Unveiling the 2023 Trailblazers: Five Self-Made Female Celebrity Billionaires Who Carved Their Path to Immense Wealth through Unmatched Dedication and Entrepreneurial Ventures.
🟣 Forbes’ Freshly Published List of America’s Wealthiest Self-Made Women Features Notable Female Celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Co-founder of Skims, and Rihanna, the Youngest Self-Made Billionaire at 35.
🟣 Fashion tycoon Tory Burch and former COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, also secure their spots, but it is Oprah Winfrey who claims the crown as she reigns supreme. Notably, she is co-producing a highly anticipated film alongside Steven Spielberg, scheduled for a grand premiere in December.
On June 1, Forbes unveiled its latest compilation of America’s Wealthiest Self-Made Women for 2023. Although Taylor Swift’s astonishing net worth of $740 million has garnered significant attention, securing her the 34th spot on the list, she still has a considerable journey ahead to join the esteemed billionaire club.
Doubts regarding Forbes’ interpretation of “self-made” frequently emerge when the publication unveils its wealthy rankings. Forbes asserts that it considers various criteria, including the assessment of personal assets such as stock holdings in public companies using market prices. It also seeks input from experts to determine the value of privately-owned businesses. Furthermore, Forbes states that women must have significantly generated their own wealth in the United States and/or be US citizens or permanent residents to qualify. Here are five remarkable female celebrities from diverse industries including fashion, technology, music, media, and beauty, who have successfully secured a place on the list.
5. Tory Burch, US$1 Billion
In 2022, Tory Burch, the renowned fashion designer, saw her eponymous lifestyle brand flourish with a remarkable sales figure of approximately US$1.75 billion in clothing, fragrances, and shoes. With a global presence of 370 stores, Burch’s brand demonstrates an unwavering commitment to aggressive expansion. Originating in New York City in 2004, the brand not only captivates the fashion world but also carries a profound mission of empowering women. Burch, serving as the executive chairman and CEO, has established the Tory Burch Foundation, which serves as a catalyst for women’s success, providing them with access to capital and education, thereby enabling them to pursue their dreams and aspirations with unwavering determination.
4. Kim Kadashian, US$ 1.2 Billion
Despite experiencing a decrease of US$600 million compared to the previous year, Kim Kardashian continues to hold an impressive net worth of US$1.2 billion. Forbes indicates that the value of Kardashian’s shapewear venture, Skims, suffered a decline due to “lower value for publicly traded figures.” Nonetheless, her 35 percent stake in Skims remains her primary source of revenue. Transitioning from a reality star to a successful entrepreneur, Kardashian has also established a private equity firm called SKKY Partners. Moreover, she expanded her revenue streams by launching a skincare line, SKKN by Kim. With these diverse ventures, Kardashian continues to navigate the business world and bolster her financial success.
3. Rihanna, US$ 1.4 Billion
Rihanna achieved a historic milestone by delivering a captivating performance at the Super Bowl half-time show, which garnered an astounding viewership of over 121 million. Remarkably, at the age of 35, she has become the youngest self-made billionaire, with an estimated net worth of approximately US$1.4 billion.
Undoubtedly, Fenty Beauty stands as Rihanna’s most valuable asset, having established the makeup line in collaboration with LVMH in 2017. In a remarkable turn of events, LVMH reported that Fenty Beauty experienced a doubling of its revenue in 2022. Furthermore, Rihanna, the multi-talented Barbadian singer, actress, and entrepreneur, announced an exciting partnership in March. This collaboration, named Fenty x Puma, merges her beauty line with the renowned brand Puma, a move that Vogue deems logical due to the musician’s enduring association with the fashion giant.
2. Sheryl Sandberg, US$1.7 Billion
In the year 2022, Sheryl Sandberg made the decision to step down from her position as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Facebook, now known as Meta, in order to dedicate her efforts to philanthropic endeavors. Although she continues to serve on the board of the prominent social media company, Sandberg has gained recognition for her vocal advocacy regarding women’s experiences in the workplace. Her influential books, “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead” and “Lean In for Graduates,” have achieved cult status, resonating with audiences worldwide. Prior to her tenure at Facebook, Sandberg held the role of economist at the World Bank.
5. Oprah Winfrey, US$ 2.5 Billion
According to Forbes, Oprah Winfrey, the esteemed media mogul, has secured the top spot as the wealthiest self-made female billionaire, with an estimated net worth of US$2.5 billion. Notably, earlier this year, she made headlines by acquiring an additional 352 hectares of land in Maui, further expanding her already substantial property portfolio on the Hawaiian island. In addition to her Hawaiian holdings, Winfrey possesses properties in California and Wyoming, solidifying her diverse real estate assets.
As reported by Forbes, Oprah Winfrey strategically reinvested the profits generated from her renowned television program, The Oprah Winfrey Show, into various ventures including Harpo Productions and other business endeavors. Widely regarded as America’s beloved talk show host, Winfrey is now venturing into the realm of film production. She is currently working alongside acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg on the creation of a musical film adaptation of The Color Purple, which is scheduled to premiere in North America on December 25, according to Variety.
