As per Forbes’ World Celebrity Billionaires list 2025, the gold standard in wealth rankings involves famous people who became rich because they were famous first, then smart business people.

These celebrities make it to the list not just about being talented or famous. It’s about ownership. The people at the very top aren’t just employees of studios or record labels; they are the label. They own their intellectual property (Rowling, Lucas), their brands (Oprah, Kim, Rihanna), or they negotiate a piece of the everlasting profit (Spielberg, Jackson, Cruise).

It’s also about diversification. Few are reliant on one income stream. Jay-Z has investments, Rihanna has makeup, and Tiger has course design. Their fame was the launchpad, but their business minds built the skyscraper.

Moreover, there’s resilience. These fortunes have weathered controversies, career dips, and changing public tastes. They’re built to last because they’re built on foundations that go beyond fleeting fame.

1. Steven Spielberg — ~$5.3 Billion

Yes, the Spielberg.

If your parents or grandparents ever talked about movies like Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, or Schindler’s List, you’ve heard his work. Spielberg isn’t just one of the most successful filmmakers ever; he’s arguably one of the most financially successful entertainers of all time.

His wealth didn’t just come from directing films; he has lucrative deals with theme parks (think Universal Studios) and continues earning royalties and executive productions.

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2. George Lucas — ~$5.1 Billion

The creator of Star Wars is second on this list, and it goes without saying that his story is the stuff of legends. Lucas built an entire cinematic universe that didn’t just dominate the box office; it moved into toys, books, TV shows, merchandise, theme parks, you name it.

He sold Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 for a deal worth over $4 billion, and that sale basically cemented his billionaire status.

(Also, I mean, how many people can say they created a universe that lasts decades beyond their original films?)

3. Michael Jordan — ~$3.5 Billion

Wait, what?!

A basketball player on a billionaire list?

Michael Jordan wasn’t just a player; he became a global brand. Today, much of his wealth comes from royalties from Nike’s iconic Jordan Brand, ownership stakes, team ownership moves (hello Charlotte Hornets), sponsorship deals, and smart investing.

He literally turned athletic greatness into an empire.

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4. Oprah Winfrey — ~$3 Billion

If there’s ever been someone who turned influence into serious financial power, it’s Oprah.

From The Oprah Winfrey Show to her media network OWN to investments in everything from real estate to weight loss brands, Oprah has spent decades building and reinvesting.

And yes, she’s still a billionaire. A powerful one.

5. Vincent McMahon — ~$3 Billion

You might know him as the face behind professional wrestling or the person who built WWE into a global brand.

Well, he’s stayed rich because he didn’t just wrestle people, he also built one of the biggest entertainment businesses on the planet. The TV deals, merchandise, live events, and now TKO Group Holdings, that’s what adds up.

Fun fact: not all celebrity billionaires are actors and musicians; some come from unexpected corners of fame.

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6. Jay-Z — ~$2.5 Billion

If you’ve ever said “Jay earns so much…”, you weren’t even close.

Jay-Z went from legendary rapper to business powerhouse. Music is just part of his story. He also owns successful liquor brands (like Armand de Brignac), stakes in tech companies, art collections, and more.

He’s one of the greatest examples of turning creative success into business success.

7. Kim Kardashian — ~$1.7 Billion

Love her or roll your eyes at her, Kim’s wealth is undeniable.

From Keeping Up with the Kardashians to Skims, SKKN by Kim, and serious real estate deals, Kim took reality TV fame and turned it into a lifestyle and beauty empire.

This isn’t overnight luck, this is strategic brand building at its finest.

8. Peter Jackson — ~$1.7 Billion

Okay, this one hits home if you’re into epic cinema.

Peter Jackson directed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, films that didn’t just make money… they became cultural touchstones.

Amazingly, a huge chunk of his fortune comes from Weta Digital, the visual effects powerhouse behind his films, which he sold to Unity Software for a MASSIVE payout.

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9. Taylor Swift — ~$1.6 Billion

Taylor wasn’t even a billionaire until a few years ago, and then people were like, “Wait. What?!”

Her Eras Tour shattered records. Her music catalog? Insanely valuable. Her fandom? Loyal. Her business choices? Smart.

Whether you love her music or just respect the hustle, Taylor’s financial rise is a modern entertainment phenomenon.

10. Magic Johnson — ~$1.5 Billion

Let’s close with a legend.

Magic Johnson didn’t just win championships; he invested like a boss. From owning sports teams to investing in insurance and real estate ventures, Magic’s wealth is the product of smart moves off the court.

Which, to be honest, not every athlete figures that out.

What Does This List Really Tell Us?

We could just list numbers, but here’s the thing:

Fame alone isn’t what makes these people rich. They leveraged fame into businesses, brands, investments, and assets that keep earning long after their peak spotlight moments.

Also, some of these names might surprise you, like a wrestling promoter ranking among billionaire filmmakers. That’s because celebrity in 2025 means more than movies or music; it means influence, ownership, and smart long-term deals.

Some of your favorites are still climbing (like Taylor and Kim)… and others have been stacking wealth for decades (Oprah, Spielberg, Jay-Z).

It’s a mix of legacy, innovation, brand power, and business savvy, and that’s what makes this list fun to read.

Want More?

If you’re curious… Forbes actually published the full breakdown of all celebrity billionaires in 2025 including a few names who just missed the top 10, like Jerry Seinfeld and Tiger Woods, and others who entered the list for the first time.

(And yes, if someone like Shah Rukh Khan is finally a billionaire, that might show up in other country-specific lists like Hurun India’s, which is a whole conversation on its own! )