Celebrity Wealth: A Look at the Net Worth of Some of the Most Popular Stars
We all think that celebrities are rich and famous. Take one look at their social media or see them walk a red carpet, and you'll quickly realize that they're loaded. But no one seems to really know exactly how much money a celebrity is worth.
Yes, we know that Maria Sharapova has won a bunch of tennis tournaments and has a ton of ad partnerships, but exactly how much money has she made from that? And what about Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country? Just keep reading through and preparing to be blown away by some of the insane net worths of the biggest celebrities in the world. Which one surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
Jon Stewart - $120 Million
Your favorite political talk show host has been quietly accumulating millions over a thirty-year career. Stewart began accumulating his net worth with stand-up gigs and writing for other comedy shows. Then, he shot to stardom in 1993 on MTV with The Jon Stewart Show.
Since that time, Stewart has hosted a variety of talk shows, but is best known for hosting The Daily Show.
Simon Cowell - $600 Million
Simon Cowell may not have ever released his own music, but we know the producer and manager has a knack for picking out the best talent. Some of the early acts he signed as a young manager were the U.K. boybands Five and Westlife.
Then, of course, he moved on to become a judge for American Idol and The X Factor. While he's been known to be brash as a judge, both shows have launched huge careers for singers and Cowell has been the genius behind it. When you're managing people like Il Divo, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, and One Direction, you're definitely making a lot of money.
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Stephen Colbert - $75 Million
Another one of our favorite television hosts, Colbert has won numerous awards and has a net worth to back it up. Colbert actually got his start as a serious actor before transitioning to comedy and talk shows.
He started his career in an acting troupe where he was actually an understudy for none other than Steve Carell. When acting didn't work out, Colbert then transitioned to becoming a writer on shows like Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show. After serving his time as a writer, he was eventually promoted to appear on The Daily Show and the rest is history.
Judy Sheindlin - $440 Million
Judge Judy runs a tight ship in her courtroom, and by doing so, she's made a fortune over the years. Yes, she is a real judge with a real law degree. Sheindlin started her career in Manhattan family courts but transitioned to our television sets in 1996.
From 1996 to 2021, Judge Judy was been one of the highest-rated daytime television programs, and continues to be successful in syndication.
Ron Howard - $200 Million
Not only is Ron Howard a successful actor and filmmaker, but he was born into it, too. His father is a director, writer, and actor while his mother was an actress, too. Howard started his acting career as a child, playing Opie Taylor of The Andy Griffith Show.
He went on to become a widely successful director and producer in both film and television and has not one but two stars on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
Clint Eastwood - $375 Million
Iconic actor, director, and producer Clint Eastwood began amassing his fortune in the entertainment industry in the 1960s after a rough start in the 50s. Eastwood's paycheck for his role in the film, Hang 'Em High (1968) earned him $400,000 plus an additional 25% of its net box office. The same year, his paycheck for Where Eagles Dare was $750,000.
His career continued to flourish throughout the decades and he branched out into producing and directing. One of his biggest films directing was American Sniper, which grossed over $547 million globally. Alongside his acting career, Eastwood also started a production company.
Robert De Niro - $500 Million
De Niro has built a legitimate Hollywood empire thanks to him starring in some of the most iconic films in history. His role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II was enough to put him (and his money) on the map but he also added films like Taxi Driver and Cape Fear to the list.
The impressive part is that much of his current net worth is thanks to his investment in the Nobu restaurant chain and Tribeca Enterprises.
Ellen DeGeneres - $500 Million
While most people know Ellen DeGeneres from her daytime television show, it's easy to forget that she was successful long before. After getting her start as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s, DeGeneres landed her own sitcom, Ellen. The show was so successful that many people considered it the "female Seinfeld."
It was only after the success of her television show that DeGeneres started to make serious money. Alongside her shows, she has authored four books, and runs a record company, a production company, and a lifestyle brand.
Beyoncé - $600 Million
Queen Bey has been in the industry for a long time and she's got a net worth to reflect it. After years with Destiny's Child and then a successful solo career, Beyoncé has built enough wealth to last a lifetime. That's probably why she's not shy about spending her cash on outrageous items.
