Less than two dozen people worldwide, according to Forbes, have accomplished that. Since their sectors' economics have changed so dramatically in the last ten years, the majority have become billionaires.
Salaries and endorsement deals have skyrocketed in the sports industry, and athletes are now more than ever developing businesses. NBA great LeBron James and other celebrities have benefited from this by adding a third comma to their fortunes.
Pop musicians are increasingly using their fame to draw attention to other business endeavors. For instance, Rihanna and Jay-Z became billionaires through the fashion, beauty, and liquor brands they founded rather than through their music. Naturally, defining "celebrity" is not always simple;
Forbes chose to include people who became famous first and then extremely wealthy in their list of the World's Billionaires, which heavily favors entertainers and athletes and leaves out those who are famous for their wealth or the success of their businesses, like Donald Trump and Mark Cuban.
This year, Forbes identified 18 celebrity billionaires, with a combined net worth $39 billion, up from 14 and $31 billion in 2024. New additions to the list include Jerry Seinfeld, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vincent McMahon, Bruce Springsteen.
In order of net worth, these 18 celebrities are wealthy enough to be listed among Forbes' 2025 World's Billionaires:
Seinfeld, Jerry
$1.1 billion in net worth, 70 years old, and a US citizen.
The comedian is best known for his role in the popular sitcom Seinfeld from the 1990s, and in fact, that is where the majority of his wealth comes from: he and Larry David split 15% of the show's total earnings. However, in part because of David's 2007 divorce, Seinfeld is far wealthier than his co-creator. Comedy tours and TV specials, such as 23 Hours to Kill, for which Netflix reportedly paid Seinfeld $20 million, are still sources of income for him.
Schwarzenegger, Arnold
$1.1 billion in net worth; 77 years old; U.S. citizen.
The former governor of California is most recognized for his nearly 50-film collection, which earned him almost $500 million and featured legendary parts like the Terminator. However, he amassed yet another fortune through private equity, commercial real estate, venture capital, and other ventures, including his participation in Google's Series A funding round.
Dick Wolf
$1.2 billion in net worth; 78 years old; U.S. citizen.
Legendary franchises like Law & Order and FBI are produced by the television writer and producer Wolf Entertainment. According to Forbes, Wolf, who has 30 years of experience in the industry, earns up to $350,000 per episode for his most popular shows. He has also accumulated a large collection of artwork, several houses, and ships.
$1.1 billion in net worth; 77 years old; U.S. citizen.
The former governor of California is most recognized for his nearly 50-film collection, which earned him almost $500 million and featured legendary parts like the Terminator. However, he amassed yet another fortune through private equity, commercial real estate, venture capital, and other ventures, including his participation in Google's Series A funding round.
Dick Wolf
$1.2 billion in net worth; 78 years old; U.S. citizen.
Legendary franchises like Law & Order and FBI are produced by the television writer and producer Wolf Entertainment. According to Forbes, Wolf, who has 30 years of experience in the industry, earns up to $350,000 per episode for his most popular shows. He has also accumulated a large collection of artwork, several houses, and ships.
Springsteen Bruce
$1.2 billion in net worth, 75 years of age, and US citizenship.
The singer of "Born to Run" made his largest payment in 2021 when he sold Sony his entire discography for over $500 million. However, Springsteen has made hundreds of millions of dollars from touring and album sales, and he even had a successful run on Broadway with his own show. The Boss told The Telegraph last year that he isn't a billionaire because he "spent too much money on superfluous things," but he has refused to answer to Forbes about his riches.
LeBron James
Age: 40 | Net Worth: $1.3 billion U.S. citizenship.
Over his 22 seasons on the court, LeBron James has earned over $500 million (pre-tax) in salary, making him the first individual to become a billionaire while still playing in the NBA. In addition, he has made hundreds of millions of dollars from his own business endeavors, such as the production company SpringHill, and endorsement deals with companies like Nike and PepsiCo. James owns shares in the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the soccer team Liverpool.
Rihanna
$1.2 billion in net worth, 75 years of age, and US citizenship.
The singer of "Born to Run" made his largest payment in 2021 when he sold Sony his entire discography for over $500 million. However, Springsteen has made hundreds of millions of dollars from touring and album sales, and he even had a successful run on Broadway with his own show. The Boss told The Telegraph last year that he isn't a billionaire because he "spent too much money on superfluous things," but he has refused to answer to Forbes about his riches.
LeBron James
Age: 40 | Net Worth: $1.3 billion U.S. citizenship.
Over his 22 seasons on the court, LeBron James has earned over $500 million (pre-tax) in salary, making him the first individual to become a billionaire while still playing in the NBA. In addition, he has made hundreds of millions of dollars from his own business endeavors, such as the production company SpringHill, and endorsement deals with companies like Nike and PepsiCo. James owns shares in the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the soccer team Liverpool.
