[Updated] List of Top Richest Celebrities in the World in 2025

Richest Celebrities 2025: Becoming famous is one thing—but turning that fame into billions is a whole different game. In 2025, only 18 celebrities worldwide have reached billionaire status, according to Forbes, with a combined net worth of $39 billion, up from $31 billion in 2024. These stars didn’t rely on talent alone. They built empires through smart investments, brand deals, and business ventures. From Hollywood icons to music moguls, let’s dive into the world of celebrity billionaires and see how they made it big.

With an estimated net worth of $5.3 billion, Steven Spielberg left behind George Lucas and became the richest celebrity in the world in 2025.

From Kim Kardashian to Jerry Seinfeld, here are the 18 stars who’ve capitalized on their renown enough to rank among the world’s wealthiest people. #ForbesBillionaires (Illustration: Neil Jamieson for Forbes) https://t.co/kHmL12cRRt pic.twitter.com/BGRsA7DgDJ

— Forbes (@Forbes) April 7, 2025

List of Richest Celebrities in the World

Most of the celebrities on this list have raked in billions – and we're not just talking about their paycheques from movies, music, or sports. Nope, these savvy stars have built business empires that have made them ridiculously rich.

Take Michael Jordan, for example. Sure, he earned a cool $3.5 billion or so from his basketball career, but it's his smart investments and ventures that have really paid off. Like, remember when he sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets for a whopping $3 billion? Talk about a slam dunk! And let's not forget his lucrative deal with Nike – it's been a game-changer for his bank account. These celebs are proof that hard work, smart moves, and a little bit of fame can add up to some serious cash. Here is the complete list:

Richest Celebrities in the World with Name and Net Worth

1. Steven Spielberg

Source: IMDb 

• Net Worth: $5.3 Billion

• Age: 78

• Citizenship: U.S.

Steven Spielberg became one of the richest filmmakers by directing blockbuster hits like Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. He has been on Forbes' list of wealthy Americans since 1994 and still actively directs films, including the 2021 remake of West Side Story. He also earns 2% of all ticket sales from Universal theme parks through a lifetime deal.

2. George Lucas

Source: IMDb 

• Net Worth: $5.1 Billion

• Age: 80

• Citizenship: U.S.

George Lucas is the creator of the Star Wars franchise, which remains hugely popular nearly 50 years after its debut. In 2012, he sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4 billion in cash and stock. While he no longer earns directly from new Star Wars projects—like the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu movie planned for 2026—his earlier work secured his massive fortune.

3. Michael Jordan

Source: nbastreet.fandom

• Net Worth: $3.5 Billion

• Age: 62

• Citizenship: U.S.

Michael Jordan, the NBA icon, became the first athlete to join Forbes’ list of the 400 richest Americans in 2023. He was also the first billionaire athlete back in 2015. Most of his wealth comes from brand deals—especially with Nike, which pays him over $100 million each year in royalties from the Jordan brand.

4. Oprah Winfrey

Source: Forbes

• Net Worth: $3 Billion

• Age: 71

• Citizenship: U.S.

Oprah Winfrey rose to fame as the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 to 2011. She became the first Black woman billionaire in 2003 through earnings from hosting, acting, and producing. In 2024, she appeared in the war drama The Six Triple Eight. Today, much of her wealth is invested in real estate—owning over 2,000 acres across California and Hawaii.

5. Vincent McMahon

Source: Forbes

• Net Worth: $3 Billion

• Age: 79

• Citizenship: U.S.

Vince McMahon began as a TV announcer for his father's wrestling company in the 1970s. He bought the business in 1982 and turned WWE into a global entertainment giant. In 2023, he merged WWE with UFC to create TKO Group Holdings. McMahon briefly served as executive chairman but stepped down amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies. He has since been selling off his shares in the company.

How They Made Their Billions

Entertainment Giants

• Steven Spielberg – Director of iconic films like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park. He earns from movies and a lifetime deal getting 2% from Universal theme park ticket sales.

• George Lucas – Creator of Star Wars, sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4 billion in 2012.

Sports Legends

• Michael Jordan – Most of his money comes from Nike’s Jordan Brand and smart investments.

• Magic Johnson – Invested in sports teams and an insurance company, growing it from $16B to $26B in assets.

• Tiger Woods – Big money from golf endorsements and luxury real estate.

• LeBron James – NBA salaries plus investments, a production company, and ownership in sports teams.

Music Moguls

• Jay-Z – Billionaire from music, alcohol brands, art, and early tech investments like Uber.

• Taylor Swift – Billionaire thanks to her massive Eras Tour and valuable music catalogue.

• Rihanna – Earned billions through Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, not just from music.

• Bruce Springsteen – Sold his music rights for $500M and earned millions touring.

TV & Film Powerhouses

• Oprah Winfrey – Media empire, real estate holdings, and acting.

• Tyler Perry – Known for the Madea franchise and owning a major production studio.

• Dick Wolf – Created hit franchises like Law & Order and FBI with huge per-episode earnings.

Creative Entrepreneurs

• Kim Kardashian – Billionaire, mainly due to Skims and her skincare line SKKN.

• Peter Jackson – Got nearly $1B from selling his VFX company Weta to Unity.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger – Movie star turned investor, made money from Google, real estate, and more.

• Jerry Seinfeld – Continues to earn from Seinfeld royalties and comedy specials.

Trends in Celebrity Wealth

• Diversification is key. Most celebrities became billionaires by investing outside their main careers.

• Entertainment, fashion, tech, and sports are the biggest wealth-building industries.

• Many celebrities sold their businesses or catalogues for massive paydays.

• The list is growing: 4 new names joined in 2025 alone.