Last updated on August 18, 2023
In an era where Taylor Swift shattered records by selling over 2 million tickets to her Eras tour in a single day on Ticketmaster, crashing parts of the company’s site, the accomplishments of women celebrities are nothing short of historic.
Beyoncé Knowles, with an impressive 32 Grammy awards, holds the record for the most Grammy wins in musical history. Meanwhile, Rihanna captivated more than 121 million viewers with her electrifying Super Bowl halftime show, etching her name in history.
Beyond the stages and screens, these women are rewriting the narratives of fame and wealth, seizing control over their own destinies. The spotlight is firmly fixed on the 15 luminaries who have earned their spot on Forbes’ prestigious list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women this year.
With a collective fortune of $10.8 billion, this remarkable roster includes not only renowned performers but also diligent producers and artists.
| Rank | Name | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oprah Winfrey | $2.5 billion 💰🌟 |
| 2 | Kim Kardashian | $1.2 billion 💄🌐 |
| 3 | Taylor Swift | $740 million 🎤🎈 |
| 4 | Kylie Jenner | $680 million 👑💄 |
| 5 | Madonna | $580 million 👑✨ |
| 6 | Beyoncé Knowles | $540 million 🎵🌍 |
| 7 | Celine Dion | $480 million 🎤🌟 |
| 8 | Judy Sheindlin | $480 million ⚖️🔥 |
| 9 | Dolly Parton | $440 million 🎤📚 |
| 10 | Reese Witherspoon | $440 million 🎬🌟 |
The lineup features icons like Reese Witherspoon, juggling executive producing roles in hit series and starring in others; the indefatigable Dolly Parton, who dazzled with TV specials, literary endeavors, and innovative product lines; and, of course, the incomparable Taylor Swift, currently embarking on her largest tour yet, encompassing 52 shows in 20 cities over a span of 145 days.
Unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift has amplified her fortune more than any other celebrity over the past year, ascending 14 positions in the rankings from No. 48 to an impressive No. 34. A staggering $170 million increment in her net worth can be attributed to the triumphant launch of her chart-topping album “Midnights” and the commencement of her groundbreaking tour, which commenced in March.
Swift’s passion for her work shines through: “I’ve just never been this happy in my life,” she declared from the stage. Anticipate her net worth to soar even higher next year as her tour progresses, bolstered by a share of the merchandise sales at each concert.
Another star on the rise is none other than Beyoncé, who embarked on her transformative Renaissance tour in May. With a net worth of $540 million, an impressive $90 million uptick from the previous year, Beyoncé now claims the No. 48 spot, a leap from her previous No. 61 ranking.
This year introduces a fresh face to the spotlight: showrunner extraordinaire Shonda Rhimes. Her ascendancy is attributed to the triumph of long-running ABC hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” as well as newer Netflix sensations like “Bridgerton” and “Inventing Anna.” May 4 marked the premiere of her latest creation, “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” on the Netflix stage.
Securing a spot on this prestigious list is no small feat. The 2022 roster featured 17 illustrious figures, all boasting a minimum net worth of $215 million. In contrast, this year’s benchmark soared to $225 million. Notably absent from the ranks are Sandra Bullock, Maria Sharapova, and Kris Jenner, who couldn’t keep up with the stringent requirements.
While Kris Jenner fell short due in part to Forbes’ revised valuation of her daughter Kim Kardashian’s innovative Skims brand, both Kim and sister Kylie Jenner remain fixtures on the list. In fact, at the tender age of 25, Kylie retains her title as the youngest self-made woman among the top 100, a distinction she first claimed in 2018 when she made her debut at just 20 years old.
What you'll learn:
1. Oprah Winfrey ($2.5B)
Adding 900 acres in Maui to her Hawaiian property collection, Oprah’s real estate empire expands. A homecoming speech at Tennessee State University, her alma mater, marked her first visit since 1987.
Producing a Spielberg-led remake of “The Color Purple,” she revives her Oscar-nominated role from the 1985 classic.
2. Kim Kardashian ($1.2B)
This TV icon and business tycoon remains a force. She’s set to star in American Horror Story’s season 12, while her private equity firm, SKKY Partners, eyes a $1B fund for consumer and media investments.
Amid her SKKN by Kim skincare launch, her stake in Skims shapewear fuels her fortune, despite a $600M dip due to valuation adjustments by Forbes.
3. Taylor Swift ($740M)
Ranked ninth among 2022’s top earners, her year was colossal. The triumph of her 10th album, “Midnights,” and the announcement of her groundbreaking Eras tour drove her success. A record-breaking 2M+ Ticketmaster tickets sold in a single November day.
With her fortune swelling by $170M due to the album and tour launch, she’s set to earn more on the road. From 52 performances to merchandise sales, her financial horizon shines bright.
4. Kylie Jenner ($680M)
A social media powerhouse, Kylie Jenner maintains her influence, captivating 390 million Instagram users with product endorsements like Glow water. Her promotions extend to Kylie Cosmetics items, featured in British luxury retailer Selfridges and a DC Comics’ Batman-inspired line.
She illuminated Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper in March to celebrate her cosmetics brand’s Middle East launch. Holding an estimated 44.1% ownership of Kylie Cosmetics, she made a significant move in 2020, selling 51% to Coty for $600 million.
5. Madonna ($580M)
Madonna, an iconic figure, was set to co-write and direct her biopic with Julia Garner. However, this was put on hold due to her forthcoming Celebration tour, commencing in July. The tour pays tribute to her four-decade-long music career, cementing her legacy as the queen of pop.
6. Beyoncé Knowles ($540M)
A trailblazer, Knowles launched her seventh studio album, Renaissance, achieving a record-breaking 32 Grammy wins. Her clothing line, Ivy Park, ventured into a couture collection with Balmain.
In May, she embarked on the Renaissance world tour, her first solo tour in seven years. With her husband Jay-Z, they made headlines for purchasing a $200 million Malibu mansion, the most expensive in California’s history.
7. Celine Dion ($480M)
Celine Dion’s wealth primarily springs from her Las Vegas residency. Although her return to the Strip remains uncertain due to a neurological disorder affecting her singing ability, she’s not slowing down. Dion released new songs for a rom-com soundtrack and continues to contribute to the music scene.
8. Judy Sheindlin ($480M)
Moving from her CBS show to Amazon Freevee, Judge Judy has evolved into Judy Justice. Her judicial prowess earned her a Daytime Emmy for the series’ first season. Sheindlin expands her legal brand with upcoming series on Amazon, showcasing her enduring influence.
9. Dolly Parton ($440M)
At 77, Dolly Parton’s creativity thrives. She starred in TV specials, published novels, and expanded her branded offerings, including baked goods and pet products. Her wealth stems from Dollywood, her Tennessee theme park, benefiting from a post-pandemic tourism surge.
10. Reese Witherspoon ($440M)
Reese Witherspoon is a multifaceted talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Her executive producer roles in series like “Daisy Jones & the Six” and “Tiny Beautiful Things” demonstrate her influence. She also stars in “The Morning Show” and retains ownership in her media company, Hello Sunshine.