Bey is known for indulging in multimillion-dollar mansions, insane beauty treatments, and luxurious vacations. She's also reportedly a great gift-giver and has dropped cash gifting her husband Jay-Z a private jet, a car, a million dollar Rolex, and much more. Oh, and don't forget the time she rented out the Louvre.
Kylie Jenner - $700 Million
Kylie Jenner has spent much of her life in the spotlight. She was just 10 years old when Keeping Up with the Kardashians aired on E!
Her net worth is largely thanks to her wildly popular makeup line, Kylie Cosmetics. Between her various ventures and her appearances on reality TV, she has amassed quite a large net worth!
Richard Gere - $120 Million
We might not see much of Richard Gere in Hollywood anymore, but in the 1990s, he was a certified A-lister. Gere came to prominence in the film American Gigolo, which cemented his status as a certified Hollywood hunk. He held that title for nearly two decades and in 1999 was voted People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.
Being good looking doesn't make you $120 million though. Being the king of 1990s romantic comedies does. After starring in favorites like Runaway Bride, Pretty Woman, and Dr. T & The Woman, he earned his fame and fortune and is an icon in rom-com history.
Justin Timberlake - $250 Million
In 1993 Justin Timberlake's career took off when he joined the future all-star cast of Disney's The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. As the lead singer of NSYNC, Timberlake was at the forefront of the boy band phenomena. He took a big chance starting a solo musical career, but Timberlake proved that he had more talent than just singing and performing-- he's a talented songwriter, too.
In 2022, Timberlake sold the rights to his music catalog, containing around 200 songs. The deal is estimated to be worth $100 million.
Barbara Walters - $170 Million
The first female news anchor on the national evening news changed the journalism industry and has been paid well for it. Over her long career, Barbara Walters has conducted some of the biggest interviews with celebrities, politicians, and world leaders. On top of that, she's also taken home massive paychecks from hosting shows like 20/20, ABC News, Today, and The View.
It's not all self-made though. Walters was born into a very wealthy family. Her father was an entertainment director for the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Dolly Parton - $650 Million
The queen of country music has had a long and successful career that just keeps making her money. Parton burst onto the scene with her debut album Hello, I'm Dolly in 1967. While she topped the charts for years, she's also been hustling numerous side businesses to up her net worth.
Parton is a songwriter and is the genius behind Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." On top of that, she actually owns her own label, Dolly Records.
Pete Davidson - $3 Million
Actor and comedian Pete Davidson became the youngest member to join the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2014 at 20 years old.
He started his career young and continues to grow his fortune, all the while dating some of the most successful women in the entertainment industry!
Oprah Winfrey - $3.5 Billion
Everything Oprah touches seems to turn to gold, so it's not really shocking to see her insane net worth. Oprah has been ranked as one of the wealthiest African-Americans in the United States, and the first female black billionaire ever.
Oprah came from humble beginnings so she doesn't exactly blow her fortune on just anything. She primarily invests in real estate around the globe, creating new businesses, and donating money to charity. While Oprah spends most of her time now focusing on health and wellness, she's still raking in cash thanks to the OWN Network and re-runs of her television shows.
Stephen Curry - $160 Million
It seems that basketball can be quite a lucrative sport if you're good at it. Just ask Steph Curry, point guard for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. In 2017, he signed the NBA's first $200 million contract.
He also runs a company called SC30, which manages his brand partnerships, investments, and philanthropic ventures. In addition, Curry owns a production company and has a valuable endorsement deal with Callaway (among others).
Chuck Norris - $70 Million
Chuck Norris, who has a black belt in Judo, Tang Soo Do, and Brazilian jiu jitsu, got his start by training celebrities in martial arts. After a minor role in the 1969 film The Wrecking Crew, he went on to bigger and better parts, eventually becoming a wildly popular action film star in movies like The Way Of The Dragon, Delta Force, Lone Wolf McQuade, and more.
In addition to being one of the most successful action actors of all time, Norris is also a writer who has appeared on the New York Times' bestselling list twice now.
