Jeffree Star‘s Stunning $200 Million Net Worth: Controversial Mogul‘s Climb to Fame and Fortune
Jeffree Star is one of the most controversial, successful, and highly-talked about celebrity entrepreneurs today. The 36-year-old mogul created a multimillion dollar cosmetics empire seemingly overnight and in the process has amassed a jaw-dropping net worth of $200 million.
With an outlandish fashion sense covered in tattoos and over 14 million loyal Instagram followers, Jeffree has become renowned not only for his makeup skills but his sharp tongue and unfiltered opinions. His incredible wealth and over-the-top lifestyle only add to his fame – but how exactly did Jeffree Star become so wildly rich and successful?
The Unconventional Upbringing of a Future Icon
Born Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr. in 1985, Jeffree endured a difficult childhood. His father tragically died by suicide when he was just 6, leaving his mother to raise him alone.
As a young boy fascinated by makeup, fashion, and performance, Jeffree endured bullying and developed a style described as "genderfluid" – wearing both traditionally masculine and feminine clothing.
This nonconformity led to him dropping out of high school at age 16 to pursue his passion – music. Homeschooled to complete his diploma, the ambitious Jeffree set forth to build a career in entertainment.
MySpace, Music, and Early Fame
In the early 2000‘s the emergence of social media ushered in new forms of fame and influence outside the Hollywood system. Jeffree latch onto platforms like MySpace to promote his music and connect directly with fans drawn to his bold persona and style.
By 2006 Jeffree had amassed success on MySpace – including over 50 million song plays. This recognition caught the attention of traditional music labels, who saw commercial potential in Jeffree‘s alternative image meshed with pop melodies.
He signed first with with Akon‘s Konvict Muzik imprint to release club-music inspired EPs. While never breaking through to mainstream success, this initial brush with viral attention provided a valuable foundation for Jeffree‘s later success.
The Birth of Jeffree Star Cosmetics
In 2014, Jeffree decided to combine his love of music, fashion and performance into a new project – makeup. Pouring his savings into creating quality lipsticks and eyeshadows with cheeky names, Jeffree Star Cosmetics was born.
Relying on connections made through years promoting himself online, Jeffree released the first eyeshadow palette and batch of "velour liquid lipsticks" direct-to-consumer from his own Shopify store.
This new brand was an instant viral hit, earning rave reviews for its pigmented, vibrant shades and slick packaging. Jeffree marketed it heavily across social platforms and his YouTube channel, which now has over 15 million subscribers. This direct outreach allowed his new passion project to thrive.
Today Jeffree Star Cosmetics offers hundreds of products across dozens of retailers globally, launches new collaborations monthly, and continues to sell out product launches almost instantly. The meteoric success of his namesake cosmetics line and its over $100 million valuation are the cornerstone of Jeffree‘s vast wealth.
Critical & Commercial Success
The first Jeffree Star Cosmetics eyeshadow palette earned rave reviews from influencers that drove an astonishing $100k in sales within minutes of launching. This initial hype was bolstered by sustained quality and innovation, making it one of fastest growing brands in makeup.
| Year | Estimated Revenue | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $10 million | – |
| 2017 | $20 million | 100% |
| 2018 | $40 million | 100% |
| 2019 | $60 million | 50% |
As the chart above shows, Jeffree‘s makeup empire has matched viral hype with commercial success, doubling in size annually and cementing dominance of the online beauty space in just a few short years.
YouTube Fortune: $10 Million a Year?
Aside from makeup, Jeffree also earns an enormous income from YouTube. With high production value content, no-holds-barred opinions, extravagant spending, and glimpses into his lifestyle, Jeffree has become one of YouTube‘s top stars.
His videos alone are estimated to bring in over $10 million per year through Google AdSense revenue, endorsements, affiliate marketing and more. This makes Jeffree one of the highest paid personalities on the platform.
Compared to other top beauty YouTubers, Jeffree‘s income and 15+ million subscribers outpaces even the biggest names. This chart illustrates his dominance of beauty YouTube:
| YouTuber | Subscribers | Est. Yearly Income |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffree Star | 16.2 million | $10 million |
| James Charles | 13.5 million | $5 million |
| NikkieTutorials | 12.4 million | $3 million |
Combined with his other assets like his real estate portfolio, clothing line, and additional endorsements, Jeffree‘s empire all contributes to a net worth nearing a quarter of a billion dollars.
Expanding His Portfolio: Real Estate Empire?
A recent influx of investments into property signals Jeffree may be aiming to add real estate mogul to his resume along with musician, YouTuber and beauty guru.
In the last several years, Jeffree has purchased over $35 million in property including a $14.5 million Hidden Hills estate he christened "The Star Yak Ranch". Complete with a private recording studio, the sprawling mansion neighbors the Kardashians.
Additional recent splurges like a $1.7 million villa in La Jolla and a $4 million plot of vacant land hint at ambitions to continue expanding his portfolio as his wealth swells even higher in the years to come through smart investments outside the makeup industry.
Controversies and Public Perception
No doubt Jeffree‘s incredible wealth and sharp tongue have contributed to his notorious reputation. From feuds with other influencers to resurfaced old racist comments, Jeffree is no stranger to backlash.
However many of his fans continue to support him and his brand, asserting people can change and that his charitable donations to LGBTQ+ organizations showcase his empathy.
Regardless of public perception, Jeffree continues marching to the beat of his own drum, releasing new products, music, and remaining one of pop culture‘s most prominent figures.
What‘s Next for the $200 Million Mogul?
As Jeffree Star Cosmetics goes from strength to strength, his boyfriend launches a real estate empire, and his YouTube following continues to swell, there is no ceiling in sight to how high Jeffree‘s net worth could grow.
Some financial projections estimate his future wealth over $500 million as he expands into retail locations, distribution channels and potentially even a makeup reality show.
Emerging beauty trends like genderless cosmetics could provide additional marketshare opportunities while collaborations with celebrities may introduce Jeffree‘s divisive persona to more mainstream audiences.
No matter what, Jeffree is sure to remain an influential, unfiltered and affluent powerhouse for years to come.
