Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez crack America’s billionaire list with booming empires

Two of the world’s most recognizable pop stars, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, have officially joined the ranks of America’s billionaires. Their stories prove that global fame, when paired with smart investments and innovative ventures, can transform into billion-dollar fortunes.

According to The Wall Street Journal, of the 1,135 billionaires in the United States, roughly 86 percent are men, leaving only about 150 women on the list. Among those trailblazers are Swift and Gomez, who turned their music careers into global empires, breaking barriers in an industry where women often face greater obstacles to long-term financial success.

Let’s take a closer look at how Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez achieved billionaire status, and how other female powerhouses like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian continue to redefine wealth and influence in America.

Taylor Swift: From Country Star to Billion-Dollar Icon

Taylor Swift’s rise to the billionaire list is a story of relentless hard work, artistry, and sharp business acumen. She first captured hearts with her self-titled debut album in 2006, blending country storytelling with catchy melodies. From there, each new era in her career elevated her into a larger cultural phenomenon.

The Eras Tour: A Record-Breaking Success

In 2023, Taylor Swift officially crossed into billionaire territory, largely thanks to her groundbreaking Eras Tour. According to Forbes, she earned an estimated $190 million after taxes from just the first leg of the tour.

The Eras Tour, which ran nearly two years from March 2023 to December 2024, shattered records, grossing more than $2 billion worldwide. Beyond the concerts themselves, Swift also boosted revenue with the theatrical release of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which dominated global box offices.

Multiple Revenue Streams

Swift’s fortune isn’t just about touring. Her diversified income includes:

• Album sales and streaming royalties from over a decade of hits.

• Smart real estate investments across New York, Los Angeles, Rhode Island, and Nashville.

• Merchandise sales, which exploded during the Eras Tour.

• The re-recorded albums, known as Taylor’s Versions, which brought her creative and financial control over her catalog.

Forbes now estimates her net worth at around $1.6 billion, cementing her as one of the most powerful women in music and beyond.

Selena Gomez: Building a Fortune Beyond Music

Like Swift, Selena Gomez began her career in entertainment at a young age, starring in Disney Channel shows before transitioning into music. But her status as a billionaire is tied not only to her entertainment success but also to her sharp entrepreneurial ventures.

Rare Beauty’s Global Impact

Gomez launched Rare Beauty in 2020, a makeup brand designed to emphasize natural beauty and inclusivity. The line quickly became one of the most successful celebrity beauty brands, reaching hundreds of millions in annual sales.

Rare Beauty’s mission-driven marketing—such as pledging a portion of profits to the Rare Impact Fund for mental health services—resonated deeply with consumers, making the brand both profitable and socially impactful.

Expanding Her Entertainment Ventures

Gomez continues to act and produce, most notably in the hit series Only Murders in the Building. The show’s critical acclaim and awards recognition have strengthened her reputation as a force in Hollywood.

Combined with her music catalog, brand endorsements, and investments, Gomez’s empire pushed her over the billionaire threshold in 2025. Her success proves that fame combined with innovation can lead to financial independence and influence.

Rihanna: Beauty Mogul and Billionaire Trailblazer

While Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez are the newest faces on America’s billionaire list, Rihanna paved the way for many female entertainers-turned-entrepreneurs.

Fenty Beauty Revolution

In 2017, Rihanna disrupted the beauty industry with Fenty Beauty, launching a foundation line inclusive of 40 shades—something previously unseen in mainstream cosmetics. The brand generated massive sales in its first year and remains a leader in inclusivity.

Savage X Fenty’s Expansion

Rihanna later expanded into lingerie with Savage X Fenty, a brand valued at $1.4 billion in 2025, thanks to celebrity-driven marketing and innovative campaigns.

By 2021, Rihanna had already secured her billionaire status, with Forbes estimating her worth at $1.7 billion at the time, making her the wealthiest female musician in the world.

Kim Kardashian: Reality TV Star to Skincare Tycoon

Another powerful woman to crack the billionaire list is Kim Kardashian, who first rose to fame through reality television but has since built an empire spanning beauty, shapewear, and media.

The Power of SKIMS and SKKN BY KIM

While Kardashian initially entered the beauty industry with KKW Beauty, she later reinvented her brand by launching SKKN BY KIM in 2022, a high-end skincare line.

Her most significant business success, however, is SKIMS, her shapewear and lifestyle brand. In 2023, SKIMS was valued at $4 billion, driving Kardashian’s net worth to $1.7 billion by 2025.

Her ability to leverage personal branding, social media influence, and a keen sense for consumer trends has solidified her place as one of the most successful female entrepreneurs of the decade.

Why Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez’s Success Matters

The inclusion of Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez on America’s billionaire list is more than just a financial milestone. It’s a reflection of broader shifts in culture and industry:

1. Women in Business Leadership – In a landscape where 86 percent of billionaires are men, Swift and Gomez represent a small but growing group of women carving out financial empires.

2. Entertainment as a Launchpad – Both stars leveraged their entertainment careers to branch into highly profitable businesses, showing how fame can evolve into sustainable wealth.

3. Redefining Influence – Beyond numbers, both women use their platforms to advocate for mental health, inclusivity, and creative ownership, inspiring millions worldwide.

The Bigger Picture: Women Redefining Wealth

With Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez all making billionaire status, a new narrative is emerging. These women are not simply celebrities with side businesses—they are powerful CEOs and brand builders shaping industries.

Their paths to wealth vary:

• Swift relied heavily on music, touring, and ownership of her catalog.

• Gomez leaned into beauty and television production.

• Rihanna built an empire on inclusivity in fashion and beauty.

• Kardashian mastered branding and consumer-driven products.

But what unites them is their ability to turn influence into lasting empires.

Final Thoughts

The news that Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez cracked America’s billionaire list highlights the growing power of women in entertainment and business. Both artists began their careers as performers but refused to stop there, expanding their empires into tours, beauty, real estate, and beyond.

Joining the ranks of Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, these women are redefining what success looks like for entertainers in the 21st century. Their journeys show that billionaire status is not just about money—it’s about resilience, innovation, and the ability to transform influence into impact.

As the entertainment and business worlds continue to evolve, stars like Swift and Gomez remind us that the future of wealth creation isn’t just in boardrooms—it’s also on the stage, in beauty aisles, and on streaming screens worldwide.