Is Rihanna Really Richer Than Queen Bey?
In short – yes, Rihanna‘s net worth drastically exceeds Beyoncé‘s. According to the latest 2023 celebrity rich lists, Rihanna‘s personal fortune sits at a staggering $1.4 billion – making her by far the wealthier of the two music megastars.
Beyoncé is estimated to be worth approximately $500 million – still extremely impressive, but Rihanna‘s cosmetics line has propelled her into a different financial bracket entirely…
At a Glance: Rihanna vs. Beyoncé‘s Wealth
Here‘s a snapshot of how their net worths compare, according to respected outlets like Forbes and Bloomberg:
| Name | Net Worth | Key Income Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rihanna | $1.4 billion | Fenty Beauty cosmetics brand |
| Beyoncé | $500 million | Music, endorsements |
As you can see, Rihanna‘s net worth is almost three times higher than Beyonce‘s – a massive difference at these elite celebrity finance levels.
So what‘s the story behind Rihanna‘s billion-dollar ascent? Let‘s analyze their respective income sources…
How Rihanna Built a $1.4 Billion Fortune
While both women have enjoyed incredibly successful music careers, Rihanna‘s recent business ventures have been key in cementing her status as one of the world‘s richest performers.
The driver of Rihanna‘s billionaire wealth is her Fenty Beauty cosmetics empire. She co-owns the brand with French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, who exclusively manufacture and distribute Fenty Beauty products.
In its first 15 months of operation following launch in late 2017, Fenty Beauty racked up a staggering $550 million in revenue. For context, Kylie Jenner‘s hugely popular Kylie Cosmetics brand took 4 years to hit the half-billion revenue milestone.
The numbers speak for themselves – Rihanna and LVMH have achieved truly rare commercial success in a crowded industry dominated by decades-old brands.
So what made Fenty Beauty stand out? Industry insiders widely credit Rihanna‘s innovative vision that prizes inclusivity and caters to all skin tones – a refreshing approach that found a passionate audience.
Rihanna also retains full creative control over product development, staying at the forefront of trends with must-have makeup beloved by Gen Z and Millenials alike.
On top of co-owning Fenty Beauty, Rihanna owns a 30% stake in her Savage X Fenty lingerie line valued at over $270 million. The popular intimates brand emphasises body positivity and diversity has earned Rihanna praise for shaking up the tired old lingerie industry.
Between these two new-age beauty brands, Rihanna has built a staggeringly lucrative business empire virtually from scratch in just a few short years.
Beyoncé‘s $500 Million Music & Endorsement Fortune
In contrast to Rihanna‘s billionaire bombshell cosmetics success, Beyoncé‘s immense $500 million net worth has been steadily built over decades through music earnings, tours, acting roles and endorsements.
As one of the world‘s highest certified musicians ever, Beyoncé has sold over 100 million records worldwide since going solo in 2003. She‘s one of the defining pop artists of the digital era, known for culture-shaping surprise album drops.
Beyoncé is also renowned for her monumental world tours featuring next-level production. 2018‘s ‘On the Run II‘ with husband Jay Z grossed over $250 million – making it one of the highest-ever grossing concert tours globally.
On top of earnings from album sales and touring, Beyoncé has enjoyed lucrative deals as the face of prestigious brands like Pepsi, Nintendo, American Express and more.
She also has a growing acting career with roles in major studio films; she reportedly earned $12 million alone for voicing Nala in 2019‘s CGI remake of ‘The Lion King‘.
So in summary – Beyoncé has made her half-billion fortune not through risky new startups like Rihanna, but proven money-spinners leveraging her unmatched A-list status and credentials within the entertainment and music industries over decades.
How Rich are Other Top Musicians & Celebrities?
To put their vast wealth into wider context, both Rihanna and Beyoncé are significantly more affluent than famous peers in entertainment – with Rihanna firmly in a league of her own:
Kim Kardashian – Reality star Kim Kardashian is worth approximately $1.8 billion largely from her KKW beauty and fragrance endeavors, along with lucrative endorsement deals. So Rihanna still edges her out as the richest female entertainer.
Kanye West – Hip-hop icon Kanye West is worth $2 billion, according to Bloomberg‘s most recent estimates. So while Rihanna isn‘t quite on Kanye‘s level, she may well eclipse his fortune in coming years if Fenty Beauty continues rocketing skywards.
Taylor Swift – Perennial chart-topper Taylor Swift has a net worth hovering around $570 million. She also earns nine figures annually, but still has some way to catch up with Rihanna and Beyoncé.
Outside of music, Rihanna and Beyoncé‘s wealth eclipses all but the very top Hollywood stars and athletes like LeBron James ($1 billion) and Tory Gergerson ($800 million).
They are members of an elite celebrity ‘Triple Comma Club‘divided by gender, privilege and access more than actual talent. But that‘s one debate for another time!
Verdict: It‘s Still Rihanna > Beyoncé for Richest Woman in Music
In concluson – based on all reported metrics from reputable financial outlets, Rihanna‘s current net worth in 2024 convincingly exceeds Beyoncé‘s by over $900 million.
Rihanna‘s astronomic success with cosmetics venture Fenty Beauty in just a few years has been integral propelling her billionaire ranking.
That said, Beyoncé is still extremely wealthy herself through decades of music industry domination and financially fruitful partnerships.
But if current trajectories continue, Rihanna on track to widen the wealth gap between herself and Beyoncé even further in the years ahead.
So while Beyoncé remains the undisputed Queen Bey of music, Rihanna reigns as the clearly richer Queen Riri overall!