Leonardo DiCaprio - $300 Million
Leonardo DiCaprio got his start in the industry when he was a young boy on the sitcom Growing Pains. He even received his first Oscar nomination for his role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. None of that mattered though until 1997 when he shot to international fame in Titanic.
Since then, DiCaprio has been in box office hit after hit. He's one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood.
Jay-Z - $2 Billion
Now that we know how rich Beyoncé is, what about her husband Jay-Z? His impressive $1 billion net worth is thanks to his numerous business ventures.
Jay-Z has investments in entertainment labels, a clothing line, alcohol brands, and even owns an upscale sports club. All of that is on top of Jay-Z's revenue from his own music.
Michael Phelps - $100 Million
If you thought the most decorated swimmer in history earned a lot of sponsorship money, what about the most decorated Olympian in history? Phelps began his career at the 2000 Sydney Olympics where he qualified but didn't win. Fast forward to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Phelps took home more medals than 161 countries.
With a total of 28 medals, Phelps is a walking, talking goldmine for advertisers. Nike, Speedo, and Kellogg's are just a few sponsors that have paid him millions.
Maria Sharapova - $180 Million
As one of ten women to obtain a career Grand Slam in professional tennis, the Russian-born tennis player is one of the best the world has ever seen. After Sharapova turned pro in 2001, she made most of her money off of prize winnings and endorsements. In 2004, she signed contracts with Motorola, Tiffany and Co., Nike, Gatorade, and Tropicana.
Sharapova has also been featured as a model in many campaigns thanks to her striking looks and long, tall figure. In 2016, she was banned from women's tennis for 15 months but lucky for her, it didn't affect her net worth that much.
Steve Harvey - $200 Million
Born in West Virginia, Harvey struggled to become a stand-up comedian and was left homeless for many years. All of that changed when he landed a job as host of It's Showtime at the Apollo. That big break led him to host multiple other television shows like The Steve Harvey Show and Family Feud.
Having all that experience might have made Harvey a lot of money, but it doesn't mean he is a perfect host. No one will forget when he messed up naming the winner of the 2016 Miss Universe pageant. While people ridiculed him for the mistake, Harvey was probably laughing all the way to the bank.
David Letterman - $400 Million
When you think of iconic television hosts, David Letterman is right up there with Johnny Carson and Jack Paar. Letterman has had an impressive career that spans all the way back to 1982. His shows, Late Night with David Letterman and The Late Show, ran a total of 6,080 episodes and he was ranked as one of TV Guide's 50 best TV stars of all time.
In 2015, Letterman announced his retirement from television. Letterman now hosts a Netflix series and his production studio makes money from re-runs of The Late Late Show and Everybody Loves Raymond.
Tyra Banks - $90 Million
Starting out as a supermodel, Tyra Banks has spent years transforming her good looks into a multi-media empire. After struggling to find her place in the fashion industry alongside industry giants like Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen, she finally broke through.
Banks landed acting roles until 2003 when she created the still-running television series America's Next Top Model. Two years later, she began hosting her own daytime television talk show. From there, she's only expanded her empire into music, cosmetics, writing, and other businesses.
Shania Twain - $400 Million
She might be a Canadian girl, but the country singer has racked up a major fortune in US dollars. Twain has been in the music industry since she was a teenager. Her self-titled debut album had decent sales, but her second studio album shot her to fame and led her on the path to making millions.
Since her debut in the 1990s, she's made her fortune by releasing iconic songs like "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" and "Honey I'm Home." Twain is still releasing new music to this day and touring.
Simone Biles - $16 Million
The pint-sized gymnast who stole our hearts at the Olympics is only in her twenties, yet she already has a net worth of $16 million. How did a gymnast end up with that big of a fortune? Well, when you become the most decorated gymnastics in United State history, brands want to partner with you.
By the time she was 19 years old, she held a combined 18 medals between the Olympics and World Championships.
George Strait - $300 Million
The king of country music was credited with bringing country music back to its roots in the 1980s, and he was rewarded financially for it. His first single, "Unwound," was a massive hit in 1981 and the next seven albums topped the country charts. All that success led Strait to embark on tours that earned him $99 million in only three years.
For his contributions to country music, Strait has become one of the best-selling artists of all time. While he's not making music anymore, Strait is still making money with a tequila brand endorsement and other business ventures.
