An Olympian who’s made quite a fortune for herself based on her amazing talents, this young gymnast has already made $16 million before her 30th birthday. A fan favorite as well as the most decorated gymnast in United States history, it’s no wonder so many brands have been eager to partner with the impressive and talented Simone Biles.
By the time she was 19 years old, Simone Biles had won 18 medals between competitions in the Olympics and the World Championships. In 2016 alone, Biles received sponsorships from Kellogg’s, Proctor and Gamble, United Airlines, Hershey, and Beats by Dre. Such an amazing start at such a young age, it’s exciting to imagine what Simone will accomplish as she grows older.
Jay-Z — $2.5 Billion
Talk about the ultimate power couple! In addition to Beyoncé’s multimillion net worth, Jay-Z has accrued a staggering $2.5 billion in net earnings. You might’ve guessed that Beyoncé had amassed more wealth than her husband, but Jay-Z has been smart with his money over the years and his successful business ventures have paid off big time. With investments in entertainment labels, a clothing line, various alcohol brands, and Tidal, a music streaming service, Jay-Z has his finger on the pulse and it’s making him richer by the day. Additionally, Jay-Z owns an upscale sports club.
We haven’t even gotten to the money Jay-Z has made from his music label. Jay-Z’s successful career as a musician is the platform from which he was able to build his fortune and eventually make so much money that he was named America’s richest musician by Rolling Stone. Not only that, Jay-Z was ranked number five on Forbes’ rankings of celebrity net worths. Not too shabby!
Shania Twain — $410 Million
Shania Twain’s impressive net worth is actually no surprise considering her massive repertoire of chart-topping hits. Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain has had an incredible country music career and has amassed quite a fortune. Beginning her career as a teenager, Twain accumulated massive acclaim after her second studio album led her to chart-topping recognition.
Iconically famous songs include “Man, I Feel Like A Woman,” and “That Don't Impress Me Much.” Continuing on in her career, Twain still has a huge fan base, continues to release new music, and keeps us all on our toes. Her $410 million net worth continues to grow to this day.
Maria Sharapova — $196 Million
A sports legend with a massive net worth, Maria Sharapova is one of the greatest tennis players in the world, and she’s got the bank account to prove it. She’s one of only ten women to make a professional career out of playing tennis. Russian-born Sharapova became a pro in 2001 and began to accumulate her fortune off of prize winnings and endorsements from advertisers. In 2004, she signed endorsement contracts with massive companies including Motorola, Tiffany and Co., Nike, Gatorade, and Tropicana.
In addition to her amazing talents, Sharapova is a natural beauty and has been featured as a model in numerous ad campaigns. Being in the spotlight, especially the sports spotlight, comes with its potential issues, though. In 2016, Sharapova was banned from the tennis courts for a total of 15 months after failing a test meant to detect performance enhancers. However, she bounced back and continues to lead an impressive professional career.
Simon Cowell — $600 Million
Known for his harsh attitude and biting commentary as a judge, Simon Cowell gained his fortune from his excellent ability to tell the difference between a dud and a superstar in the music industry. Cowell’s talents as a producer and manager helped him to discern famous acts such as Five and Westlife, two popular boy bands out of the U.K.
What most people know him for, though, are his roles as a judge on the hit television shows "American Idol" and "The X Factor." Though he’s often posed as the villain on the judging panel for his rude remarks, his discerning ear has helped him to find numerous singers and transform them into pop sensations. Famous acts that Cowell is responsible for include Il Divo, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, and One Direction. The proof is certainly in the pudding!