Taylor Swift made her debut on Forbes Magazine’s annual list of the richest people in the world, joining the ranks of celebrity billionaires on Tuesday.
Forbes noted that the singer, known as the “Mastermind,” achieved a milestone that no other musician had before. The story by Forbes ranked the world’s 14 wealthiest celebrities.She achieved billionaire status solely through her music and tours, such as the record-breaking Eras Tour. Other celebrities earned significant amounts from investments, like Rihanna with a $1.4 billion net worth, largely from her Fenty Beauty brand..
Jay-Z's $2.5 billion net worth was boosted by his holdings in D’Usse Cognac and Armand de Brignac Champagne. Forbes highlighted Swift’s rise to wealth in October, placing her net worth at $1.1 billion. Her first appearance in the annual rankings was on the 2024 list released on Tuesday. She was ranked 14th on the celebrity list, just behind “Law & Order” creator, who has $1.2 billion.
Retired NBA star Magic Johnson also made his first appearance in the rankings, coming in as the 12th richest celebrity with $1.2 billion mainly from investments in sports teams like the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Dodgers, and WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Lebron James earned his ranking as the 11th richest celebrity, also with $1.2 billion, thanks to his off-court earnings. Golfer Tiger Woods is 10th on the celebrity list with a $1.3 billion net worth. A prolific actor, director, and producer ranked 8th with $1.4 billion. “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson has $1.5 billion.
Kim Kardashian holds the 6th spot on the celebrity list with a net worth of $1.7 billion. Dick WolfOprah Winfrey is 4th with a net worth of $2.8 billion, while former NBA superstar Michael Jordan holds the 3rd spot with a net worth of $3.2 billion.
Steven Spielberg is 2nd with a net worth of $4.8 billion, gained through taking a percentage of gross sales for his films and getting a cut from ticket sales at Universal theme parks. George Lucas, the “Star Wars” creator, tops the celebrity ratings with a net worth of $5.5 billion, largely from the $4 billion sale of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012. Despite the vast fortunes of the celebrities on the list, they are overshadowed by those at the top of the overall rankings.
Bernard Arnault, who leads the LVMH fashion empire, is at the top with $233 billion. Elon Musk is second with $195 billion and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is third with $194 billion.
Although Lucas leads the celebrities list, he is ranked 548th overall. Tyler Perry Swift is the 2,545th richest person in the world, but her wealth is expected to keep growing as she continues her career as a 34-year-old “Gold Rush” singer.
The "Gold Rush" singer is the initial individual to appear on the magazine’s ranking of the wealthiest individuals globally solely through music and concert ticket revenue.
Oprah Winfrey came in at fourth with a net worth of $2.8 billion, while former NBA superstar Michael Jordan can thank his lucrative contract with Nike and his investments for his No. 3 spot, with a net worth of $3.2 billion.
With $4.8 billion, Steven Spielberg sits at No. 2, thanks to his longtime practice of taking a percentage of gross sales for his lucrative films rather than a paycheck. He also gets a kickback from every ticket sold at Universal theme parks.
Spielberg’s his old pal George Lucas tops the celebs rankings with a net worth of $5.5 billion. The “Star Wars” creator can thank the $4 billion sale of his production company, Lucasfilm, to Disney in 2012 for the bulk of his riches.
Even with all these billions, the celebrity wealth detailed on the list pales in comparison to those at the top of the overall rankings.
Bernard Arnault, who oversees the LVMH fashion empire, ranked first in the world, with $233 billion. X owner and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was second with $195 billion and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was third with $194 billion.
While on the top of the celebrities list, Lucas ranks just 548th overall.
Swift comes in at just the 2,545th richest person in the world, but the 34-year-old “Gold Rush” singer’s fortunes are likely to continue growing.
