From fame to fortune: The 14 celebrities who made the billionaires list in 2024

Taylor Swift is the first person to achieve billionaire status from songwriting and performing.

Taylor Swift is the first person to achieve billionaire status from songwriting and performing.

Published Dec 29, 2024

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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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