You may see Judge Judy every evening on television, but have you ever wondered just how much money she makes per episode? Perhaps you keep up with the Kardashians, but do you know how much each of them is worth? If any of these questions have ever crossed your mind, read on and prepare to be amazed. You won’t believe your eyes when you see the enormous wealth that these celebrity personalities possess.
Barbara Walters — $170 Million
Not only did Walters make history by appearing as the first female news anchor on the national evening news, but she also collected quite a fortune over her impressive journalism career. Walters was there for some of the most important and largest interviews with world leaders, politicians, and celebrities over the years. Known for her “personality journalism” style as well as her ability to “be the first” on the scene, Walters has made a huge name for herself over the years. She made a huge fortune by hosting shows like "20/20", "ABC News", "Today", and "The View".
Though Walters was certainly a talented journalist and we in no way want to undermine her skills, her fortune is not entirely self-created. She was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family. Her father worked as an entertainment director for Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. We all know Vegas is known as “Sin City” and sadly Walter’s father had trouble staying away from the casinos and lost his fortune. Luckily for Barbara, the apple did fall far from the tree and she made sure to be intelligent with her money, which is what led to the impressive net worth that she held until her last day.
Garth Brooks — $420 Million
Country legend Garth Brooks has an extremely impressive net worth. He brought in $70 million in the year 2015 alone — not bad for a year’s work. To this day, Garth Brooks continues to be one of the top-earning country music singers of all time. But although he certainly has enough money to retire, Brooks has a passion for music and is dedicated to his loyal fan base.
For three years from 2014 to 2017, Brooks set off on a worldwide comeback tour. He certainly doesn’t take much time off. When he returned back to the States, Brooks released a brand new single and announced that he would be going on yet another stadium tour. Be it passion or a love for the stage, Garth Brooks certainly is a huge success musically and financially.
Judge Judy — $440 Million
Despite her small stature, Judge Judy has a big personality. So big in fact, that she’s been able to make a multimillion-dollar career out of it. The only woman in a class of 126 students at the Washington College of Law, Judith Sheindlin went on to become a judge in Manhattan family courts. She eventually transitioned into courtroom television in 1996 and the rest is history. Since its initial launch, 'Judge Judy' has continued to be one of the highest-rated programs on television.
In fact, Sheindlin makes $47 million per year because of her incredibly popular courtroom program. It’s hard to imagine, but Sheindlin and her bailiff, who makes $1 million per year, film all 260 episodes of Judge Judy in a span of 50 days. Talk about a hard day’s work! It must be stressful to film those episodes all in one sitting, but having the rest of the year to relax would certainly make it all more than worth it. No judgment here!
Stephen Colbert — $110 Million
Another television host known for his newsroom satire, Colbert is a man of many accolades, so it’s no wonder his net worth is so impressive. Initially working as an actor cast in serious television shows such as "Law & Order", Colbert eventually found his niche in the comedy and talk show sector. He’s become so successful that he’s actually won nine Emmys, two Grammys, two Peabody’s, and of course has amassed a net worth of $110 million.
Colbert began his career as a member of an acting troupe. Believe it or not, he was cast as an understudy for Steve Carell. Though he wasn’t a failure as an actor, Colbert wasn’t gaining the success he hoped for and ended up working as a writer for popular shows such as "Saturday Night Live" and "The Daily Show". It turned out Colbert was much more successful as a writer than as an actor and he was eventually asked to appear on "The Daily Show", which in turn launched "The Colbert Report". He currently hosts "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert".
David Letterman — $480 Million
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone that hasn’t heard of David Letterman. His name is up in the television host Hall of Fame with personalities like Johnny Carson and Jack Paar. Letterman has led an extremely impressive and long-lasting career, beginning in 1982 and continuing up until 2015. His two most famous shows, "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show", ran for 6,080 episodes. Letterman was even ranked as one of the 50 best television stars of all time by TV Guide.
In 2015, Letterman announced that he was retiring from television, much to the dismay of his fans. However, his massive net worth continues to expand as Letterman remains steadfast in his career. He now hosts "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" on Netflix and continues to make money through re-runs of "The Late Late Show" as well as "Everybody Loves Raymond", for which his production company is responsible.
