Long before tech tycoons and beauty moguls dominated headlines, filmmaker George Lucas became the first celebrity to reach billionaire status. Back in 1997, Forbes valued his net worth at $2 billion, primarily due to his full ownership of the Star Wars franchise and its highly lucrative merchandising empire. Lucas didn’t rely on box office returns alone; he profited immensely from toys, video games, licensing rights, and even theme park attractions. Adjusted for today’s dollars, that early fortune would be worth around $4 billion.
It wasn’t until 2003 that another celebrity joined the exclusive billionaire ranks. Oprah Winfrey became the first self-made female billionaire in media, earning her spot through total control of The Oprah Winfrey Show, syndication profits, and launching successful personalities like Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray. Two years later, filmmaker Steven Spielberg joined the club, largely due to blockbuster hits like Jaws and E.T., his stake in DreamWorks, and a cut of Universal’s theme park revenue that still pays dividends.
Fast forward to today, and the celebrity billionaire list has grown to 17 people. They come from all corners of fame: some built beauty brands, one turned YouTube fame into a chocolate empire, one mastered illusions on stage, and another married into extraordinary wealth.
Meet the World’s 17 Celebrity Billionaires
17. Selena Gomez – $1 Billion
Starting as a Disney star, Gomez evolved into a business powerhouse. Her cosmetics company Rare Beauty, launched in 2020, rapidly scaled to become one of the fastest-growing beauty brands. Owning a major stake, along with income from music, producing, endorsements, and a massive social media presence, secured her billionaire status by 2024.
16. MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) – $1 Billion
The most followed YouTuber in history turned viral videos into a billion-dollar empire. With ventures like Feastables chocolates and MrBeast Burger, Donaldson reinvested earnings to build a vertically integrated brand ecosystem. Valuations of his company top $1.5 billion, making him the first influencer to hit billionaire territory.
15. J.K. Rowling – $1 Billion
Rowling’s Harry Potter universe earned her the title of the first billionaire author. Despite dipping below the mark briefly due to charitable giving, the continued success of books, films, theme parks, and spin-offs returned her fortune to the billion-dollar level.
14. David Copperfield – $1 Billion
The legendary magician has earned over $4 billion from performances, Vegas residencies, and TV specials. His real estate holdings—including a private island—and a unique collection of magic memorabilia further boost his net worth.
13. Byron Allen – $1 Billion
Once a comedian, Allen transformed into a media mogul. His company, Allen Media Group, owns The Weather Channel and multiple broadcast stations. He’s become a vocal advocate for Black ownership in media while expanding into sports and studio acquisitions.
12. Brock Pierce – $1 Billion
Pierce’s acting days in The Mighty Ducks are long behind him. Today, he’s a crypto pioneer, turning early investments in Bitcoin and blockchain startups into massive returns, securing his place among the most unconventional billionaires.
11. Paul McCartney – $1.2 Billion
Decades after The Beatles, McCartney still brings in millions from royalties and touring. His legendary catalog, solo career, and shrewd investments have made him one of the richest musicians of all time.
10. Rihanna – $1.4 Billion
While she rose to fame through music, Rihanna’s fortune stems from her beauty and lingerie brands, particularly Fenty Beauty. Co-owned with LVMH, her 50% stake turned her into a billionaire even without releasing new music since 2016.
9. Taylor Swift – $1.5 Billion
Swift became the first billionaire primarily through music, with her record-breaking Eras Tour and her re-recorded albums. Merch, films, and a vast real estate portfolio round out her impressive earnings.
8. Peter Jackson – $1.5 Billion
Jackson earned millions from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, but his real windfall came in 2021 when he sold a majority stake in Weta Digital, his visual effects company, for $1.6 billion.
7. Kim Kardashian – $1.7 Billion
From reality TV to business icon, Kardashian built SKIMS, a shapewear brand now valued at over $4 billion. Combined with her skincare line, endorsements, and investments, she’s built an empire off of influence and entrepreneurship.
6. Jay-Z – $2 Billion
The rapper-turned-mogul made billions through music, alcohol brands like Armand de Brignac, investments in tech, art, real estate, and founding Roc Nation. His strategy proves that cultural impact can lead to generational wealth.
5. Michael Jordan – $3.5 Billion
Jordan earned only a fraction of his fortune from NBA salaries. His long-term partnership with Nike, particularly the Jordan Brand, pays him over $100 million yearly. The 2023 sale of his Charlotte Hornets stake at a multi-billion dollar valuation helped skyrocket his net worth.
4. Oprah Winfrey – $4 Billion
Oprah has always focused on ownership. By controlling her show, production company, and TV network, she created an empire. Her brand power also extends to investments in companies like Weight Watchers and substantial real estate holdings.
3. George Lucas – $9 Billion
Lucas pioneered billionaire celebrity status by retaining full control of Star Wars and monetizing it through licensing and merchandise. His $4 billion deal with Disney in 2012 cemented his wealth, which he now uses largely for educational and philanthropic causes.
2. Steven Spielberg – $10 Billion
The most successful director in history built wealth from films, DreamWorks equity, and a timeless revenue-sharing deal with Universal Studios theme parks. Spielberg’s investments, including art and real estate, make him Hollywood’s top-earning filmmaker.
1. Jami Gertz – $12 Billion
Though she had a respectable acting career, Gertz’s massive wealth comes via her husband, billionaire Tony Ressler. He co-founded two of the world’s largest investment firms—Apollo and Ares. Notably, during the early years of their marriage, Gertz supported the couple financially, showing that she was the family’s original star earner.
Almost Billionaires (But Not Quite)
Despite headlines, some celebrities often claimed to be billionaires don’t quite make the cut. Here are those who fall short, based on accurate valuations:
- Tyler Perry – $850M
- LeBron James – $800M
- Tiger Woods – $800M
- Magic Johnson – $800M
- Bruce Springsteen – $750M
- Arnold Schwarzenegger – $750M
Many publications, including Forbes, have been quick to hand out billionaire titles, but the numbers often don’t hold up upon closer inspection.
Not Counted As Celebrities
Some legitimate billionaires were left off because they don’t fit the traditional celebrity mold. These include:
- Mark Cuban – $6.5B
- Donald Trump – $5B
- Richard Branson – $3B
- Vince McMahon – $3B
- Dick Wolf – $1B