Rihanna
Is 37 years old, has a net worth of $1.4 billion, and is a Barbados citizen.
Pop singles like "Pon de Replay" (2005) and "Umbrella" (2007) catapulted Rihanna to stardom, and she continues to put out smash songs with her most recent album, Anti (2016). However, her cosmetics firm Fenty Beauty and lingerie line Savage X Fenty, which raised $125 million in a 2022 investment round, are what made her a billionaire.
Tiger Woods
Pop singles like "Pon de Replay" (2005) and "Umbrella" (2007) catapulted Rihanna to stardom, and she continues to put out smash songs with her most recent album, Anti (2016). However, her cosmetics firm Fenty Beauty and lingerie line Savage X Fenty, which raised $125 million in a 2022 investment round, are what made her a billionaire.
Tiger Woods
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion | Age: 49 | Citizenship: U.S. Woods' successful golf career made him the highest-paid athlete in the world for ten years until 2011, when Forbes estimates he made $75 million in 2011 alone. Most of that was due to endorsements. In addition, he has investments in upscale real estate, a high-end mini-golf chain, and a golf course design firm.
Tyler Perry
Age: 55 | Net Worth: $1.4 billion U.S. citizenship.
Tyler Perry gained notoriety in the theater by performing his well-known role as a humorous Black matriarch in "Madea" on stages all throughout the United States. He made Madea famous by taking her to TV and movies. Perry's content library and Tyler Perry Studios, the production firm behind films like 2022's A Madea Homecoming and 2024's The Six Triple Eight, which co-stars fellow celebrity billionaire Oprah Winfrey, are currently his two most valuable assets.
Age: 55 | Net Worth: $1.4 billion U.S. citizenship.
Tyler Perry gained notoriety in the theater by performing his well-known role as a humorous Black matriarch in "Madea" on stages all throughout the United States. He made Madea famous by taking her to TV and movies. Perry's content library and Tyler Perry Studios, the production firm behind films like 2022's A Madea Homecoming and 2024's The Six Triple Eight, which co-stars fellow celebrity billionaire Oprah Winfrey, are currently his two most valuable assets.
Magic Johnson
$1.5 billion in net worth, age 65, and U.S. citizenship.
The NBA Hall of Famer amassed his wealth by astute post-career investments, including as purchasing minority shares in the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (with Todd Boehly) and the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (with Josh Harris). In 2015, he also acquired the majority of the Iowa-based insurance company EquiTrust. During the first eight years of his control, he increased the provider's assets from $16 billion to $26 billion.
Jackson Peter
$1.7 billion in net worth, age 63, and New Zealand citizenship
Jackson received $10 million upfront for each of his acclaimed Lord of the Rings movies. However, that pales in comparison to the money he made in 2021 when he sold a portion of Weta Digital, his visual effects company, to Unity Software. Jackson made over $1 billion from the $1.6 billion in cash and shares that Weta awarded him.
$1.5 billion in net worth, age 65, and U.S. citizenship.
The NBA Hall of Famer amassed his wealth by astute post-career investments, including as purchasing minority shares in the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (with Todd Boehly) and the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (with Josh Harris). In 2015, he also acquired the majority of the Iowa-based insurance company EquiTrust. During the first eight years of his control, he increased the provider's assets from $16 billion to $26 billion.
Jackson Peter
$1.7 billion in net worth, age 63, and New Zealand citizenship
Jackson received $10 million upfront for each of his acclaimed Lord of the Rings movies. However, that pales in comparison to the money he made in 2021 when he sold a portion of Weta Digital, his visual effects company, to Unity Software. Jackson made over $1 billion from the $1.6 billion in cash and shares that Weta awarded him.
Kim Kardashian
Net Worth: $1.7 Billion | Age: 44 | Nationality: U.S. Kardashian first gained notoriety on reality TV, but her $4 billion 2023 funding round for her shapewear brand Skims propelled her into the billionaire stratosphere. In 2022, the celebrity introduced SKKN By Kim, a skincare line. She also owns a number of homes, including a $40 million property outside of Los Angeles that she and her ex-husband Kanye West once shared.
Net Worth: $1.7 Billion | Age: 44 | Nationality: U.S. Kardashian first gained notoriety on reality TV, but her $4 billion 2023 funding round for her shapewear brand Skims propelled her into the billionaire stratosphere. In 2022, the celebrity introduced SKKN By Kim, a skincare line. She also owns a number of homes, including a $40 million property outside of Los Angeles that she and her ex-husband Kanye West once shared.
Jay-Z
Is a U.S. citizen, has a net worth of $2.5 billion, and is 55 years old.
