (R51.5 billion)
Age: 70
America’s beloved talk show host has built a vast empire spanning media, real estate, and production, making her a household name and a billionaire icon.
3: Michael Jordan
Net Worth: $3.2 billion (R58.9 billion)
Age: 61
Jordan’s legendary brand deals, especially with Nike, and his investment in the Charlotte Hornets, which he sold for $3 billion, make him a sports and business legend.
2: Steven Spielberg
Net Worth: $4.8 billion (R88.3 billion)
Age: 77
The legendary director continues to earn from hits like “Jurassic Park” and “Indiana Jones”, and even receives profits from Universal theme parks.
1: George Lucas
Net Worth: $5.5 billion (R101.2 billion)
Age: 79
The richest celebrity billionaire owes much of his fortune to the $4 billion sale of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012, ensuring his legacy in Hollywood history.
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