When it comes to pop culture pecking orders, few things get noticed as Forbes’ America’s Richest Self-Made Women list each year. The 2025 issue is no exception—it’s a rollercoaster ride of music moguls, beauty empire titans, television icons, and sports stars who turned their celebrity into jaw-dropping wealth. Some businesses took off, some faltered, but all the names listed show that celebrity influence can be as profitable as boardroom ingenuity. Let’s dive into the 16 wealthiest women celebrities in America right now—starting from the bottom and building up to the ultimate queen.
16. Serena Williams – $350 Million
Though retired from tennis, Serena’s winning streak doesn’t stop outside the court. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, produced a new ESPN docuseries via her Nine Two Six Productions, and even became a part of the ownership group of the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo. Her empire continues to expand.
15. Katy Perry – $360 Million
Critics might have pulled her new album 143 down, but Perry’s still a pop force to be reckoned with. She sold her music catalog for $225 million, went back on tour with her Lifetimes Tour, and even made headlines by spouting off a cheeky remark during her Blue Origin space flight.
14. Reese Witherspoon – $440 Million
Hello Sunshine’s near-billion-dollar sale cemented Witherspoon’s business legacy, even if the company’s value has since dipped. She remains a Hollywood staple, starring in Amazon’s You’re Cordially Invited, Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, and producing the Legally Blonde prequel series.
13. Dolly Parton – $450 Million
Following the loss of her husband Carl Dean earlier this year, Dolly doubled down on what she’s best at—music and partnerships. With cameos with Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter and a constant flow of investments, the country icon keeps her wealth booming.
12. Ellen DeGeneres – $450 Million
Ellen’s post-talk-show existence involves real estate flips (such as her $96 million sale of a Santa Barbara mansion) and adjustment to life in the UK. Without even having a daily show, she’s raking it in.
11. Barbra Streisand – $510 Million
Streisand remains a force at 83. Her Malibu mansion rode out California’s wildfires, and she put out a new duets album featuring Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and others. Her combination of music royalties and smart real estate keeps her net worth robust.
10. Celine Dion – $570 Million
Despite her medical battles with stiff-person syndrome, Dion had a moving return, singing one song at the Paris Olympics. Her Amazon documentary I Am: Celine Dion provided fans with a fresh perspective on her staying power, augmenting her legacy—and her brand.
9. Judy Sheindlin – $580 Million
Judge Judy shows no signs of slowing down, churning out more than 100 episodes annually for syndication and Amazon. Toss in an extensive real estate empire, and she’s one of entertainment’s best dealmakers.
8. Kylie Jenner – $670 Million
Kylie continues to remake herself. From international expansions of Kylie Cosmetics, a top-selling fragrance line (Cosmic), and even a hard seltzer brand (Sprinter), she remains a headliner even with parent company Coty’s financial woes.
7. Selena Gomez – $700 Million
The largest climber on this list, Gomez, hit paydirt with Rare Beauty, which generated close to $370 million in revenue. She also earned award nominations for Only Murders in the Building and Emilia Pérez, while remaining in the public eye musically with fiancé Benny Blanco.
6. Beyoncé – $780 Million
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour didn’t quite match her Renaissance juggernaut, but she remains a stadium-filling phenomenon. Her much-discussed (and ultimately canceled) Las Vegas residency aside, she’s still an unmatched cultural icon.
5. Madonna – $850 Million
Madonna wrapped her Celebration Tour with nearly $230 million in ticket sales, proving she’s still the Queen of Pop after 40 years. Her deal with Warner Music guarantees her catalog remains a golden goose.
4. Rihanna – $1 Billion
Despite declining sales at Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, Rihanna remains firmly in the billionaire ranks. She revealed her third pregnancy at the Met Gala and launched in China with LVMH—a sign she’s only just beginning.
3. Taylor Swift – $1.6 Billion
The Eras Tour was the most lucrative ever, grossing $2 billion in tickets and elevating Swift to the billionaire’s club. Having control over her entire catalog only makes her artistically (and financially) independent—something she’s described as her “greatest dream come true.”
2. Kim Kardashian – $1.7 Billion
Kim’s shapewear dynasty, SKIMS, is a name on every household’s lips, particularly after going into partnership with Nike. Although her skincare business floundered, overall brand supremacy hasn’t declined. Kardashian continues to be one of the wisest businesspeople on the planet.
1. Oprah Winfrey – $3.1 Billion
Oprah is sitting pretty at the number one position with over three times Swift’s net value. Despite quitting the board of WeightWatchers, her real estate empire, production companies, and Netflix deals make her empire unbroken. And, oh, she has just purchased herself a $75 million plane.
Celebrity fortunes are more unpredictable than ever—futures hang in the balance on tours, beauty launches, or stock fluctuations. But the women who made this list aren’t simply performers; they’re moguls who have rewritten the playbook on celebrity power in 2025.