Kylie Jenner — $750 Million
It’s hard to imagine what growing up on a reality television show would feel like. Jenner began showcasing her daily life to the world on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" when she was only 10 years old. It must not have done too much damage to her though, because at the young age of 21 Kylie Jenner has become the world’s youngest self-made billionaire.
Most of Jenner’s wealth has come from her immensely successful makeup line, Kylie Cosmetics. In 2018, Kylie Cosmetics had an 8% growth in revenue stream amassing to about $360 million. The company is valued at $900 million and is completely owned by Kylie Jenner. On top of that, Jenner has earned about $100 million from the business already, adding up to a fortune of $1 billion, which somewhat dropped in recent years.
Ellen DeGeneres — $520 Million
Today, the first thing that probably comes to mind when you think of Ellen DeGeneres is her famous television show, where she conducts interviews in front of a live audience. However, DeGeneres had quite a career before her well-known daytime show began. She started off as a comedian in the 1980s and eventually landed her very own sitcom, "Ellen".
The sitcom actually ended up being so successful that it was often called the “female Seinfeld.” Upon the success of "Ellen", DeGeneres began to rack up the cash and build a fortune that would eventually amount to an impressive $520 million. Not only has she starred in multiple successful television shows, but DeGeneres has also written four books, runs a record company, is the head of a production company, and manages her own lifestyle brand.
Johnny Depp — $210 Million
His fame quickly skyrocketed after appearing in the 1980s TV show, "21 Jump Street", and soon he was known everywhere as America’s favorite bad boy. However, Depp proved he was more than an eye candy when he landed numerous roles with the famed eccentric director Tim Burton. Beginning with "Edward Scissorhands" in 1990, Depp went on to work on seven films with Burton, including "Sleepy Hollow" and "Sweeney Todd".
But his net worth reached new heights after landing a deal with Disney’s "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. By 2016, Depp’s net worth reached $400 million, however, a lawsuit from Amber Heard, his ex-wife, soon slashed this fortune in half. Though Depp remains somewhat of an A-list celebrity, these charges certainly put a dent in his net worth and lost him a large chunk of his fan base.
Robert De Niro — $520 Million
Robert De Niro is one of the most well-known actors in Hollywood. His career took off after he landed a starring role in one of the most iconic films in cinema history when he played Vito Corleone in "The Godfather Part II". This role launched him to international success, allowing him to continue to act in classic films like "Taxi Driver" and "Cape Fear."
Though he made a pretty penny from his acting career, what really helped De Niro amass the wealth he currently possesses was his business foresight. Investing in the Nobu restaurant chain and Tribeca Enterprises was a smart move on his part and has certainly paid off. The Tribeca Film Festival alone adds millions to De Niro’s net worth every year. Now that’s an offer nobody could refuse.
Mariah Carey — $340 Million
After her debut album came out in 1991, it was clear that Mariah Carey was going to lead a hugely successful career. She signed with Columbia Records and the first album she made with them was named top-seller of the year. No surprise, considering fans bought over 15 million copies! Carey’s impressive set of vocal cords has made her quite the career and fortune over the years.
Since 1991, Mariah Carey has continued to put out chart-topping hits. You can’t make it through December without hearing her 1994 holiday hit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” at least a dozen times. She’s signed enormous record contracts that have helped her put out hit songs like "Touch My Body", hold a Las Vegas residency, and become such an iconic singer that she worked as a judge on the hit competition series, "American Idol."
Oprah Winfrey — $3.5 Billion
World-famous Oprah Winfrey is another celebrity that practically feels like royalty, so it might not be surprising to see her on this list. Ranked as one of the wealthiest women in the United States, Oprah Winfrey is the first female black billionaire in the world. With a net worth that enormous, she’s definitely the wealthiest celebrity on this list.
A self-made woman, Oprah did not come from money and made her entire fortune on her own. Obviously known for her famous talk show, Oprah continues to build her fortune by investing in real estate around the world and starting new businesses. She is also famous for her philanthropic contributions to the world and donates large sums of money to charity. These days, Oprah spends the majority of her time working on her health and wellness ventures but continues to build her empire from her various businesses, including the OWN Network and of course, re-runs of her famous show.
Leonardo DiCaprio — $310 Million
Beginning his acting career in television commercials as a child and eventually moving into regular acting roles in TV shows in the 1990s, actor Leonardo DiCaprio got an early start in his career. Making an initial name for himself on the sitcom "Growing Pains," DiCaprio’s acting career gained traction quickly. He even received an Oscar nomination for his role in "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape," the film in which he co-starred with Johnny Depp.
