Taylor Swift to Kim Kardashian: Stars who reached billionaire status

Becoming a billionaire is no easy feat, but these stars have not only built legendary careers in entertainment but also they’ve turned their fame into empires. 

From record-breaking tours to beauty brands and media ventures, here are some of the celebrities who’ve secured a spot on the billionaires’ list.

Taylor Swift:

Taylor Swift officially joined the billionaire’s list in October 2023 during her record-breaking Eras Tour. Forbes noted, “Swift is the first musician to make the billionaire ranking primarily based on her songs and performances.”

Her fans were at the heart of this achievement, fuelling her success as she re-recorded her first six albums after the masters of her music were sold.

The Eras Tour became a cultural phenomenon, grossing $2.07 billion in ticket sales “double the gross ticket sales of any other concert tour in history,” reported The New York Times. She also gave back generously, distributing $197 million in bonuses to her crew.

In May 2025, Swift proudly announced that she now owns her entire musical catalog.

Her wealth is estimated at $1.6 Billion.

Rihanna:

Rihanna started her career as a chart-topping singer, but her business ventures made her a billionaire. Forbes crowned her with the title in August 2021, due to success of her Fenty Beauty line.

The outlet called Umbrella hit maker, “the wealthiest female musician in the world and second only to Oprah Winfrey as the richest female entertainer.”

Her Savage x Fenty lingerie brand also contributed millions to her fortune, and in 2024, she expanded her beauty empire with Fenty Hair.

Beyond the boardroom, Rihanna balances her businesses with motherhood, proudly calling herself a “boy mom.”

Rihanna’s wealth is estimated at $1.4 billion.

Oprah Winfrey:

Oprah Winfrey has remained a billionaire since 2003, a milestone that made her the first Black woman to join the billionaire list, according to The Ledger.

Her fortune began with the Oprah Winfrey Show, which she transformed into a media empire. Today, her wealth is tied to her OWN network, past ventures with WeightWatchers, and her Apple TV+ partnership that produced book clubs, documentaries, and original programming.

Winfrey's wealth is estimated at $2.5 billion.

Kim Kardashian:

Kim Kardashian officially became a billionaire in April 2021 after years of building her beauty and fashion empire. Her initial wealth came from KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, and her earnings from Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Although KKW lines shut down in 2021 and KUWTK ended, Kardashian quickly reinvented her brand. She launched SKKN by Kim cosmetics, continued her successful SKIMS shapewear line, and debuted The Kardashians on Hulu in 2022.

In 2025, she partnered with Nike to launch a women’s active wear brand, proving her business continues to evolve.

Her wealth is estimated at $1.7 billion.

Jay-Z:

Jay-Z made history in 2019 as hip-hop’s first billionaire. His empire is comprised of art, real estate, music, and liquor.

His $70 million art collection and $50 million real estate portfolio are amazing, but his business deals take him to another level.

He sold his majority stake in Tidal for over $300 million in 2021 and, in 2023, sold his majority stake in D’Ussé cognac for at least $750 million, according to Bloomberg Law.

Beyond business, Jay-Z is a music legend, inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also founded Roc Nation in 2008, now valued at $140 million.

Jay-Z’s wealth is estimated at $2.5 billion.