Rihanna, a talented Barbadian singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur, boasts a net worth of $1.4 billion, making her the wealthiest female musician worldwide. Over the years, Rihanna has proven her exceptional versatility and business acumen, building an empire that stretches beyond music. Much of her net worth is linked to her groundbreaking ventures, notably her highly successful Fenty Beauty line, a partnership with the luxury brand LVMH. This beauty brand has grown exponentially, generating over $100 million in revenue annually. Rihanna owns 50% of Fenty Beauty, which is valued at $2-3 billion.
Along with her beauty brand, Rihanna also owns a significant portion of Savage X Fenty, a lingerie company she co-owns with 30% of the stake. This venture, valued at $1 billion, has contributed greatly to her wealth. Each year, Rihanna’s empire brings in between $40 million and $80 million. For instance, between June 2018 and June 2019, her earnings amounted to $65 million, while between June 2019 and June 2020, she earned $45 million.
From her early days as an artist, Rihanna quickly rose to global fame. Her debut album, “Music of the Sun,” released in 2005, marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career. Since then, Rihanna has sold over 60 million albums and 120 million singles, making her one of the best-selling digital musicians in history. She holds the record for the youngest solo artist to achieve 12 #1 singles on the Billboard charts and has received countless awards throughout her career.
Key Facts about Rihanna
- Wealthiest Female Musician: Rihanna holds the title of the richest female musician in the world.
- Ownership in Fenty Beauty: Rihanna owns 50% of Fenty Beauty, which is valued at around $1.5 billion.
- Savage X Fenty: She owns 30% of Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand worth $1 billion.
- Massive Social Media Following: Rihanna commands over 250 million followers on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
Early Life: From Humble Beginnings to Stardom
Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. She is of Afro-Barbadian, Afro-Guyanese, and Irish descent. Growing up in a turbulent household, Rihanna’s father struggled with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction. Music became her escape from the chaos around her. Her big break came when American record producer Evan Rogers discovered her in Barbados. Rogers saw her potential, and he invited her to the U.S. to record demos. Shortly after, Rihanna was signed by Rogers’ production company, Syndicated Rhythm Productions.
The Rise of a Music Icon: Rihanna’s Career
Rihanna’s career took off after rapper and music mogul Jay-Z, who was the CEO of Def Jam Records at the time, heard her demo. In 2004, she was signed to a six-album deal. Rihanna’s debut album, “Music of the Sun,” was released in August 2005. The album featured her first hits, and it quickly catapulted her to fame. Her second album, “A Girl Like Me,” released in April 2006, was certified platinum by the RIAA.
In 2007, Rihanna released her groundbreaking album “Good Girl Gone Bad.” The album featured the mega-hit “Umbrella,” which sold over 8 million copies worldwide and earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2008, alongside Jay-Z.
Rihanna’s musical journey continued with albums like “Rated R” (2009), “Loud” (2010), “Talk That Talk” (2011), “Unapologetic” (2012), and “Anti” (2016). Notable collaborations followed, including “Run This Town” with Jay-Z and Kanye West, “Love the Way You Lie” with Eminem, and “Take Care” with Drake. In 2022, Rihanna returned to the music scene with “Lift Me” from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, marking her first solo release since 2016. She also headlined the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in 2023, which became the most-watched halftime show in history.
Rihanna’s Awards: A Testimony to Her Talent
Rihanna’s incredible career has been recognized with numerous accolades. She has won 9 Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 13 American Music Awards, 8 People’s Choice Awards, and six Guinness World Records. These awards highlight her influence and success in the music industry.
Expanding Horizons: Acting and Television
Rihanna’s talents go beyond music, as she has ventured into acting and television. Her film debut came in 2006 when she made a cameo in “Bring It On All or Nothing.” In 2012, she starred in the UK television series “Styled to Rock,” which later had an American version in 2013. Rihanna also appeared in films such as “Battleship” (2012), “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” (2017), “Ocean’s 8” (2018), and “Guava Island” (2019). She voiced the character Tip in the animated film “Home” (2015) and even released a concept album for the movie’s soundtrack.
Business Ventures: A Billion-Dollar Empire
Beyond her music career, Rihanna has successfully expanded her brand into various businesses and deals. In 2015, she signed a lucrative $25 million deal with Samsung to promote their Galaxy products. Her brand collaborations include big names like Secret Body Spray, MAC Cosmetics, Budweiser, Armani, Dior, and more. In 2014, Rihanna became the creative director of Puma, designing the women’s line and releasing successful apparel and footwear collections.
Rihanna’s most notable business venture is Fenty Beauty, a makeup line launched in partnership with LVMH’s Kendo Brands in 2017. The brand generated $100 million in revenue within the first two months of its launch and continued to grow, making $570 million in 2018. Rihanna’s 50% ownership stake in Fenty Beauty is estimated to be worth $1-1.5 billion. She also co-owns Savage X Fenty, a lingerie line, with a 30% stake, which is valued at $1 billion. In addition to these ventures, Rihanna owns a skincare line, Fenty Skin, and has previously had her own fashion brand, Fenty, which has since been discontinued.
Philanthropy: Giving Back to the Community
Rihanna has been a staunch advocate for philanthropy throughout her career. She donated $8 million in 2020 to support coronavirus relief efforts. Her Clara Lionel Foundation, founded in 2012, has contributed millions to causes around the world. This includes over $2 million for abuse victims in Los Angeles and $5 million to various charities. Rihanna’s philanthropic efforts have earned her admiration not only as an artist but also as a compassionate global citizen.
Personal Life: High-Profile Relationships and Family
Rihanna’s personal life has often made headlines. She has been romantically linked to several high-profile figures, including rapper Drake, with whom she had an on-and-off relationship from 2009 to 2016. Rihanna also dated Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel from 2017 to January 2020. However, the most famous of her relationships was with rapper Chris Brown. In 2009, Brown was charged with felony assault after an altercation with Rihanna, which resulted in visible injuries. Though the two briefly reunited in 2013, they eventually went their separate ways.
In May 2021, Rihanna began dating rapper ASAP Rocky. They welcomed their first child in May 2022, and in February 2023, Rihanna revealed she was expecting their second child during her Super Bowl halftime performance.
Real Estate: A Taste for Luxury
Rihanna’s taste for luxury extends to her real estate investments. In 2009, she purchased a stunning mansion in Beverly Hills for $6.9 million. However, this house came with severe water leakage problems, leading Rihanna to sell it in 2012 for $5.03 million. From 2013 to 2017, Rihanna rented a penthouse in Manhattan for $50,000 a month. She later lived in a West London home, paying $20,000 per month in rent.
Rihanna has also invested in properties in Los Angeles and Barbados. In 2017, she purchased a home in the Hollywood Hills, which she later sold in 2022 for $6.6 million after a break-in. In 2021, she acquired a $13.8 million home in Beverly Hills, and a month later, she bought an adjacent property for $10 million. In 2023, she purchased a luxurious 9,300-square-foot home in Los Angeles for $21 million, later listing it for sale at a price just under $25 million.
Rihanna’s real estate portfolio reflects her success and status as one of the wealthiest and most influential celebrities in the world today.