His career continued to skyrocket, reaching international heights after his role in "Titanic." Leonardo DiCaprio continues to have a hugely successful acting career, starring in hit after hit. He’s finally won an Oscar, but more than that, he’s made a huge amount of money over the years. Not only that, but he’s somehow never been married or had children, so has nobody to share his huge wealth with but himself.
Sandra Bullock — $280 Million
Sandra Bullock has had a long and successful career and continues to star in box office hits to this day. She’s named one of Hollywood’s top 20 actresses in terms of net worth. She’s been in the business for an impressive 30 years and has earned the salary to prove it. In 2014, Bullock was named one of Forbes’ Highest-Paid Actresses. Her impressive fortune comes from hit films like "Miss Congeniality," "The Blind Side," "Oceans 8," and the Netflix film, "Bird Box."
Not only is she a talented actress, Bullock actually owns her own production company, Fortis Film. The company has made numerous projects including the movie "Practical Magic" and "George Lopez," the television series. Bullock isn’t greedy with her money, either. After Hurricane Harvey hit, Bullock donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help get aid to those in need.
Matt Groening — $600 Million
You may not have heard Matt Groening’s name before, but you’ve almost certainly seen his work before. The television shows he’s created are so famous that they play on network television almost every night. Groening is the mastermind behind super hit shows like "The Simpsons" and "Futurama."
"The Simpsons" is the longest-running primetime TV series that has ever existed. You’d be very hard-pressed to find someone that hasn’t watched or at least heard of it. Not only does Groening have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his masterwork, but he has also won a total of 12 Emmy awards for "The Simpsons," so far.
Robin Williams — $50 Million
The beloved comedian, who tragically passed on way too soon, made an enormous fortune for himself. Thanks to his wonderful comedy style and charming personality, Williams quickly ascended in his career. Beginning as a stand-up comedian and mime, Williams eventually landed a comedy series, "Mork & Mindy," which was so immensely popular that it garnered him international fame.
Though Robin Williams is known for his comedic roles, he was also a talented and multi-faceted actor, playing serious roles such as John Keating, the teacher in "Dead Poet’s Society," and Sean in "Goodwill Hunting." Other famous and beloved roles included Mrs. Doubtfire in "Mrs. Doubtfire" and the genie in "Aladdin." Known for his range and ability to become the roles he was portraying, Williams was an incredibly talented artist. Upon his sad and tragic death, Williams left his $50 million to his three children. He continues to be missed among his many fans and friends.
Chelsea Handler — $40 Million
Comedian Chelsea Handler has created a huge following for herself since she entered the talk show world in 2007, with her television show, "Chelsea Lately." Multi-talented and business savvy, Handler continues to appear on the radar with her various comedic pursuits. Interestingly, one of the reasons behind the popularity of her initial show comes from the fact that producers posted clips of the show on YouTube, which in turn ended up garnering a huge fan base.
Though you might imagine the majority of Handler’s fortune comes from her television career, she actually has amassed most of her wealth from her hugely successful writing career. Since the year 2005, Handler has written five books. They cover a wide variety of subjects but are all creative nonfiction and hold Handler’s extra special touch — her wonderful sense of humor. Of those five books, four have hit the New York Times bestseller list and even reached number one. Three of them have even been turned into television series.
Jerry Seinfeld — $950 Million
Like many comedians, Jerry Seinfeld started from small beginnings. He tried for years to make it big as a stand-up comedian and eventually hit the jackpot after creating the famous television sitcom, "Seinfeld". Since then, Jerry Seinfeld has blossomed into one of the most successful and highest-paid comedians of all time. Though Seinfeld made quite a fortune during the show’s filming, the majority of his wealth from the sitcom came after it was finished airing. His co-creator Larry David and himself receive enormous paychecks each time a re-run of "Seinfeld" airs, which as you might imagine, is quite a lot.
Not only has Jerry Seinfeld made a fortune from his namesake sitcom, but he has also brought in huge paychecks for himself from his work as an author, public speaker, and advertising endorser. In 2017, Seinfeld earned $69 million due to his smart partnership with Netflix. He probably never guessed he would land this much success when he was starting off as a stand-up comedian, but life can be pretty funny that way.