Garth Brooks - $400 Million
To date, Brooks is one of the world's top earning country music singers. He could probably retire any day and be set for life, but Brooks doesn't sit back and waste his time.
From 2014-2017, he embarked on a worldwide comeback tour, and he hasn't stopped since. He is still releasing music and touring today.
Phil McGraw - $460 Million
Phil McGraw probably never expected to turn his degree in psychology into a million dollar career. That all changed after one fateful meeting with Oprah. The Dr. Phil Show premiered in September 2002 and is still running to this day.
McGraw has faced a lot of criticism for his show over the years but he's laughing all the way to the bank. His fame and fortune even launched some surprising guests to stardom, like Danielle Bregoli, AKA the "Cash Me Outside" girl.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $300 Million
Earnhardt Jr. comes from a long line of professional race car drivers who earned plenty for their family, but he's made the most money by far. Over his two-decade career, Earnhardt Jr. has taken home numerous cash prizes for races but most of his money was made from car advertisers.
A spot on Earnhardt Jr.'s car during a big race could cost an advertiser upwards of $1 million. Earnhardt Jr.'s merchandise sales also accounted for a big chunk of his net worth.
Derek Jeter - $200 Million
Over his 20-year career with the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter pulled in $265 million. That doesn't even include the numerous endorsement deals he signed as one of the MLB's top players. Nike's Jordan brand and Gatorade each paid Jeter millions for sponsorship. Other partners included Rawling, Steiner Sports, Movado, and Avon.
While those numbers are impressive, they still weren't enough for Jeter to buy the Miami Marlins franchise on his own in 2017. He had to hook up with Jeb Bush and together, they financed the Marlins. Still, he is rich enough to say he owns a baseball club.
Chelsea Handler - $35 Million
Is there anything this female comedian can't do? Since she burst onto our television screens in 2007 with her show Chelsea Lately, it seems like she's everywhere. The show was an instant hit, especially because it posted small clips to YouTube to gain a following.
Handler's fortune from television is nothing in comparison to the sales from her writing. Since 2005, Handler has written five books that covered a variety of subjects, but all with her humor. Four of the five books hit number one on The New York Times bestseller list, and three of them have been turned into television series.
Sandra Bullock - $250 Million
She might seem to fly under the radar, but Sandra Bullock is one of Hollywood's top actresses. With a 30-year career under her belt, Bullock has amassed a major fortune, and in 2014, she actually topped the Forbes' Highest Paid, Actresses List. She's earned her luxe living thanks to movies like Miss Congeniality, The Blind Side, Gravity, Oceans 8, and Bird Box.
Bullock also owns her own production company, Fortis Films. With all that money coming in, Bullock makes sure to give back, and after Hurricane Harvey, she donated $1 million to the American Red Cross.
Carrie Underwood - $140 Million
When she stepped into the American Idol auditions back in 2005, everyone in the room seemed to know Carrie Underwood was destined to be a star. After winning the season, Underwood released her debut album that produced hit after hit that was popular for both country and pop music fans.
To date, Underwood has sold more than 65 million records worldwide. With her success, she has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and has won several Country Music Awards and Grammys.
Dr. Dre - $500 Million
Dr. Dre got his start as a producer and performer for the rap ground N.W.A. Eventually, Dre decided to go solo and focus on his own music and building an empire. He founded Aftermath Entertainment that signed other major rappers like Eminem and 50 Cent.
Aside from his music, Dr. Dre has also made a fortune with his Beats By Dre headphones. He sold the headphone technology to Apple in a staggering $3.2 billion deal. He still own 1/4 of the Beats company which means he's rolling in cash.
Matt Groening - $600 Million
It might not sound like a household name but Matt Groening's creative television shows are likely in your household every single night. Groening is the brainchild behind hit series like The Simpsons and Futurama. Understandably, he can credit most of his fortune to the success of The Simpsons.
The cartoon is the longest-running U.S. primetime television series in history. The Simpsons has won Groening several Emmy Awards and even garnered him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Who knew that drawing cartoon characters for a living could make you richer than most Hollywood A-listers?
