Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Tesla’s Elon Musk vie for the title of the world’s richest person with fortunes approaching £200 billion, but who are the world’s Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Tesla’s Elon Musk vie for the title of the world’s richest person with fortunes approaching £200 billion, but who are the richest entertainers??
While we can appreciate the hard work that is poured into a multi-billion pound business, few understand how an entertainer is worth millions or even billions.
These beautiful people have a champagne lifestyle few ordinary joes understand.
They spend most days shopping or working out to while away the hours before attending a club, awards ceremony or film premiere.
American website Celebrity Net Worth tracks what these jet setters have in the bank to list the world’s richest celebs.
Table of Contents
1. George Lucas – Net Worth $10 billion
Lucas made his money from creating two legendary film franchises – Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Far from arresting on his laurels, the director, writer and producer went on to develop special movie effects specialist Industrial Light & Magic.
Much of his wealth came from the sale of Lucasfilm, his movie-making company, to Disney for $4 billion in 2012.
2. Stephen Spielberg – Net worth $8 billion
Filmmaker Spielberg has notched many successes over the years. Many have passed into folklore, like ET, Close Encounters of the Third KInd, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and the list goes on…
Spielberg started his career as a director shooting episodes of TV series, such as the detective drama Columbo and Marcus Welby MD. His first movie was Duel (1971). Spielberg worked with George Lucas on the adventures of Indiana Jones, a tribute to ripping yarn adventure stories popular in the early 20th century.
3. Oprah Winfrey – Net worth $3.5 billion
Oprah seemingly has no limits to her talents. She is a successful TV host, actress, novelist and media tycoon perhaps more well-known recently for her comfortable interviews with British royals Prince Harry and his wife, Megan Markle.
Winfrey is also credited with inventing the TV book club format which revolutionised publishing and is a much revered TV show template taken up worldwide.
4. Jami Gertz – Net worth $3 billion
Who? Jami Gertz flies under the radar for all but the most dedicated fans who can fondly remember her in 80s and 90s movies and TV shows, like The Lost Boys and Twister. Nevertheless, she is the richest actor in the world by a long way.
Her true fortune comes from marrying Tony Ressler, owner of the Atlanta Hawks basketball franchise.
5. Jay-Z – Net worth $2 billion
Rapper, music producer, song writer and businessman earned his wealth from music, Married to showstopping entertainer Beyonce, the power couple control the companies that own the rights to their music and the output of several other top stars, such as Kanye West and Rihanna.
Jay-Z has dominated popular culture for two decades, leading the shift to artists taking control of their careers.
6. Rihanna – Net worth $1.7 billion
Rihanna is known worldwide as a music icon and singer, but a massive share of her wealth is generated from a tie-up with a luxury goods brand that pushes her Fenty beauty and fashion lines.
Rihanna is the world’s richest female entertainer and is likely to remain ahead of the likes of Beyonce, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga while Fenty earns her more than $100 million a year.
7. Kim Kardashian – Net worth $1.4 billion
Kim Kardashian is a self-made celebrity famous for being herself on the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians and the x-rated sex tape KIm Kardashian, Superstar. On the back of that success, she has built a social media empire as a fashion influencer, stylist and entrepreneur.
Kim, 42, was born in Los Angeles, California, and has sisters Kourtney and Khloe working with her on TV.
8. Paul McCartney – Net worth $1.2 billion
Sir Paul, now 80 years old, is the wealthiest British entertainer. His massive wealth comes from his time playing and writing songs with The Beatles, although he has had a stellar music and movie career since the band broke up in 1970.
McCartney – affectionately known as Macca – is credited with writing and performing many of the band’s most popular songs, like Let It Be and Hey Jude.
9. Slavica Ecclestone – Net worth $1,2 billion
The former Croatian model and ex-wife of F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone gained much of her wealth from divorcing the flamboyant Ecclestone. She met Ecclestone on a modelling assignment in Italy in 1982.
The couple were together for 23 years and had two children – Tamara and Petra. Her divorce settlement was $740 million.
10. David Copperfield – Net worth $1 billion
American illusionist David Copperfield squeezes into the top ten as if by magic. He is the richest magician on the list by a long shot. HIs money is topped up by around $50 million for performing 515 live shows a year in Las Vegas.
Born David Kolkin in New Jersey, Copperfield, 66, is considered the most financially successful magician ever.
Which Celebrities Didn’t Make The Cut?
Many well-known celebrities don’t earn enough to sit at the top table of global entertainment.
Just squeezed out despite having personal fortunes of at least $1 billion are Harry Potter author JK Rowling, Lords of the Rings movie director Peter Jackson and American singer Jimmy Buffet.
Other names on the entertainment roll of honour include:
- Comedian Jerry Seinfield (Net worth $950 million)
- Rapper P Diddy AKA Puff Daddy ($900 million)
- Singer and actress Madonna ($850 million)
- Singer Celine Dion ($800 million)
- Author James Patterson ($800 million)
Top 10 World’s Richest Entertainers FAQ
Why is Rihanna’s luxury brand called Fenty?
Fenty Beauty is one of several brands trademarked by Rihanna – whose surname is Fenty. Speculation suggests she will direct her career into these brands rather than continue entertaining.
Did Kim Kardashian really make a sex tape?
Kim was friends with and stylist for socialite Paris Hilton – who also released a sex tape – when the video came out in 2003. The tape has chalked up more than 200 million views.
Who is richer than the richest celebs?
The richest celeb – George Lucas – has a $10 billion fortune that would see him sit 190th on the Forbes Billionaire List. Tesla, Twitter and SpaceX entrepreneur Elon Musk is the world’s richest person with a $230 billion fortune.
Frenchman Bernard Arnault drops in second with a $210 billion fortune made from selling luxury branded handbags, champagnes, jewellery and perfumes.
Who’s the most surprising name on the list?
Singing cowboy superstar Gene Autrey is probably the most surprising celeb on the rich list, as he died age 91 in 1998 but still has a fortune of more than $500 million.
Autrey made nearly 100 movies between 1934 and 1953, while continuously releasing records and making live appearances. He diversified his fortune into real estate and sports promotion.
Why are all the rich list celebs so old?
Besides Rihanna, Jay-Z and KIm Kardashian, who are in their 30s and 40s, most of the wealthiest A-listers are older because it takes time to amass wealth, especially a billion dollars or more. First, artists must make their reputation before being taken seriously as industry movers and shakers.
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