Bono — $800 Million
Rock superstar Bono has been the lead singer of U2 since 1976. This Irish singer has met massive success thanks to a regular touring schedule and a wise choice of investments. U2 is one of the most successful bands of all time and has the accolades to prove it with 22 Grammy Awards. It’s hard to imagine making this much money in one night, but the average U2 concert makes about $2.1 million. Though he certainly makes a lot of cash from his shows, Bono owns 2.3% of Facebook, which has earned him quite a lot of money over the years.
Though Bono is known for his humanitarian spirit, he’s also met some trouble with the law due to tax evasion. In 2007, he was reprimanded for not paying any taxes to Ireland, his home of origin. Though Bono claimed that 95% of his income came from outside the country and therefore, he didn’t owe tax money to Ireland, the people were still enraged. However, he still holds a huge fan base and is doing pretty well for himself.
Carrie Underwood — $140 Million
Not all winners of "American Idol" hit it as big as Underwood did, but some people just have the “it” factor, and she’s certainly one of them. As soon as she stepped into the judging room, it seemed everyone around could smell Underwood’s impending success in the air. She won the season, unsurprisingly, and from that point on released chart-topping hits, one after the other. Her debut album combined elements of country and pop that had fans crying for more.
Underwood has sold over 65 million records worldwide. She’s also received countless accolades, including 12 Country Music Awards, seven Grammys, and an induction in the Grand Ole Opry. Just think, one audition changed her life forever. Today, Underwood is known as the most successful "American Idol" winner of all time.
Dr. Dre — $850 Million
A legend with a massively successful empire, it’s no surprise that Dr. Dre made this list. He initially got his start as a producer and performer for the groundbreaking rap group, N.W.A. Like many members of the group, Dre went on to start a solo career, where he was met with huge success. His hard work and focus paid off after he founded Aftermath Entertainment, where he signed rap legends like 50 Cent and Eminem.
Not only has he made a name for himself and an impressive fortune, but Dr. Dre has also created one of the most popular headphone companies out there, Beats by Dre. The headphones ended up being a major cash cow for Dr. Dre after he sold the technology to Apple for $3.2 billion. Not only that, but Dre remains a quarter owner in the Beats by Dre company, which means he’s still making a huge amount of money off of them.
Richard Gere — $130 Million
Though his career has certainly slowed down in the last few years, Richard Gere was celebrity royalty in the 1990s. His celebrity status reached new heights after the film "American Gigolo," where he became one of America’s most swoon-worthy Hollywood hunks. After that, his salary for films such as "The Cotton Club" and "Runaway Bride" climbed from $2 million to $13 million. Being named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1999 certainly paid off, surely contributing to that skyrocket in salary.
However, it wasn’t just Gere’s good looks that gained him his fortune. It was his ability to star in one of the most lucrative genres there is in Hollywood — romantic comedies. In the 1990s, Gere was the leading man every director wanted to book for their rom-com, and Gere’s roles in cult classics such as "Runaway Bride," "Pretty Woman," and "Dr. T & The Woman," certainly helped him gain the fame and fortune he enjoys today.
Dolly Parton — $650 Million
Well, she didn’t make that kind of living workin’ a nine-to-five job! Dolly Parton, a legendary country icon, has had an impressive and long-lasting career, and she’s got the net worth to back it up. Emerging onto the country music radar in 1967 with her first album, "Hello, I’m Dolly," Parton has been writing hits ever since. Known for her signature blonde gingham look, Parton not only has the skills to create numerous chart-toppers, but she's also a skilled businesswoman and has been running multiple successful ventures over the years.
Not only the beauty but also the brains behind many of her successful songs, Dolly Parton is a singer and songwriter. You might not know, but Dolly actually wrote Whitney Houston’s legendary, “I Will Always Love You.” Parton also owns her own record label, Dolly Records. She didn’t just make all of her money in the early years of her career, either. She’s still rolling in massive amounts of money — she made $19 million in 2016 alone!
Phil McGraw — $470 Million
You probably don’t expect to make a fortune the size of Dr. Phil’s after getting your psychology degree. Phil McGraw was launched into national success after appearing on "Oprah" one day. Soon, "The Dr. Phil Show" premiered and Dr. Phil’s career reached new heights. The show began in 2002 and continued to air until mid-2023.