Mariah Carey - $350 Million
As one of the best-selling singers in the world, Mariah Carey has some powerful pipes that have made her a ton of cash. The singer signed with Columbia Records in 1991 and her debut album was named the top-seller of the year after fans bought more than 15 million copies.
Since then, she's continued to put out huge songs. Carey has signed huge record contracts, had a Las Vegas residency, and even been a judge on American Idol.
Bono - $700 Million
This Irish frontman of the band U2 can thank a healthy touring schedule and some smart investments for his $700 million net worth. Bono has headed U2 since 1976 and that band has won many Grammy Awards.
The average U2 show will gross about $2.1 million! Still, a good chunk of Bono's fortune has come from his 2.3 percent share of Facebook.
Jerry Seinfeld - $925 Million
He might have started out as a lowly stand-up comedian but after creating the television sitcom Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld has become one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. He was making a lot of money when the show was airing but most of his fortune has come after the show's end. Seinfeld and co-creator Larry David receive a big, fat check for every time a Seinfeld re-run in aired on television.
He's also made money as an author, public speaker, and with endorsement deals. What does he do with his fortune? He buys fancy cars and gets coffee.
Kanye West - $400 Million
Grammy-award winning Kanye West is one of the world's best-selling music artists, as well as a two-time member of Time magazine's "100 most influential people in the world" list.
He's also a fashion designer, with his popular sneaker and apparel brand Yeezy raking in big bucks every year.
Roger Federer - $550 Million
The Swiss tennis powerhouse Roger Federer was ranked No. 1 in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals for 310 weeks, with an astonishing 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles under his belt.
He has earned around $1 billion from endorsement deals over the span of his career.
Tyler Perry - $850 Million
The multi-talented writer, director, producer, and actor Tyler Perry is most famous for his Madea franchise. Starting out in local theater in the 1990s, Perry now owns Tyler Perry Studios, a 330-acre complex in Atlanta.
Perry owns 100% of his content and a large portion of his vast fortune comes from his library of work dating back to the early '90s. Perry is incredibly generous with his time and money, and is known to donate frequently to causes that are important to him.
Howard Stern - $650 Million
Howard Stern, the veteran radio and television personality, is one of the highest-paid people in radio. This is due to an eight-figure contract with SiriusXM for The Howard Stern Show, which has aired on the subscription-based satellite radio service since 2006.
Stern started his radio career in the mid-1970s and first paired with his long-term sidekick Robin Quivers in 1981. His current net worth will likely continue to grow, as demand for the controversial host's candid celebrity interviews doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
LeBron James - $600 Million
In 2018, the four-time NBA MVP LeBron James inked a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that was worth a whopping $153 million. He also has a series of valuable endorsements and owns a production company, a media company, and a health and wellness company... not too shabby!
Off the court, the small forward is an activist for several causes and runs The LeBron James Family Foundation charity to help improve education for students in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - $800 Million
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. Beginning his entertainment career with WWE in 1996, he quickly rose to stardom with his charismatic stage persona. He headlined WrestleMania XXVIII, the most-purchased professional wrestling pay-per-view event in the sport's history.
After appearing in the 2002 film The Scorpion King, Johnson became a box-office draw. His work as a producer has also contributed to his hefty net worth.
Elton John - $550 Million
Elton John has sold over 300 million records over the course of his famed career, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
John released his first albums, Empty Sky and Elton John, in 1969 and 1970, and his fame and fortune have continued to grow with each passing year. John's biopic Rocketman, about his life, grossed over $195 million worldwide in 2018.
Ariana Grande - $240 Million
Ariana Grande is not just a pretty face with a powerful voice, she's also a big-shot earner. She is one of the highest-paid celebrities in the world.
Music and acting aren’t her only games; in 2019 Ms. Grande won the Fragrance of the Year-Popular award for her perfume, Cloud Eau De Parfum.
Gordon Ramsay - $220 Million
British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay stars in multiple television reality shows including MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen, and he also owns restaurants around the world. Those eateries have been awarded 17 Michelin stars in total.
Ramsay's TV programs rake in millions in yearly in ad sales for Fox.
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