The list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women highlights a record-breaking year for the affluent and well-known, featuring 15 celebrities whose combined net worth has surged to $13.3 billion, a 23% increase from last year. The list includes prominent figures from the music and entertainment industries such as Beyoncé, Madonna, Ellen DeGeneres, Judge Judy, and Reese Witherspoon.
Katy Perry made her debut on the list with a notable $225 million deal, selling her master recordings royalties and publishing rights to Carlyle-backed Litmus Music. This transaction, one of the largest music sales of 2023, included five of her six studio albums. Perry also announced her departure from “American Idol” after seven seasons, where she reportedly earned $25 million per season, and hinted at new music on the horizon.
Taylor Swift, identified as a billionaire last October, has seen her fortune swell to an estimated $1.3 billion, up from $1.1 billion last fall. This increase is largely due to her Eras Tour, which generated over $1 billion in ticket sales in 2023, making her the first artist to achieve this milestone. The tour is projected to bring in another $1 billion by its conclusion in December. Swift also released her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, breaking her own streaming record.
Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour grossed nearly $580 million, complemented by a companion film that earned an additional $44 million in theaters, boosting her net worth to an estimated $760 million, an increase of $220 million from last year. Madonna’s Celebration Tour, which grossed over $225 million, made her the first female artist with six tours exceeding $100 million each.
Together, Swift, Beyoncé, and Madonna amassed over $1.8 billion from their tours. The list’s 15 celebrities are divided into various sectors: seven from music, four from film and television, and three from cosmetics and skincare. Rihanna, for example, owes much of her wealth to her 50% stake in Fenty Beauty. Serena Williams stands out as the only professional athlete, having earned $95 million in prize money and substantially more from endorsements and investments, including her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures.
This year, the minimum net worth to make the list was $300 million, up from $225 million last year. Most celebrities on the list saw their fortunes grow, with only Reese Witherspoon and Rihanna’s wealth remaining unchanged. Shonda Rhimes, who made her debut in 2023 due to her success with shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton, did not make the cut this year. Kylie Jenner, at 26, continues to be the youngest member since her first appearance in 2018, while Barbra Streisand, 82, and Judy Sheindlin, 81, are the oldest celebrities featured.
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