Though Dr. Phil has faced criticism for his opinions over the last few years, his net worth continues to grow and his popularity remains steady. To give you an idea of just how much Phil McGraw makes from his daytime television show, in 2017 Dr. Phil made a salary of $79 million. We doubt he cares about any criticism with a paycheck like that. Just as he gained fame from appearing on "Oprah," Dr. Phil’s television show has helped others reach stardom, such as the rapping career of Danielle Bregoli, the “Cash Me Outside” girl.
Steve Harvey — $200 Million
Coming from difficult beginnings, Steve Harvey faced adversity early in his career as a comedian and was actually homeless for many years in West Virginia, where he was born and raised. But fortune finally shone on Harvey when he was hired as a host on "It’s Showtime at the Apollo." The big break he needed to launch his career, Harvey went on to host numerous well-known television programs such as "The Steve Harvey Show" and "Family Feud."
Though Harvey accumulated quite a fortune from his hosting abilities, he has been involved in a few controversies over the years, such as the time he messed up the name of the 2015 Miss Universe winner when he accidentally announced the runner-up as the winner. He owned up to his mistake, and though the contestants were shaken up, everything turned out just fine and Harvey’s massive net worth remained intact.
Bob Barker — $70 Million
Well, that price is certainly right for Bob Barker. Famous for hosting the most popular game show on daytime television, Barker was able to retire with $70 million after his 50-year television-hosting career. Known for his casual conversation style and his ability to always be on the contestant’s side when hosting TV game shows, Barker was a well-loved celebrity personality and admitted that he missed being a host after he retired.
Starting with his own radio show, "The Bob Barker Show," in 1950, Barker eventually went on to host "The Price Is Right" in 1972. Barker also acted as a host on various game shows including "The Family Game," "Simon Says," and "That’s My Line." Extremely talented at his craft, Barker has the accolades to go along with his career, including 19 Emmy Awards and his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
John Madden — $200 Million
John Madden was a famous former football coach and sportscaster. Receiving industry accolades after winning a Super Bowl as the coach for the Oakland Raiders, Madden went on to be a famous sportscaster for the NFL. Additionally, Madden provided entertaining commentary for all of the major networks, including CBS, Fox, ABC, and NBS all the way from 1979 up until 2009.
Though he made a decent amount of money from his sportscasting career, the majority of Madden’s massive fortune came from his wildly popular video games. John Madden was the brand, voice, and overall personality behind the famous Madden NFL video games. Best-sellers and award winners, the Madden games continue to grow in popularity and serve as an absolute goldmine for John Madden, even post-mortem.
Michael Phelps — $100 Million
Michael Phelps’s net worth is certainly Olympian in size. Not only the highest award-winning swimmer in history but also the most highly awarded Olympian in history, Phelps earns a lot in sponsorship money each year. Beginning his Olympian career at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Phelps qualified for a medal but did not win. Sixteen years later, at the Rio Olympics, Phelps won more medals than 161 competing countries.
Holding a massive total of 28 medals, Phelps is an obvious choice for advertisers everywhere, including industry giants like Nike, Speedo, and Kellogg’s. Magnetizing advertising sponsorship, Phelps has made millions due to his impressive Olympian career. Though he was involved in an illicit substance scandal in 2009 that caused some loss in sponsorship, most advertisers forgave the indiscretion, and his net worth continues to grow.
Jon Stewart — $160 Million
Thirty years into his career and Jon Stewart’s hard work has certainly paid off. Beginning as many comedians do, working stand-up gigs and eventually writing for comedy shows that weren’t his own, Stewart began to make a name for himself in 1993 when he hosted "The Jon Stewart Show" on MTV.
After that initial breakthrough, Stewart continued to host a number of talk shows, including his most famous feature, "The Daily Show." The talk/satire news show helped Stewart accrue a wide-ranging fan base, all of whom were shocked and saddened to hear of his departure from the show in 2015. Stewart chose to leave in order to work on his writing, a decision he most likely does not regret, given the enormous cushion of cash he has to lean on.
Tyra Banks — $90 Million
Beginning her professional career as a supermodel when she was just a teenager, Tyra Banks is business savvy in addition to being beautiful and has spent years growing a multi-media empire. Though she initially struggled to find her professional brand alongside supermodel stars like Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks definitely found her niche in the fashion industry after a few years of hard work.