The hip-hop legend's extensive portfolio includes items such as his cognac label D'Usse, his champagne brand Armand de Brignac, a share in Uber that he acquired early on, an outstanding collection of artwork (including works by Jean-Michel Basquiat), and, of course, his own discography. In 2021 and 2023, Jay-Z made a fortune by selling his booze brands to LVMH and Bacardi for hundreds of millions of dollars apiece.
The hip-hop legend's extensive portfolio includes items such as his cognac label D'Usse, his champagne brand Armand de Brignac, a share in Uber that he acquired early on, an outstanding collection of artwork (including works by Jean-Michel Basquiat), and, of course, his own discography. In 2021 and 2023, Jay-Z made a fortune by selling his booze brands to LVMH and Bacardi for hundreds of millions of dollars apiece.
McMahon, Vincent
$3 billion in net worth, 79 years old, and a U.S. citizen.
In the 1970s, McMahon began his career as a television commentator for his father's wrestling organization (then WWF, now WWE). After acquiring the company in 1982, he turned it into a major force in the world. In 2023, McMahon combined WWE and UFC to become TKO Group Holdings, which he briefly served as executive chairman of before resigning last year due to accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. He has been selling his shares in the business.
$3 billion in net worth, 79 years old, and a U.S. citizen.
In the 1970s, McMahon began his career as a television commentator for his father's wrestling organization (then WWF, now WWE). After acquiring the company in 1982, he turned it into a major force in the world. In 2023, McMahon combined WWE and UFC to become TKO Group Holdings, which he briefly served as executive chairman of before resigning last year due to accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. He has been selling his shares in the business.
Winfrey Oprah
Age: 71 | Citizenship: U.S. | Net Worth: $3 billion.
As host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 until 2011, the media tycoon rose to stardom. As a result of her acting, production, and presenting career, she became the first Black woman to become a millionaire in 2003. The Six Triple Eight, a 2024 war drama, co-stars Winfrey, who is still profitable in the entertainment industry. Her real estate holdings in California and Hawaii total more than 2,000 acres.
Age: 71 | Citizenship: U.S. | Net Worth: $3 billion.
As host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 until 2011, the media tycoon rose to stardom. As a result of her acting, production, and presenting career, she became the first Black woman to become a millionaire in 2003. The Six Triple Eight, a 2024 war drama, co-stars Winfrey, who is still profitable in the entertainment industry. Her real estate holdings in California and Hawaii total more than 2,000 acres.
Michael Jordan
$3.5 billion in net worth, age 62, and U.S. citizenship.
Eight years after becoming the first-ever billionaire athlete, the NBA great was the first athlete to appear on Forbes’ list of the 400 richest individuals in the United States in 2023. Brand relationships accounted for the majority of Jordan's wealth. He presently receives over $100 million annually from Nike in royalties from his eponymous brand, Jordan.
Lucas, George
$10 billion in net worth, 80 years of age, and U.S. citizenship.
In 2012, the man behind Indiana Jones and Star Wars sold his production firm, Lucasfilm, to Disney for $4.1 billion. Through spinoffs, Star Wars sequels, and licensing agreements with Disney, he kept earning money.
$3.5 billion in net worth, age 62, and U.S. citizenship.
Eight years after becoming the first-ever billionaire athlete, the NBA great was the first athlete to appear on Forbes’ list of the 400 richest individuals in the United States in 2023. Brand relationships accounted for the majority of Jordan's wealth. He presently receives over $100 million annually from Nike in royalties from his eponymous brand, Jordan.
Lucas, George
$10 billion in net worth, 80 years of age, and U.S. citizenship.
In 2012, the man behind Indiana Jones and Star Wars sold his production firm, Lucasfilm, to Disney for $4.1 billion. Through spinoffs, Star Wars sequels, and licensing agreements with Disney, he kept earning money.
Spielberg, Steven
$5.3 billion in net worth; 78 years old; U.S. citizen.
Spielberg became wealthy by producing some of the most well-known films of the late 20th century, such as Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Jaws, and E.T. He first made it onto Forbes' list of the richest Americans in 1994, and he has since amassed a fortune. He continues to direct successful films, such as the 2021 remake of West Side Story. Spielberg has agreed to get 2% of Universal theme park ticket sales in perpetuity in addition to his film royalties.
$5.3 billion in net worth; 78 years old; U.S. citizen.
Spielberg became wealthy by producing some of the most well-known films of the late 20th century, such as Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Jaws, and E.T. He first made it onto Forbes' list of the richest Americans in 1994, and he has since amassed a fortune. He continues to direct successful films, such as the 2021 remake of West Side Story. Spielberg has agreed to get 2% of Universal theme park ticket sales in perpetuity in addition to his film royalties.
SOURCE: forbes