Expanding her career into TV, Banks eventually created the long-running reality TV series, "America’s Next Top Model." Her personality shone through and appealed to American audiences so much that Banks landed her own daytime talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show," in 2005. From that point on, Banks continued her success in the entertainment industry, expanding into music and cosmetics. Truly a self-made woman, Banks was named one of TIME magazine’s most influential people. After looking at her impressive career, it’s certainly not difficult to understand why.
Jimmy Buffett — $810 Million
When you think of Jimmy Buffet you probably don’t think of a hardworking businessman — but he’s just that. Crooning songs that paint pictures of a laidback, vacation lifestyle like "Cheeseburgers in Paradise", Jimmy Buffet launched an entire enterprise off his chilled-out brand. Though he made money from his music and tours, the majority of his cash flow came from his restaurant chains, Margaritaville Café and Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Not only did he own restaurants, but Buffet’s brand can also be seen in convenience and grocery stores everywhere. A true business mogul, Jimmy Buffet also had his own beer label, a casino, and a $1 billion retirement village. And to keep his creative juices flowing he’s written his very own Broadway musical. Who knew Jimmy Buffet was such a hardworking guy?
Jerry Springer — $60 Million
Famous for his wild television show, the late great Jerry Springer had an interesting career with a very big paycheck. Mostly known for his sometimes grotesquely dramatic television show, Springer interestingly started off his career as a politician. Jerry Springer got his law degree and practiced in New York where he served as an advisor to John F. Kennedy. He went on to build a political career in Cincinnati.
However, Springer’s career in politics was not as successful as he had hoped and he eventually moved on to the entertainment side of politics by becoming a political commentator and reporter. Here, Springer found his career niche. His talents as a broadcaster eventually lead to what we know Jerry for best, hosting "The Jerry Springer Show." Not so much a talk show as a show of spectacles, Springer’s dramatic television program certainly paid off for him. He sadly passed away in 2023.
George Strait — $310 Million
Heralded for being the “King of Country Music”, George Harvey Strait gained fame for returning the country sound back to its origins when he set off his music in the 1980s. He started things off with a bang when his first single, “Unwound,” became an instant chart-topper after its release in 1981. His next seven albums continued to be hugely successful and repeatedly topped the charts. The success of Strait’s music led to numerous concert tours that helped him earn just over $99 million over the course of three years.
Strait’s impressive and successful music career has not only made him one of the best-selling artists of all time but has actually made him the 12th best-selling artist in United States history. Though he is currently retired on the music front, Strait continues to be a successful and beloved artist. He currently endorses a tequila brand and has embarked on various other business ventures to help pad his already impressive net worth.
Jay-Z — $2.5 Billion
Talk about the ultimate power couple! In addition to Beyoncé’s multimillion net worth, Jay-Z has accrued a staggering $2.5 billion in net earnings. You might’ve guessed that Beyoncé had amassed more wealth than her husband, but Jay-Z has been smart with his money over the years and his successful business ventures have paid off big time. With investments in entertainment labels, a clothing line, various alcohol brands, and Tidal, a music streaming service, Jay-Z has his finger on the pulse and it’s making him richer by the day. Additionally, Jay-Z owns an upscale sports club.
We haven’t even gotten to the money Jay-Z has made from his music label. Jay-Z’s successful career as a musician is the platform from which he was able to build his fortune and eventually make so much money that he was named America’s richest musician by Rolling Stone. Not only that, Jay-Z was ranked number five on Forbes’ rankings of celebrity net worths. Not too shabby!
Shania Twain — $410 Million
Shania Twain’s impressive net worth is actually no surprise considering her massive repertoire of chart-topping hits. Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain has had an incredible country music career and has amassed quite a fortune. Beginning her career as a teenager, Twain accumulated massive acclaim after her second studio album led her to chart-topping recognition.
Iconically famous songs include “Man, I Feel Like A Woman,” and “That Don't Impress Me Much.” Continuing on in her career, Twain still has a huge fan base, continues to release new music, and keeps us all on our toes. Her $410 million net worth continues to grow to this day.
Simone Biles — $16 Million
An Olympian who’s made quite a fortune for herself based on her amazing talents, this young gymnast has already made $16 million before her 30th birthday. A fan favorite as well as the most decorated gymnast in United States history, it’s no wonder so many brands have been eager to partner with the impressive and talented Simone Biles.
By the time she was 19 years old, Simone Biles had won 18 medals between competitions in the Olympics and the World Championships. In 2016 alone, Biles received sponsorships from Kellogg’s, Proctor and Gamble, United Airlines, Hershey, and Beats by Dre. Such an amazing start at such a young age, it’s exciting to imagine what Simone will accomplish as she grows older.
Maria Sharapova — $196 Million
A sports legend with a massive net worth, Maria Sharapova is one of the greatest tennis players in the world, and she’s got the bank account to prove it. She’s one of only ten women to make a professional career out of playing tennis. Russian-born Sharapova became a pro in 2001 and began to accumulate her fortune off of prize winnings and endorsements from advertisers. In 2004, she signed endorsement contracts with massive companies including Motorola, Tiffany and Co., Nike, Gatorade, and Tropicana.
In addition to her amazing talents, Sharapova is a natural beauty and has been featured as a model in numerous ad campaigns. Being in the spotlight, especially the sports spotlight, comes with its potential issues, though. In 2016, Sharapova was banned from the tennis courts for a total of 15 months after failing a test meant to detect performance enhancers. However, she bounced back and continues to lead an impressive professional career.
Simon Cowell — $600 Million
Known for his harsh attitude and biting commentary as a judge, Simon Cowell gained his fortune from his excellent ability to tell the difference between a dud and a superstar in the music industry. Cowell’s talents as a producer and manager helped him to discern famous acts such as Five and Westlife, two popular boy bands out of the U.K.
What most people know him for, though, are his roles as a judge on the hit television shows "American Idol" and "The X Factor." Though he’s often posed as the villain on the judging panel for his rude remarks, his discerning ear has helped him to find numerous singers and transform them into pop sensations. Famous acts that Cowell is responsible for include Il Divo, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, and One Direction. The proof is certainly in the pudding!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. — $300 Million
If you’re not familiar with racecar driving, you might not realize just how lucrative it is as a sport. Coming from a long line of family racecar drivers, Dale Earnhardt grew up in the world of NASCAR and has the paycheck to prove his skill and talents. Driving for about two decades, Earnhardt Jr. has won countless cash prizes from winning races, but as you might imagine, the real money comes from the advertisements you see on those cars as they whizz through the track.
As possibly the most famous NASCAR racer there is, Earnhardt Jr. gives advertisers a spot on his car for nothing less than $1 million. He also sells quite a bit of merchandise and has made a large portion of his fortune from selling items with his name on them. In fact, Earnhardt Jr.’s merchandise has outsold other NASCAR drivers by more than 25%. Though he isn’t really racing anymore, he remains quite involved in the sport and makes money by serving as a NASCAR analyst for NBC.
Derek Jeter — $200 Million
Through the duration of his long, 20-year career playing for the New York Yankees, Jeter made an incredible $265 million — and that’s just his salary. He made even more money from the countless endorsement deals he was able to make as one of the most celebrated players in the MLB. Some of the companies that signed million-dollar contracts for his sponsorship include Jordan by Nike, Gatorade, Rawling, Steiner Sports, Movado, and Avon. Talk about a popularity contest!
With that huge paycheck, you may be wondering why Jeter’s net worth rests at $200 million. That’s because he spent a large portion of his fortune buying the Miami Marlins franchise in 2017. However, even though he had a massive amount of money to back him, Jeter still had to partner with Jeb Bush on the deal. Of course, the deal ultimately will add to his fortune, and on top of that, he owns his own baseball club.
Beyoncé — $500 Million
It’s probably no surprise that celebrity royal Queen Bey is on this list. Starting off in the famous girl group, Destiny’s Child, with singers Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Beyoncé went on to launch a more than successful solo career and has amassed enough wealth to last her more than a lifetime. She’s sure to pass on her amazing fortune to her expanding family with her husband, Jay-Z.
Always in the spotlight, we’ve seen Queen B spend her fortune on multimillion-dollar mansions, expensive beauty products, and incredible vacations. Not stingy or selfish with her wealth, Beyoncé is reportedly an amazing gift-giver. She has given her husband Jay-Z luxurious gifts, such as a private jet, a Rolex worth $1 million, and luxury cars including a $2 million Bugatti. The couple also gifts each other incredible experiences. For example, Beyoncé once rented out the entire Louvre!